Ernest & Bertram is a 2002 tragic comedy short film written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker and actor Peter Spears. The film spoofs Sesame Street characters Ernie and Bert. The film is based on Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour, and depicts Bert and Ernie after they are outed by Variety magazine. Although the film was a success at the Sundance Film Festival and the U.S Comedy Arts Festival, it kept from further distribution when Sesame Workshop served the film's producers with a cease and desist order for copyright violation. Synopsis When the film starts, Miss Piggy has discontinued a romantic relationship with Bert when rumors of the roommates being gay hit the media. After Ernie arrives home, the two converse, and upon learning of the break-up, reveals that he does love Bert "that way." Bert seems not to share this sentiment, resulting in Ernie's suicide. References External links 2000s parody films 2002 short films 2002 films American LGBT-related short films Films directed by Peter Spears Films about sexuality Films about suicide Muppet parodies Tragicomedy films American comedy short films 2002 comedy films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films