Bert and Ernie, political puppets



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Ernie (L) and Bert (R) Sesame Street Muppets

Ernie (L) and Bert (R) Sesame Street Muppets

Photo:

georg wendt / European Pressphoto Agency / Shutterstock

Bert and Ernie are they gay? For years, the team at "Sesame Street" explained that no, Bert and Ernie are. . . puppets But try to say that to the

Twitter

crowd.

Mark Saltzman, screenwriter of "Sesame Street" in the 80s and 90s, revealed that he had always imagined Bert and Ernie as "romantic partners", drawing on his own experience as a gay man. In response, Sesame Workshop released its usual statement about how the characters "were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves". a sexual orientation.

But this time, the torches were quickly lit for a felt. "They could just let it cool and say NOTHING," said a lamentable Twitter. "Showing this is simply insulting and homophobic and hypocritical." Critics also pointed to images of other Muppet lover interests, such as Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

The outrage seems to explain why Sesame Workshop's original statement is no longer available. In its place, there is one that begins: "Sesame Street has always been synonymous with inclusion and acceptance." She maintains that Bert and Ernie are best friends. But the part about how puppets have no sexual orientation has been removed.

Frank Oz, the puppeteer who created the character Bert, received a similar dam. "It's nice that some people feel that Bert and Ernie are gay," he tweeted. "But this is not true." Asked why he felt the need to clarify his intent, instead of letting Bert evolve, he replied, "To be honest."

This debate does not matter much for 4 year olds, who are simply delighted to learn that today 's issue has been presented to you by the letter P. Yet this is testimony to The madness of this political moment that so many adults are trying to lead, want to ventriloquize the Muppets by reading adult themes in a pile of blurry gloves.

Elmo's mother, Mae, has an orange fur while her father, Louie, has a red fur. Is it a representation of an interracial relationship? What is the didactic message to show a frog in love with a pig – or even the Gonzo craze for a chicken named Camilla? Does Big Bird suffer from untreated gigantism, possibly caused by hormonal imbalance?

To shout loudly, it's a puppet show.

Published in the print edition of September 20, 2018.

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