The recent Sesame Street seminar on racism has caused quite a stir on the Internet, thanks in large part to a scene in which Elmo's father, Louie, explains why people are protesting police brutality.
Beyond its socio-political importance, many were aghast to learn that Elmo — who is a muppet — also has a biological family.
But Elmo doesn't just have a dad. According to his Muppet wikia entry:
Elmo lives in an apartment on Sesame Street with his mother Mae, his father Louie, and, in some storybooks, a sister named Daisy. He has a pet goldfish named Dorothy.
Other relatives in Elmo's family include his grandma and grandpa; his great-grandmother (featured in a 1989 episode) and his great-grandfather (named Selmo); his Uncle Jack, Aunt Jill, and cousin Jesse (featured in When Families Grieve); plus additional cousins Elmer (featured in Kids' Favorite Country Songs), Chester (featured in Here For You), and Mimsy. Additionally, the television special Sesame Street Stays Up Late shows Elmo's "international" cousins — Pepé from Mexico and Elmonosuke from Japan. As seen in The Furchester Hotel, he also has an aunt Funella Furchester, an uncle Furgus Fuzz, and a cousin Phoebe Furchester-Fuzz.
In short, Elmo has a big family. Which means a lot of Muppet sex.
But what if Elmo's dad … isn't actually his dad?
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If Sesame Street characters doing impressions of each other doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will.
The cast of 'Sesame Street' test out their best impressions of Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Grover, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Rosita and The Count.
'Sesame Street' is celebrating its 50th anniversary of helping kids everywhere grow up smarter, stronger and kinder. The 50th season is currently running on HBO and will premiere on PBS in the summer of 2020.
Previously, and definitely worth a watch: "Start Wearing Purple" as sung by Sesame Street's Count
Thanks, Mark! Read the rest
While you're waiting for the even darker season three of Stranger Things, relax to Sunday Moon's Eleven, which involves the corruption of Elmo and other notable muppets. Read the rest
The Canada Science and Technology Museum had the best worst idea of all time: they stripped the fur off a Tickle Me Elmo to show kids how it works.
Bonus video: a classic of the little robot demon afire:
• Furless Tickle Me Elmo for Tinkering Activity (YouTube / Canada Science and Technology Museum) Read the rest
"We've never had such a violent, obnoxious celebrity on Sesame Street ever!" said Elmo. Pesci looked at it for a moment, then spat on it. [via r/videos] Read the rest
The Kevin Clash/Elmo scandal, and its many furry tentacles, all broken down in one handy flowchart by Hilary Sargent.
Click here for the full chart: JPEG, PDF. Read the rest
A puppet march to support public broadcasting has its own theme song.
Elmo was removed from Central Park zoo in an ambulance after embarking on a anti-semitic tirade: "the scariest Elmo I've ever seen in my life," observed a bystander. Video link via Gothamist, The Awl, etc.
Update: There is also footage of Antisemitic Elmo screaming "TOUCH MY SHIT," etc. Read the rest
