8 DAYS | 19
STORY JONATHAN FAM
years. We may not have anything
in common anymore (we have long
mastered the alphabet) but years
of watching Sesame Street as a kid
alone at home while our mum and
dad were at work also means that
there’s a kind of enduring familiarity
between us.
We’ve always wanted to meet
Elmo. It’s just that after we grew up
and got on with life, we kinda forgot
about our wish. But now that he’s
right in front of us, we decided it’s
time to ask the question we’d always
wanted to ask Elmo as a kid.
“Can I touch you?” we say to
Elmo, in a not-creepy way, we swear.
“Of course, you can! Elmo
doesn’t mind!” the furry red monster
suddenly giggles in his trademark
falsetto.
And just like that, we’re a kid all
over again.
8 DAYS: Elmo, you're only
three-and-a-half. Are you
afraid of growing up?
ELMO: No! Elmo wants to grow up
and Elmo wants to grow up and be
a teacher.
What do you want to teach?
Art. Elmo likes to draw. Elmo
doesn’t know if Elmo’s good but
Elmo likes to draw.
What do you like to draw?
People... and animals too.
We know Elmo wants to play
all the time. But if there's
something else Elmo wants to
do right now, what would it be?
Um... um.. Elmo’s hungry!
What do you want to eat?
What have you got? Maybe we get
some room service.
What would you order?
Well, Elmo tried durian.
Did you like it?
It was really good.
What did it taste like?
It’s sort of hard to describe. People
told Elmo that it smells really bad
but Elmo doesn’t think so.
Does it smell like Oscar the
Grouch?
You know what? It’s interesting
’cos Oscar doesn’t smell. It’s a
misconception. Oscar doesn’t
smell. And Elmo doesn’t know why.
What do you think Oscar the
Grouch does all day in his
garbage can?
He collects things like old
newspapers. Old sardine [cans].
That’s disgusting (giggles).
Why do you like being tickled
so much?
’Cos it’s fun!
Would the world be a better
place if everyone enjoyed
getting tickled too?
Yes. The people that like to be
tickled should be ticked. The people
that do not like to be tickled should
not be tickled (giggles).
Elmo’s the most popular kid on
the block. Does being popular
mean a lot to you?
Elmo doesn’t think about popularity.
Elmo doesn’t think that’s important.
Elmo thinks it’s important to be
kind. That’s what’s important.
Do you think Cookie Monster
should go on a diet since he
eats so many cookies?
You know Cookie Monster has
been very good at portion control.
He doesn’t eat just cookies. He
A behind-the-
scenes look at
our interview
with Elmo.
eats vegetables, fruits... he’ll eat
anything! He’ll eat a bicycle if it’s
close to him.
Your pal Zoe is orange. You're
red. Big Bird is yellow. Does
it matter that all of you are
different colours?
That’s interesting. Because Elmo has
never thought about it before. But
Elmo’s friend, Miss Whoopi Goldberg,
came to visit and Miss Whoopi told
Elmo that she [has] really beautiful
brown skin. Elmo saw her skin
and what beautiful skin! And Miss
Whoopi told Elmo that it’s important
to be what you are. And Elmo is red
and Elmo is very proud to be red.
Lastly, Elmo, can you tell me
how to get to Sesame Street?
Yes. So you have to get on a plane
to New York City and when you get
to the cab stand, you have to take
a cab. And it’s a little expensive
so Elmo suggests that you take
the train. You know what, Elmo
will e-mail you. It’s a very long and
complicated direction (giggles).
Look out for the video of our interview with
Elmo on 8days.sg.