Everyone has to move on at some point. Hopefully they find a good replacement or hes been training someone to take over.
It hasnt been officially released, but a guy I know who knows someone who knows a writer for another show that knows a writer on Sesame Street said theyve decided to kill off the two characters.
After finding Burt and Big Bird alone in their apartment, Ernie goes into a jealous rage and slaughters Big Bird. Force feeding him to Burt as punishment. SO YOU LIKE THE TASTE OF GIANT COCK, WELL HOW ABOUT THIS?!
Then in his resulting depression walking through the alleys, Oscar askes Ernie whats wrong. So Ernie sets him on fire and walks away. The final shot of the episode will be just Ernies back to the camera, walking down an empty alley, screams and sirens in the background and the fire slowly becomes big enough that you cant see Ernies silhouette anymore.
Thats awesome! Sesame Street needs more street in it.