Media

Elmo reassures internet he’s ‘doing great’

FILE - This Jan. 24, 2011, photo shows "Sesame Street" muppet Elmo posing for a portrait with the assistance of puppeteer Kevin Clash in the Fender Music Lodge during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival to promote the documentary "Being Elmo" in Park City, Utah. Elmo got a COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, June 28, 2022, according to Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street." (AP Photo/Victoria Will, File)

The account for “Sesame Street’s” famous red puppet Elmo posted online to celebrate the character’s birthday and shared a message after going viral last week that he is “doing great.”

“A lot of friends have been asking, and yes, Elmo is doing great. Today is Elmo’s birthday! Yeah, baby! Thank you for checking in. Now let’s have a party!” Elmo posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Elmo went viral recently after he asked a seemingly straightforward question, asking how everyone was doing. The account was met with an outpouring of angst and existential dread from thousands of users who said things weren’t going very well.

With more than 47,000 reposts, 12,000 replies and 175 million views as of Wednesday, the post drew responses from everyday people, celebrities, members of Congress and even President Biden.

Elmo then made the rounds on talk shows like CNN and the “Today” Show to speak about the public’s reaction to his question. While on the “Today” Show, comedian Larry David ran out from off set and pretended to hit Elmo.

After receiving so many negative messages from users online, Elmo responded that he was “glad he asked!”

“Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you,” he posted with a heart emoji.