The relationship between Bert and Ernie, the iconic roommates from “Sesame Street,” has been a subject of speculation and affection for decades. While Sesame Workshop has consistently maintained that they are simply “best friends,” a former writer for the show, Mark Saltzman, has reignited the debate by stating that he always wrote them as a couple. This revelation has sparked renewed interest in the nature of Bert and Ernie’s bond and what it represents for viewers around the world.
In a candid interview with Queerty, Saltzman, who wrote for “Sesame Street” from 1981 to 1990, shared his personal perspective on the beloved duo. He explained that he based Bert and Ernie’s dynamic on his own relationship with his partner, Arnold Glassman. “I always felt that without a huge agenda, when I was writing Bert and Ernie, they were,” Saltzman stated. He further elaborated that he lacked any other framework to understand their interactions, and that many people even referred to him and Glassman as “Bert and Ernie.”
Saltzman described himself as being more like Ernie, the jokester, while his partner Arnold, a film editor known for his organizational skills, mirrored Bert. This personal connection deeply influenced his writing for the characters, shaping their endearing, albeit sometimes contrasting, personalities.
However, Sesame Workshop, the producers of “Sesame Street,” firmly countered Saltzman’s interpretation. In a public statement released to NBC News, they reiterated their long-standing position: “Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves.” The statement emphasized that while Bert and Ernie are male characters with human-like traits, they are puppets and “do not have a sexual orientation.”
This official stance has been the consistent message from Sesame Workshop over the years. They emphasize the educational purpose of Bert and Ernie’s relationship, focusing on friendship and acceptance of differences, rather than romantic love.
Despite the official denial, the public perception of Bert and Ernie has often leaned towards seeing them as more than just friends. For many viewers, their close bond and domestic partnership resonated with LGBTQ+ experiences, even without explicit confirmation. This interpretation gained further traction over time.
In 2011, a petition advocating for Bert and Ernie to get married on “Sesame Street” garnered nearly 11,000 signatures, showcasing public desire to see representation of same-sex relationships in children’s media.
Further solidifying this public perception, in 2013, The New Yorker magazine featured Bert and Ernie on its cover after the Supreme Court’s decision on the Defense of Marriage Act. The illustration depicted the pair cuddling while watching the news, a powerful visual metaphor embraced by many as validation of their relationship. Saltzman himself acknowledged the New Yorker cover as a form of “vindication.”
Whether Bert and Ernie are officially a couple or simply best friends, their impact on popular culture and children’s television is undeniable. They remain beloved characters who have taught generations about friendship, tolerance, and understanding. The ongoing discussion about their relationship only underscores their enduring relevance and the powerful connections viewers forge with these “Sesame Street” icons.
