Through their appearances on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, Kermit and his companions played a key role in shaping educational television, humorously conveying important cultural values and making learning engaging (Hubbell, 2015; Foy, 2015; Schildcrout, 2008; Tuttle Ross, 2015).
Sesame Street left a lasting mark on children's programming by combining education with entertainment, focusing on identity, community, emotional development and self-reflection (Foy, 2015; Ashwell, 2015). Kermit contributed by giving educational lectures, participating in talk spots with kids, and appearing in segments like Sesame Street News Flash (Muppet Wiki, n.d.-b), as shown below. The show not only promoted literacy, numeracy, life skills, and critical thinking in an accessible way, but also taught values like kindness, respect, and inclusivity. It also modeled social responsibility, emotional awareness, and self-regulation (Tuttle Ross, 2015; Falk, 2012; Schildcrout, 2008). Its emphasis on mutual respect and inclusivity was so impactful that it faced censorship in Mississippi in 1970 (Foy, 2015), demonstrating its profound influence on social norms and cultural values.
Kermit in Sesame Street News Flash (Sesame Street Fan, 2018).
Building on this success, Kermit and other characters continued to entertain on The Muppet Show, promoting values such as tolerance, diversity, and patience. Kermit, as the hesitant leader, often mediated conflicts, using calmness and reason to balance the chaos around him. Through these dynamics, the show subtly promoted the importance of acceptance, cooperation, and kindness (Hubbell, 2015; Leonard, 2015).
In The Muppet Movie, Kermit's performance of The Rainbow Connection (see video below) continues themes of friendship, self-reflection, and personal growth. Through metaphor and storytelling, the song encourages viewers to pursue their dreams while staying true to themselves. Kermit's journey highlights that true happiness is found not in fame, but in meaningful relationships (Baltzer-Jaray, 2015; Covington, 2015).
Kermit singing "Rainbow Connection" (infinite echoes, 2016).
Through this blend of entertainment and education, the cultural ideas and values embodied by Kermit and his fellow Muppets became integral to modern culture, resonating with audiences around the world and encouraging positive social values (Foy, 2015; Hubbell, 2015). Therefore, the Muppets present a lasting example of edutainment, continuing to inspire learning through laughter, emotion, and reflection.