Evolution of Bert

[fatblue]

I don't know if there was a precursor to him before SS, but if you ask me who I liked more out of the Ernie & Bert duo I'd say I'm a Bert fan all they way!

His early look had his head more triangular and his tuft of hair was always messy. When he got mad, his mouth would scrunch up, very classic!

Later, about mid 70s into the 80s or so, they changed his facial features a bit, when he got mad, his eyebrows would slant a bit. I saw a recent shot of him on that commercial for SS music, looks like they are going back just a tad to the earlier look.

Truly an icon!!

 

[Docnzhoss]

Bert is a classic kind of dude. Gotta love the laugh. Gotta love the temper. Gotta love The Pigeon.

 

[superfan]

....I agree whole heartedly with you both! And you know, looking at the poor little Bert muppet now, whoa...he looks like he's in a constant state of worry or, "Where the **** am I?" A little unnerving.

As an aside, I also like the look of the original Count. Far creepier...the way he'd skulk into a scene with the cape drawn up by his face. Very cool.

 

[fatblue]

Bert

Even though I don't watch SS, if I ever have kids, this would be the show for them to watch, and I would get them a Bert doll for Xmas! I knew a woman I worked with once, and she had a studio picture of her little grandaughter and holding in her lap was a small doll of Bert. It was THE cutest thing I've ever seen.

 

[MuppetDude]

As an aside, I also like the look of the original Count. Far creepier...the way he'd skulk into a scene with the cape drawn up by his face. Very cool.

Ditto. That face was one of the best early Muppet designs I've ever seen, especially those mysterious eyes. Did you know that his "debut" is available from Unpaved? (Episode 406)

 

[superfan]

Sounds good....!

I'll bite!
Love to know the sketch in which the Count premiered! Could you tell me about it?

ps...gotta say I miss the thunder and lightening, too! Baloons and Confetti? Yikes!

 

[fatblue]

Speaking of balloons, remember the Ernie & Bert skit when counting sheep was too loud for Bert and Ernie started counting balloons? He imagined this big balloon getting bigger and bigger,then it made an explosion that had Bert waking up screaming "AAAGGGH!!!!' LOL!

 

[superfan]

I remember that clearly! The firetrucks, the sheep and then the balloon. And Bert seemed pleased with it too, you know, something quiet...but of course, in grand Ernie tradition, he makes it the loudest. Classic! And then the way Bert leaps from bed shaking wildly...."Waaa! Aaah! Aah!"
Ha! I chuckle as I write!

 

[MuppetDude]

That clip appears in episode #276 (another Unpaved).

 

[Censored]

Interesting thread. Bert was always my favorite. Like other muppets, he went through numerous transformations throughout the years. His nose seemed to get smaller and smaller. I tend to prefer the older looks best, but honestly, his current look is the only one that I can say that I honestly don't like.

His personality evolved as well. In the very first season, I don't believe he had any idiosyncratic interests such as paper clips, bottle caps, pigeons, oatmeal, etc. He was also a lot grumpier. There's nothing like those vintage old clips of Ernie and Bert.