 After the death of Jim Henson (I) (qv) in 1990, the show ceased  producing new sketches featuring Kermit the Frog. Kermit appeared  only in reruns of old sketches until 1998, when he popped up to do a  Sesame Street News Flash when Oscar the Grouchs pet worm Slimy went  into space. He appeared again in 2001, reporting on a hurricane with  Al Roker. Kermit is now voiced by Steve Whitmire (qv), who has  also assumed the role of Ernie since Hensons passing.