Letter To Elmo

Tommy Riles
September 20, 2011

Tommy Riles

Lives in: Los Angeles
Occupation: Comedian & Audience Warm-up, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Life of Dad Founder
Twitter: @tommyriles
Facebook: 575811228

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To:  Sesame Street
Attn:  Elmo
Kaufman Astoria Studios
34-12 36^th Street,
Astoria, NY 11106

Dear Elmo,

Congratulations on your continued success!  When I was a single man, I had no idea how popular you truly were.   Sure, you had that run in the late nineties when “Tickle Me Elmos” were the must-have gift.  Parents were assaulting each other in your name, if I remember correctly.

Now that I have a 1.5 year old at home, I must say you have influenced her life more than anybody (except for hopefully, us, her parents).

Here are a few examples of how you affect her everyday activities:

1)   Baby Babs used to hate to brush her teeth.  She would not even try.  Once she got you on her toothbrush, that all changed, and now she loves brushing.
2)   While taking a bath, Babs reads her waterproof “Elmo” book.  You and friends teach her how to be sanitary, and now she dips her head in the water on her own.
3)   On car rides, we hand Babs another book that you wrote.   Babs turns the pages on her own, while looking at the photos of you with dogs.
4)   Often when Babs sees a television, she’ll point and say your name.  No offense to your buddies at “Sesame Street,” but in our house, the show is known solely as “Elmo.”
5)   When Babs was just learning to speak, her third or fourth word was your name.  Yep, she learned a two-syllable word before most of the one syllable ones.
6)   You are in her hand during a large portion of the day, as a small stuffed animal.  She often tries to eat your orange nose.
7)   Yesterday, at a restaurant, Babs started crying when she saw a scary clown.  Then the clown pulled you out of her pocket, in form of a puppet, and the tears were gone.

Elmo, honestly, man, I don’t know whether I should love you or hate you, due to how much my family relies on you now.

I appreciate you when you stop her from crying, but I often get angry with you when she starts crying when we take you away from her.

Due to this on-again, off-again relationship, I think you owe me a favor.  Would you please allow Babs (picture included) to appear with you on Sesame Street?

Babs is no stranger to television, having already appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show multiple times, as well as the Chicago local news.

Babs survived open-heart surgery at three days old, and has become an inspiration to many families out there.  An appearance by Babs, with you, Elmo, would raise awareness for congenital heart defects, and show how strong these amazing kids are.

Thanks so much for the consideration, Elmo, and I’ll be seeing you 10-15 times today.

Best,

Tom Riles

www.LifeofDad.com

tom@tomriles.com

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