"Bert and I" in early stages of being developed for movie or TV show

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Bryan has continued to perform "Bert and I" occasionally, mostly with Sample. Both men say they believe the appeal of the stories and of Maine humor in general is timeless. Many of the old "Bert and I" routines, says Bryant, featured Mainers getting the best of the tourists or rusticators. Bryan says the native Mainers he has known may not be highly educated but are often far smarter than those with big college degrees. He says those are some of the ideas "Bert and I" tried to convey in the jokes and stories.

Sample also says "Bert and I" opened the door for his own career and those of many number other Maine story tellers.

On Tuesday, Bryan also signed paperwork for a new marketing agreement with a business being called "Bert and I Company of Maine". The owners of that business say they will focus on ways to create new material for the Bert and I brands, including stage shows that will involve Tim Sample and others, and plans for a "Bert and I" movie.

David Lyman, former owner of the Maine Film & Video Workshops in Camden, says he's working with TV and movie industry professionals to develop the concept, script and funding for the movie. Lyman says he envisions a Maine version of successful TV series like "Northern Exposure" and "Doc Martin", which were both set in small, rural communities with a host of quirky characters.