NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2006
A Frog's View Of Life's Great Lessons
Kermit The Frog Talks About His Book, 'Before You Leap'
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Play CBS Video Video Kermit The Frog's New Book Hannah Storm speaks with the popular muppet, Kermit the Frog, to discuss his new book, "Before You Leap." In his second book, Kermit reflects on the past 50 years of his life.
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Kermit the Frog's new memoir, "Before You Leap." (DISNEY)
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Hannah Storm and Kermit the Frog on The Early Show Monday (CBS/The Early Show)
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Photo Essay Kermit Hits The Big 5-0 It was quite easy bein' green when the beloved Muppet marked his 50th birthday with a parade in the town of Kermit, Texas.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has guest-hosted the "Tonight Show" for Johnny Carson, and even holds an honorary doctorate from Long Island University.
Kermit first rose to stardom during the early days of "Sesame Street" and went on to star in big-screen features such as "The Muppet Movie." Now he is releasing his memoirs in a book called "Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons," a follow-up to his 1993 best-seller.
"It was a guide to the '90s, and of course we are not in the '90s anymore," he told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm about his first book. "You may not know this, but there's a federal law requiring celebrities (to write a book), and it was my turn. I think next up is Kevin Federline."
The memoir traces Kermit's life from his early days in the swamp to his days working along side his mentor, Jim Henson.
"It's interesting. He taught me to be ridiculously optimistic," Kermit said. "That was his philosophy and it's mine. I wanted to dedicate the book to him but, frankly, I am not sure what he did. He was always around willing to lend a hand."
The book also discusses Kermit's much-publicized relationship with Miss Piggy. Rumors have abound that the two were secretly married, and entire blogs are dedicated to unraveling their relationship.
"We weren't ever actually married," he said. "We did that in a movie and she tried to trick me by getting a real priest. No, we weren't married. Am I happy? I am very happy. I am happy in my life, but it's interesting because we have the longest-lasting interspecies relationship in all of Hollywood — and the competition is fierce."
The book also discusses Kermit's close relationship with Fozzie the bear, his best friend in a segment he calls "Fridays with Fozzie."
"It's interesting because you have heard of 'Tuesdays with Maury,' and 'Fridays' is our way to pay homage to that book without paying royalties," he said.
He also offers some advice.
"My philosophy goes back to what my good friend Jim says. He said he wanted to leave the world a little better place than it was before he got here for him having been here, and I think he did that," Kermit said. "That's something we can strive for. I'm trying."
To read an excerpt of "Before You Leap," click here.
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