VIDEO : Kermit The Frog Performer On His Firing: 'Complete shock'

The longtime performer of Kermit the Frog says Disney's decision to fire him from the role came as "a complete shock." Appearing on NBC's "Today" show Thursday, Steve Whitmire also pushed back on claims from the Muppets Studio that Whitmire's "repeated unacceptable business conduct" over many years was to blame for his dismissal. Whitmire says he'd been outspoken about keeping the Muppets characters consistent because "their longevity is completely based on their consistency.