Recommended music: Sesame Street: That’s What Friends Are For
Sunny days are here as this #WhateverWednesday, we’re taking a look at the NECA Sesame Street Ultimate Ernie!
Created for the first episode of Sesame Street in 1969 and performed by Jim Henson for more than 30 years, the character of Ernie has always been a star of the program. A typical Bert and Ernie sketch would see Ernie bothering his longtime best friend and roommate right in the middle of one of Bert’s solo activities so that the pair could hang out together. Ernie also has several memorable sketches (and songs) revolving around his passion for bubble baths with his rubber duckie.
Ernie has appeared in countless Sesame Street episodes, specials, Follow That Bird, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, and also cameos during the finale group shots of The Muppet Movie and The Muppets Take Manhattan. Following Jim Henson’s passing, Ernie was limited to non-speaking cameos for a couple of years before Steve Whitmire stepped into the role for the next 20+ years. Ernie has always been performed as a live-hand Muppet, with a puppeteer putting his left hand in a sleeve (Ernie is left-handed). A different puppeteer then controls the right hand.
Ernie was released along with Bert as the debut wave for the NECA Sesame Street Ultimates toy line. His packaging is labeled volume 1 and is based on the 1980s Sesame Street Treasury book series. Ernie comes with a few good accessories. He includes a large letter “C,” a framed picture of Bert and himself that can be hung up, as well as his Rubber Duckie. The portrait of Bert and Ernie has been a common sight onscreen in the pair’s apartment since the 1970s.
The figure also has a variety of display options, coming with two heads and six hands. What a great way for NECA to kick off this line, as they absolutely nailed the look of the character.
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