Rocco is a pet rock. Rocco is friends with Zoe. Zoe is a furry, pink monster who loves ballet and is known for her energetic and enthusiastic personality. Zoe is very fond of Rocco and enjoys spending time with him.
Zoe often includes Rocco in her imaginary play and together they have fun and silly adventures. For example, in one episode, Zoe and Rocco imagine they are in outer space, exploring new planets and meeting aliens. In another episode, they pretend to be chefs and make a pretend feast using various objects found in the garden.
Rocco's friendship with Zoe is a great example of how Sesame Street uses its characters to teach children about the importance of friendship, kindness, and teamwork.
Rocco's History
Rocco's history is closely tied to his role as a character on Sesame Street. He was created in 2004 by Joey Mazzarino, who is a writer and performer on the show. Mazzarino was looking for a new pet for Elmo, one of the show's most popular characters, and he came up with the idea of a rock with a happy face. Rocco was originally designed for Elmo, but later a rock toy from Zoe's toys was transformed into the Rocco character. Officially, Sesame Street's website and other sources state that Rocco is Elmo's pet.
Rocco's First Appearance
Rocco made his first appearance on Sesame Street in a 2004 episode titled "Elmo's World: Friends." In the episode, Elmo receives Rocco as a birthday present from his dad. Elmo is thrilled to have a new pet rock, and he introduces Rocco to his other friends on Sesame Street.
Throughout the episode, Rocco becomes a part of Elmo's daily routine, accompanying him to the playground and helping him learn about the importance of sharing and cooperation. Rocco also becomes a popular playmate among Elmo's other friends on Sesame Street, including Zoe, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster.
Rocco's Performers
Rocco is a non-verbal character on Sesame Street, and he does not have a voice actor. Instead, Rocco is operated by a puppeteer who controls his movements and expressions. Over the years, several puppeteers have operated Rocco on Sesame Street, including:
Tyler Bunch: Tyler has been a performer on Sesame Street since 1998, and he has operated a number of characters on the show, including Rocco.
Matt Vogel: Matt has been a performer on Sesame Street since the early 1990s, and he has worked as a puppeteer, voice actor, and director on the show. He has also operated Rocco on several occasions.
Leslie Carrara-Rudolph: Leslie is a puppeteer and voice actor who has worked on Sesame Street and other children's shows. She has operated Rocco on a few occasions.
Rocco and Zoe
When Rocco first made his debut on the show, Zoe was immediately drawn to him and became his biggest fan. As a result, Rocco quickly became an integral part of Zoe's toy collection, and the two characters have been inseparable ever since.
Throughout their many adventures together, Rocco and Zoe have been shown playing games, exploring the world around them, and learning important life lessons. Rocco has helped Zoe learn about sharing and cooperation, as she has had to learn to include him in group activities and take turns playing with him. Rocco has also helped Zoe learn about empathy and kindness, as she has witnessed firsthand the positive impact that his cheerful and positive attitude can have on others.
One of the most endearing aspects of Rocco and Zoe's relationship is the sense of joy and wonder that they share. Whether they are pretending to fly through the sky or simply lounging in the sun, Rocco and Zoe approach every moment with enthusiasm and curiosity, reminding children of the importance of finding joy in the simple things in life.
Rocco's Likes and Dislikes
As a non-verbal character on Sesame Street, Rocco doesn't have a voice to express his likes and dislikes. However, based on his behavior and interactions with other characters on the show, we can infer a few things about his preferences.
Likes:
- Playing and having fun with his friends, especially Zoe.
- Going on adventures and exploring new things.
- Learning and discovering new things about the world around him.
- Being included in group activities and games.
- Positive and upbeat attitudes.
Dislikes:
- It's difficult to infer what Rocco dislikes since he is portrayed as a generally happy and easygoing character. However, he may become unhappy or anxious if he is excluded from group activities or if he feels neglected by his friends.
Facts About Rocco
- Rocco was originally designed to be Elmo's pet, but was later given to Zoe.
- Rocco has been shown playing various musical instruments, including the guitar and the drums.
- He has also been shown participating in sports and other physical activities, such as basketball and surfing.
- Rocco is often included in Sesame Street's lessons about sharing, cooperation, and inclusion.
- He has been a part of many memorable moments on Sesame Street, such as performing in the "Monsterpiece Theater" parody of "Hamlet."
- Rocco has also made cameo appearances in other media, such as the 2005 film "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz."
- He has been featured in Sesame Street's outreach initiatives, such as the "Healthy Habits for Life" campaign.
- Rocco's popularity has led to him being referenced in popular culture, such as in the animated series "Family Guy."
- There is a Rocco plush toy available for purchase, allowing fans to bring the character home with them.
- In 2020, Rocco made a special appearance in a Sesame Street episode focused on coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, where he taught Elmo and friends the importance of washing their hands.
- Rocco has also been featured in Sesame Street's autism awareness initiatives, as his non-verbal communication can serve as a positive representation of individuals on the autism spectrum.
- Rocco's positive attitude and love of sports has inspired Sesame Street to create sports-themed content and lessons, including the "Play Ball!" initiative.
- Rocco's inclusion on Sesame Street has helped to break down stereotypes and promote acceptance of all types of individuals, regardless of their appearance or abilities.
- Rocco has been featured in several Sesame Street live shows and events, including "Sesame Street Live: Let's Party!" and "Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration."
- Rocco's rock form has been depicted as being able to transform into different shapes and objects, such as a car or a boat.
- In some Sesame Street episodes, Rocco is shown to have a mischievous side, such as hiding Elmo's prized possessions or pretending to be a talking rock to trick his friends.
- Rocco's puppet design and materials have evolved over time, with newer versions of Rocco being made from foam and other lightweight materials for ease of use and durability.
- Rocco has made several appearances outside of Sesame Street, including in a parody sketch on the late-night talk show "Conan," where he played a key role in solving a fictional crime.
- In 2019, Rocco was featured in a Sesame Street float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, where he delighted spectators with his playful antics and upbeat personality.
- Rocco has also been referenced in popular culture, such as in the Netflix original series "Stranger Things," where a character is seen holding a Rocco plush toy in one episode.
Sesame Street Episodes Featuring Rocco
Here is a list of some Sesame Street episodes featuring Rocco:
Season 33, Episode 4041: "Elmo's World: Birthdays"
Season 33, Episode 4052: "Zoe's Dance Moves"
Season 33, Episode 4064: "Lulu Makes Up a New Game"
Season 33, Episode 4073: "Elmo's World: School"
Season 33, Episode 4079: "Zoe's Pet Shelter"
Season 34, Episode 4090: "Zoe Loves Rocco"
Season 34, Episode 4114: "Elmo's World: Flowers, Plants & Trees"
Season 35, Episode 4147: "Elmo's World: Shoes"
Season 36, Episode 4184: "The Good Sport"
Season 37, Episode 4232: "Elmo's World: Bicycles"
Season 38, Episode 4175: "Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures: Dinosaur"
Season 39, Episode 4165: "Elmo's World: Helping"
Season 39, Episode 4176: "Elmo's World: Doctors"
Season 40, Episode 4182: "Elmo's World: Bugs"
Season 41, Episode 4211: "Abby Cadabby's Garden"
Season 42, Episode 4243: "Rockabye Elmo"
Season 43, Episode 4321: "Furry Potter and The Goblet of Cookies"
Season 44, Episode 4503: "Brandeis Is Looking for a Job"
Season 45, Episode 4520: "Murray's Science Experiments"
Season 46, Episode 4621: "Telly and Baby Bear's Story"