"This *is* kinda kicky!" (the on-screen evidence for Ernie being a figment of Bert's imagination)

Starting with the 40th season of Sesame Street, all new "Bert and Ernie" spots have been claymation adventures through dreamscapes, called "Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures." And it's after seeing a few of these spots, I realized: they have to be Bert's Dreams -- 'cause it's his bed that's flying.

Here's an example:

And in dreams, all the characters we meet are really different aspect of ourselves.

Seeing these new spots alongside the old, traditional foam-and-fleece ones made me realize: When Ernie's around, the likelihood that random, "impossible" (imaginary) things will start to happen skyrockets.

Let's take a journey back through the canon, shall we?

2003:

1986:

1969:

See what I mean?

Okay, okay... I admit it. This was just an excuse to spam you all with classic Henson/Oz humor. Can you forgive me?