Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
THE PLAYROOM — In 1996 a phenomenon was born.
That’s when Tickle Me Elmo was unleashed on the unsuspecting free market, which was minding its own business when this interactive toy took over everything.
Tickle Me Elmo was in such demand that the supply ran out and consumers became desperate by Christmas of the same year to start tickling an Elmo doll of their own. In 1997, People magazine reported on the frenzy, which included stories of stampedes and the $29 doll selling for up to $1,500 on the internet.
But if those consumers knew what was lurking underneath Elmo’s red fur, the mayhem may not have happened at all, or the mobs might have clambered to remove the abomination off store shelves permanently.
In the video, you’ll see a furless Elmo being "tickled," and the nightmare begins. His limbs jerk around like a cockroach dying on its back as he cackles and giggles in delight about his situation.
It turns the disturbing and fear factor up to 11.
Tickle Me Elmo may have been annoying to many before, but now he will haunt your dreams forever.
Sorry (not sorry) about the nightmare.
Have You Seen This?
