"Not that anything is wrong with it"

Are they? Arent they? that is the question....

So Sesame Street turns 40 today and one of the lingering questions that this long time fan has to explore is the reality in the relationship between Ernie & Bert..

I've recounted the stories about the infamous "Ernie and Bert are gay" rumor probably more times than Count Von Count can count. But with "Sesame Street" celebrating its 40th anniversary on Tuesday, I'm going to take it as an opportunity to rehash that same silly rumor one more time.

Bongarts/Getty ImagesOf course, the sexuality of other cartoon characters has come into question over the years. Anti-gay groups have accused SpongeBob SquarePants and Tinky Winky of the "Teletubbies" of harboring a homosexual agenda, even while most people with half a brain were saying, "They're just children's characters." Bert and Ernie's lifestyle choices, however, didn't help matters. They share a room, and a bedroom, if not a bed. They bicker like husband and wife. They frequently break out in song. One has a curious obsession with his rubber ducky.From the very first "Sesame Street" episode, Ernie can be seen taking a bath with Bert in the room -- and that makes a lot of guys uncomfortable.
'They Don't Exist Below the Waist'The controversy hit a fever pitch in 1994, when the Rev. Joseph Chambers called for the characters to be banned."They share clothes, eat and cook together and have blatantly effeminate characteristics. In one show Bert teaches Ernie how to sew. In another they tend plants together," the Southern evangelist said on his radio show. "If this isn't meant to represent a homosexual union, I can't imagine what it's supposed to represent."
At one point, the Children's Television Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind "Sesame Street," even issued a denial."Bert and Ernie, who've been on Sesame Street for 25 years, do not portray a gay couple, and there are no plans for them to do so in the future. They are puppets, not humans," the organization said in a statement. "Like all the Muppets created for 'Sesame Street,' they were designed to help educate preschoolers. Bert and Ernie are characters who help demonstrate to children that despite their differences, they can be good friends."Years later, Gary Knell, president of Children's Television Workshop successor Sesame Workshop, would say, "They are not gay. They are not straight. ... They don't exist below the waist."

Better yet as far as politically correct is concerned whateva happened to the first rappin Brotha Muppet Roosevelt Franklin:? Mr inner city hippster, and why didnt he have a Nose is that a deliberate fraupah???? You tell me...

These characters are not the untouchables:

The Magic city has long has been a city wrapped up in politics and corruption, and some may even contend that the city was built upon it. Well in what is slowly becoming the second coming, the equilibrium I will call it from the recorrection in the Stock Market, to the current Real Estate Crash, to the medicare scandals plaguing our community right down to the average daily scams it seems that more and more of those who thought theat they were intouchable are now finding themselves in lets just say legal predicaments that not only jeopardize their own livelihoods, but brings into further question how we "society" are just so naive as to let it happen.





Its like an old Christmas Carol we soon will be singing but with substituted names instead of reindeer....Now you remember The Dauds, The Pauls, the Kraemers, the medicare brothers who thought they were saviors....Art Steele and his handgun at the herald, and now add to the list a prominent attorney in Ft. laundrydale who has definately done his fair share of washing and now Miami's own Cap't Lew, Lew Freeman that is who's forensic accounting firm has single handedly been the receiver of countless government repos as well as managed hundreds of millions of assets for the state. Oh the irony, oh the guilt..it wasnt me it wasnt me??? can you say too bad soo sad...In a world where the chosen already feel special, here we show you just how "special" they actually are, and it couldn't have happened to a better bunch of characters. I just hope Charlie has the beds available for them to spend some time in and I am not talking about a private room at one of the distressed properties around town I am talking TGK-as these boys are gonna look good in orange-or is it blue I dont remember....either way better hope they like the cold as they are gonna get exactly what they deserve and it aint a dinner anytime soon at Casa casurina....

Its the most wonderful time of the year...

Remember that feeling...the first snow, the last day of school before winter break, and of course the night before xmas, when we children stay up all night in anticipation of santa's visit and all the goodies he will bring. Well for us true sea-foodies here in South Florida its xmas in October as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our beloved Stone Crab season, which of course runs for those of you who dont know from October 15 thru may 15th each year. OK Ok so maybe you had been lucky enough to find some over the summer, and that tease was enough to hold your craving at bay, but those were frozen and if you have ever had the priveledge of eating a claw that was just harvested well there are no comparisons.

Yes, Folks Joes will open its doors this Thursday with its tried and true delicasies available for lunch, as i am sure the place will be packed (although last years numbers were down over 30%)-so even in a recession even the landmarks are effected. Can you say "NO Reservations", well if such is the case and you don't want to wait might the sherlock suggest Take-out as it is the better buy!! and again the same mouthwatering crab, the same sauce, and all the fabulous sides that you get when you sit down only without the attiude nor the wait...(I have waited up to 2 hrs in season when I first came to the Magioc city-that was before I learned the secrets behind the wait..." ) Whats that you ask well if I told you I would have to kill you and we wouldnt want that now would we...

So for all those who have waited with baited breath I wish you all the merriest of Seasons-filled with love, Stone Crab and of course key Lime....

"Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya."

Well it didnt take long as the Sherlock told you way back when that this Restaurant was destined for disaster-From poor planning, overspending to the owner thinking he knew better than the consultant (typical)-nothing is more satisfying than the "I told you so"..

Ahnvee was never going to be what it aspired to be, as SOBE and Miami are far from a real food city and tourists are not going to pony up for gourmet cajun no matter whom the chef was-is-or who will be if they do decide to re-open under a different incarnation-

Bottom line to owners-get out now while the gettin is good-leave the spot for others who can make something out of what you leave behind-whatever that may be as the sherlock see's too often the pilliaging of your restaurant to recoup some costs leaving the space a mess, not that it wasn't a mess in the first place-

Venus, Serena to own part of Miami Dolphins

Oh Brother the list just keeps getting longer..hey Ross idea here... Why not add more owners to your roster by selling a share in ownership for each seat bought so as to fill the stadium-heck if I owned a seat and a stake in the team maybe I would go. Surely knowing I would be sharing in the revenue of all those dollars I would have no issues with your soon to not enjoy paying $12.00 for a cocktail (oh only up to the third quarter), an $6.00 hot dog, or $9.00 for three chicken pieces and some fries...not too mention all the overpriced team merchandise that I can buy at Target for much cheaper.

But hey the Sherlock isnt enough of a celebrity to be considered..Here are some possible other favorite Miamians who should be considered...Here they are:

Pauli Shore-Anthony Michael Hall-Rob Van Winkle-The leftover Milli-vanilli-Roseanne-should I continue-I mean common what good will it do my Dolphins to have the sisters as my teams owner-what will they be wearing Dolphins colors at the US Open, and at the Lipton or whatever that event will be called this year depending upon what huge company wants to stamp their name on a non-major event. Will they be giving the players tennis lessons and oversee training camp-will they be running drills with the team as I bet a lot of the team would love to see these sista's shake a little ass to get them motivated. I say buy em out...How much!! and stick to tennis!!! as obviously you both had no idea what you were doing with your clothing lines?-

Columbian Oxy Clean

Too bad so SAD that americas favorite pitchman is no more in oh so many ways. Sice his passing we have mourned him and have witnessed every commercial he has ever pitched so as to use his celebrity to sell whatever inventory his multi billion yes billion dollar company has. Now with word confirming this pitch mans secret weapon do you think he shall be remember with the reverence of famous TV personalities before? This aint no Oxy Clean here as think those buckets were filled with powder, no wonder why would often smell/taste that undeniable flavor when I took out my laundry. I cant wait until there is an ortopsy of all his products as I bet Kaboom is a halicinogenic-The awesome auger is a weed crop herder, Mighty mendor is liquid crack-it all makes perfect sense now!

W is the first letter in Wanna Bee

E does not = W

Pretentious, over rated and now this partnership with the W hotel and this is one that even blows the sherlocks mind. In a time where $500 per night hotel room stays are down nearly 70% The W Hotel has reached way down into the bottom of the barrel and came up with a co-marketing deal for all those fans of the HBO show Entourage in order to lure in those looking to frolic like an "A'" list celebrity!!! Boo Ya I say-so much better can come out of the $5,000.00 +that two nights as a wanna bee and I am not talking Turtle...Even Drama would think twice about spending that much-Vince maybe but hey he just did Scorsayze right?!-and if you are that wealthy that the money isnt the issue well then you have much bigger issues with your ego and might look to invest this money in a good shrink!!!

As as far as the show goes, now dont get me wrong as I am a loyal fan and old time camp friend of the main producer and FYI some of the references in the show actually come from our real life growing up-To say that I am glad for the success is an understatement yet not a fan of the hype which unfortunately has to be dragged along with it-Muchos mazel tovs for all those involved in making it what it has become!! Now lets just try to curb the co-marketing and stick with whjat works-a great cast, great scripts and Ari's attitude!!!!-Oh and by the way LLoyd was kicking back the heinies and the hors d ouvres, I dont think he will ever get his own desk!!!