3. Ernest And Bertram Banned For Depicting What We Already Knew Anyway
There are occasions when directors take liberties with copyrighted material and there are times when copyright owners can be too zealous with their product. But there are times when you wish that the two would meet in the middle and sort out a deal that keeps everyone happy because then we all benefit. In 2002, Peter Spears decided to make an 8 minute short about the private lives of popular Sesame Street characters, Bert and Ernie. But Spears decided to bring out into the open (what everyone has always suspected about the cohabiting friends) and that is out one of them as gay. The plot went as follows; Ms Piggy dumps Bert after the rumours of him and Ernie being gay become national news. Ernie then reveals to Bert that he does in fact have feelings for Bert. But after Bert rejects him and tells him that he doesn't share those feelings, Ernie kills himself. While it is plainly obvious why Sesame Workshop had issues with the short comedy, they should have realised that for a generation that grew up watching Sesame Street, the news that Bert & Ernie might be gay is nothing new. They should also have seen that the 8 minute comedy was a huge hit when it was released during the Sundance Film Festival and if they struck a deal, it might have made them money in the long run. But instead the issued a Cease and Diciest order which effectively banned the film from ever being enjoyed by anyone.