Sesame Street‘s iconic duo Bert and Ernie are brought to life with an impressive amount of dedication by cosplayers. Created by Jim Henson and Don Sahlin, the duo made their debut in 1969, when they were puppeteered by Henson and Frank Oz. An odd-couple duo who live together and often find themselves disagreeing, Bert and Ernie have been mainstays of Sesame Street since their debut and are two of the series’ most recognizable characters.
During a recent convention, cosplayers who go by the usernames johnziiito_cancerino and blakorpio showed off their own take on Sesame Street‘s recognizable duo, with johnziiito_cancerino later sharing photographer Antony Oscar’s work of their cosplays through his personal Instagram.
In the photo, the pair capture Bert and Ernie’s outfits and wild hairstyles. Both cosplayers’ costumes also feature a number of nods to Sesame Street throughout, such as wearing patches of their respective characters, while Ernie’s beloved rubber duckie has been incorporated into his look.
Bert and Ernie Are Two Of Sesame Street’s Most Discussed Residents
Bert and Ernie remain two of the most prevailing Sesame Street figures despite other pairings, such as Elmo and Rocco, gaining attention in recent years. As such, Bert and Ernie are often seen outside the show, be it in cameos in Henson’s other works or through their use in parodies or tributes. The two have a place in pop culture that exists beyond their roles in the beloved children’s series, recognizable even to those who didn’t watch Sesame Street growing up.
Alongside this, Bert and Ernie have also become the subject of discussions about whether they are a couple, with former writer Mark Saltzman revealing in 2018 that his writing for the pair was informed partially by his relationship with film editor Arnold Glassman. Sesame Workshop and Oz refuted Saltzman’s comments, asserting Bert and Ernie aren’t a gay couple. Afterward, however, Oz offered a more optimistic response to fans who responded negatively to the show’s official comments, where despite asserting Bert and Ernie are not a couple, he acknowledged and celebrated that they have come to represent one.
Considering Bert and Ernie’s cultural impact, it’s easy to appreciate the recent Sesame Street cosplay. With dedicated outfit recreations and numerous small nods to the lore surrounding them, the pair’s cosplay is a fantastic tribute to the beloved characters.
Source: @johnziito_cancerino
