To know Elmo is to love Elmo… or at least to tolerate him for the sake of your toddler.
Sesame Street’s beloved red monster, whose infectious laugh is known around the globe, is a welcome companion to millions of children. However, a rogue version of the lovable PBS character is giving the real Elmo a bad name.
According to reports, a dirty, creepy imposter Elmo has been preying on innocent tourists in New York City.
Call him Bizarro Elmo. He looks just like the real deal: red fur, big orange nose, huge white eyes, except this Elmo is filthy, rude, and has been trying to make a living by hassling tourists in Time Square.
The Daily News reports that the uber groddy Elmo has been allowing tourists to take pictures with him. He then demands money, and when he doesn’t get what he wants, he swears and tries to take swipes at camera-toting parents while their confused kids look on.
“No picture. No picture. You have to tip Elmo. You have to tip Elmo or Elmo gets angry,” the imposter Elmo shouted at a tourist from Texas.
“What the hell, Elmo? Keep your hands to yourself,” shouted the 47-year-old mom while trying to dodge Elmo’s grungy red paw.
According to the Daily News, following the ugly exchange, the woman’s 4-year-old son asked, “What’s wrong with Elmo, Mommy?”
“That’s not the real Elmo. That’s a bad Elmo,” the mom quickly explained.
I’m thinking imitation Elmo should be counting his blessings that the southern mom didn’t give him a Texas-sized whooping.
Interestingly, reports say, a reporter and photographer from the Daily News almost went Johnny hardcore on phony Elmo when he angrily lunged at them.
Apparently, the reporter and photographer tried to find out who the fake Elmo really was, but that didn’t sit well with the fraudulent furry red monster wannabe.
According to the news reporter, the Elmo poser lost it and raged on him, saying, “Look man, Elmo needs to make a living, too.”
Not in this hood.
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