Food for Thought...

[D'Snowth]

In Christmas Eve on Sesame Street Ernie and Bert both traded in their most prized possessions to Mr. Hooper in order to get a present for the other for Christmas; the presents both just happened to be related to their items (Bert getting Ernie the soap dish for Rubber Ducky to sit in, while Ernie got Bert the cigar box to keep his paper clips in). After they open their presents, Mr. Hooper arrives to save the day as his Christmas presents to Ernie and Bert are Rubber Ducky and the paper clip collection.

Now, suppose Mr. Hooper were like a minute or two late, how do you think that would've turned out? Here's my thinking...

(After they open their presents)

ERNIE: Well gee Bert... I can't put Rubber Ducky in this soap dish...
BERT: Well why not? That's what I got it for, for you to keep Rubber Ducky in.
ERNIE: But Bert... I don't have Rubber Ducky anymore.
BERT: You d-? How could you not have Rubber Ducky anymore? Rubber Ducky's your most favorite thing in the whole wide world.
ERNIE: But Bert... YOU'RE my most favorite thing in the whole wide world, that's why I traded in my Rubber Ducky to get you that cigar box.
BERT: You traded in your Rubber Ducky to get me a Christmas present?
ERNIE: That's right... so why don't you get your paper clips and put them in your cigar box?
BERT: Well, it's funny that you mention that, because it just so happens I traded in my paper clip collection to get you that soap dish for Rubber Ducky.
ERNIE: But Bert, your paper clips meant the world to you!
BERT: Yeah, but you mean more to me than those paper clips Ernie, that's why I did it.
ERNIE: You mean we both traded in our favorite things to get a Christmas present for each other and they turn out to be something to keep them in?
BERT: Yeah...
ERNIE: Wow... Bert, that's the nicest thing you've ever done for me.
BERT: Yeah, well you trading in Rubber Ducky to get me a Christmas present... that's the nicest thing YOU have ever done for ME.
ERNIE: Well... now what are we going to do? You got me the soap dish to keep Rubber Ducky in, and I got you the cigar box to keep your paper clips in, but I don't have Rubber Ducky anymore, and you don't have your paper clips anymore...
BERT: Well... I guess I could find something else to keep in my new cigar box...
ERNIE: Yeah, I guess I could find something else to keep in my soap dish...

 

[sesameguy]

Thanks for that, D'Snowth! That's probably actually what would have happened. Though they may have been sad at losing their prized possessions, they would have been glad to remember why they gave them up in the first place. Very cool!

 

[christyb]

*sniff* That was so sweet and sad. How about writing Mr. Hooper coming in that very second? Add to the scene? I'm just curious. Great job Snowth!

 

[D'Snowth]

*sniff* That was so sweet and sad. How about writing Mr. Hooper coming in that very second? Add to the scene? I'm just curious. Great job Snowth!

Alrighty then, how's this...

*Knock at door*
ERNIE: Come in!
MR. HOOPER: (Walks in) Merry Christmas Ernie! Merry Christmas Bert!
ERNIE and BERT: Merry Christmas Mr. Hooper!
MR. HOOPER: And how are we this fine Christmas Eve?
ERNIE: Oh we're fine.
BERT: Yeah, fine.
MR. HOOPER: Just fine?
ERNIE and BERT: Yeah.
MR. HOOPER: Well, I was just dropping by to deliver some Christmas presents for you guys, maybe they'll cheer you up! (Hands Bert his present) This is for you Bert....
BERT: Oh, thank you Mr. Hooper.
MR. HOOPER: (Hands Ernie his present) ... And this is for you Ernie...
ERNIE: Thanks a lot Mr. Hooper... hey what did you get Bert?
BERT: Oh I don't know, I'll open it up... let's see should I untie the ribbon, or get a pair scissors and...
ERNIE: BERT! Just open it up.
BERT: Yes, yes, yes (Opens present) Aw... my paper clips! Oh Mr. Hooper, thank you.
MR. HOOPER: You're welcome!
ERNIE: Bert... you traded your Mr. Hooper your paper clips?
MR. HOOPER: That's right Ernie, so why don't you open your present?
ERNIE: Alrighty... (Opens present) Oh, it's not... it's Rubber Ducky! Oh my Rubber Ducky!
BERT: Ernie, you mean you traded Rubber Ducky to Mr. Hooper too?
ERNIE: That's right but, and thanks a LOT Mr. Hooper!
MR. HOOPER: You're welcome!
BERT: Hey Ernie?
ERNIE: Yeah?
BERT: Ernie, we didn't get Mr. Hooper anything.
ERNIE: (Pauses) Oh no, you're right Bert...
MR. HOOPER: You're wrong boys, I got the best Christmas present ever!
BERT: What do you mean?
ERNIE: Yeah, what do you mean?
MR. HOOPER: Well, I got to see that everyone got exactly what they wanted for Christmas, huh? Merry Christmas!
ERNIE and BERT: Merry Christmas Mr. Hooper!
BERT: (Puts his paper clips in his new cigar box) Wow Ernie, my paper clips are right at home in my new cigar box!
ERNIE: (Puts Rubber Ducky his his new soap dish) And Rubber Ducky loves his new soap dish!
BERT: This turned out to be the best Christmas ever! Merry Christmas, Ernie!
ERNIE: Merry Christmas to you too, Bert!

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Much Better!

 

[minor muppetz]

I noticed a plot hole, sort of related to that scene. In the scene before that, before Oscar sings I Hate Christmas, Mr. Hooper has both presents that he gives to Bert and Ernie, and tells Bob that he has a little errand to do. He was probably referring to gving the presents to them (they were even wrapped), but he walks past Oscar's trash can, instead of nto the apartment. And halfway through the song, Mr. Hooper is seen working at his store.

 

[D'Snowth]

I noticed a plot hole, sort of related to that scene. In the scene before that, before Oscar sings I Hate Christmas, Mr. Hooper has both presents that he gives to Bert and Ernie, and tells Bob that he has a little errand to do. He was probably referring to gving the presents to them (they were even wrapped), but he walks past Oscar's trash can, instead of nto the apartment. And halfway through the song, Mr. Hooper is seen working at his store.

I noticed that too, and did you also notice during the closing, Ernie and Bert wave to Big Bird from Bob's apartment?

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Nitpickers! That's I love this place!

 

[D'Snowth]

Nitpickers!

*In a little boy voice* I wanna be just like Count when I grow up!

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Why? to count all the editing mistakes over the years? LOL!