Bert and Ernie

Bert and Ernie are two Muppet characters who appear together in numerous skits on the PBS/HBO children's television show, Sesame Street. Originated by Frank Oz and Jim Henson, the characters are currently performed by puppeteers Eric Jacobson and Peter Linz; Oz performed Bert until 1 January 2006.

History[edit]

Bert and Ernie were built by Don Sahlin from a simple design scribbled by Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. Initially, Henson performed Bert and Oz performed Ernie, but after just one day of rehearsal, they switched characters. The original idea was to show that even though two people can have totally different characteristics, they can still be good friends.^[1]

According to writer Jon Stone, the relationship between Bert and Ernie reflected the real life friendship between Oz and Henson.^[2] Although their names are commonly believed to have been drawn from those of two minor characters in the Frank Capra film It's A Wonderful Life, sources from within the Sesame Street production team suggest that the identical names were coincidental.^[3]

According to A&E's Biography, Bert and Ernie were virtually the only Muppets to appear in the Sesame Street pilot episode, which was screen-tested to a number of families in July 1969. Their brief appearance was the only part of the pilot that tested well, so it was decided that not only should Muppet characters be the "stars" of the show, but would also interact with the human characters, something that was not done in the pilot.^[4]

An ordinary Bert and Ernie sketch involves Ernie coming up with a harebrained idea, and Bert trying to talk him out of it, usually getting him frustrated and Ernie dumbfounded. For example, if Ernie wanted to do something loud if Bert is doing something quiet like reading a book or the newspaper, Bert would teach him how to be quiet; however, Ernie would still make some noise, which would cause Bert to either lose his temper or leave the room.

Sesame Street Live performer Taylor Morgan said in an interview that "I just kind of try to think like a six year old or a seven year old, because that's how old Bert is."^[5]

Arab World, , Bert is "Badr", and Ernie is "Anis". They are called "Anis w Badr" (Arabic: أنيس وبدر)

Iftah Ya Simsim

Brazil, , Bert is "Beto", and Ernie is "Ênio". They're called "Ênio e Beto".

Vila Sésamo

Catalonia, Barri Sèsam, in the version, they are "Epi i Blai".

Catalan-language

Egypt, , Bert is "Hadi", and Ernie is Shadi. They are known as "Shadi w Hadi".

Alam Simsim

France, , Bert is "Bart" and Ernie is "Ernest". They are called "Ernest et Bart". In the French version, when Bert's brother Bart comes to visit, he is called "Bert".

1, Rue Sésame

Germany, , they are called "Ernie und Bert".

Sesamstraße

India, , they are called Bert aur Ernie.

Galli Galli Sim Sim

Israel, , Bert is "Bentz", a common short-form for the name "Ben-Tzion", and Ernie is "Arik", short-form for "Arie" (Hebrew: אריק ובנץ).

Rechov Sumsum

Italy, Sesamo apriti, Bert is "Berto" and Ernie is "Ernesto". They are called "Ernesto e Berto".

Mexico and all Latin America, , Bert is "Beto", while Ernie is "Enrique". In addition, Ernie's cousin Ernestine is called "Enriqueta".

Plaza Sésamo

Netherlands, they are "Bert en Ernie". Paul Haenen provides Bert's voice, and Wim T. Schippers provides Ernie's.

Sesamstraat

Norway, , Bert is "Bernt", while Ernie is "Erling". Usually, they're called "Bernt og Erling", respectively voiced by Harald Mæle and Magnus Nielsen.

Sesam Stasjon

Pakistan, Khul Ja Sim Sim, Bert is "Bablu", while Ernie is "Annu". They are commonly called "Annu aur Bablu".

Poland, , Bert is "Hubert" and Ernie is "Emil". They are called "Hubert i Emil".

Ulica Sezamkowa

Portugal, , Bert is "Becas" and Ernie is "Egas". They are called "Egas e Becas", in the opposite order.

Rua Sésamo

Russia, , Bert is Vlas and Ernie is Yenik. They are called Vlas i Yenik ("Влас и Еник")

Ulitsa Sezam

Spain, , Bert is "Blas", and Ernie is "Epi". Also, they are always called "Epi y Blas", in the opposite order.

Barrio Sésamo

Turkey, , Bert is "Büdü", while Ernie is "Edi". They are commonly called "Edi ile Büdü".