Tuckahoe NY Pride

Mark Saltzman is an American television writer best known for his work on Sesame Street and for shaping the dynamic between Bert and Ernie through memorable, character-driven comedy. As a longtime writer for the series, he contributed scripts and sketches that emphasized gentle humor, everyday misunderstandings, and the pair’s contrasting personalities—Bert’s orderliness against Ernie’s playful spontaneity—helping make the “odd couple” relevant across generations. According to Saltzman, his relationship with his partner, film editor, Arnold “Arnie” Glassman, was the inspiration for their representation. Audiences have interpreted Bert and Ernie’s relationship as a same-sex couple for generations… but they are are officially just “roommates”.

Quote: “If you like telling stories… it’s going to come out of you one way or the other. The hard part is to not block it, to not crush that spirit with all the extra stuff.”