I'll Bet I Can Make You Say This Word
skit with Herry Monster (Jerry Nelson), Ernie (Jim Henson), and Bert (Frank Oz)
[Opening: Ernie is standing outside. Herry enters, carrying a sign that says “NO.”]
Herry: Hey, Ernie, I’ll bet I can make you say this word.
Ernie [looking at sign]: That word? Oh, no, you can’t!
Herry [laughs]: You said it! You said, “No, you can’t!” And this is the word “No.” N-O. No! [Laughs.] Oh, I love that trick!
Ernie: Hey, that’s a good trick! I’d like to play that on Bert. Could I borrow the “NO” sign?
Herry: Oh, sure, Ernie. [He gives Ernie the sign and goes away, laughing.]
Ernie: Oh, boy! I’m gonna fool ol’ buddy Bert. I’m gonna say, “I’ll bet I can make you say this word.”
And then ol’ buddy Bert is gonna say, “No, you can’t.”
[Laughs, then sees Bert enter in the background.]
Oh, here comes Bert now!
[Louder] Hey, Bert, come over here!
Bert [coming over]: Oh, hi, Ernie.
Ernie: Hey, Bert, I’ll bet I can make you say this word.
Bert [looking at sign]: That word? Well, I doubt it, Ernie, but go ahead and try.
Ernie: Uh ... [Pauses uncertainly.]
Bert: Well, come on, Ernie. Go ahead, make me say it.
Ernie: Uh ... well ...
Bert: Really, Ernie, you’re not very good at this. I’ll bet I could make you say that word!
Ernie [indignantly]: Oh, no, you couldn’t!
Bert [laughs]: You said, “No, you couldn’t!” N-O! No! [Laughs.] Say it again!
Ernie [angrily]: No!
[Fast-paced music starts. Bert, laughing and chasing Ernie, keeps telling him to say it again, and Ernie keeps answering “No!” The music makes it hard to hear their dialogue but, as the last strains play, we clearly hear Bert laughing and calling, “Say it again!” and Ernie yelling, “No, Bert! No!”]
Transcribed by Silvery Shoe