Criticism and Controversy
Fans of Sesame Street have complained that Elmo's prominent status has caused some older characters (such as Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, The Count, Prairie Dawn, Grover, and Cookie Monster) to see greatly reduced roles. Elmo has been referred to as the "Little Red Menace" by Sesame Street traditionalists (cf. Red menace).
In its FAQ, the Sesame Workshop responds to the allegation that Elmo referring to himself in the third person will teach children improper English, stating that this behavior "mimics the behavior of many preschoolers." However, Abby and Zoe, who are also in the same age group as Elmo, do not speak in the third person.
Read more about this topic: Elmo
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