Imagine if someone on Reddit made a am I the jerk post where it’s just Elmo asking is he the jerk for not liking roco and bringing up all the bad things Zoe’s done
I believe this is the most accurate interpretation for the rock. Zoe is a child just like Elmo, so yes she's using her non-living rock to get things he wants, but that gets reinforced by the the adults. They so badly want to appease her imagination, Elmo gets the short end constantly thus grows angry even though he's technically in the right. Elmo is more patient so he's less likely to throw a fit over Zoe, but that's still unfair to him when more attention is just given to the kid who will throw the fit.
Using it to get what you want is one thing, but when what you want is specifically to terrorize others, that's a whole different thing. Zoe may be a child, but she's a bad one.
I work at a preschool, primarily with 2 year old kids. When I saw that scene, I was genuinely concerned for what was being taught. I have a little girl whose main personality trait is "spoiled rotten." We've been working very hard to teach her that sometimes the answer is "no" and we need to respect our friends. I hope she doesn't see this episode.
@Robert Anderson The thing is you actually need to be harder on special needs kid EXCEPT if they are so special they can't function but Zoe isn't like that, she functions just fine. With functional special needs you need to be harder because its harder to keep them in check. I don't mean be rude or anything of the sort but you must always make sure to tell them what they did wrong and give a punishment and since she is 3 the best punishment can be no sweets. Eventually they learn "Hey if I act this way, I can't have sweets"
Dang Elmo laughed at Zoe once for having a rock for a friend, and she gets the whole neighborhood to gaslight him for all eternity about the sentience of a literal rock and the humans just let her
They REALLY need the “adults” to address Zoe’s behaviour cuz for all the kids who might relate ti Elmo, it’s just reinforcing that they have to go with the flow and not establish boundaries. Not to mention it teaches kids that being like Zoey WORKS. and it shouldn’t
Fr, Zoe reminds me of all the kids that I've seen that throw a "tantrum" over not getting the toy or candy they want. Because they know that if the scream or cry enough it'll get them what they want anyways.
Zoe reminds me of a certain group of people that constantly use their imaginary deity to control other peoples personal and private lives. Whether it be who they can love, when they can show their love, or even to how they can show their love. About time someone called out Zoe and her enablers, good job. Peace/JT
Bro i relate to Elmo in a personal level, he’s my favorite and memorable character, when i watched smth with Zoe, i have this itch of disliking her even tho idk why
@@artistotaku8344 This remind me of myself. My mom told me that when I made a tantrum and basically cry, she would ignore me. And after seeing this video, I'm grateful for what she did
Another situation you didn't mention: Elmo came up with a joke. When he told Zoey, she loved it and went around telling EVERYONE the joke, without giving Elmo credit. Each time Elmo tried to tell someone his joke, they would already be laughing and calling it "Zoey's joke". That girl is evil lol
Zoe's shown to act similarly even without Rocco present, too. (Speaking over Elmo, refusing to acknowledge his wants/needs, etc) I remember watching the Elmo in Grouchland movie as a kid and hating Zoe for how poorly she treated Elmo
@@tysargent9647 that's good because Zoe is just Sakura second and 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 tiimesssssssss wooooorsssstees
It’s just like In real life with school. I know some people in school who aren’t liked and sort of “shamed” when their emotions get the better of them, and I am one of the only people who are their friends. It sucks to see the people I am good friend with get into arguments 7-1
This is part of the reason why I could relate to Elmo so much, when I was younger I was bullied a lot, and taken advantage of, and I frequently got in trouble for things I didn’t do because classmates, who didn’t like me would lie and say that I did something when it was really someone else and I have privileges taken away, which led to angry outburst, which led to the perpetrator getting rewarded because I “lost my temper.” It also turned out that the teachers were aware that I was not the one who was doing those things but because I frequently talk back and accuse them of seeing what was going on and not doing anything, they actually did that. And this was why I was able to relate to Elmo so well.
I'm so sorry that happened to you. The education system is messed up when it comes to dealing with bullies and such. I mean, they'll turn their backs at kids who are being harrassed by bullies, but the second the victim tries to fight back, the victims get punished instead, and then they wonder why the victim hates school so much. Again, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Nobody should ever experience that, ever. I hope that you can find peace and happiness somewhere else and that you can leave those horrible people behind.
There’s also a huge parentification of Elmo, which is often seen in older siblings. They’re left in charge without being asked/agreeing to it, they have to “be the grown up” and be a role model for their younger siblings. Their feelings on a situation aren’t validated because they’re supposed to be more mature. Elmo is being parentified towards Rocco, and sadly it’s a really common thing amongst children.
I DESPISE the show Max and Ruby for a similar reason. It's literally just a show about two neglected children whose parents are never around where the older sister is actively parentified despite her being like canonically around 8 I think?
It always felt like the adults were going along with it because they knew Zoey would throw a fit. Elmo was so patient and kind that it was easier on the adults to make him compromise than to confront the much louder and more temperamental Zoey. As one of four kids, this happened constantly in my family. If one kid is gonna throw a fit, they'd bend over backwards to appease them, even at the expense of the other kids.
the sad part is, it even happens in the Workplace, as well as 'family' situations...one of my coworkers is absolutely Terrible at her job-- complaints from customers, unfinished tasks, the whole nine yards...but if you Call Her Out on it, suddenly YOURE the bad guy, "insulting her character" or whatever...so most of the time, its just Easier to just wait until her shift ends, to Finally catch up on all the stuff i need to do... (and for the record, were a little too short-staffed to Fire her, otherwise she wouldve been gone MONTHS ago)
It's almost as if a single set of parents isn't capable of raising a horde of children that outnumber them. And I say that knowing well that SOME people are patient and hard-working enough to have 3 or 4 well-raised children, but the average person just isn't prepared for parenthood
Same my brother was always the one to throw temper tantrums when he didn’t get what he wanted, so my parents always tried to make him happy. My sister and I were more mature, and were left without the same special treatment, which was very frustrating at times.
Sadly, I have a feeling that Elmo would grow up to be shy, self conscious, and probably closed off from people if this continues. He is getting bullied for simply stating facts and is getting shamed for it. Meanwhile, Zoe will probably become entitled and used to getting her way threw manipulation or complaining because of this treatment. If Rocco ever comes back, I want Elmo to just punt that thing into a sea or something and the adults address the problem with Zoe's behavior.
Oh Rocco did come back. Zoey set up a whole wedding for Rocco and another rock and then forced Elmo to stay and solve all her problems. I wouldn’t be too surprised if Rocco returns with “children” and Zoey forces Elmo to babysit them for a whole episode.
This is less of a theory and more of a precise unpackaging of a problematic lesson being taught to children and I think it's VERY important to do just that.
Yeah, 100%. I clicked on the video with a very clear picture in my mind and this just supported it lol. Zoe was a horribly abusive and controlling girlfriend, and Abby is far better for elmo.
You mean to tell me that we’re sending wrong messages to todays children? It’s 2022, morality is an abstract concept in the US. Gaslighting is only wrong if the hivemind thinks it’s wrong, and the hivemind doesn’t think it’s wrong so tough luck, I guess.
i think it works super well because it actually discusses the meta of the situation- what was going through the writers heads behind the scenes. i feel like film theory in the past has had a habit of using the thermian argument which makes some theories seem like reaches. but this one makes perfect sense because it acknowledges the series as a creative work with a team of writers behind it. like even early on the idea of zoe just being somekind of "evil abuser" or whatever was talked about, but dismissed because youre not meant to engage with the material on that level and its simply too face-value of a conclusion. it makes much more sense to look at the choices that lead the writers there and what the moral they would be imparting to children would be, because its a kids show after all.
Now I understand why there is an "Elmo's World". His world might be a defense mechanism from the emotional abuses from his environment. #justiceforelmo
I remember seeing these episodes with Rocko and dreading every time Zoe was on screen with Elmo for fear that she'd use that stupid rock to screw him over. Especially since Elmo has some of the best behavior in the show. He truly cares about his friends and is more than willing to appease their whims and wants when they interact normally with him. There was one episode where he was having a Red Monster Parade, but every time one of his friends wanted to join he would amend the title to include them until it go so long that he just called it the Anyone who Wants to be in a Parade Parade. And you touched on it with his observations being validated, but everybody playing along is worse because he might end up thinking that the rock somehow is alive (I'm pretty sure we've seen rocks with the googly eyes and mouths during some song segments) and he's the crazy one for not being able to hear or see Rocko doing anything.
This is what I've wanted to type but didn't know how. I really hope that later in the show a responsible adult finally steps in and confronts the others, teaching children important lessons. Zoey honestly was my least favorite character in the entire show, even when I was little cause I hated when she would always interrupt Elmo. Elmo is still my favorite character and I hope Zoey and the other adults get humbled or taught a lesson at some point.
I’m surprised at how many of you grew up with Sesame Street. When I was younger I just watched a bunch of different VCR and CD’s in my room while my family would watch the news or game shows in the living room. I had A LOT of Elmo’s World VCR’s It took up a whole shelf out of the Wiggles, Whinnie the Pooh and Disney movie VCR’s. And CD’s.
No. NOT just a theory. You are ABSOLUTELY correct!!! Some dangerous behavior being championed by Sesame Street. Allowing Zoey to get away with manipulating everyone for her own gain while poor Elmo is being antagonized and trespassed against! Unthinkable, unacceptable, and inexcusable!!!
What makes it even worse for me is that it almost feels like Elmo is being punished for being upset. Kids (and anyone, honestly) are allowed to be upset when they feel they've been treated unfairly. Should they yell or raise their voice at someone else? Obviously not, but there's nothing wrong with being upset about it. But all these adults act disappointed in him. And they don't seem happy until he gives in and, depending on the issue, apologizes. That's a HORRIBLE message to send to kids. There are tons of kids that end up developing complexes, feeling that even the slightest bit of disappointment makes *them* bad for causing someone else to feel that way. That's *horrible* . No kid should be punished for being upset with the threat or follow through of disappointment. What's the lessen there? That they're only good when they can make everyone around them happy? Anyway, all that aside, it's interesting that the writers knew Elmo would hate the rock. I hope they have an episode in the future where they acknowledge Elmo's feelings about all this. It would be good and, likely, very validating for some kids.
I get the seriousness of the topic but in an attempt to lighten the mood, Remember that elmo is at least 20+ years and needs to stop acting like a 5 year old.
What about big bird I don't think big bird gaslight elmo once and even before elmo got his iconic voice and become popular big bird was nice to him even before elmo become mainstream and even big bird said what a great party for a rock confirming that big bird is aware of Rocco not being real but is to nice to call Zoe out
I always felt like Zoey was the little sister that always got her way no matter what. Like if you went somewhere with your friends you had to take her no matter what.
Lol I always thought it was obvious that Zoey was doing it to bother Elmo. She's had other times outside of Rocko where she's controlling and unapologetic. The one time I can remember, but not well, was Zoey essentially stealing Elmo's blanket or toy because she wanted it for a bit. Losing it, not bothering to help Elmo find it and then claiming to forgive Elmo for being stingy after he found his property that she lost while taking it without permission. And I'm pretty sure no one said a thing to her about it then either.
I came here to bring this up! Elmo in Grouchland was my kid's favorite. Zoey was a little jerk there, too! I remember even explaining the movie to my kid, how it's totally okay to tell your friend no when they want your special item. Elmo even offered Zoey a soft washrag to cuddle with instead of blankie. And she ripped his blankie out of his hands.
I think there was a movie where Zoie made Elmo rip his blanket actually. She wanted to see it so bad, but Elmo said no so she tried to pull it from him and ut ripped. Then Elmo went on an adventure cuz the blanket somehow got lost.
The fact that Zoe being a child uses Rocco to control Elmo kind of reminds me of a youngest member of the family using their preciousness to the parent to control their older sibling.
They should introduce a new character named Luigi the concrete worker. Elmo can bring Rocco to a job site and throw him in the concrete mix and laugh and laugh and laugh some more.
It’d be hilarious if one of these days, Rocco just turned to Zoey and said: “You know, I’m tired of being silent. I do not like how you’re treating Elmo.”
Zoe reminds me of the spoiled rotten child that always gets away with terrorizing someone and gets their way with anything in general. This someone seems like it’s always poor Elmo. What’s so awful is that everyone joins in on Zoe’s little Rocco charade/bullying Elmo. Those scenes would make me so frustrated/upset for Elmo too. I understand that this is an example of imagination,but using imagination to bully someone precious like Elmo,makes me mad,I agree with Matt #justiceforelmo
No matter how much anyone tried, they can’t get me on her side. I often feel like my family loves our a**hole dog more than me, and I’m absolutely going against someone making anybody feel like that. Elmo deserves better.
Zoey is extremely good at gaslighting Elmo to the point that it makes him look like the bad guy. It is impressive watching the adults take Zoeys side because she knows that if she riles up Elmo enough, they will believe he is being the unreasonable one.
@@loturzelrestaurant well that was a better advertisement for a youtube channel than all those bots telling me that Markiplier is garbage, sure I will go check them out.
@@RandomCorvid Uhm, are you sure these robots meant to... sell him to you? I mean, i cant tell but kinda sounds like an odd advertisement for Markiplier.
@@loturzelrestaurant lol, if you go into Mark's comments you will usually find bots saying "Markiplier is garbage, MY channel is way better" or something like that.
I’m mean can you blame him? Even I would side with him about it being what it is a “rock” if get a bit upset If I had group of friends and the one of them pulls out a rock to decide what to for fun as if “it’s” part of the group it’ll be crazy to think but some kids can’t understand especially when One acts a certain way to get what they want
Yes! Makes you wonder how and why she became like this. Also, Zoe acts a lot like my own lil sister does. And she wonders why I don't talk to her anymore? If only the people around them grew wise and stood up. This is what happens when those people decide to turn a blind eye to who is clearly a troubled child, the child, if not receiving help, will grow into a manipulative, gas lighting sociopath. And then they wonder what went wrong as if they had nothing to do with it?! I'm sorry, it just hurts a lot.
Okay, Zoe having A Rock for an Imaginary Friend is one thing, but hosting an entire wedding for Rocco that likely costs hundreds of dollars is just insane.
Finally! A video that focuses on the adults in the show! So far I’ve seen the argument that Zoe is manipulative and gas lighting Elmo or that Elmo has anger issues and can’t play along. This is the first video I’ve seen that highlights the adults enabling Zoe while ignoring Elmo’s needs.
could there be a sexist reason? The adults we see here are all female. Could it be they unintentionally treat the little girl better, because they see themselves in Zoey?
I didn't see many Rocco episodes growing up, but I did watch the Grouchland movie. The message of the movie was to learn to share with your friends and not be selfish/greedy with your stuff, but the whole opening of the movie was about how important Elmo's blanket is to him, he goes and make Zoey laugh after she wasn't able to go to the zoo and immediately after she grabs his blanket without asking to see it and Elmo states and is visibly upset at her actions and wants the blanket back but she keeps holding it and it turns into tug of war ripping the blanket and then it ends up in Oscar's trash can. Zoey is sorry for losing the blanket and apologizes but it always felt weird and now looking back it's because yes it's important to share with your friends but it's also important to ask first and respect boundaries of what's okay to borrow from a friend And yeah they're three this when they should be learning things like this at this age, but even as little kid Zoey's actions that started the movie's adventure never sat right with me *** EDIT AND ANOTHER THING TO TAG ONTO THE ADULTS IN SESAME STREET when Elmo is looking in the trash can screaming for Oscar to give the blanket back the adults tell him to calm down and just wait for Oscar to comeback which yeah good call except no one goes to look Oscar or asks where he went after he threw the blanket in the trashcan and walked away. They pretty much said this situation that has you panicking this much doesn't need to be solved right now And after Elmo storms a few steps away the adults start to coddle Zoey when she starts showing remorse, but as she starts to explain the chase after the blanket Elmo disperses the crowd telling them to leave, and for second I couldn't figure out why, and then it hit me They were actively listening to Zoey explain and letting her let her emotions out right after they told him to calm down and try to not be upset about what just happened, they dismissed his worries and turn around to coddle her, I wouldn't blame him if he made everyone leave just so he wouldn't have to immediately apologize for getting mad at her before he's ready to forgive her cause they'd think the blanket falling in the trash can would be his fault in their eyes. ***One more thing of note just cause Elmo states he needs to get his blanket home, and that says to me that his blanket rarely if ever leave his house
Not only Child neglect had been shown in this child show but Parental favoritism is when one or both parents display consistent favoritism toward one child over another. It can include more time spent together, less discipline, and more privileges. Which is happening with Zoey, while Elmo is toss on the side line even though adults do ask if Elmo wants to do something else he just give into what Zoey want over his need, which can mess up a child believing that no one is going to spend time with you because they are going to spend more time with the other kid/sibling. poor Elmo
The shows got a lot of mature topics that play off quite well in a kids show, even to the point of characters DYING. (Rest in peace Mr. Hooper) that show can get DARK man
Luckly I had parents who didn’t had favoritism, but a lot of the other adult in childhood did. A lot of my teacher favored my bullies because they claim I was always lying. 9 years later it was found I was born with schizophrenia. Thanks Dr. C, for breaking a tween heart, Especially after a family death. So glad to have my current circle of friends and family. But some adult still don’t care.
It's crazy that a theory video about Elmo and a rock is making me think about what neglect can do. It's made me reflect on relationships I've experienced where my feelings have been so invalidated.. I really hope that the writers have the awareness to validate Elmo's emotions and acknowledge the trauma this can cause if not addressed.
@@realkingqueens5577 That's one of at least 20 different spam bots used by that pest, fantastic flavours. Report it, its owner, and every other bot you see spamming that link, and don't stop until they're all gone forever.
@@OvertMysteryChannel "The purpose of this conditioning, is for kids to accept the illogical and irrational opinions of others in order to spare their feelings. Even if it goes against the child's self interest." This^^^ A huge example of this is gendered clothing and gender in general tbh. Its such an abstract concept, and it ultimately serves no purpose but to separate us from each other. Like 'boy clothes' or 'girl clothes', 'boy hobbies' or 'girl hobbies', 'boy colors' or 'girl colors'??? They are just things, they have no gender. And yet, people are shamed or prevented from doing things they love. Good point my dude
@@OvertMysteryChannel Funnily enough, My position doesn't use subliminal messaging or underhanded tactics to get kids to adhere to some decades-old social standard that should have died the moment it was conceived. Nah, we just present people with choices. "Feel free to flip this...its a good argument, you will likely not be able to come up with a better one." That was an argument in the same way heating up a frozen pizza is cooking; barely fucking counts. You didnt make a point. You waved your supposed moral superiority in the air and left. Life is short. Luckily it only takes 2 minutes to type out a response to a comment that sounds like it was formulated by a 10-year-old. And by the way, it's *waste, not waist.
It's surprising Elmo hasn't flipped from all the gaslighting and cognitive dissonance happening at the same time. He's been cooler than he ought to be.
@@adamgremban8780 This! I experienced something similar as a child, and the way I coped was to disassociate and retreat into my mind, into a better place where my traumas and those who intentionally caused it or not weren't there. It's the only way I haven't gone insane yet.
So glad that people are on Elmo’s side regarding this situation over how much of a bad friend Zoe is to Elmo, especially when it involves Rocco. I loved every bit of this! It’s definitely sad how no one ever sides with Elmo over Zoe’s behavior with or without Rocco and usually always side with her like she’s the victim and that’s wrong. Elmo has a very good reason to be angry at her because she has gaslighted him for so many years which really affected their friendship in terms that they were once considered as “best friends” but that’s not how best friends really are and it’s more like a toxic friendship which was all started by Zoe wanting to get her way out of everything and it ruined the spotlight for Elmo. Zoe has not over tormented Elmo over Rocco but she has also ripped Elmo’s special blanket after taking it without his permission to wipe her face with, stole Elmo’s Front & Back joke by telling it to everyone on Sesame Street and when Elmo tried to tell his joke, they say that they already heard the joke from Zoe and she never gave him credit for that, bullied him by calling Elmo a rotten egg or rotten potato chip (and Elmo even asked her to stop calling him that because it makes him really feel rotten), wouldn’t share her ZoeMobile during the play date with Elmo by gaslighting him and never admitting that she didn’t feel comfortable with Elmo driving it until the very end, she told Elmo that after he tried to do a Leap Dance for friendship day, Zoe yelled at him by saying *”Elmo, I don’t believe it! Why did I ever agree to let you be part of this dance?!! YOU ARE THE WORST!!!”* and it really broke Elmo’s heart when she said that to him and he actually said that he doesn’t want to be her friend anymore, and most of all, gaslights Elmo pretty much every time they’re together. Elmo deserves more of the spotlight and love like he has for many years since he became a popular Sesame Street Muppet character that people of all ages adore and no hatred because he’s a great character. If there’s any character you should hate from Sesame Street, it’s Zoe. Another thing is that Zoe hardly ever learns a lesson from her mistakes and she still does more gaslighting to Elmo affecting him even more to the point that he has to get angry and vent his feelings out at her giving Zoe a piece of his mind. Elmo has a good reason to be angry but to this day, it’s so hilarious how his expressive actions are when he gets angry and Elmo is just like any other good character from TV shows that are usually always kind and happy, but they have their limits when something isn’t right from people that act like crap that they wouldn’t tolerate for whatever situation it is going on. I’m glad to see that the popularity of Elmo vs Zoe & Rocco is still going on as it was partially dead for a while lol *Be on Team Elmo and don’t be toxic like Zoe*
I don't remember much about sesame street. Been a long time since I've seen it. But I think big birds friend snuffleupagus was believed to be imaginary too? At least by everyone but big bird. Up until everyone actually saw the giant elephant-like muppet. Why treat Zoe's rock like a separate thing? He's a frggin rock!
I truly hope that one day someone new comes to the neighborhood and states that Elmo is right, shows the damage everyone has done to Elmo and everyone throws a big apology party (costing more than the wedding) and each time "Roco" ( Zoey) demands one of Elmo's gifts or treats, she gets told NO. after all "no" is an important thing to learn and something I have a hard time with. it's the starting point of boundaries
Given that my grandmother did the exact same thing to me (just with her pet dogs), yeah I can totally understand why Elmo gets mad every time he sees Rocco or has to appease said rock.
The purpose of this conditioning, is for kids to accept the illogical and irrational opinions of others in order to spare their feelings. Even if it goes against the child's self interest. I would wager that the people who write that stuff have embedded other programming into this show and others they have worked on.
@@luckyduchesse8924 Well a child is alive and needs more care than a dog. And a grandma who cares more about a dog than her grandchild is one shitty grandma.
@@OvertMysteryChannel And yet they didn't spare elmo's feelings, so I say nay, the purpose is pure favourism of one child over the other child. Elmo here got bullied, gaslighted, and abused by the adults. That's like the opposite of any sensitivity training.
I don't think you should hate Zoe. Ultimately like Matpat says she is just a child and as someone who's had to deal with toddlers, this is how some of them behave. Kids are incredibly selfish, in fact almost everyone has probably thrown a tantrum or cried over not getting what they want as a child. The blame falls on the adults for not correcting that behaviour because the kids don't know what they're doing is wrong. Almost every child put in Zoe's position would act like Zoe, even you or me.
Even as a kid I thought Zoe got her way unfairly. I used to love the movie where his blanket gets thrown into the trash, but I hated that Zoe NEVER faced any consequences. As someone who grew up with a similar situation where my parents would only believe my sister, I sympathized with Elmo so much. It's the same deal with shows like Kid vs Kat. Took years to be able to mend things with my folks. MatPat hit the nail on the head.
IIRC, Elmo actually ends up apologizing to Zoe in the movie too! But Elmo was in the right here I thought, he didn't want to share his blanket, but Zoe was super insistent... Like, girl, Elmo has shared many things with you, he does not have to share his very special and sentient blanket.
My parents would keep me home for school to feed all the animals on the family smallholding. I had to bottle feed 3 lambs at once (one bottle in each hand and the 3rd one gripped between my knees), 300 pigs, then let 40 hens & 2 cockerels out of the henhouses and feed them, put the lambs into their secure grazing area and finally collect any eggs from the henhouses. This would happen when my mum was ill, she had migraines, and I started doing that when I was only 12 years old. They would tell people that my sister's education was more important than mine so she very rarely had to stay home, she is just over a year older than me, then they wondered why I rebelled against them as much as I could. They also used to say they had me to keep my sister company as there's a 5 year gap between her and the next eldest sister, then roughly a year between that one and my eldest sister. Their plan backfired as we don't get on as she's still the 'golden child'. They say it's because my brother (their 1st born and only son) died at 13 months old, the next 2 were girls so when the 3rd girl was born dad didn't even look at her for 6 weeks. They've been 'making up for it' since and treating me differently. Us girls organised a party for them about 20 years ago and in his speech he said, roughly, "I'd like to thank 'eldest sister', 'next one down' and '3rd one' for organising this fantastic surprise party". Guess who he left out? Yep, he had to be reminded I was even there. I nearly walked out but my children were having a good time playing with their cousins, but I've never forgotten or forgiven especially as they caused something even worse in my life 31 years ago. Sorry for the rant but this is the 1st time I've even written this stuff down, let alone where strangers can read it.
I hardly watched Sesame Street, I always watched Elmo's World with Elmo having the spotlight on him. It made me think that Zoe was secretly jealous of Elmo being more popular than her and used Rocco as a reason to do what she wanted and have the spotlight on her. That's my theory.
Have you ever noticed how Elmo’s world looks fake? I mean in the intro you see him in a real room and then “Elmos world” seems to just spawn. Maybe that’s because it is fake, maybe it’s his brain trying to forget about the toxic environment and people around him… But that’s probably just a stretch
When I was younger I found Elmo’s dislike for Rocco to be very relatable because my friends and siblings used imaginary friends to excuse their actions. Granted I’m not entirely sure how much of that was real and how much was a child’s interpretation of the world, but I still connected deeply with Elmo on this matter
When I was a little kid, I always thought Zoe was a horrible friend to Elmo. In the Elmo in Grouchland movie, she took his most prized possession, his blanket without permission. Everyone blamed Elmo for not being able to share.
Some things, as a child or an adult, are just not things you share, because they mean so much to you, or because of the situation. Parents need to understand the difference between when they *can* tell their child to share, and when they really shouldn't. It is the *worst* when you're young, and you have a toy you cherish, and some kid with dirty hands wants to play for it and your parents force you to share it. That happened to me once, I had to throw it away after :/ I never got a replacement for it.
What’s worse is that he DID share! He was hesitant, sure, but he eventually gave in and let Zoe hold it to help her calm down! It was ZOE who abused that kindness and refused to return it when asked and on top of that, she FIGHTS Elmo for it and RIPS IT. But when Elmo snapped at her for damaging the one item he deemed more important than anything, HE’S the bad guy for “not sharing”?! And ZOE’S the victim because he snapped at her DESPITE HIM LITERALLY HAVING EVERY RIGHT TO DO SO?! Honestly, Elmo and Zoe’s “friendship” nowadays is a perfect encapsulation of society when it comes to male victims. No matter WHAT Zoe, the female, does, ELMO, the male, is treated as the lesser when things go south even if HE’S the one that was wronged! The adults completely IGNORE HIM and COMFORT HER EVEN THOUGH HER ACTIONS ARE COMPLETELY REPREHENSIBLE! Elmo, the male, is never the victim in the eyes of the society that is Sesame Street, even if he actually IS the victim!
It’s sad when you realise too, in Elmo’s movie “Elmo in grouchland” Zoe flat out breaks Elmo’s favourite thing (his blanket) and doesn’t even have to take responsibility for it. He had respectfully told her he didn’t want to share it with her, and when he begrudgingly gave it to her for a moment, he then wanted it back and she wouldn’t give it to him. He got mad at her, but that is really the only consequence she had to face in that movie
As a child you learn "Share things, be nice, say sorry if someone feels bad because of you." As an adult/teenager you learn; "Stand up for yourself, learn to say no, don't try to please everyone/you can't please everyone." Parents, can y'all please teach these lessons AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is what I understood as a child. Everyone enabled Zoe to not crush her imagination, but Elmo was being crushed in the process. I didn't understood how it was fair to Elmo and why no adults told her that she should prioritize her real alive friends.
I suppose that the Rocco series was more of a lesson for the parents watching with their children on what can happen when you let a kid do manipulative things so as to not cause a scene than it was a lesson for the children watching.
I hated Zoe growing up, still do, and I would literally cry for Elmo's sake when I was little. Even now as an adult and seeing the miss treatment with that stupid rock, it still hurts. Poor Elmo! I bet this doesn't hit hard for all of those middle kids having to watch their golden child sibling get everything they ever wanted and the middle ended up paying for it in the end.
I haven’t watched Sesame Street in YEARS and I wanted to cry for Elmo just seeing those clips! When MatPat started by try to make us what mins of picture is being painted on the surface, it just didn’t sit right with me. Like, I remember Elmo talking to Dorothy and laughing at Mr. Noodle’s antics, singing a song, sprinting random babies to teleport to, just being lovable and cuddly. It felt weird seeing him angry. At least MatPat sees what’s going on. Hopefully someone at Sesame Street miraculously sees his video and has a good long think about Zoey and Rocco.
This could actually serve as a good lesson to be aimed more directly at parents regarding directly engaging with children. Make sure EVERY a child is heard as opposed to just doing what makes the boat from rocking, as it were. Like how a parent should listen to a child when they want something, but not indirectly teach the kid that “screaming = I get things”, especially at other kid’s expense.
Sesame Street has some good meta-lessons like this. For another example, when a sketch has a "bad guy," they're usually redeemed solely by way of apology. That teaches kids the importance of apologizing, but it pretty consistently overlooks atonement. When Baddy McBad breaks stuff, she should have to fix them, and doesn't deserve applause for doing it. So, as a parent, the scene doesn't sit right, and it prompts you to tell your kids "sometimes, you owe others an honest effort at fixing things."
While I agree that it was bad how they treated Elmo over this, let me remind you all that they have RARELY showed Zoey on the show nowadays. She got replaced by Abby and Julia as Elmo's BFF's. So yeah, no more Zoey = no more Rocco = Elmo no longer has to deal with all that baggage.
Elmo: you know what Zoey? Elmo is tired, Elmo doesn't like Rocco. And because, because you never let Elmo have my fun. Then you are not my friend, goodbye Zoey. Zoey: uh-huh, uh-huh, Rocco says- Elmo: STOP LYING ZOEY! ITS NOT FUNNY! YOU are the one that says things! Never Rocco, because ROCCO is a ROCK! And if you want to be my friend, then leave.
@@fyrelorde unfortunately that is not going to happen in that way because Sesame street is still a children show unless their willing to retire Zoey- which honestly they can do because her characrer is generic girl and there are thousands of those in show- the rocco problem is not going to have a satisfying conclusion
@@silverblaze8766 So the message to send to kids is that gaslighting and abusing genuinely good people is acceptable and inevitable? What you're saying makes absolutely zero sense especially considering that they have indeed had satisfying resolutions to ongoing abuse with Big Bird/Snuffleupagus. The fact that Sesame Street is a children's show makes it even more important for there to be justice for Elmo.
I suppose I could see how typical haters would say stuff like "typical matpat making everything dark" but this is very... clear. This is 'REAL', (at least, as real as real can be in a puppet show) and it's very obvious that Zoe is trying to treat Elmo badly.
@@WILDWINTER_BIRD are you trying to say that just because it is a kids show means it can't have more serious or darker elements or are you trying to say something else I could really use some elaboration.
@@WILDWINTER_BIRD "children's media should always be written for the adults first." -not sure who said this, maybe someone at Pixar? Anyways, just because it's a show for kids doesn't mean it can't cover more adult topics (or in this case, some basic psychology i.e. kids using imaginary friends to get their way). Arthur covered cancer, Bambi exists, soul covering existentialism, etc etc.
At 19 and 20 me and a friend were talking about how toxic Zoe really was and how the adults were condoning it. I knew about the Rocco bullshit that Zoe was pulling because my niece had a "friend" that was just like this: My niece, We call her LB, had a friend named I think Amanda, and I was watching them for a little bit before Amanda had to go home. Every once in a while I would notice Amanda bringing up her imaginary friend "Simon" who would either tell LB that she wasn't good at something, or she dressed weird, or something rude and callous, and I would end up stepping in. One day she took it too far and used Simon to tell her she was weird for having two dads (they are like 6 years old) so I stepped in and told Amanda if Simon or her say something rude to LB one more time I would be telling her parents. When Amanda got picked up I told her parents about the Simon issue and they dismissed it. I told LB that was she was doing was just like the "Zoe and Rocco" Situation and she understood and I hadn't seen Amanda since then. Apparently, LB told Amanda that Simon was like Rocco and she didn't want a "Zoe and Rocco" friendship. And I agree with Mat; These adults are condoning this and it's making Elmo who is the victim seem like the monster, and he's not. Zoe is a bratty little character that I didn't like as a child and my niece and nephew don't like her because to them she's a bully which I agree with.
@@ryokukagirinai Having two dads is weird bro. Two men cannot make a baby. Having no mom is devastating, another dad doesn't replace that. Just because the culture in western society tries to jam it down you're throat that it's okay doesn't mean it actually is. We went from its not your business what people do in their bedroom to having gays adopting children. Why bring children into it.
Something I'd like to highlight about that first clip is that Gabby later handles the situation very well; she explains to Zoe that it's okay for her to believe that Rocko is real, but that Rocko's needs and wants are different than Elmo's (ie. he can't actually eat a cookie) and it is unfair for Elmo to be steamrolled for Rocko's sake, which is ultimately Zoe's sake. I'm guessing Zoe never took that message on.
I always liked Sesame Street best when Zoe wasn't around. Even as a young child, I couldn't stand her. Elmo is the sweetest and most patient little toddler monster on Sesame Street and he deserves his childhood validated.
I agree because I always sided with Elmo. I’ve been in Elmo’s position before so many times. There needs to be a balance. Other kids were allowed to have imaginary friends as a kid, but I had to abandon mine to please theirs. I had to bend over to appease an imaginary friend otherwise the adults reprimanded me. I now has trust issues and fear of speaking up into adulthood. I now struggle with confidence and doubt myself constantly. This affects kids a lot and needs to be addressed.
I never really had imaginary friends growing up, nor interacted with kids with imaginary friends or just didn't interact with other kids much at all. However I can understand this. I can understand your situation and I know the problems that the situation can create. I hope you are getting better and developing in the right direction. Also why is there many bots?
sadly everything effects kids and often negitivly. we dont and wont have the knowledge to see how parenting will turn out in 2-3 generations. each generation fixes some things and destroys others.
Now I'm just imagining Zoey growing up to be a Karen because everything was handed to her and Elmo growing up to need therapy because the adults never gave listen to him when it comes to him and Zoey
Poor Elmo I get how he feels being pushed to the side when someone else is being favored while that person treats you like crap is so annoying and depressing.
I never even noticed this before but you're totally right! I always thought that the show's film writers were using Rocco to teach kids how to compromise but you're absolutely right that it comes across as manipulative and downright rude on the part of the characters what they're doing to Elmo when it comes to Zoey and Rocco, despite the fact that in reality I bet that it's probably a mix between a fallout of Mr. Snuffleupagus leading to them leaning too hard in the other direction but also the film writers using Rocco as an excuse to humble Elmo who's usually the center of attention, and teaching kids that they won't always get what they want and when it comes to others they need to learn to compromise. that being said, this is totally unnaceptable behavior from both Zoey and the Adults in the show. it also bugs me that the adults constantly switch between talking sense into Zoey and downright playing along to the point of telling others (like in the case of the dancing elephant) things that back Zoey's claims of Rocco being alive
I'm with Elmo on this. I was a 90s teen and can honestly say that pet rocks were the dumbest invention ever. Rocco and Zoey can go kick rocks! Love ya, Elmo!
@@MotorcycleCheetah Man, and i thought having a blue-eyed, app enabled Teddy Ruxpin was odd. (I'm a Ruxpin purist. He is supposed to have BROWN eyes, people!)
@@runedoom Not everything is related to eachother y'know? I get that it's a joke but it's in my opinion so annoying when something gets brought up that has nothing to do with the topic.
This actually sent a chill down my spine because I can think of a few instances in society were people use certain things to emotionally bully others into compliance. Very creepy... good job, Matpat and team!
I always thought there was a reason that Elmo stopped being such good friends with Zoe and now hangs out with abby. I think this is the reason why. There's plenty more instances of him having conflict with Zoe and Zoe not honoring his boundaries
You hit the nail on the head! Its always the adults gaslighting Elmo that hits me as insidious. Its one thing for a kid to be selfish and not understanding what she's doing. She's 3, and is still developing. But as soon as the adults use Rocko to disregard Elmo's feelings, that's just messed up. The concept of gaslighting is pretty abstract, but I'd like to think that with this ongoing story of Rocko they are introducing the idea of manipulation. They deal with a lot of other emotional issues like bullying, fear, prejudice, and grief. So I'm glad they are dealing with emotional abuse this way too.
23 years is an awful long time for that kind of plot I'd think. Maybe it's a usual time-frame for Sesame street, I don't know, but if I were to write a plot like that, I'd make it last like, a year at tops. Of course, real-world manipulation and abuse can last a lifetime, but Rocco's been on Sesame street long enough for at least two named generations of kids to internalise the toxicity and grow out of the show with no evidence of consequences for Zoe or vindication for Elmo.
Elmo knows and is confident, so he does nothing but reinforce the truth to wiser viewers. It looks like a see-saw when boiled down: Good for those un-wise to reinforce freedom of play; good for the wiser to reinforce the truth. Elmo pointing out truth is way better than the adult doing so, for any viewer.
Well again Sesame Street is supposed to reflect towards real kids who are watching this. You wouldn’t be surprised when you see real kids having to deal with real situations
This is the first stage of the Karen evolution line. First the Abigail stage which evolves into Becky and learns sassiness at level 16 and finally Karen at level 35.
For a show about kids, they really don't know how to handle imaginary friends. They either completely ignore it and gaslight the person with the imaginary friend, or they go all in and favor inanimate objects over actual characters. Also the adults being useless is the most realistic lesson sesame street's ever thought
It would be cool if the adults pull Zoe aside one day and actually have a philosophical discussion and explore why Zoe feels she needs an imaginary friend. Most of the time children come up with or create those types of fantasy in response to some form of trauma.
13:33 For someone who's only 3 years old, Elmo is still so understanding to Zoe. He's very patient even with how persistent Zoe is claiming Rocco's real. Props to him :))
I always saw it as Zoey pushing her trauma into Rocko. Shes saying what she wants to say through rocko because shes to scares if SHE says it shell get backlash, so she uses rocko as a wall of sort. In case something goes wrong, she can backtrack, if someone gets mad their gonna yell at rocko instead of her And i think the others are allowing this because they know, but elmos is Zoeys same age so probably doesnt realize it And you can see it to, Zoey says rocko wants to dance bit shes dancing, she says he says 12 but shes saying it, etc etc
I was definitely not expecting to learn something from this. I was moving out of my Sesame Street phase around the time Big Bird was almost killed on the final Challenger mission (also something I just recently learned really happened). While I watched it for a while afterward, Big Bird being vindicated is in my mind as the sort of "final episode" for me because it concluded the arc I'd been used to for most of the time watching it. And while it was just a cute story from my childhood, in retrospect it fits the "adults won't believe you" narrative that many shows pushed and which did negatively impact me. I had an abusive first grade teacher, and while mom was aware of some of the un-hideable aspects like having to bring me new clothes after I was denied access to the bathroom for an entire day, we recently talked about what she did and mom was absolutely livid several decades after the fact. Being struck, put in a box, locked in a closet, and not telling my parents about it because that was just life and she was the only adult in the room when it happened. I definitely feel for the kids being treated like Elmo. I have seen that behavior as well, and kids will grow up manipulative like Zoe well beyond the "cute" 3 year old phase. But now that you've explained this, I can understand not only why they swung so far in this direction, but why I still feel twinges of this expectation not to be believed. As an adult it's turned to misplaced resentment for not being believed over things that...I totally know I'm believed about so the emotion makes no logical sense.
@@latif36 This is getting insane. And these are so stupidly consistent that YT could auto-detect them easily. Meanwhile I can't reply with a link to the trolls that demand "proof" of everything without my post being in limbo for days.
Ah yes, one of my biggest pet peeves... "bullying is okay as long as the adults say it is and your feelings don't matter as much as the adults' favorites." It happens enough in real life without Sesame Street reinforcing that it's okay. This can also become dangerous because, like the Snuffy situation, it tells kids that adults are always right, even when they aren't. It teaches kids that not only favoritism is okay but so is outright bullying as long as the adults say it's okay. It reinforces what many kids innately know; the needs and feelings of some kids are more important than yours and you should just deal with being treated as a lesser human.
What kind of psychopath denies a child their favorite cookie in favor of a rock? I mean I don't want to say this is feminist BS where it's ok to screw over Elmo because he's a boy but I'm really having a problem with another explanation.
Yes this. It's really sad in this day and age that bullying is made into a comedic joke and most adults don't do anything agianst it - dispite it being a common cause of suicide in young people
Honestly great points here! You could have also mentioned how the rock becomes the scape goat for Zoe. Kids blame stuff on their imaginary friends all the time “it wasn’t me it was Rocco” just as she’s using Rocco as a way to control and bully. (Elmo’s favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin, but she doesn’t want him to have it. She may not even like oatmeal raisin but is just feeling petty and so goes it to Rocco)
I actually think that with this perspective, this could also be seen as a commentary about how when it comes to kids who are seen as "special" (kind of personified by Zoe having an imaginary friend), they are usually given vastly better treatment by people who are being very lenient with them - sometimes to the point of ignoring or treating other kids in a way that may seem very unfair.
What do you mean by special? TBH this I just how kids act (not that Zoe is in the right). I don't see how the rock personifies anything. Kids will always try to get away with things and will continue to try if adults show them that they can or should like the adults in the show do.
@@itspowers9107 which tells you that is a common tendency anyone is prone to due to the way the brain works. Which could in turn explain why is so widespread on adults as well if measures are not taken to correct such behaviour.
@@klaussone Exactly. However this commentor implied the rock meant something and used the word "special" which was confusing. All kids learn from those around them, especially adults. If adults let them do something they will think that it's acceptable. That's why have clear and consistent rules is crucial for kids.
When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Elmo is quite literally being bullied by Zoe to do what she wants to do, but never what he wants to do. Elmo's world is likely a cooping mechanism for him, especially after dealing with Rocco. And when you look at the adults it's clear they favor Zoe over Elmo. It could be because Zoe acts more like a three year old then Elmo, who clearly acts much older, almost like he had grown up faster than Zoe.
I think the reason I loved Elmo so much is because he was very relatable. Everything I did, other people would take credit for it when it was my original idea. My idea. My parents would always put other kids before me and then invalidate my feelings. Everything ended up being my fault for no reason, I was always put to blame.
Being the oldest child, I completely understand that. Almost everything my siblings do always ends up being my fault. And when I try to explain my side of the story, i just get ignored as though my opinion doesn't matter. So I understand where you're coming from. 😅
I can't believe not a single adult could say "well Elmo has been waiting his turn for the swing, so Rocco will have to get off" or "It's not fair to Elmo to have to jump either" or "what if Elmo and Rocco split their cookies in half and shared them?" or literally ANYTHING in Elmo's defense. You don't have to deny Zoe's imagination to be fair to Elmo. Rocco doesn't need to be prioritized to keep Zoe happy. Elmo would probably be less angry with Rocco if they were treated fairly. He keeps trying to tell Zoe that Rocco is just a rock so she stops putting him in situations where the rock's "wants" are put above his own.
I remember watching the Elmo movie. Zoe is literally the cause for all of the conflict, she literally almost got Elmo and his favorite blanket killed
I was thinking the same thing. I just feel Zoe and Elmo always have beef.
Imagine if someone on Reddit made a am I the jerk post where it’s just Elmo asking is he the jerk for not liking roco and bringing up all the bad things Zoe’s done
Bing I own it is all I remember
I made a cartoon where Elmo runs over Zoe in a car. she got what she deserves.
I remembered that movie while watching this and feel the same way.
The venom in Elmo’s voice when he says “ Hello, _Rocco._ “ is beautiful and honestly relatable.
Elmo's voice takes me back in time as a child.
I ruined the likes being at 666
Don't say anything about the bots, just report them.
@@WFly101 thanks
@@dodgepuppy1715 Here finnaly ruclips.net/video/dQw4w9WgXcQ/видео.html
I believe this is the most accurate interpretation for the rock. Zoe is a child just like Elmo, so yes she's using her non-living rock to get things he wants, but that gets reinforced by the the adults. They so badly want to appease her imagination, Elmo gets the short end constantly thus grows angry even though he's technically in the right. Elmo is more patient so he's less likely to throw a fit over Zoe, but that's still unfair to him when more attention is just given to the kid who will throw the fit.
One day he'll throw a huge tantrum worse than Zoe ever has and we'll be there watching!
bots are growing oh yea elmo deserves better
Why are there so many bots dude
I relate.
Using it to get what you want is one thing, but when what you want is specifically to terrorize others, that's a whole different thing. Zoe may be a child, but she's a bad one.
I work at a preschool, primarily with 2 year old kids. When I saw that scene, I was genuinely concerned for what was being taught. I have a little girl whose main personality trait is "spoiled rotten." We've been working very hard to teach her that sometimes the answer is "no" and we need to respect our friends. I hope she doesn't see this episode.
Ty for teaching the next generation of American children😊
Good on her for twaching her NOT to be the next Veruca Salt.
I love how this goes from a slightly crazy conspiracy theory, to actually making sense, to a genuine theory about why the show was written this way.
basically how every film theory goes lol
@@naomiadeyemi3602 Not really, most go full wacky halfway
Yeah.
Yaa
@Robert Anderson The thing is you actually need to be harder on special needs kid EXCEPT if they are so special they can't function but Zoe isn't like that, she functions just fine. With functional special needs you need to be harder because its harder to keep them in check. I don't mean be rude or anything of the sort but you must always make sure to tell them what they did wrong and give a punishment and since she is 3 the best punishment can be no sweets. Eventually they learn "Hey if I act this way, I can't have sweets"
Dang Elmo laughed at Zoe once for having a rock for a friend, and she gets the whole neighborhood to gaslight him for all eternity about the sentience of a literal rock and the humans just let her
😂
well, that’s…That’s hella dark
@@Pip_NoSqueak Exactly! Like wtf Zoe??
I hadn't heard about this before until now and it hurts.
and thats what you call a prick move
They REALLY need the “adults” to address Zoe’s behaviour cuz for all the kids who might relate ti Elmo, it’s just reinforcing that they have to go with the flow and not establish boundaries. Not to mention it teaches kids that being like Zoey WORKS. and it shouldn’t
Fr, Zoe reminds me of all the kids that I've seen that throw a "tantrum" over not getting the toy or candy they want. Because they know that if the scream or cry enough it'll get them what they want anyways.
THIS
Zoe reminds me of a certain group of people that constantly use their imaginary deity to control other peoples personal and private lives. Whether it be who they can love, when they can show their love, or even to how they can show their love. About time someone called out Zoe and her enablers, good job. Peace/JT
Bro i relate to Elmo in a personal level, he’s my favorite and memorable character, when i watched smth with Zoe, i have this itch of disliking her even tho idk why
@@artistotaku8344 This remind me of myself. My mom told me that when I made a tantrum and basically cry, she would ignore me. And after seeing this video, I'm grateful for what she did
Matpat just summarized the two ends of the pendulem between parenting in the 1900 and modern parenting beautifully.
Another situation you didn't mention:
Elmo came up with a joke. When he told Zoey, she loved it and went around telling EVERYONE the joke, without giving Elmo credit. Each time Elmo tried to tell someone his joke, they would already be laughing and calling it "Zoey's joke". That girl is evil lol
i remember that scene and was really sad because i've seen that irl growing up and it hurt.
@@gabsterart I've literally had that happen to me.
r/fuckzoey
Once when I made food with my friend and my friend’s little sister was the most ANNOYING kid I have EVER MET
@@susanmarr6251 remove the sister
Zoe's shown to act similarly even without Rocco present, too. (Speaking over Elmo, refusing to acknowledge his wants/needs, etc) I remember watching the Elmo in Grouchland movie as a kid and hating Zoe for how poorly she treated Elmo
Poor Elmo. Looking back on it now, he really was treated unfairly
@CheeseBiscuits Well, we still see Zoe on Sesame Street, just not as much these days.
same! my sister loved elmo in grouchland but i hated it bc of how zoe treated elmo (and bc i found grouchland scary but that’s not the point)
Abby is so much better anyway
@@tysargent9647 that's good because Zoe is just Sakura second and 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 tiimesssssssss wooooorsssstees
Elmo deserves better. He isn't even allowed to be angry without people making fun of him.
Four bots
So many
"Elmo knows where you live" 🙂
It’s just like In real life with school. I know some people in school who aren’t liked and sort of “shamed” when their emotions get the better of them, and I am one of the only people who are their friends. It sucks to see the people I am good friend with get into arguments 7-1
😅
This is part of the reason why I could relate to Elmo so much, when I was younger I was bullied a lot, and taken advantage of, and I frequently got in trouble for things I didn’t do because classmates, who didn’t like me would lie and say that I did something when it was really someone else and I have privileges taken away, which led to angry outburst, which led to the perpetrator getting rewarded because I “lost my temper.”
It also turned out that the teachers were aware that I was not the one who was doing those things but because I frequently talk back and accuse them of seeing what was going on and not doing anything, they actually did that. And this was why I was able to relate to Elmo so well.
Wow
We should publicly shame your evil teachers and bullies
I'm so sorry that happened to you. The education system is messed up when it comes to dealing with bullies and such. I mean, they'll turn their backs at kids who are being harrassed by bullies, but the second the victim tries to fight back, the victims get punished instead, and then they wonder why the victim hates school so much.
Again, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Nobody should ever experience that, ever. I hope that you can find peace and happiness somewhere else and that you can leave those horrible people behind.
Im so sorry tha happened to you :(
I would have thrown that rock out of the street minus the sesame
There’s also a huge parentification of Elmo, which is often seen in older siblings. They’re left in charge without being asked/agreeing to it, they have to “be the grown up” and be a role model for their younger siblings. Their feelings on a situation aren’t validated because they’re supposed to be more mature. Elmo is being parentified towards Rocco, and sadly it’s a really common thing amongst children.
This is why I hate most parents. they don't do a good job and I don't think they even try.
Ong here ruclips.net/video/iMT5IPcuni4/видео.html
Yeah, kind of like what Sav and Cole are doing to Everleigh.
@Lilyva The messed up part is that Elmo and Zoe are the same age.
I DESPISE the show Max and Ruby for a similar reason. It's literally just a show about two neglected children whose parents are never around where the older sister is actively parentified despite her being like canonically around 8 I think?
Zoe's actions with Rocco could easily be a stand-in for gaslighting behavior.
@here is the full clip ah, yes, another bot sending a link to a random video as free advertising. How fun
@@gabef.218 sounds like he Rick rolled you there lolol
Yup
@@c-e.dbackupdates501 how tho?
@@c-e.dbackupdates501 Where does gender come in to play. You do realize boys do the same thing.
It always felt like the adults were going along with it because they knew Zoey would throw a fit. Elmo was so patient and kind that it was easier on the adults to make him compromise than to confront the much louder and more temperamental Zoey.
As one of four kids, this happened constantly in my family. If one kid is gonna throw a fit, they'd bend over backwards to appease them, even at the expense of the other kids.
let me guess you re the middle child
the sad part is, it even happens in the Workplace, as well as 'family' situations...one of my coworkers is absolutely Terrible at her job-- complaints from customers, unfinished tasks, the whole nine yards...but if you Call Her Out on it, suddenly YOURE the bad guy, "insulting her character" or whatever...so most of the time, its just Easier to just wait until her shift ends, to Finally catch up on all the stuff i need to do...
(and for the record, were a little too short-staffed to Fire her, otherwise she wouldve been gone MONTHS ago)
Can relate to this as the older child
It's almost as if a single set of parents isn't capable of raising a horde of children that outnumber them. And I say that knowing well that SOME people are patient and hard-working enough to have 3 or 4 well-raised children, but the average person just isn't prepared for parenthood
Same my brother was always the one to throw temper tantrums when he didn’t get what he wanted, so my parents always tried to make him happy. My sister and I were more mature, and were left without the same special treatment, which was very frustrating at times.
Sadly, I have a feeling that Elmo would grow up to be shy, self conscious, and probably closed off from people if this continues. He is getting bullied for simply stating facts and is getting shamed for it.
Meanwhile, Zoe will probably become entitled and used to getting her way threw manipulation or complaining because of this treatment.
If Rocco ever comes back, I want Elmo to just punt that thing into a sea or something and the adults address the problem with Zoe's behavior.
Yea...true
Which is ironic, since Snuffy was made real in the show so kids could learn they would be believed if they tell the truth
they're 3
Oh Rocco did come back. Zoey set up a whole wedding for Rocco and another rock and then forced Elmo to stay and solve all her problems.
I wouldn’t be too surprised if Rocco returns with “children” and Zoey forces Elmo to babysit them for a whole episode.
If I were Elmo I would have thrown that rock out the street minus the sesame
This is less of a theory and more of a precise unpackaging of a problematic lesson being taught to children and I think it's VERY important to do just that.
Yeah, 100%. I clicked on the video with a very clear picture in my mind and this just supported it lol. Zoe was a horribly abusive and controlling girlfriend, and Abby is far better for elmo.
You mean to tell me that we’re sending wrong messages to todays children?
It’s 2022, morality is an abstract concept in the US. Gaslighting is only wrong if the hivemind thinks it’s wrong, and the hivemind doesn’t think it’s wrong so tough luck, I guess.
i think it works super well because it actually discusses the meta of the situation- what was going through the writers heads behind the scenes. i feel like film theory in the past has had a habit of using the thermian argument which makes some theories seem like reaches. but this one makes perfect sense because it acknowledges the series as a creative work with a team of writers behind it.
like even early on the idea of zoe just being somekind of "evil abuser" or whatever was talked about, but dismissed because youre not meant to engage with the material on that level and its simply too face-value of a conclusion. it makes much more sense to look at the choices that lead the writers there and what the moral they would be imparting to children would be, because its a kids show after all.
I literally was saying this to myself and saw this comment lol
Now I understand why there is an "Elmo's World". His world might be a defense mechanism from the emotional abuses from his environment. #justiceforelmo
That's some theory material
That makes sense considering the fact that Elmo's "house" is made out of doodles
Yeah I think you have an idea for a new film theory for matpat.
And maybe Mr.Noodle and Mr.Noodles brother are neighbors that play along with him or imaginary friends
That actually makes sense, hopefully he'll make a theory on this...
10:19 I laughed way too hard at “He’d rather jump”, it caught me so off guard because I took the meaning in a very different and dark way
I remember seeing these episodes with Rocko and dreading every time Zoe was on screen with Elmo for fear that she'd use that stupid rock to screw him over. Especially since Elmo has some of the best behavior in the show. He truly cares about his friends and is more than willing to appease their whims and wants when they interact normally with him. There was one episode where he was having a Red Monster Parade, but every time one of his friends wanted to join he would amend the title to include them until it go so long that he just called it the Anyone who Wants to be in a Parade Parade.
And you touched on it with his observations being validated, but everybody playing along is worse because he might end up thinking that the rock somehow is alive (I'm pretty sure we've seen rocks with the googly eyes and mouths during some song segments) and he's the crazy one for not being able to hear or see Rocko doing anything.
This is what I've wanted to type but didn't know how. I really hope that later in the show a responsible adult finally steps in and confronts the others, teaching children important lessons. Zoey honestly was my least favorite character in the entire show, even when I was little cause I hated when she would always interrupt Elmo. Elmo is still my favorite character and I hope Zoey and the other adults get humbled or taught a lesson at some point.
Nice thesis bro 👌
I’m surprised at how many of you grew up with Sesame Street. When I was younger I just watched a bunch of different VCR and CD’s in my room while my family would watch the news or game shows in the living room. I had A LOT of Elmo’s World VCR’s It took up a whole shelf out of the Wiggles, Whinnie the Pooh and Disney movie VCR’s. And CD’s.
He's being gaslit
No. NOT just a theory. You are ABSOLUTELY correct!!! Some dangerous behavior being championed by Sesame Street. Allowing Zoey to get away with manipulating everyone for her own gain while poor Elmo is being antagonized and trespassed against! Unthinkable, unacceptable, and inexcusable!!!
You kinda made a spelling mistake
@@pudgesnextturnaround3112Its Just very sad for elmo
Yes
You are Elmo aren’t you?
It's... it's... disgraceful! Disgusting! And depicable!
What makes it even worse for me is that it almost feels like Elmo is being punished for being upset. Kids (and anyone, honestly) are allowed to be upset when they feel they've been treated unfairly. Should they yell or raise their voice at someone else? Obviously not, but there's nothing wrong with being upset about it.
But all these adults act disappointed in him. And they don't seem happy until he gives in and, depending on the issue, apologizes. That's a HORRIBLE message to send to kids. There are tons of kids that end up developing complexes, feeling that even the slightest bit of disappointment makes *them* bad for causing someone else to feel that way.
That's *horrible* . No kid should be punished for being upset with the threat or follow through of disappointment. What's the lessen there? That they're only good when they can make everyone around them happy?
Anyway, all that aside, it's interesting that the writers knew Elmo would hate the rock. I hope they have an episode in the future where they acknowledge Elmo's feelings about all this. It would be good and, likely, very validating for some kids.
You're absolutely right, in fact modern child psychologists say exactly that
That synopsis reads like an episode of Thomas And Friends
yea
Lesson*
I get the seriousness of the topic but in an attempt to lighten the mood, Remember that elmo is at least 20+ years and needs to stop acting like a 5 year old.
To summarize: Elmo is being gaslighted by everyone
I don't know if I was Elmo I would have thrown that rock out of the street
@@gohan3425-p2s Me too😂😂😂
What about big bird I don't think big bird gaslight elmo once and even before elmo got his iconic voice and become popular big bird was nice to him even before elmo become mainstream and even big bird said what a great party for a rock confirming that big bird is aware of Rocco not being real but is to nice to call Zoe out
@@gohan3425-p2s Same
I always felt like Zoey was the little sister that always got her way no matter what. Like if you went somewhere with your friends you had to take her no matter what.
You can say DW nobodys judging.
@@alexiayearty8105 Ugh, Arthur is like a free babysitter to her and Kate
@@sophiebyers5496 Yup, thatll get brought up in therapy later.
DW MUCH
@@alexiayearty8105 DANGIT I WAS JUST ABOUT TO MENTION HER!
Lol I always thought it was obvious that Zoey was doing it to bother Elmo. She's had other times outside of Rocko where she's controlling and unapologetic. The one time I can remember, but not well, was Zoey essentially stealing Elmo's blanket or toy because she wanted it for a bit. Losing it, not bothering to help Elmo find it and then claiming to forgive Elmo for being stingy after he found his property that she lost while taking it without permission. And I'm pretty sure no one said a thing to her about it then either.
It was his blanket. At least in that situation she actually felt bad later. I still have that movie and now feel like watching it.
That's insane I am so glad I stopped watching. Stuff like this never happened on Barney
I came here to bring this up! Elmo in Grouchland was my kid's favorite. Zoey was a little jerk there, too! I remember even explaining the movie to my kid, how it's totally okay to tell your friend no when they want your special item. Elmo even offered Zoey a soft washrag to cuddle with instead of blankie. And she ripped his blankie out of his hands.
I think there was a movie where Zoie made Elmo rip his blanket actually. She wanted to see it so bad, but Elmo said no so she tried to pull it from him and ut ripped. Then Elmo went on an adventure cuz the blanket somehow got lost.
@@medusathedecepticon I wish I had the movie. I used to watch it all the time.
The fact that Zoe being a child uses Rocco to control Elmo kind of reminds me of a youngest member of the family using their preciousness to the parent to control their older sibling.
Don't say it. His name alone makes me want to break something
@@gammarayburst675 ｡
@@likelyunfortunatezz5730 yeah that's me? What's up?
given this is a kid's show that's probably what it actually is
oh how I hate the youngest child stereotype
They should introduce a new character named Luigi the concrete worker. Elmo can bring Rocco to a job site and throw him in the concrete mix and laugh and laugh and laugh some more.
I would watch that
It’d be hilarious if one of these days, Rocco just turned to Zoey and said: “You know, I’m tired of being silent. I do not like how you’re treating Elmo.”
He better. Even better if he admits he didn't say half the stuff Zoey claimed.
God I hope that happens
Lol I hope that happens and Elmo was like revenge
rocco voiced by danny devito
@@gaycoffeeaddict yes
Zoe reminds me of the spoiled rotten child that always gets away with terrorizing someone and gets their way with anything in general.
This someone seems like it’s always poor Elmo. What’s so awful is that everyone joins in on Zoe’s little Rocco charade/bullying Elmo.
Those scenes would make me so frustrated/upset for Elmo too.
I understand that this is an example of imagination,but using imagination to bully someone precious like Elmo,makes me mad,I agree with Matt #justiceforelmo
Ah, so she basically D.W. from Arthur.
My name is Zoey!!!😭😭😭
@@nope0921 my name is Zoe, i have it one letter worse. *cri*
I totally agree with you
No matter how much anyone tried, they can’t get me on her side. I often feel like my family loves our a**hole dog more than me, and I’m absolutely going against someone making anybody feel like that. Elmo deserves better.
Zoey is extremely good at gaslighting Elmo to the point that it makes him look like the bad guy. It is impressive watching the adults take Zoeys side because she knows that if she riles up Elmo enough, they will believe he is being the unreasonable one.
@@loturzelrestaurant well that was a better advertisement for a youtube channel than all those bots telling me that Markiplier is garbage, sure I will go check them out.
@@RandomCorvid Uhm, are you sure these robots meant to... sell him to you?
I mean, i cant tell but kinda sounds like an odd advertisement for Markiplier.
@@loturzelrestaurant lol, if you go into Mark's comments you will usually find bots saying "Markiplier is garbage, MY channel is way better" or something like that.
I’m mean can you blame him? Even I would side with him about it being what it is a “rock” if get a bit upset If I had group of friends and the one of them pulls out a rock to decide what to for fun as if “it’s” part of the group it’ll be crazy to think but some kids can’t understand especially when One acts a certain way to get what they want
Yes! Makes you wonder how and why she became like this. Also, Zoe acts a lot like my own lil sister does. And she wonders why I don't talk to her anymore? If only the people around them grew wise and stood up. This is what happens when those people decide to turn a blind eye to who is clearly a troubled child, the child, if not receiving help, will grow into a manipulative, gas lighting sociopath. And then they wonder what went wrong as if they had nothing to do with it?! I'm sorry, it just hurts a lot.
“Rocco says hello!” “Elmo didn’t hear anything!” I’m dying 😂
TRUE
"....What else does Toothpicky have to say?"
"That I deserve a raise."
"Your toothpick friend is stupid, Dan."
best skit on FT
he insulted toothpicky...no-one. insults. toothpicky
@@whodvethunk6525 lol
Dan does deserve a raise for that skit.
Futurama?
@@whodvethunk6525 yhjiuy
I love how matpat just casually says "episode 4,000 and something" as if it's normal. for a show to have over 4,000 episodes
It is.
“Days of Our Lives” has almost 14,000
It is for Sesame Street, haha
@@howdoyouspace5425 Marlena done been hypnotized and kidnapped 20 times since I've been born lmao
Doesn’t One Piece have a thousand episodes?
Okay, Zoe having A Rock for an Imaginary Friend is one thing, but hosting an entire wedding for Rocco that likely costs hundreds of dollars is just insane.
its a funny tv show tho
Rocco will pay for it. He is secretly a diamond under a thin layer of stone.
Why is "A Rock" and "Imaginary Friend" capitalized? I feel like that's unnecessary.
It's on the same scale as the dude that married a DS and streamed the whole event
I hate bots
"ELMO IS SUPPOSED TO SAY THE NUMBER OF THE DAY, NOT ROCCO!" I remember that part🤣
Finally! A video that focuses on the adults in the show! So far I’ve seen the argument that Zoe is manipulative and gas lighting Elmo or that Elmo has anger issues and can’t play along. This is the first video I’ve seen that highlights the adults enabling Zoe while ignoring Elmo’s needs.
Absolutely, people keep blaming Elmo
People seem to hate the person who is the way they are because of what those people have done to them
🍿
could there be a sexist reason? The adults we see here are all female. Could it be they unintentionally treat the little girl better, because they see themselves in Zoey?
@@mii_kay4514 Elmo thinks that he agrees
@@mii_kay4514 It's the writing. Next she will be flying in from off screen and healing someone with her power
I didn't see many Rocco episodes growing up, but I did watch the Grouchland movie.
The message of the movie was to learn to share with your friends and not be selfish/greedy with your stuff, but the whole opening of the movie was about how important Elmo's blanket is to him, he goes and make Zoey laugh after she wasn't able to go to the zoo and immediately after she grabs his blanket without asking to see it and Elmo states and is visibly upset at her actions and wants the blanket back but she keeps holding it and it turns into tug of war ripping the blanket and then it ends up in Oscar's trash can.
Zoey is sorry for losing the blanket and apologizes but it always felt weird and now looking back it's because yes it's important to share with your friends but it's also important to ask first and respect boundaries of what's okay to borrow from a friend
And yeah they're three this when they should be learning things like this at this age, but even as little kid Zoey's actions that started the movie's adventure never sat right with me
*** EDIT
AND ANOTHER THING TO TAG ONTO THE ADULTS IN SESAME STREET
when Elmo is looking in the trash can screaming for Oscar to give the blanket back the adults tell him to calm down and just wait for Oscar to comeback which yeah good call except no one goes to look Oscar or asks where he went after he threw the blanket in the trashcan and walked away. They pretty much said this situation that has you panicking this much doesn't need to be solved right now
And after Elmo storms a few steps away the adults start to coddle Zoey when she starts showing remorse, but as she starts to explain the chase after the blanket Elmo disperses the crowd telling them to leave, and for second I couldn't figure out why, and then it hit me
They were actively listening to Zoey explain and letting her let her emotions out right after they told him to calm down and try to not be upset about what just happened, they dismissed his worries and turn around to coddle her, I wouldn't blame him if he made everyone leave just so he wouldn't have to immediately apologize for getting mad at her before he's ready to forgive her cause they'd think the blanket falling in the trash can would be his fault in their eyes.
***One more thing of note just cause
Elmo states he needs to get his blanket home, and that says to me that his blanket rarely if ever leave his house
Yeah I agree, zoey needed to be disciplined. Stuff like that needs to be nipped in the bud
Oh yeah I'd forgotten about that. Huh.
I freaking grew up with the Elmo in grouchland movie. Core memories have been unlocked
I vividly remember crying and not wanting to watch the rest of it because of the beginning alone.
My favorite movie as a kid was Elmo in grouchland
Not only Child neglect had been shown in this child show but Parental favoritism is when one or both parents display consistent favoritism toward one child over another. It can include more time spent together, less discipline, and more privileges.
Which is happening with Zoey, while Elmo is toss on the side line even though adults do ask if Elmo wants to do something else he just give into what Zoey want over his need, which can mess up a child believing that no one is going to spend time with you because they are going to spend more time with the other kid/sibling. poor Elmo
The shows got a lot of mature topics that play off quite well in a kids show, even to the point of characters DYING. (Rest in peace Mr. Hooper) that show can get DARK man
Luckly I had parents who didn’t had favoritism, but a lot of the other adult in childhood did. A lot of my teacher favored my bullies because they claim I was always lying. 9 years later it was found I was born with schizophrenia. Thanks Dr. C, for breaking a tween heart, Especially after a family death. So glad to have my current circle of friends and family. But some adult still don’t care.
It's crazy that a theory video about Elmo and a rock is making me think about what neglect can do. It's made me reflect on relationships I've experienced where my feelings have been so invalidated.. I really hope that the writers have the awareness to validate Elmo's emotions and acknowledge the trauma this can cause if not addressed.
Caillou, Caillou
it's just a rock🤨
Since I'm the oldest of my siblings, I can confirm that this is similar to my everyday life. The youngest ALWAYS gets their way.
I was not expecting the genuine pyschology stuff this theory. Well done on your research here, MatPat.
@time to leave earth should do one of bear in the big blue house
@@realkingqueens5577 That's one of at least 20 different spam bots used by that pest, fantastic flavours. Report it, its owner, and every other bot you see spamming that link, and don't stop until they're all gone forever.
@@OvertMysteryChannel "The purpose of this conditioning, is for kids to accept the illogical and irrational opinions of others in order to spare their feelings. Even if it goes against the child's self interest."
This^^^
A huge example of this is gendered clothing and gender in general tbh.
Its such an abstract concept, and it ultimately serves no purpose but to separate us from each other. Like 'boy clothes' or 'girl clothes', 'boy hobbies' or 'girl hobbies', 'boy colors' or 'girl colors'???
They are just things, they have no gender. And yet, people are shamed or prevented from doing things they love.
Good point my dude
@@OvertMysteryChannel Funnily enough, My position doesn't use subliminal messaging or underhanded tactics to get kids to adhere to some decades-old social standard that should have died the moment it was conceived. Nah, we just present people with choices.
"Feel free to flip this...its a good argument, you will likely not be able to come up with a better one."
That was an argument in the same way heating up a frozen pizza is cooking; barely fucking counts. You didnt make a point. You waved your supposed moral superiority in the air and left.
Life is short. Luckily it only takes 2 minutes to type out a response to a comment that sounds like it was formulated by a 10-year-old.
And by the way, it's *waste, not waist.
It's surprising Elmo hasn't flipped from all the gaslighting and cognitive dissonance happening at the same time. He's been cooler than he ought to be.
he might have. Elmo's World suddenly makes a lot more sense for existing now. The perfect safe space in a kid's mind and room
@@adamgremban8780 This! I experienced something similar as a child, and the way I coped was to disassociate and retreat into my mind, into a better place where my traumas and those who intentionally caused it or not weren't there. It's the only way I haven't gone insane yet.
True that
@@bakedbaker9882 i hope you get better
Look out mr. Patty I might be making a puppet TV show too😉
So glad that people are on Elmo’s side regarding this situation over how much of a bad friend Zoe is to Elmo, especially when it involves Rocco. I loved every bit of this!
It’s definitely sad how no one ever sides with Elmo over Zoe’s behavior with or without Rocco and usually always side with her like she’s the victim and that’s wrong. Elmo has a very good reason to be angry at her because she has gaslighted him for so many years which really affected their friendship in terms that they were once considered as “best friends” but that’s not how best friends really are and it’s more like a toxic friendship which was all started by Zoe wanting to get her way out of everything and it ruined the spotlight for Elmo.
Zoe has not over tormented Elmo over Rocco but she has also ripped Elmo’s special blanket after taking it without his permission to wipe her face with, stole Elmo’s Front & Back joke by telling it to everyone on Sesame Street and when Elmo tried to tell his joke, they say that they already heard the joke from Zoe and she never gave him credit for that, bullied him by calling Elmo a rotten egg or rotten potato chip (and Elmo even asked her to stop calling him that because it makes him really feel rotten), wouldn’t share her ZoeMobile during the play date with Elmo by gaslighting him and never admitting that she didn’t feel comfortable with Elmo driving it until the very end, she told Elmo that after he tried to do a Leap Dance for friendship day, Zoe yelled at him by saying *”Elmo, I don’t believe it! Why did I ever agree to let you be part of this dance?!! YOU ARE THE WORST!!!”* and it really broke Elmo’s heart when she said that to him and he actually said that he doesn’t want to be her friend anymore, and most of all, gaslights Elmo pretty much every time they’re together.
Elmo deserves more of the spotlight and love like he has for many years since he became a popular Sesame Street Muppet character that people of all ages adore and no hatred because he’s a great character. If there’s any character you should hate from Sesame Street, it’s Zoe. Another thing is that Zoe hardly ever learns a lesson from her mistakes and she still does more gaslighting to Elmo affecting him even more to the point that he has to get angry and vent his feelings out at her giving Zoe a piece of his mind. Elmo has a good reason to be angry but to this day, it’s so hilarious how his expressive actions are when he gets angry and Elmo is just like any other good character from TV shows that are usually always kind and happy, but they have their limits when something isn’t right from people that act like crap that they wouldn’t tolerate for whatever situation it is going on. I’m glad to see that the popularity of Elmo vs Zoe & Rocco is still going on as it was partially dead for a while lol
*Be on Team Elmo and don’t be toxic like Zoe*
I'ma be honest I didn't read this but props to you for taking this long for something about Elmo
I ruined the 69 sorry
I don't remember much about sesame street. Been a long time since I've seen it. But I think big birds friend snuffleupagus was believed to be imaginary too? At least by everyone but big bird. Up until everyone actually saw the giant elephant-like muppet. Why treat Zoe's rock like a separate thing? He's a frggin rock!
I do remember the special blanket. That’s from Elmo in grouchland
@@derposlerpo9456 😂 I'm in the replies for the same reason
I truly hope that one day someone new comes to the neighborhood and states that Elmo is right, shows the damage everyone has done to Elmo and everyone throws a big apology party (costing more than the wedding) and each time "Roco" ( Zoey) demands one of Elmo's gifts or treats, she gets told NO. after all "no" is an important thing to learn and something I have a hard time with. it's the starting point of boundaries
Given that my grandmother did the exact same thing to me (just with her pet dogs), yeah I can totally understand why Elmo gets mad every time he sees Rocco or has to appease said rock.
Well a dog is alive and need care, but I understand that you felt less important to your grandma than her dogs
The purpose of this conditioning, is for kids to accept the illogical and irrational opinions of others in order to spare their feelings. Even if it goes against the child's self interest. I would wager that the people who write that stuff have embedded other programming into this show and others they have worked on.
@@luckyduchesse8924 Well a child is alive and needs more care than a dog. And a grandma who cares more about a dog than her grandchild is one shitty grandma.
@@OvertMysteryChannel And yet they didn't spare elmo's feelings, so I say nay, the purpose is pure favourism of one child over the other child. Elmo here got bullied, gaslighted, and abused by the adults. That's like the opposite of any sensitivity training.
@@chaossynergy9768 I don't say otherwise, of course grandma needs to take care of the child! I'm just saying that dogs can't be compared to a rock.
Although this beef with Rocco is really funny-- I am so glad I am not the only one starting to hate Zoe and Rocco for abusing Elmo. #Justice4Elmo
I don't think you should hate Zoe. Ultimately like Matpat says she is just a child and as someone who's had to deal with toddlers, this is how some of them behave. Kids are incredibly selfish, in fact almost everyone has probably thrown a tantrum or cried over not getting what they want as a child. The blame falls on the adults for not correcting that behaviour because the kids don't know what they're doing is wrong. Almost every child put in Zoe's position would act like Zoe, even you or me.
@@nutellacelery8830 I don’t like kids in general-
@@alittlekittycat21 Yeah, but even if you don't like them you can recognize that shitty kids only exists due to shitty adults.
@@alittlekittycat21 So you hate yourself huh i get ya i have some reccomendation for therapist if you need ;) im here for you
yes
Even as a kid I thought Zoe got her way unfairly. I used to love the movie where his blanket gets thrown into the trash, but I hated that Zoe NEVER faced any consequences. As someone who grew up with a similar situation where my parents would only believe my sister, I sympathized with Elmo so much. It's the same deal with shows like Kid vs Kat. Took years to be able to mend things with my folks. MatPat hit the nail on the head.
IIRC, Elmo actually ends up apologizing to Zoe in the movie too! But Elmo was in the right here I thought, he didn't want to share his blanket, but Zoe was super insistent... Like, girl, Elmo has shared many things with you, he does not have to share his very special and sentient blanket.
I'm glad you were able to mend things.
Screw off bots.
It's a metaphor for
@@aceorb1996 I think Elmo feels more guilty for yelling at Zoe and saying that she is not his friend
My parents would keep me home for school to feed all the animals on the family smallholding. I had to bottle feed 3 lambs at once (one bottle in each hand and the 3rd one gripped between my knees), 300 pigs, then let 40 hens & 2 cockerels out of the henhouses and feed them, put the lambs into their secure grazing area and finally collect any eggs from the henhouses. This would happen when my mum was ill, she had migraines, and I started doing that when I was only 12 years old. They would tell people that my sister's education was more important than mine so she very rarely had to stay home, she is just over a year older than me, then they wondered why I rebelled against them as much as I could. They also used to say they had me to keep my sister company as there's a 5 year gap between her and the next eldest sister, then roughly a year between that one and my eldest sister. Their plan backfired as we don't get on as she's still the 'golden child'. They say it's because my brother (their 1st born and only son) died at 13 months old, the next 2 were girls so when the 3rd girl was born dad didn't even look at her for 6 weeks. They've been 'making up for it' since and treating me differently. Us girls organised a party for them about 20 years ago and in his speech he said, roughly, "I'd like to thank 'eldest sister', 'next one down' and '3rd one' for organising this fantastic surprise party". Guess who he left out? Yep, he had to be reminded I was even there. I nearly walked out but my children were having a good time playing with their cousins, but I've never forgotten or forgiven especially as they caused something even worse in my life 31 years ago. Sorry for the rant but this is the 1st time I've even written this stuff down, let alone where strangers can read it.
15:17 it was this thing, and the vacuum from Teletubbies that scared me as a kid.
I hardly watched Sesame Street, I always watched Elmo's World with Elmo having the spotlight on him. It made me think that Zoe was secretly jealous of Elmo being more popular than her and used Rocco as a reason to do what she wanted and have the spotlight on her. That's my theory.
thats actually really good idea
Same, except I watched Furchester hotel. Elmo has a lot of attention elsewhere, so it's not really surprising.
A FILM THEORY!!! Thanks for commenting...
Have you ever noticed how Elmo’s world looks fake? I mean in the intro you see him in a real room and then “Elmos world” seems to just spawn. Maybe that’s because it is fake, maybe it’s his brain trying to forget about the toxic environment and people around him…
But that’s probably just a stretch
@@-YourLocalCryBaby- A FILM STRETCH! AAAND CUT!
When I was younger I found Elmo’s dislike for Rocco to be very relatable because my friends and siblings used imaginary friends to excuse their actions. Granted I’m not entirely sure how much of that was real and how much was a child’s interpretation of the world, but I still connected deeply with Elmo on this matter
When I was a little kid, I always thought Zoe was a horrible friend to Elmo. In the Elmo in Grouchland movie, she took his most prized possession, his blanket without permission. Everyone blamed Elmo for not being able to share.
Some things, as a child or an adult, are just not things you share, because they mean so much to you, or because of the situation. Parents need to understand the difference between when they *can* tell their child to share, and when they really shouldn't. It is the *worst* when you're young, and you have a toy you cherish, and some kid with dirty hands wants to play for it and your parents force you to share it. That happened to me once, I had to throw it away after :/ I never got a replacement for it.
What’s worse is that he DID share! He was hesitant, sure, but he eventually gave in and let Zoe hold it to help her calm down! It was ZOE who abused that kindness and refused to return it when asked and on top of that, she FIGHTS Elmo for it and RIPS IT. But when Elmo snapped at her for damaging the one item he deemed more important than anything, HE’S the bad guy for “not sharing”?! And ZOE’S the victim because he snapped at her DESPITE HIM LITERALLY HAVING EVERY RIGHT TO DO SO?!
Honestly, Elmo and Zoe’s “friendship” nowadays is a perfect encapsulation of society when it comes to male victims. No matter WHAT Zoe, the female, does, ELMO, the male, is treated as the lesser when things go south even if HE’S the one that was wronged! The adults completely IGNORE HIM and COMFORT HER EVEN THOUGH HER ACTIONS ARE COMPLETELY REPREHENSIBLE! Elmo, the male, is never the victim in the eyes of the society that is Sesame Street, even if he actually IS the victim!
i agree
I KNOW! And she didn't even say sorry!
@@CharizardFlame dude chill it, it's just a kid's show
Then again your absolutely right
“What does else does toothpicky have to say?”
“That I deserve a raise”
“Your toothpick friend is stupid Dan”
It’s sad when you realise too, in Elmo’s movie “Elmo in grouchland” Zoe flat out breaks Elmo’s favourite thing (his blanket) and doesn’t even have to take responsibility for it. He had respectfully told her he didn’t want to share it with her, and when he begrudgingly gave it to her for a moment, he then wanted it back and she wouldn’t give it to him. He got mad at her, but that is really the only consequence she had to face in that movie
I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned! It was just plain cruel 😢
I bloody love that movie
Meanwhile, Elmo learned a lesson about how you should share your things.
As a child you learn "Share things, be nice, say sorry if someone feels bad because of you."
As an adult/teenager you learn; "Stand up for yourself, learn to say no, don't try to please everyone/you can't please everyone."
Parents, can y'all please teach these lessons AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is what I understood as a child. Everyone enabled Zoe to not crush her imagination, but Elmo was being crushed in the process. I didn't understood how it was fair to Elmo and why no adults told her that she should prioritize her real alive friends.
For sure!
I suppose that the Rocco series was more of a lesson for the parents watching with their children on what can happen when you let a kid do manipulative things so as to not cause a scene than it was a lesson for the children watching.
@@user-en7dx1qp3k I would agree if they ever called out Zoe but they never did
That's Y she lost me 😎👌💪💯💞
I hated Zoe growing up, still do, and I would literally cry for Elmo's sake when I was little. Even now as an adult and seeing the miss treatment with that stupid rock, it still hurts. Poor Elmo! I bet this doesn't hit hard for all of those middle kids having to watch their golden child sibling get everything they ever wanted and the middle ended up paying for it in the end.
I haven’t watched Sesame Street in YEARS and I wanted to cry for Elmo just seeing those clips! When MatPat started by try to make us what mins of picture is being painted on the surface, it just didn’t sit right with me. Like, I remember Elmo talking to Dorothy and laughing at Mr. Noodle’s antics, singing a song, sprinting random babies to teleport to, just being lovable and cuddly. It felt weird seeing him angry. At least MatPat sees what’s going on. Hopefully someone at Sesame Street miraculously sees his video and has a good long think about Zoey and Rocco.
EXACTLY HOW I FEEL FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS ME AND ELMO!!!
Yeah I never liked Zoe either. Now I know why.
Even as the oldest literally everyone but me gets what they want and I get left out
This is why I am glad I am an only child and I will make sure that if I ever have kids, I will only have one kid (unless I get twins or something)
3:42
THATS LITERALLY MT FAVORITE MEME I WAS HOPING IT WOULD SHOW UP!!!
This could actually serve as a good lesson to be aimed more directly at parents regarding directly engaging with children. Make sure EVERY a child is heard as opposed to just doing what makes the boat from rocking, as it were. Like how a parent should listen to a child when they want something, but not indirectly teach the kid that “screaming = I get things”, especially at other kid’s expense.
I am your 500like
Sesame Street has some good meta-lessons like this. For another example, when a sketch has a "bad guy," they're usually redeemed solely by way of apology. That teaches kids the importance of apologizing, but it pretty consistently overlooks atonement. When Baddy McBad breaks stuff, she should have to fix them, and doesn't deserve applause for doing it. So, as a parent, the scene doesn't sit right, and it prompts you to tell your kids "sometimes, you owe others an honest effort at fixing things."
While I agree that it was bad how they treated Elmo over this, let me remind you all that they have RARELY showed Zoey on the show nowadays. She got replaced by Abby and Julia as Elmo's BFF's.
So yeah, no more Zoey = no more Rocco = Elmo no longer has to deal with all that baggage.
That makes me happy for Elmo and all the kids watching. They get to see the different relationships and learn what works better/is healthier
This is why Elmo is best friends with Abby Cadabby nowadays. He's also friends with Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Snuffy, Telly, Baby Bear, and Grover.
Oh good, thank you for letting us know this!
Good for him
ok
At this point, I want to see Elmo straight up throw Rocco over a cliff or something.
Better yet throw Rocco into a lake
facts
Well it's a kid show so I don't think I see that happening
I think they should get rid of rocko
I hate Rocco he's just a Rock 🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨🪨
Elmo definitely deserves better I agree he can't even get angry but his friends can this is just unbelievable
If they ever _drop_ this plotline, it needs to climax with Elmo realizing that Zoey is being a toxic friend and he's better off _without her._
Elmo: you know what Zoey? Elmo is tired, Elmo doesn't like Rocco. And because, because you never let Elmo have my fun. Then you are not my friend, goodbye Zoey.
Zoey: uh-huh, uh-huh, Rocco says-
Elmo: STOP LYING ZOEY! ITS NOT FUNNY! YOU are the one that says things! Never Rocco, because ROCCO is a ROCK! And if you want to be my friend, then leave.
@@fyrelorde unfortunately that is not going to happen in that way because Sesame street is still a children show unless their willing to retire Zoey- which honestly they can do because her characrer is generic girl and there are thousands of those in show- the rocco problem is not going to have a satisfying conclusion
Would be even better if it just ends with elmo throwing rocco, never to be seen again
It technically already happened... Notice that Elmo now hangs out with Abby and Zoe is really no longer in the picture
@@silverblaze8766 So the message to send to kids is that gaslighting and abusing genuinely good people is acceptable and inevitable? What you're saying makes absolutely zero sense especially considering that they have indeed had satisfying resolutions to ongoing abuse with Big Bird/Snuffleupagus. The fact that Sesame Street is a children's show makes it even more important for there to be justice for Elmo.
I suppose I could see how typical haters would say stuff like "typical matpat making everything dark" but this is very... clear. This is 'REAL', (at least, as real as real can be in a puppet show) and it's very obvious that Zoe is trying to treat Elmo badly.
He has spoken 👍
@@WILDWINTER_BIRD are you trying to say that just because it is a kids show means it can't have more serious or darker elements or are you trying to say something else I could really use some elaboration.
@@WILDWINTER_BIRD "children's media should always be written for the adults first."
-not sure who said this, maybe someone at Pixar?
Anyways, just because it's a show for kids doesn't mean it can't cover more adult topics (or in this case, some basic psychology i.e. kids using imaginary friends to get their way). Arthur covered cancer, Bambi exists, soul covering existentialism, etc etc.
At 19 and 20 me and a friend were talking about how toxic Zoe really was and how the adults were condoning it. I knew about the Rocco bullshit that Zoe was pulling because my niece had a "friend" that was just like this: My niece, We call her LB, had a friend named I think Amanda, and I was watching them for a little bit before Amanda had to go home. Every once in a while I would notice Amanda bringing up her imaginary friend "Simon" who would either tell LB that she wasn't good at something, or she dressed weird, or something rude and callous, and I would end up stepping in. One day she took it too far and used Simon to tell her she was weird for having two dads (they are like 6 years old) so I stepped in and told Amanda if Simon or her say something rude to LB one more time I would be telling her parents. When Amanda got picked up I told her parents about the Simon issue and they dismissed it. I told LB that was she was doing was just like the "Zoe and Rocco" Situation and she understood and I hadn't seen Amanda since then. Apparently, LB told Amanda that Simon was like Rocco and she didn't want a "Zoe and Rocco" friendship. And I agree with Mat; These adults are condoning this and it's making Elmo who is the victim seem like the monster, and he's not. Zoe is a bratty little character that I didn't like as a child and my niece and nephew don't like her because to them she's a bully which I agree with.
Ong here ruclips.net/video/iMT5IPcuni4/видео.html
I wonder where "Simon" got the idea that two dads were weird 🤔
@@ryokukagirinai the parents of Amanda. My brother and brother in law had LB through a surrogate.
@@baileeharding8886 not like it would have been weird even if she were adopted either.
@@ryokukagirinai Having two dads is weird bro. Two men cannot make a baby. Having no mom is devastating, another dad doesn't replace that. Just because the culture in western society tries to jam it down you're throat that it's okay doesn't mean it actually is.
We went from its not your business what people do in their bedroom to having gays adopting children. Why bring children into it.
0:47 the custom intro
As a kid who grew up with a controlling, favoured sibling, this was surprisingly validating.
Same ngl
Same!!!
wait a minute Zoey is the golden child the one who could do no wrong so toxic
Me too but this time it's my older brother
Me to its my 7 year old brother
Something I'd like to highlight about that first clip is that Gabby later handles the situation very well; she explains to Zoe that it's okay for her to believe that Rocko is real, but that Rocko's needs and wants are different than Elmo's (ie. he can't actually eat a cookie) and it is unfair for Elmo to be steamrolled for Rocko's sake, which is ultimately Zoe's sake. I'm guessing Zoe never took that message on.
Feminism
@@svenjorgensenn8418 rocko’s a rock
@@tacossmileyroccoism
@@MrSirWivd best reply
i agree
I always liked Sesame Street best when Zoe wasn't around. Even as a young child, I couldn't stand her. Elmo is the sweetest and most patient little toddler monster on Sesame Street and he deserves his childhood validated.
I thought Zoe was stereotypical, even if I didn't know what it ment. I've always been annoyed by girl stereotypes.
@@louisverysilly Less of a girl stereotype, and more of an attention stealer personality archetype.
Annoys me to no end and sympathize more with Elmo.
When I was a kid, she didn't even exist.
They obviously added her because affirmative action for purely sexist reasons.
This video is clearly about Rocko's Modern Life
'you will watch my child' is a concerning thing that's popping up nowadays too.
so glad you did this episode
I agree!
I agreed
Cel mai bun
te entendo
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I agree because I always sided with Elmo. I’ve been in Elmo’s position before so many times. There needs to be a balance. Other kids were allowed to have imaginary friends as a kid, but I had to abandon mine to please theirs. I had to bend over to appease an imaginary friend otherwise the adults reprimanded me. I now has trust issues and fear of speaking up into adulthood. I now struggle with confidence and doubt myself constantly. This affects kids a lot and needs to be addressed.
I’m sorry you got a bot as your first comment
Well I am very sorry about that. As the memers would say, F.
I never really had imaginary friends growing up, nor interacted with kids with imaginary friends or just didn't interact with other kids much at all. However I can understand this. I can understand your situation and I know the problems that the situation can create. I hope you are getting better and developing in the right direction. Also why is there many bots?
I don't blame you for doubting your own confidence with that spelling lmao
sadly everything effects kids and often negitivly. we dont and wont have the knowledge to see how parenting will turn out in 2-3 generations. each generation fixes some things and destroys others.
Now I'm just imagining Zoey growing up to be a Karen because everything was handed to her and Elmo growing up to need therapy because the adults never gave listen to him when it comes to him and Zoey
Rocco wants to speak to the manager
@@thomasfoster4370ill introduce rocco to the manager. rocco, meet mr. jackhammer.
Poor Elmo I get how he feels being pushed to the side when someone else is being favored while that person treats you like crap is so annoying and depressing.
That will be insane
Thank God she is still 3
they analyzed the relationship between elmo, the puppet, and a rock.
I never even noticed this before but you're totally right! I always thought that the show's film writers were using Rocco to teach kids how to compromise but you're absolutely right that it comes across as manipulative and downright rude on the part of the characters what they're doing to Elmo when it comes to Zoey and Rocco, despite the fact that in reality I bet that it's probably a mix between a fallout of Mr. Snuffleupagus leading to them leaning too hard in the other direction but also the film writers using Rocco as an excuse to humble Elmo who's usually the center of attention, and teaching kids that they won't always get what they want and when it comes to others they need to learn to compromise. that being said, this is totally unnaceptable behavior from both Zoey and the Adults in the show. it also bugs me that the adults constantly switch between talking sense into Zoey and downright playing along to the point of telling others (like in the case of the dancing elephant) things that back Zoey's claims of Rocco being alive
@ManajYT community guidline deffending a bot
pfft
@@dodgepuppy1715 dude stoopid bot dude
Is the elephant an adult, or just insane?
@@itsalmostfun8567 I reported it like 4 times LOL
I'm with Elmo on this. I was a 90s teen and can honestly say that pet rocks were the dumbest invention ever. Rocco and Zoey can go kick rocks! Love ya, Elmo!
Did you know USB Powered Pet Rocks are a thing? Wack right?
@@MotorcycleCheetah Man, and i thought having a blue-eyed, app enabled Teddy Ruxpin was odd. (I'm a Ruxpin purist. He is supposed to have BROWN eyes, people!)
@@LadyOnikaraI want him.
I remember how pet rocks were a fad in the 1970s. I still don't understand why people went nuts for them! It's the dumbest thing ever!
Elmo deserves a chance to win on Rocco
Elmo vs Rocco is the topic (and mild obsession) I had no idea I needed MatPat covering
MatPat is a brain burner!(Правдивое видео🇷🇺):.....ruclips.net/video/EizxCxjZhFo/видео.html
I feel bad for Rocco :(
@@elainad6728 Elmo doesn’t like Rocco. Elmo doesn’t like you.
Wtc out of the 8 replies here (except for me now) only 1 of them is not a bot
I made a cartoon where Elmo runs over Zoe in a car. It doesn't solve the issue, but it is nice she got what she deserves.
Y'know.... now that I've grown up... I understand Elmo's frustration.
Suddenly, I feel like Elmo's World was something Elmo invented for himself due to neglect from all the adults favoring Zoe's Rock over him.
Which would explain Mr. Noodle, the only adult that ever validated his needs! But only in Elmo's isolated world!
So omori is just a retelling of sesame street? Of course! That explains everything!
Hence why Mr. Noodle is the best character
@@runedoom Not everything is related to eachother y'know? I get that it's a joke but it's in my opinion so annoying when something gets brought up that has nothing to do with the topic.
@@louisverysilly it’s just a coke, you don’t need to feel so annoyed about it
This actually sent a chill down my spine because I can think of a few instances in society were people use certain things to emotionally bully others into compliance. Very creepy... good job, Matpat and team!
I always thought there was a reason that Elmo stopped being such good friends with Zoe and now hangs out with abby. I think this is the reason why. There's plenty more instances of him having conflict with Zoe and Zoe not honoring his boundaries
Zoe was rude as heck.
Zoe also tried to steal his blanket and then basically got mad at him when SHE lost it?!
That's a good observation, Bro.
@@courtneykirschman1166 Holy sheet im thereal life elmo
I just love the little jokes😂😂😂 0:40
I can see Matt's DadPat persona throughout this episode, it's super sweet to see and his kid's gonna grow up a responsible and intelligent young man
We stan DadPat
You hit the nail on the head! Its always the adults gaslighting Elmo that hits me as insidious. Its one thing for a kid to be selfish and not understanding what she's doing. She's 3, and is still developing. But as soon as the adults use Rocko to disregard Elmo's feelings, that's just messed up.
The concept of gaslighting is pretty abstract, but I'd like to think that with this ongoing story of Rocko they are introducing the idea of manipulation. They deal with a lot of other emotional issues like bullying, fear, prejudice, and grief. So I'm glad they are dealing with emotional abuse this way too.
23 years is an awful long time for that kind of plot I'd think. Maybe it's a usual time-frame for Sesame street, I don't know, but if I were to write a plot like that, I'd make it last like, a year at tops. Of course, real-world manipulation and abuse can last a lifetime, but Rocco's been on Sesame street long enough for at least two named generations of kids to internalise the toxicity and grow out of the show with no evidence of consequences for Zoe or vindication for Elmo.
Elmo knows and is confident, so he does nothing but reinforce the truth to wiser viewers.
It looks like a see-saw when boiled down: Good for those un-wise to reinforce freedom of play; good for the wiser to reinforce the truth.
Elmo pointing out truth is way better than the adult doing so, for any viewer.
Never thought a theory about a puppet hating a rock could get so deep
me to but hey its just a theory A FILM THEORY
There's the Industry and our Government for ya
Well again Sesame Street is supposed to reflect towards real kids who are watching this. You wouldn’t be surprised when you see real kids having to deal with real situations
This is the first stage of the Karen evolution line. First the Abigail stage which evolves into Becky and learns sassiness at level 16 and finally Karen at level 35.
It's not a theory, it's a fact.
17:54 If I was Elmo in this situation, “NOBODY F**KING CARES!!!!”
Me to
Fun fact :
The reason Roco's wife's name is Petra, is because the word rock in Greek is also pronounced Petra
For a show about kids, they really don't know how to handle imaginary friends. They either completely ignore it and gaslight the person with the imaginary friend, or they go all in and favor inanimate objects over actual characters.
Also the adults being useless is the most realistic lesson sesame street's ever thought
For real
Facts man ... 100%
Heck just look at society itself.
It would be cool if the adults pull Zoe aside one day and actually have a philosophical discussion and explore why Zoe feels she needs an imaginary friend. Most of the time children come up with or create those types of fantasy in response to some form of trauma.
Fr
13:33 For someone who's only 3 years old, Elmo is still so understanding to Zoe. He's very patient even with how persistent Zoe is claiming Rocco's real. Props to him :))
He’s too good for this world. That’s why he’s only on tv
I always saw it as Zoey pushing her trauma into Rocko. Shes saying what she wants to say through rocko because shes to scares if SHE says it shell get backlash, so she uses rocko as a wall of sort. In case something goes wrong, she can backtrack, if someone gets mad their gonna yell at rocko instead of her
And i think the others are allowing this because they know, but elmos is Zoeys same age so probably doesnt realize it
And you can see it to, Zoey says rocko wants to dance bit shes dancing, she says he says 12 but shes saying it, etc etc
I was definitely not expecting to learn something from this. I was moving out of my Sesame Street phase around the time Big Bird was almost killed on the final Challenger mission (also something I just recently learned really happened). While I watched it for a while afterward, Big Bird being vindicated is in my mind as the sort of "final episode" for me because it concluded the arc I'd been used to for most of the time watching it. And while it was just a cute story from my childhood, in retrospect it fits the "adults won't believe you" narrative that many shows pushed and which did negatively impact me.
I had an abusive first grade teacher, and while mom was aware of some of the un-hideable aspects like having to bring me new clothes after I was denied access to the bathroom for an entire day, we recently talked about what she did and mom was absolutely livid several decades after the fact. Being struck, put in a box, locked in a closet, and not telling my parents about it because that was just life and she was the only adult in the room when it happened.
I definitely feel for the kids being treated like Elmo. I have seen that behavior as well, and kids will grow up manipulative like Zoe well beyond the "cute" 3 year old phase. But now that you've explained this, I can understand not only why they swung so far in this direction, but why I still feel twinges of this expectation not to be believed. As an adult it's turned to misplaced resentment for not being believed over things that...I totally know I'm believed about so the emotion makes no logical sense.
Bruh bots
@@latif36 This is getting insane. And these are so stupidly consistent that YT could auto-detect them easily. Meanwhile I can't reply with a link to the trolls that demand "proof" of everything without my post being in limbo for days.
Elmo is a great representation of my entire childhood. Probably why I could always empathize with Elmo.
Elmo will empathize with you too
I made a cartoon where Elmo runs over Zoe in a car. It doesn't solve the issue, but it is nice she got what she deserves.
When will RUclips fix the bot issue, this is getting out of hand
@@elmopreparestocommitarson Elmo, are you really going to commit arson? If so, can I help?
@@randominternetuser2436 Well, until they do, we have to keep reporting the bots, the owners, and the alts.
It’s nice to have someone publicly announce exactly what I’ve been thinking for years on the subject of Rocco. #JusticeforElmo
#JusticeforElmo XD Yessss
Imma just stay away from the yt comment section until they start doing anything about these bots running rampant
@@RevenantMain1 Beep Boop
#JusticeforElmo
@@fatalheart7382 boop beep beep boop
I am giving you all the props two you for outstanding work on the most watched theory on the sesame street tv show
Ah yes, one of my biggest pet peeves... "bullying is okay as long as the adults say it is and your feelings don't matter as much as the adults' favorites." It happens enough in real life without Sesame Street reinforcing that it's okay. This can also become dangerous because, like the Snuffy situation, it tells kids that adults are always right, even when they aren't. It teaches kids that not only favoritism is okay but so is outright bullying as long as the adults say it's okay. It reinforces what many kids innately know; the needs and feelings of some kids are more important than yours and you should just deal with being treated as a lesser human.
100% this!
What kind of psychopath denies a child their favorite cookie in favor of a rock? I mean I don't want to say this is feminist BS where it's ok to screw over Elmo because he's a boy but I'm really having a problem with another explanation.
@SpeedDS Demonstar you are 1000% right. It’s real and it happens, as unfortunate as it is.
Yes this. It's really sad in this day and age that bullying is made into a comedic joke and most adults don't do anything agianst it - dispite it being a common cause of suicide in young people
@@goazer2 Rocco is also a "boy" rock, so I think you're reaching.
Honestly great points here! You could have also mentioned how the rock becomes the scape goat for Zoe.
Kids blame stuff on their imaginary friends all the time “it wasn’t me it was Rocco” just as she’s using Rocco as a way to control and bully. (Elmo’s favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin, but she doesn’t want him to have it. She may not even like oatmeal raisin but is just feeling petty and so goes it to Rocco)
Its like how in the Diary of a wimpy kid book's, Greg's brother Manny always used his imaginary friends to avoid getting punished
I actually think that with this perspective, this could also be seen as a commentary about how when it comes to kids who are seen as "special" (kind of personified by Zoe having an imaginary friend), they are usually given vastly better treatment by people who are being very lenient with them - sometimes to the point of ignoring or treating other kids in a way that may seem very unfair.
Yeah it also is the same thing as adults with 'victim' status doing the exact same thing.
What do you mean by special? TBH this I just how kids act (not that Zoe is in the right). I don't see how the rock personifies anything. Kids will always try to get away with things and will continue to try if adults show them that they can or should like the adults in the show do.
@@itspowers9107 which tells you that is a common tendency anyone is prone to due to the way the brain works. Which could in turn explain why is so widespread on adults as well if measures are not taken to correct such behaviour.
Or youngest child privileges
@@klaussone Exactly. However this commentor implied the rock meant something and used the word "special" which was confusing. All kids learn from those around them, especially adults. If adults let them do something they will think that it's acceptable. That's why have clear and consistent rules is crucial for kids.
I feel like it’s a mix of Zoey wanting to put herself first and the adults fearing that it may end up another Snuffleupagus if they don’t play along.
When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Elmo is quite literally being bullied by Zoe to do what she wants to do, but never what he wants to do. Elmo's world is likely a cooping mechanism for him, especially after dealing with Rocco. And when you look at the adults it's clear they favor Zoe over Elmo. It could be because Zoe acts more like a three year old then Elmo, who clearly acts much older, almost like he had grown up faster than Zoe.
I agree, except Elmo's World has been around before the whole Rocco fiasco, but everything else here makes sense
Now that makes me think of a Children of the Corn/Sesame Street hybrid horror movie where the puppets can get too old.
1:13 1:17 1:18 1:18 1:19 1:19 1:19 1:19 1:20 1:20 1:20 1:20 1:20 1:21 1:21 1:21 1:21 1:22 1:22 1:22 1:22 1:22 1:23 1:23 1:23 1:24 1:24 1:24
tbf, being bossy and wanting things to go your way is exactly how kids act
Elmo: everything deserves love
Rocko: *exists*
Elmo: ALMOST everything deserves love
This would work if you said anything BECAUSE ROCCO ISNT A PERSON, IT'S A THING, A ROCK
@@magdakozakiewicz304 and rocks are used to make cement but rocko would be better as target practice for AMSR (Anti Material Sniper Rifle)
Who else read that in elmos voice and dialect?
@@magdakozakiewicz304 fixed, thanks
@@meggubravo8373 HAHAHA it's even funnier now
I think the reason I loved Elmo so much is because he was very relatable. Everything I did, other people would take credit for it when it was my original idea. My idea. My parents would always put other kids before me and then invalidate my feelings. Everything ended up being my fault for no reason, I was always put to blame.
Being the oldest child, I completely understand that. Almost everything my siblings do always ends up being my fault. And when I try to explain my side of the story, i just get ignored as though my opinion doesn't matter. So I understand where you're coming from. 😅
Same
hope you have a good day, it must have been hard :)
@@strugglingandissapointed thank you :)
Same.. It's a shame more parents continue this toxic cycle. Being the oldest kid sucks, it's like they expect you to already be grown and it's sick
Elmo: Rocks can't eat
Internet: OH MY GOD HE JUST WENT INSANE JUST LOST HIS MARBLES
I can't believe not a single adult could say "well Elmo has been waiting his turn for the swing, so Rocco will have to get off" or "It's not fair to Elmo to have to jump either" or "what if Elmo and Rocco split their cookies in half and shared them?" or literally ANYTHING in Elmo's defense. You don't have to deny Zoe's imagination to be fair to Elmo. Rocco doesn't need to be prioritized to keep Zoe happy. Elmo would probably be less angry with Rocco if they were treated fairly. He keeps trying to tell Zoe that Rocco is just a rock so she stops putting him in situations where the rock's "wants" are put above his own.
I know it's just bizarre on the writers and actors who didn't question any of this stuff like wth.
Exactly the adults could have played along with zoe’s imagination of rocco and still treat elmo fairly.