Elmo has been in the news lately, which is an amazing thing to get to write, especially because he isn’t in the news from Sesame Street doing something like telling kids it’s ok to wash your hands and inadvertently drawing the wrath of Ted Cruz and primetime cable talk shows. No, Elmo’s been in the news because he’s been speaking his truth. First, there was the paper towel roll:
“and a papah taaahhh rrrollll.” Can’t get enough.
Then, a few weeks after the papah taahhh rrrollll (I told you I can’t get enough) went viral, well, this video started going around:
“Rocco doesn’t even have a MOUTH!”
It’s gold. It’s the best thing our creative media have come up with since at least Paddington 2, and possibly since that Versus commercial in 2009.
Now, being of sound(-ish) mind and sound(-ish-ish) health, I haven’t been keeping tabs on Sesame Street. I’m an adult. If you watch Sesame Street as an adult you are either a parent, the coolest person ever, or in a world of trouble, and I’ve never wanted to risk falling under the latter of those three categories. But I do know my way around fandom wikis, and here’s what we can unearth about Rocco (emphasis mine):
Rocco is Zoe’s pet rock, introduced in Season 30 of Sesame Street.
Though he’s inanimate, in Zoe’s mind, Rocco can do anything. The rock has historically been the cause of much annoyance to Elmo, who often gets flustered and constantly reminds Zoe “Rocco’s just a rock!” While Elmo is driven crazy by Rocco’s (and Zoe’s) antics, the other characters are usually unfazed and willing to play along with Zoe’s pretending. In Episode 4235, Elmo accidentally loses Rocco and comes to realize how special he is to Zoe (much like Elmo’s Baby David).
Virgil von Vivaldi informs Zoe that Rocco is basalt in Episode 4234, having observed all his Swiss cheese-like holes, meaning he came from a volcano. Rocco’s friends and family appear in Episode 4126, including Rocky, Rockmaninov, Uncle Rock, Aunt Rock, and Little Rock; it is unknown if he has other family members.
(If you’re curious, here’s the link to Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Muppets fandom wiki page.)
If you’re concerned about Elmo and Rocco fighting all the time, take it easy. While the relationship runs hot and cold, it does seem Elmo holds some fundamental respect for Zoe’s friend. After all, here they are pictured together at Rocco’s wedding:
All families fight now and then.
