Most of the people who bitch about Elmo have seen like five minutes of him, and have bought into the "Sesame Street was so much smarter when I was a kid" uphill both ways in the snow stuff. Honestly, while "Elmo's World is one of the few segments that isn't as entertaining for adults, he's not that bad. He actually has a wry sense of humor at times. And Kevin Clash is a fucking genius. Watch the improv he did with Ricky Gervais.

Ahem. Possibly I have thoughts on this matter.

(That said, you will be pleased to know that my daughter, while she still loves Elmo, is currently obsessed with Justice League.)