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Revision as of 04:25, 28 November 2005 by Toughpigs (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) This article is about the muppet character. "Ernie" is also the former name of "Piranha Club", a comic strip by Bud Grace, and "ERNIE" is an acronym for Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment, used in the UK's Premium Bonds.
Ernie is a Muppet character on PBS' long-running children's television show, Sesame Street. He and Bert form a comic duo that is one of the program's centerpieces, with Ernie acting the role of the naïve trouble-maker and Bert the world-weary foil.
Ernie is well known for his fondness for baths with his Rubber Duckie and for trying to learn to play the saxophone because he wouldn't "put down the duckie."
Ernie was originally performed by Jim Henson. Vocally, Ernie strongly resembles one of Henson's other character creations, Kermit the Frog. Since Henson's death in 1990, Ernie has been performed by Muppeteer Steve Whitmire.
Ernie is a "live hands puppet", meaning that while operating the head of the puppet with his right hand, the puppeteer inserts his left hand into a T-shaped sleeve, capped off with a glove that matches the fabric "skin" of the puppet, thus "becoming" the left arm of the puppet. A second puppeteer usually provides the right arm, although sometimes the right arm is simply stuffed and pinned to the puppet's chest. Other puppets of this type include Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle.
Urban legends concerning Ernie
Through the years, many Muppet characters on Sesame Street have been the subject of urban legends, stories that usually prove to be false. Two of the most frequently mentioned urban legends concerning Ernie include:
Ernie's death
Ernie will be dying in an upcoming episode. Fueled by Jim Henson's death in 1990, Ernie was said to be facing his demise in one of two ways:
- From an illness (e.g., leukemia or AIDS); some stories even contended that a series of episodes were planned focusing on Ernie's failing health and impending death.
- After being fatally injured in a car accident, car-pedestrian accident, or by some other disaster (such as being trapped in a burning building).
The storyline would come to an end with the characters dealing with their emotions following Ernie's "death." However, Sesame Street presented a story acknowledging the death of Mr. Hooper several years earlier, making it unnecessary to go through again.
Ernie and Bert are gay
Ernie and Bert are gay. The source of this rumor is undetermined, although it has been suggested since Ernie and Bert are two single male characters who share a one-bedroom apartment. Sesame Workshop officials strongly insist the characters are asexual.
External links
- Tough Pigs Anthology Transcripts of Ernie and Bert sketches