The Wide Elmo's World of Shorts. The Weekly Elmo's World News. Elmo's World According To Garp. It's An Elmo's World After All. OK, I'll stop now:
They're not loving Elmo on the West Coast. In the LA Times, Joel Stein calls him "an annoying tool." [LAT]
But he quotes Wonder Showzen co-creator Vernon Chatman calling Elmo "the Jar Jar Binks of Sesame Street. Personally, I don't see why you have to choose. [ibid.]
Now why isn't this on YouTube? We know Fred Rogers testified before Congress. But Elmo?? WTF? House Appropriations Subcommitte in April, 2002, music education. At the invitation of convicted Republican Pentagon briber Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham. [amc-music.org]
Meanwhile, on the East Coast/East Side the Thoughtful Jews are giving Elmo and his C-eator the warm embrace. Kevin Clash is speaking at the 92nd St Y on October 22. [92y.org via Krucoff]
Know why Elmo is red? BECAUSE HE'S THE DEVIL!
Bottom line - as long as my son likes him.... that is all that matters to me. But come on... Jar Jar Binks... that's just rude.
[of course, I was typing that post while the kid was watching Elmo. And those Showzen guys don't pull any punches. And from a pure merchandising standpoint, at least, Jar Jar's got nothing on Elmo. nothing. -ed.]