The question was pretty simple. “Elmo is just checking in. How’s everybody doing?” Our beloved Sesame Street character posed the question on X.
The responses were probably not what Elmo was expecting. Turns out, we’re not doing too well. Not at all.
Here are a few of the comments published by CNN.
“Elmo each day the abyss we stare into grows a unique horror. one that was previously unfathomable in nature. our inevitable doom which once accelerated in years, or months, now accelerates in hours, even minutes. however I did have a good grapefruit earlier, thank you for asking.”
“Every morning, I cannot wait to go back to sleep. Every Monday, I cannot wait for Friday to come. Every single day and every single week for life.”
“Elmo I’m depressed and broke.”
“I’m at my lowest, thanks for asking.”
“Elmo I’ve got to level with you baby we are fighting for our lives”
“Elmo I’m going to be real I’m at my f***ing limit.”
Yikes!
To be fair, not every response is so dark. Some are very nice. It’s the dark ones though that are getting all the attention.
According to CNN, it got to the point that Sesame Street had a follow up post directing people to mental health resources.
I saw one story about all this where a woman who once worked for Sesame Street said she believes the question was designed to allow the producers to plan for future programming. Sort of a here’s where we are… how do we address it?
Here’s my take on it. We all love Elmo. Many of us grew up with him. When our good friend asks how we are doing, we feel safe answering truthfully.
What’s concerning is that so many of us are not doing well. The economy. The world. Politics. It’s taking a toll on us.
I’m guessing Elmo was not expecting the responses he got.
As one of the responders said on X, “Elmo sorry but this above Elmo’s pay grade.”