Strollerderby
Sesame Street Changes with the Times Again
The Children’s Television Workshop, producers of Sesame Street and other public television hits for shorties, has announced that it will develop its longtime favorite Bert and Ernie characters into a more openly gay couple in a committed relationship. Long suspected by homosexuals to be “family,” Bert and Ernie have remained in an ambiguous roommate relationship throughout Sesame Streets’ nearly 40-year history. But CTW spokeswoman Irene Hutchins was quoted as explaining that
“Sesame Street has always evolved with the times in which real children are living. More and more children today are living in proximity to happy, healthy, gay people who have no interest in hiding. We think portraying Bert and Ernie in more traditional romantic “couple” ways will be affirming for children with gay uncles or family friends in their lives.”
The relationship will have no sexual overtones, Hutchins hastened to add, ensuring that Bert and Ernie will still sleep in their separate, single beds. but now instead of “old buddy Bert,” Ernie will call his longtime companion, “my boyfriend, Bert.” And instead of just getting frustrated with Ernie’s trademark antics, Bert will end his tirades with “you drive me crazy, but I could never love anyone else the way I love you!”
When asked if the newly outed couple might become fathers, Hutchins was enthusiastic. “Not in the first season,” she said, “but we do think Prairie Dawn could be persuaded to be their gestational surrogate.”
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24 Comments
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amI love it! I only wish it weren’t an April Fools joke because I would so like my grandchildren to see Bert and Ernie come out.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amwell maybe ol’ judy m is having a bit of her own fun, no? I give her the April 1 pass!! ha!
Shannon LC Cate commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amI’m with you, knitty. That’s definitely a fly-on-the-wall moment. It would be my writerly dream to have this taken seriously by a bunch of crazies and published far and wide on neo-con talk radio or something!
Knitty commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amActually Rick, I totally want to be there when Judy M launches into an insane homophobic rant reporting an April Fool’s joke as fact. Hopefully her family won’t immediately decide that it’s time to consider finding her a new Home.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amJudy M’s homophobia is what is disgusting.
As much as her grandchildren deserve to benefit from enjoying Sesame Street — Judy should be ashamed of herself for her views (and actually POSTING them). Her grandchildren will not only know, but likely work with and become friends with gay men and women in their lives. Wouldn’t it be great to actually present Bert & Ernie as a happy, committed, loving gay couple to young children everywhere?! I think so.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amShannon, you do write a convincing column! I would have “bit” if Karen hadn’t called my attention to it as an April Fool’s prank. Be sure Judy M knows it was, as I would hate for her grandchildren to miss out on Seseme Street. It came out in Japan just when Karen & Ken were pre-schoolers and was a boon to me in their preschool education process. I really love it.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amThis is disgusting. I will make sure my grandchildren and others I can influence will never watch this program again.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amHee hee! Well done!
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amAwesome post. Personally, I’m still waiting for Peppermint Patty from Peanuts….
TolaniLucia commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amI thought it was true:( I got all excited and started reading it to my hubby.
MistressScorpio commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amAw… pity the Phoul.
MistressScorpio commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amAnother vote for “awesome if it were true!”
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amThis site sucks. I’m going to stop coming here.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amLMAO,thanks for the giggle.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amJody – standing – clapping
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amHow I would LOVE it if that were true. You even got me going for a moment, until I read further.
Maybe someday – until then, I’ll just hope that Bert & Ernie’s helathcare powers of attorney are up-to-date, and I’ll have to wait on the celebratory rubber duckie.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amAnd Aprils Fools Day to you too.
leahsmom commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amI love it!
Knitty commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amLOL.
The kidlet and I are watching Sesame Street as I read this. How much would I love it if this were true? Bert and Ernie are totally the OTP!
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 am“James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, applauded the producers for their inclusive approach to young people’s real-world experiences.”
Shannon LC Cate commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 ambeate:
It seems to me that there is such background queer possibility on so many kids’ shows. Remember the uproar about how Tinkie Winkie (teletubbie) was gay? A friend of mine at the time said “have you seen that show? They’re all gay!”
And hello the Wiggles…
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amWell done Shannon, you got my group of e-mail friends all worked up. Very funny.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amSo is there a gay theme in “Kipper”, the British cartoon series about a group of anthropomorphized male animals that includes Pig, evidently a single father? They party together, celebrate the seasons together, share one another’s joys and sorrows, etc. Granted, they’re a group rather than a couple, but there’s never a female in sight, as far as I can tell.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amHappy April 1 to you, too
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