The Cult of Elmo




Somehow, in the last few months, a furry little red monster from the past has crept back into our lives. You know who I'm talking about. 

Over the years, I have watched as my sons were drawn like magnets to Elmo during their baby days. From about 18 months old until their 3rd birthday, "Melmo" was #1. It wasn't my first rodeo with the muppet; my baby brother, Barry, born in 1996 during Elmo's heyday, gave me my initiation into the Cult of Elmo. I was admittedly excited to watch "Elmo Saves Christmas" and "Elmo Says Boo" along with my own sons, and enjoyed the brief wave of nostalgia those ancient VHS tapes brought.  

I've heard many people express a hatred for Elmo, and I get it; his falsetto voice, screechy laughter and repetitious nature can be grating. A former co-worker of mine had more reason than most to be anti-Elmo; he was trampled by Tickle Me Elmo-hungry customers one Christmas while he was working at a toy store, and hasn't been the same since. Sesame Street purists say Elmo takes all the focus away from some of the classic characters, and of course, there's the whole Kevin Clash problem. Even Elmo isn't immune from the Me Too movement. 

Dedicated Elmo fandom and consumerism also go hand-in-hand of course. In our home, you can find a wide variety of Elmo-branded, toddler-specific items; a training potty, toothpaste and toothbrush, a toy guitar, clothes and a life-sized stuffed Elmo, just to name a few. Organic Elmo fruit juice boxes and cherry tomato's branded with Elmo make their way weekly into my grocery shopping cart. It's tempting to get everything Elmo, especially if it makes achieving milestones like toothbrushing and potty training a little more enticing. 


Thankfully, like most childhood fads, this little red monster will run his course naturally. Dinosaurs, trucks or who knows what will catch his eye, and Dorothy the goldfish and Mr. Noodle (the hobo mime?) will be a thing of the past. Until then, I'll be grateful for the 15 minutes of peace Elmo gives me while I get ready for the day or cook dinner, knowing Max be learning a little something. Except for the bananas episode, I'm so sick of that one … if I hear that one again I'll go crazy! 

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