I did see the first episode of The Muppet Show reboot. I think it went pretty good so far. I also saw about Steve Whitmire and Steve originally wanted to pitch a reboot of The Muppet Show in 2010 forward, and it seems Disney ignored it. 

Here’s also the summary of his blog.

In this blog post, titled "I Served with Jack Kennedy..." (a reference to the famous Lloyd Bentsen quote), longtime Muppet performer Steve Whitmire offers a deep, critical reflection on the current state of the Muppets under Disney's ownership. Whitmire, who performed Kermit the Frog for 27 years following Jim Henson’s death, argues that the characters have lost their "soul" and integrity.

The core arguments of the post include:

1. The "Tribute Band" Metaphor
Whitmire compares the current Muppets to an Elvis impersonator or a "tribute band." He argues that while they might look and sound similar to the originals, they lack the "creative spark" and "depth" that made the characters feel like real, living individuals. He claims Disney is asking fans to accept a "genuine article" that is actually just a surface-level copy.

2. Characters vs. Roles
A major theme is the difference between an actor playing a role (like Batman) and a performer being an extension of a character.

The "Interior" Approach: Whitmire believes the Muppets were designed to be direct extensions of specific artists. The performer doesn't just "play" the puppet; they are the character’s life force, evolving with them over decades.
The "Corporate" Approach: He criticizes Disney for treating the Muppets as corporate-owned assets that can be recast through "cattle call auditions." He argues that when you treat a character like a role that anyone can be hired to play, you lose the historical depth and consistent "truth" of that character.

3. The "Death" of Kermit
Whitmire is particularly protective of Kermit the Frog. He states that he never tried to "make Kermit his own," but rather worked to remain a vessel for Jim Henson’s original influence. He asserts that:

Kermit is the "spoke in the middle of the Muppet wheel," and if he is not "fully intact," the Muppets have no future.
The current version of Kermit lacks the "indignant inquisitiveness," "life philosophy," and "timing" that were passed down from Henson.

In a controversial closing, he writes: "That green frog puppet is no Kermit. His heart and soul are here with me."

4. Response to Criticism
Whitmire acknowledges that some see his views as "egotistical" or "bitter." He defends himself by stating that his intent is not to offend, but to be truthful about the "dissipation of Jim Henson’s influence." He clarifies in the comments that he respects current performers like Dave Goelz and Bill Barretta, but maintains that the overall corporate system has rendered the Muppets "inauthentic."

Summary of Message
The blog serves as a warning to fans and a critique of Disney's management. Whitmire’s message is that the Muppets are failing because they are being treated as a "brand" or "commodity" rather than as a unique form of performance art that requires a lifelong, subjective connection between the performer and the puppet.

Steve also says he doesn’t hate the Henson’s, Disney, or Matt Vogel. But I feel personally Disney forced the Henson’s to sell The Muppets franchise to Disney, even though Steve says the Henson family wasn’t forced to do it.

I believe Bill Barretta saw his blog, and responded on social media with his thoughts about it. And that hopefully Bill has reached out to the Henson family.