The Conversation (0)
Elaine McCallig
Jan 06, 2022
A feud between Elmo and Zoe’s pet rock ‘Rocco’ on Sesame Street has become an unlikely viral obsession.
The fallout has seen iconic puppet Elmo issue a statement and hundreds of thousands of people weigh in on the matter on social media.
So where did it all begin?
The long-running beef seems to have started following an argument over a very serious matter - a raisin oatmeal cookie.
A hilarious clip from a 2004 episode of the show features Elmo, Zoe, and of course, Rocco at a bakery.
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When Zoe said Elmo couldn’t have the treat because Rocco wanted it, Elmo lost it.
Calling her out, he ranted: "How is Rocco going to eat that cookie, Zoe? Tell Elmo. Rocco doesn’t even have a mouth. Rocco is just a rock. Rocco is not alive."
there are tears in my eyes y’all my stomach hurting https://t.co/bbkF9yDZLf— cheye has not seen euphoria but likes it anyway (@cheye has not seen euphoria but likes it anyway) 1641263826
The clip quickly went viral, receiving over seven million views since it was posted on Tuesday.
The popularity of the clip led to Elmo issuing a statement. The puppet wrote: “Don’t worry everybody! Elmo and Zoe practiced sharing and are still best buds forever! Elmo loves you Zoe! Ha ha ha!”
But he added: “Elmo doesn’t want to talk about Rocco.”
He then went on to subtweet Rocco, writing: “Has anybody ever seen a rock eat a cookie? Elmo is just curious.”
Has anybody ever seen a rock eat a cookie? Elmo is just curious.— Elmo (@Elmo) 1641418020
Other clips of the feud have since come to light, including one where Zoe openly gaslights poor Elmo over how the stone apparently moved:
Elmo vs Rocko the greatest rivalry of all time https://t.co/4aRbR6OUAS— ko (@ko) 1641318187
Several other videos from the show - where Elmo is clearly fed up with the rock - were also posted:
@formermerc rocko STAYED as elmo’s last straw 😩 “alright. i’ve HAD it.” https://t.co/AA7nzZa3x8— 🌬 CARIANNA ❄️ (@🌬 CARIANNA ❄️) 1641363885
@wumbooty DAWG! elmo has had enough with the shenanigans lol! i shouldn’t be laughing at this https://t.co/Sp1uB8YpGo— ᴊᴏɴɴʏ ᴊᴜᴋᴇʙᴏx 🕹✨ (@ᴊᴏɴɴʏ ᴊᴜᴋᴇʙᴏx 🕹✨) 1641316360
@elmo Tears is not the word. Am I the only one who don’t remember Elmo being like this 😭😭? LMAO https://t.co/c8SHX35haP— Myiah✨ (@Myiah✨) 1641433823
@elmo This you Elmo? Lol https://t.co/xpOJyAGg3n— ~Alexandria~ “AstroPetty” (@~Alexandria~ “AstroPetty”) 1641418341
People are absolutely loving the drama, with one Twitter user claiming it’s the best thing about 2022:
@elmo Elmo vs Rocco is THEE best thing about 2022 https://t.co/Bd6L5icIpB— Purella D’Ville (@Purella D’Ville) 1641417574
Please help me, I have been laughing at how much Elmo hates a rock all morning. This thread is incredible. 😭 https://t.co/ZTQUP0VFnp— 🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭 (@🇬🇭 Carl Anka 🇬🇭) 1641373846
That rock did something to Elmo and imma find out what happened.— HOOD VOGUE is tired of poverty (@HOOD VOGUE is tired of poverty) 1641423988
With Elmo trending, Twitter users shared their favourite Elmo clips, revealing another historic feud between the puppet and talk show host Jimmy Fallon:
@elmo What about @JimmyFallon? Is he still banned from @SesameStreet? https://t.co/ZeJ65qyFY9— Taku (@Taku) 1641431867
@elmo This is actually one of my favorite Elmo clips.... https://t.co/lUrkwJh8A8— Meteorologist Thomas (@Meteorologist Thomas) 1641419990
unhinged elmo is my new favorite genre https://t.co/V8k5nvALSK— kenzy (@kenzy) 1641270103
PLS WHY IS ELMO SO FUNNY????? https://t.co/AsFowauub2— alyssa :) (@alyssa :)) 1641182940
THIS HAS BEEN MAKING ME LOSE MY SHIT FOR DAYS. WHY DOES HE SAY PAPER TOWEL ROLL LIKE THAT??????? https://t.co/dplhOfu9Aw— rowan ? (@rowan ?) 1639854794
These Elmo clips keep getting better and better https://t.co/vrs1YMoefh— BRE🌹 (@BRE🌹) 1641359538
.@Elmo teaches Jimmy and @questlove how to make a Sloppy Oscar: onions, garlic, celery, and of course, a little bal… https://t.co/9Ym7P7A9Xw— The Tonight Show (@The Tonight Show) 1641334301
The feud has also sparked hilarious memes and reactions:
“You can’t have that cookie, Elmo, Rocco wants to eat it!” “HOW?!? How is Rocco gonna eat that cookie, Zoe?!”… https://t.co/fuwQ3HzalR— Tom Zohar (@Tom Zohar) 1641334842
not Elmo being an Aquarius sun https://t.co/nRgUboz7Ou— . (@.) 1641385877
@elmo Here we go https://t.co/Y2KOMbV088— Naho | ܢܲܗܪܹ̈ܝܢ (@Naho | ܢܲܗܪܹ̈ܝܢ) 1641419022
@elmo Elmo when he’s asked about Rocco https://t.co/2qNfJ7uBvN— Nicholas (@Nicholas) 1641417260
Elmo when he sees Zoey roll up with Rocco: https://t.co/dMrWqYi5Ve— Evan (@Evan) 1641348103
Zoe: Rocco says… Elmo: https://t.co/idYcJZTd3U— 𓂀 Spirtually Secured (@𓂀 Spirtually Secured) 1641390862
Apparently, there’s also beef between Big Bird and Barkley:
Everyone’s talking about Elmo vs Rocco but let us not forget Big Bird vs Dog https://t.co/9BxgUjsx9R— Barra (@Barra) 1641423064
Some are calling for Zoe to make a Twitter account so she can spill all the tea.
Fingers crossed…