LAist Interview: Elmo and Abby Cadabby of Sesame Street

Abby: I asked how much cereal could fit in the Hollywood Bowl and no one could give me answer.

Elmo: They thought you were kooky.

Abby: I know. I hear that there are concerts there and I love music.

LAist: We know Cookie Monster likes cookies, but what are your favorite foods Abby and Elmo?

Elmo: Elmo loves wasabi. That's why Elmo has no eyelids.

Abby: Ha ha ha!

Elmo: That's a terrible joke.

LAist: Do you really eat sushi?

Elmo: Yeah Elmo loves sushi. Especially sashimi.

Abby: I like popcorn. Yeah, because it's magical. I like to hear ba! bop! pop! I like macaroni and cheese. I am also a big fan of watermelon.

LAist: So Elmo who's your best friend?

Elmo: Elmo's best friend is Dorothy, Elmo's pet goldfish.

LAist: And Abby, how about you?

Abby: Oh boy that is a hard question. Rosita and I get along really fine. I like Zoe too. I don't really have a best friend.

LAist: What makes you feel scared?

Abby: Oh boy. What makes me scared? Sometimes when I am walking around and something JUMPS OUT at me. See I just scared you.

LAist: Yeah.

Abby: Something I am not expecting. It takes me a moment to take it all in and get used to it.

Elmo: Elmo is scared when he gets a cold.

LAist: Why is that?

Elmo: Elmo wants it to go away very, very soon and sometimes it takes a little while.

Abby: Don't you like to blow your nose?

Elmo: No

Abby: I do.

LAist: Abby we hear you just went on a big adventure.

Abby: Oh yeah I had this dream. It was amazing. I dreamed I was Alice from the book Alice and Wonderland. See Elmo was reading it to me and, nothing personal, but I fell asleep.

Abby and Elmo sing songs from Abby in Wonderland for the kids who came to meet them at Barnes & Noble at the Americana.

Elmo: Elmo didn't take it personally.

Abby: It was cool. Elmo was in my dream. He was the White Rabbit, only he was a red rabbit.

LAist: What did you think about being a rabbit?

Elmo: It was cool because Elmo loves carrots.

LAist: Have you been watching the presidential debates?

Elmo: No.

Abby: I think it was past our bedtime.

LAist: Do you know who is running for president?

Elmo: Well there are two people for Vice President and two people for President.

Abby: Yes, and they have two different takes on how are world should be governed.

Elmo: Well, Abby, you know more than Elmo!

LAist: What is your favorite thing about visiting Los Angeles?

Elmo: The Hollywood Sign.

Abby: That's cool.

Elmo: Elmo loves seeing the Hollywood Sign.

Abby: Here at the Americana, I like the magic fountain.

LAist: Have you gone to any restaurants here? Do you have a favorite place to eat?

Elmo: Maybe after we sing with our friends we will get to eat and go shopping.

Elmo and Abby with the little fan.

Abby: (turns to little girl to ask her) Do you know any places in LA we would like?

Girl: Gonpachi.

Elmo: What is Gonpachi?

Abby: Gonpachi! That's fun to say.

Elmo: Gonpachi!

Abby: Gonpachi!

Girl: They make noodles and sushi and they have a Koi pond. And there is a place I like that's called Chado Tea Room!

Abby: Tea room! I want to go there! I want to go there! You want to go there with us?

Elmo: Let's go now. Do they have little sandwiches and cookies?

Girl: Yeah they do.

Elmo: And scones?

Girl: They have some scones.

Abby: What are they shaped like?

Girl: Circles!

Abby: Hmm. How interesting.

LAist: Where is the best place for furry monsters to hang out in Los Angeles?

Elmo: Just anywhere that is fun.

Girl: Well the Chado Tea Room is somewhere very fun.

Elmo: Where is it?!

Girl: Little Tokyo.

LAist: (to the girl) Do you think Elmo and Abby would like the toy stores in Little Tokyo?

Girl: Yes.

Abby: Do they have monkeys?

Girl: No. I don't think so.

LAist: Elmo and Abby, do you have any messages from Sesame Street for the people of LA?

Elmo: We love LA.

Abby: Yes we do. And we are so glad we get to meet you.

LAist: Thank you so much.

Elmo: Thanks for having us!

Abby: I wonder why they don't have monkeys in Little Tokyo? They must have some monkeys.

LAist: Maybe some monkey toys?

Girl: Yes.

Abby: Phew!

"Abby in Wonderland" is available now on DVD. Our little four year old friend watched it and said, "It was awesome!".

photos of Elmo and Abby by Alicia Durand