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This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
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Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Bowen. I could not be more excited about what's going on today because we're about to meet some true icons and talk the 2026 Winter Olympics.
C
Matt, you don't have to tell me how to get to Sesame street because they're coming to us.
B
Yeah, we are here. We've rented an incredible winter cabin here in the mountains and it is truly real. And if anyone tries to tell you we're not actually in a cabin on this wintery wonderful day, we'll be very upset. We'll be really upset. If anyone were to shatter the reality, that would not be cool. But I'm sure no one will.
C
I don't expect anyone to.
B
Why would they?
C
Now, our first guest, appropriately, is someone who needs the number one spot. You know him, you love him. He's the three and a half year old icon.
B
Please welcome Elmo.
D
Hi. Hi, Bo and Hi, Matt.
B
Hey, Elmo, it's really great to meet you, first of all.
D
Oh, it's wonderful to meet you too. And this is a really nice video screen that you rented.
B
Hey, no.
C
Elmo is an unfurnished cabin. There's a difference.
B
Can you suspend disbelief, please? I mean, we are.
D
Well, Elmo hates to break it to you, but this is. This is fake.
B
Huh?
C
This is fake, Elmo. It's real. Prove it.
D
Prove it. Yeah, okay. Okay. Jeff. Jeff. What? I almost said stop the video. Stop the video. Stop the video. Oh, you see? Okay, start it again.
B
Well, there goes my grasp of reality. Elbow lips.
D
Elmo hates to burst your bible, but.
C
Yeah, Elmo doesn't wanna.
D
We have to tell the truth, you know?
B
That's so true.
C
That's true. Elmo, this is very nice. Thank you. It's very pretty. You know what's very nice, too? That we get to talk winter sports with you.
D
Oh, yeah, that's true. Yeah. You know, Elmo's going to Milan for the Olympics.
B
You're gonna be there too. Okay, maybe we'll see you and we'll catch up for some coffee. Do you drink coffee as a three and a half year old?
D
No.
B
Okay.
D
Emma's got hot chocolate, though.
C
Yeah, that's basically the best version of it. There's just no caffeine. Hey, Elmo, what's your experience like in an Italian airport?
D
Elmo's never really been to an Italian airport.
C
Well, it's.
D
Is there an experience to be had there?
B
It depends. How many bags did you check? Because they're really not great about that.
C
They're gonna lose all of them, Elmo.
D
Oh, really?
C
You gotta pack. Carry on.
D
Only Elmo travels light.
C
Good.
B
Good. Yeah, yeah. Okay, good.
D
I've seen the benefits of not wearing clothes.
B
Yeah, I guess so. Well, you know, there's some really good shopping in Milan, so maybe we'll get you a cute little parka or some ski stuff.
D
Oh, like a nice suit or something maybe.
B
Yeah. Make an Italian suit.
D
Yeah, an Italian suit. You've been to Italy before?
C
Yeah.
D
Where in Italy were you?
C
Well, I went to Rome.
D
Oh, you did?
C
And then we went to Sicily.
E
Sicily?
C
Sicily. Yeah.
B
A lot of people think it's like the fake Italy. Why?
C
Well, it's off the mainland.
D
Okay.
C
You know what I mean?
D
No.
C
Okay.
B
You're a pretty local guy, huh, Elmo? You're kind of famous for being on one street.
D
Yeah. Elmo lives on Sesame Street.
B
Yeah, yeah, we heard about that.
C
It's a nice street.
D
But Elmo's really excited. Cause Elmo's never really been to Italy before.
C
Well, Elmo, we were there for a very special occasion with the Olympics.
D
That's right.
C
Do you know a lot about winter sports?
D
What Elmo is learned up now. See, Elmo didn't know much before, but Elmo. Elmo went to the Summer Olympics, too, in France.
B
You did? Did you enjoy yourself?
D
Oh, it was wonderful. Yeah. So Elmo's really excited to go to the Winter Olympics. Mm.
B
Elmo, are you excited that Mariah Carey is gonna be singing at the opening ceremony? Do you know Ms. Mariah?
D
This is news. Elmo didn't know about this.
C
This is news.
D
Mariah Carey will be there.
B
Yes. Elmo.
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I'm gonna take her phone after this. I'm gonna put a news alert for Mariah Carey headlines so that you are up to date on all the Mariah news.
D
Thank you. Elmo would appreciate that. Elmo didn't know about that. She's gonna sing.
C
She'll sing at the opening ceremony.
B
She's gonna sing like she wants to do. Mariah.
C
You know, she.
D
I could ask her if maybe we could do, like a song together.
B
That would be wonderful.
C
That would be very wonderful.
B
We can. Let's say we know people who can. Can we get Mariah? Listen, anyone out there?
D
Mariah?
B
I'm just sort of waving to nothing. We're in a cabin all by ourselves. But listen, I think Elmo, you and Mariah should do a duet of when you believe from the Prince of Egypt.
D
Okay?
B
You'll learn it.
D
I'm gonna learn it today.
C
Learn it today. You're quick. On that stuff, Elmo. Speaking of news, we're gonna talk about the newest sport in the Winter Olympics, which is ski mountaineering. What do you know about ski mountaineering?
D
Where there are skis and there's a mountain.
B
Yes.
D
And it's very cold.
B
Yes.
C
Cause it's the winter.
D
Mm. That's about all Elmo knows.
B
Elmo, I have a question.
D
Yes.
B
Now, it didn't sound like you really knew much about ski mountaineering. And so I have to ask you, are you really a sports expert?
D
Well, Elmo's trying. Elmo's trying to learn a lot. But Elmo doesn't know much. Elmo does know about bobsledding.
C
Okay.
B
Okay.
D
But Elmo does not know one thing about it. Who is Bob?
B
Bob sledding.
C
Bob sledding. Oh, Elmo.
D
And why does he love it so much?
B
Oh, goodness. There's so much to teach you, Elmo.
D
Who's Bob?
C
Bob is the person who sleds. Who sleds. But he didn't want to call it Robert Sledding.
D
Why, that's very formal.
C
Of course. Yeah.
D
He's so chill.
B
Do you have a last name?
D
Monster.
B
Elmo monster. Okay, great. Mr. Monster.
D
No. You just call Elmo Elmo?
B
Of course not.
D
That's Elmo's father.
E
That's right.
B
Mr. Monster is your dad.
D
That's right.
C
Elmo. Would it be called Elmo sledding if you were on the sled?
D
Could be. Could be.
E
Could be.
D
Yeah. But Elmo wants to respect the name. It's Bob. Elmo with Bob's name. In honor of Bob.
B
Yeah, whoever Bob is. Yes, whoever Bob is.
C
How many Bobs do you know in your life, Elmo?
D
Well, we had a wonderful neighbor on Sesame street named Bob.
C
Yes.
D
Elmo loved him very, very much. And then there's someone over here is named Bob.
C
Yeah. One of the grips over there is named Bob.
D
Cause Bob's all over the place.
C
That's true.
B
Give it up for Bob the Grip.
D
Let's hear from Bo the camera.
B
Bobs everywhere.
D
Almost feels like bobs don't get enough credit, you know?
B
You know, this has gone a long way from bobsledding, the sport. I will say, it almost feels like you don't know much about bobsledding but are about to learn a ton when you get to Milan Cortina.
D
Well, Elmo hopes so. Oh, Elmo likes how you say that. Milan Cortina.
B
Yes. Yes.
D
That's great. Are you gonna be. You're gonna be there, too?
C
Oh, yeah, we're gonna be there.
D
So you're both sports experts. Elmo imagines, huh?
C
Well, no, we're not sports experts, but we feel o about admitting that. It sounds like that's not true for you.
B
Yeah.
A
Wait a minute.
D
Hold on. Listen. Elmo knows what he doesn't know.
B
Yeah. And that's really important in life.
D
Yeah. Let's just respect the journey.
C
Okay?
B
Respect the journey. We can respect your journey.
A
Thank you.
D
Get out.
C
Well, Elmo, if you could announce one winter sport, what would it be?
D
Oh, that's a great question. Um, well, Elmo really likes the ice skating, you know?
C
Yes.
B
I mean, what's not to like? It's.
D
The costumes are really cool.
B
The costumes are incredible.
D
There are lots of spinning going on and the sound of the ice going.
B
And also, we know you love the drama. Of course. Yeah, of course. Yeah. Well, who doesn't?
D
Yeah. It's like theater.
B
Do you ever cause drama on Sesame Street?
D
Never. Never, right? Never.
C
I heard Elmo, that you go around.
B
Nope.
C
Never Sesame Street.
D
Making people together, making lots of friends and.
A
Yeah.
D
Mm.
B
Are you still as ticklish as you always were?
D
Yeah, it's kind of almost thing, you know?
B
Yeah. It's one of the things that's most well known about you. If we tickled you, what would happen?
D
Elmo would probably lost.
B
You're laughing even thinking about it.
D
It's true. It doesn't take much.
B
Now, Elmo, I'm wondering, is there anything new you can tell us about some of the teen USA Athletes?
D
Oh, yeah. Well, Elmo knows. Elmo's been learning about a lot of the athletes.
B
Okay, what have you learned?
D
Lindsey Vonn.
B
Oh, we love Lindsey Vonn. She's one to watch again.
C
She's from Colorado, like me.
D
Really? You're from Colorado?
C
Yeah.
D
So this is very familiar to you, but, you know, Elmo knows there's lots of people like Lindsey Vaughan and Mystique Rowe.
C
Yes.
B
Oh, yes, of course. Yeah.
D
She does the skeleton.
C
She does the skeleton.
D
Elmo doesn't really understand what that means.
C
It means you lay on your stomach and then you basically shoot down a mountain. Doesn't that sound fun?
D
A little. That sounds a little scary.
C
Yeah.
B
I was gonna say a lot of the winter sports are gonna seem terrifying to you. Elmo, right?
D
Well, Elmo would let the professionals do that.
B
Well, yes.
F
Yeah.
D
And Madison Chalk, the figure skater. Madison Chalk and Evan Bates. And they're married. Wow.
B
That must be a tense thing to, you know, sort of compete with your partner, wouldn't you think? What do you think about relationship dynamics when it comes to sports?
D
Almost Three and a half, right?
C
Right.
D
Elmo has no idea.
C
That's right.
D
Elmo hopes they.
C
I think they do. Hey, Elmo, would you go to a wedding? Let's say Madison and Evan got married while doing a triple Axel.
D
Wow.
C
Would you love that? Or would that stress you out?
D
No, that'd be cool. Elmo would love that.
C
Yeah.
B
Okay, well, we'll let them know.
D
Mm.
B
We'll let them know. What about. We heard your friend is competing. Chloe Kim.
D
Chloe Kim, that's right.
C
Yeah.
D
You know, and we actually. Elma knows Chloe Kim. She's wonderful.
A
Yeah.
D
And I hope that we can have a play date in Milan.
C
Oh, that would be nice. I bet you guys can celebrate over a cup of hot coffee after she wins her medal.
D
Yes. Yes, definitely.
B
Yeah. The Olympic Village. They don't even know what's coming when you and Chloe hit the block.
D
Watch out.
B
Watch out. Have you heard about Matthew and Brady Kachuk?
D
Yeah. You know they're brothers.
C
Yeah.
D
And they're hockey players for Team usa.
B
They're the Kachuk bros. Kachuk is the.
D
Perfect sound for hockey.
C
Yes.
B
Kachuk.
C
Kachuk.
B
Okay, so listen, I hope you've, like, really enjoyed our time as much as we have Elmo. This has been incredible.
C
Elmo, we'll see you in Milan. I can't wait to see you there.
D
Maybe we can have. Maybe we can have lunch there.
C
We would love to have lunch. Some pasta and then have cannoli for dessert.
D
Oh, yeah, baby.
B
Yeah, baby.
D
We'll have Cookie Monster Move.
C
We'll have Cookie Monster do it.
B
Oh, we're excited.
C
Make sure you pack light. Right. Carry on only.
D
Good. That's good to know. Elmo did not know that.
C
We'll see you at the airport.
D
See you there.
C
Bye, Elmo.
B
Bye, Elmo. Beau, I'm really happy that we rented this place.
C
Me too. And we do have to pay a lot in cleaning fees, but I think it's worth it.
B
I think so, too. So for everyone that's just listening to us, basically what we're pointing out is we've rented this cozy little cabin because today is a huge day. We've got some incredible guests to talk winter sports with us, and we don't.
C
Really know too much about winter sports, which means that we're not super qualified to host a podcast about them.
B
But you know what? The thing is, anyone can be anything these days if you dream big enough. And so what we've done is we've dreamed up a situation where we're gonna work in some of our favorite people ever and they're gonna come and they're gonna talk to us. And like I said, we're in this cozy little winter cabin and I'm really excited about our guests because they are pros when it comes to winter sports.
C
Maybe it's our gorgeous numerical king, the Count.
E
Ah, greetings Matt and Bone. It is so wonderful to be here.
A
Wow.
B
Don't do it.
E
Look at the size of that big screen television.
B
Oh my goodness.
E
Amazing. It is really large. Where do you hook that up? Is it plugged in or what?
C
Count, we don't want you to give us any real estate guff just because you came from your big castle, alright?
E
That is well diamond, that's where I live.
B
Yes, I know. And you brag about it all the time.
E
I don't know if I brag. I'm not braggadocious at all. I just love to count. Everyone does call me the Count. I am Count One Count. But you know why they call me the Count? Why they call me the Count? Because I love to count things.
B
Yes, like for example, how many coffee cups are on the table right now?
E
Well, that is an easy one. Matt. There are 1, 2, 3.
B
Watching you do that in person is crazy. Like watching the count count. I feel like I'm watching Lady Gaga sing.
E
Really? Yeah, I mean it's just counting numbers. You give it a try. Let's try it. Here, we'll count all together.
B
One, two, three.
E
Three cups all together.
B
It's true. What can we say? It's true. Now what was that sound? That was the thunder.
E
I thought that was the lightning in the thunder.
C
The lightning.
B
Oh, okay, right, I forgot. That happens. We've always wanted to know, Count, what is your favorite number?
E
Well, I did not know this was going to be such a hard hitting podcast, but that is an easy one. Depending on the day. Because it changes. Every day it changes. But today you already said it. Actually it is 3. 3. Today 3 is my favorite number. And did you know that this year's Games 3 is the number of times that Italy will have hosted the Olympic Games Winter Games.
C
I didn't know that at all. And three is also the number of medals they give out for each event.
B
Bellissima.
E
Wow, that's fantastic. You know, I would like to test both of you.
C
Uh oh.
E
Your knowledge of the 2026 Winter Olympics. I have a little quiz for you.
B
Okay, let's go.
E
Are you ready?
C
We're ready.
B
We're ready. We're ready to be tested. Count.
E
Yes, I have a quiz for you.
B
All right, let's Go.
E
Here we go. First question. Shall we begin?
C
Yes. Let's begin.
E
All right. How many athletes are competing in the Olymp Winter and Paralympic Games?
B
Okay, so one? Two?
E
More than that.
C
Three for both Games. You said the Winter and the Paralympic Games.
F
Okay, four.
E
Are we going to be here? Why? Are you actually counting them, or are you just naming numbers?
B
No, we're speed counting.
C
No, we're just speed count. I've met all of them in person.
B
I don't know.
E
Seven?
B
I'm gonna guess 15,000.
E
Whoa, we got a wide range there.
B
Yeah, well, that's how you cover the most ground. So something in the middle there is right. I just know.
E
Well, you are both wrong.
C
Oh, that's all right, though.
E
That's all right. The correct answer is 3500.
B
Wow. That feels right.
D
Yes.
E
Yes. All right. Are you ready? You know there are 93 nations that are participating.
B
Wow. Now I do.
A
Yes. Yes.
E
The next question. What is the perfect number of mini marshmallows in a cup of hot cocoa as you watch the snowboarding and skiing competition?
B
This feels subjective, but this feels very subjective.
E
It is very subjective, but there is a correct answer.
C
Interesting.
B
I'm just gonna go with three. Cause you said that's your favorite number today.
C
You know, I'm gonna say, I like my hot cocoa. Maybe just 2 liquid ounces, and then the rest of the mug is just a pile of mini marshmallows. So I'm gonna say 85.
A
85.
E
I like this. I like the way that you think. But the correct answer is actually 12.
B
Oh, one dozen.
E
Yes.
B
Is that how many you have in yours?
E
1, 2, 3. 2. 12. Yes.
C
12.
B
See, he's consistent. Ladies and gentlemen.
C
Yes. Yes.
E
All right, all right, next question. Okay, are you ready for the next question?
B
Yes, we are.
E
All right. How many countries are competing in the Winter Olympics for the first time?
B
For the first time?
C
Earlier you said it's 93 total, so that's not it. So that's not it. Is it 93?
E
No, no, no. That's not it.
C
I'm sorry, I misunderstood. Count, you must get this all the time.
E
I do, but for the first time. How many. How many countries?
B
I'm gonna guess again.
C
3.
E
You are correct.
D
Whoa.
E
You are correct. Three countries making their Winter Olympics debut. Do you know what they are? They are Benin.
B
Benin.
E
Guinea Bissau. Guinea Bissau and United Arab Emirates.
C
Uae. Yes.
E
Yes.
B
Oh, this is incredible. I love that we come here to our totally real cabin and we're learning television. Okay.
C
Okay, Count, what's the Next question on this quiz.
E
The next question. How many sports will Oscar the Grouch be cheering for?
C
Well, I don't think Oscar the Grouch is gonna cheer for anything. I have a hard time picturing that.
B
But I don't know. Do we safely guess?
C
Zero. Let's safely guess zero.
E
Your guess is safe. It is zero. That is right. Yes. Grouches do not cheer. They jeer.
C
Oh, that's right.
B
Count gonna count. Oscar gonna jeer. Mm.
C
Count. What's your cheering sounding like? If you're watching a thrilling game, a thrilling play, what are you gonna say? What are you gonna do?
E
Well, usually I start out with a hooray.
A
Ah.
E
And then I go with a marvelous yes. And I top it all off with a wonderful yes.
A
Oh, wow.
B
It really is just, like, such a joy to be around your enthusiasm.
E
Oh, thank you, Matt. That was wonderful. Wonderful. You know what? That is all the questions. And you did a wonderful job.
B
Did we, though?
E
Yeah, you did. You did a wonderful job. I will not tell you what the score was, but you did do a wonderful job. And let us all say that we cannot wait to count all of Team USA's medals.
B
Absolutely.
E
Go, Team USA.
B
Go, Team USA. And thank you, Count.
E
Well, thank you, Matt, and thank you, Bowen.
C
Thank you, Count. Well, I guess you can go back to your fancy big castle now while we stay in our real cabin right there.
B
Hey, count on it. You know, Bo, one of the most exciting things about going to Milan is that it's a fashion capital. We are about to see some incredible looks hitting the Winter Olympics.
C
And here to tell us all about how to dress in the best winter attire for the cold, cold, cold Winter Games is our friend, Grover.
D
Yes.
B
Yes. Oh, someone's feeling themselves.
F
What do you think, huh?
D
Am I not ready for Italy?
F
Olympics, here I come.
D
Ha, ha.
B
Bowen, you gotta tell them.
C
Um, yes, Grover, you look amazing.
F
Thank you.
D
Yes.
F
You have to look very fashionable for Italy, right?
A
Yeah.
F
And I cannot wait to go to the beach at this.
B
No.
C
Milan and Cortina and all the other towns of the Olympics are all in inland. It's the Dolomites.
B
It's the Dolomites, hun.
F
The Dolomites.
C
Yeah.
B
Do you want to just take a look outside? It's gonna be like that. Boo.
F
Wait a minute. Yeah, yeah, but that. No, no, that is here.
D
That is here.
F
We are not in Milan yet.
C
Right.
F
Plus, that is just an LED wall.
B
Okay, okay. You know what? If you guys are gonna keep. Why are we even doing this? You're gonna.
F
You need to Do a little bit more research. Okay. Just a little.
B
And you need to do a little.
D
Bit more research on the climate in Milan.
A
Grover. Yes?
C
This is not the proper attire.
F
Well, all right. I will bring some warmer clothes.
B
Just a coat. We're looking out for you. We're concerned.
F
Okay, well, thank you. Thank you.
B
It's not that you don't look fabulous. You look fabulous.
D
Yes, yes.
F
Well, thank you for that. Yes, I do look fabulous. You know, I will bring some warmer clothes with me.
A
How about that?
C
That's great.
F
Just in case.
E
Phew.
F
Just in case.
B
Yeah.
C
Grover, have you heard about the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule when it comes to packing?
F
What is that?
C
You can do five tops, four pants, three layered options, like a sweater or a button down or a flannel.
A
Yes.
C
Two socks. That can't be right. I lost it.
F
No, no, two socks makes sense.
C
Really?
F
Makes more sense than three socks.
B
One for each foot. You know what I'm saying?
C
That's right.
B
You know what I'm saying.
A
Oh, ye.
B
Where did you get your sunglasses?
F
Wait a second. I need to know the one. What is the one?
C
I think it's one optional item. A wild card. Whatever.
B
You want to pack one luxury item. Ooh, like your big, beautiful item?
A
Yeah.
F
No, I cannot choose. I'm gonna bring all of these.
B
That's fine.
C
That's fine.
B
Pack extra. It's just that you may run into a little bit of a nightmare in the airport. We're kind of on our soapbox about how bad baggage claim is.
A
Oh, okay.
F
Anyway, I will pack as lightly as I can.
C
Sure.
B
So who are the fashion icons that inspire you?
F
Oh, my goodness. Well, I mean us.
C
Oh, Grover, you charmer.
F
He has really, really nice panache.
C
I think so. Well, does panache just kind of mean how, you know, everyone on Sesame street kind of has different colored.
F
I really do not know what panache means.
B
Right.
F
It is just, like, a big word that I thought would impress you.
B
I think that you did use it correctly, and we were impressed.
F
Well, all right, then.
B
Panache is defined as a boldness, and.
C
You have that, Grover.
A
I have panache.
C
You have panache. Grover, we didn't realize you were such a style enthusiast. Are you gonna really clean up in Milan with all the shopping that's there on offer?
F
Well, probably not.
C
Oh.
F
Because I do not have a credit card.
C
Well, Grover, so you can borrow mine.
D
Really?
C
And I can rack up some triple points at certain stores.
D
Okay. Okay.
F
So you will take me shopping?
B
Yeah. Oh, we would love to do a shopping spree with you, well go over. What events at the Milan Olympics are you most excited to see? Watch. Experience.
F
Yes, yes. Well, I am hoping that I can even participate.
B
Participate?
D
Yes.
B
Yes.
F
And I believe they had a new provisional event at the Milan Olympics.
C
What's that?
F
Runway walking.
E
Oh. Oh, yeah.
F
I am ready for it.
C
You would be gold medal fodder. That's you. You would win that in a heartbeat.
B
In a cakewalk, as it were.
F
Oh, I see what you did there. Yes. Yes. Okay, well, sign me up.
D
Sign me.
B
Okay, fine. We're gonna get you competing in the Winter Olympic event, figure skating, where, not for nothing, there's a lot of cool fashion.
A
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
F
That is true, too. I would love to figure skate. I would love to make some figure eights. Can't you figure figure 7s and figure 43s?
B
43.
C
That sounds tricky.
B
Interesting maneuver.
A
Oh, yeah.
F
I am the only one who is known to have done it before.
E
Wow.
C
Grover, what would you wear as your figure skating outfit since you're such a fashion icon?
F
Well, something super.
C
Billy.
F
Probably not this.
E
No.
F
Because it is cold on the ice, right?
A
Yeah.
F
I would probably wear, you know, big puffy coat and, you know, hat and mittens and scarf.
B
That wouldn't work. No, no. You have to use. You were telling me it was very cold there, Grover.
A
Yes.
C
I think if you wanted to wear a puffer, some earmuffs, a big old hat, you would be within your rights. As long as you made your program a showstopper.
F
Oh, it's going to be unique.
C
Really.
B
What song would you like to skate to?
C
Ooh.
F
How about the Wheels on the Bus?
B
Yes, they go round and round.
F
Yes, they do. And so will I.
B
And your figure 43Z.
F
That's right.
B
Well, I love it.
A
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
B
I don't think anyone's ever done that before.
A
No.
B
Figure skate, an Olympic competition to the Wheels on the Bus.
C
I mean, I think that's Olympic history right there.
B
Just wait.
A
Yeah.
F
This is gonna be amazing.
B
You're a legend.
F
I know, I know. I am also very excited about the competitive Snow angel making.
C
Okay.
F
Are you as excited as I am?
B
We hadn't even heard about this.
C
We just found out.
A
Really?
C
But thank you for telling us. Who do you know at the IOC who's just feeding you all this information?
E
Wait, I thought.
F
Didn't they do it last time?
B
Oh, no. But you know what? Keep manifesting.
A
Yes.
F
Whatever that means.
C
Oh, Grover, we'll tell you that later.
B
He knows ganache, but he doesn't know manifesting. What world are we living In. Is any of this real?
F
Well, judging by that LED wall, no.
C
You know what? Elmo said it was a video wall. Now you're saying it's leds.
B
Pick one, you guys.
C
Grover, we're sorry. We're just kind of airing out a lot of our frustrations.
F
No, it's okay. No, this is why you have a podcast.
C
That's right. This is why we have a podcast in Grover. We can't wait to see you in Milan.
F
Oh, I will be there. You will be there with my 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
C
You know, Milan is many things. It's a culture capital, a fashion capital. I'd say it's a food capital too.
B
I am already hungry thinking about how much pasta we're gonna consume, about the desserts that Italy is, quite frankly, giving. It's gonna be a festival, a full.
C
And our next guest is the perfect guest to talk everything. Gustatory delights.
B
Everyone please welcome Cookie Monster.
A
Hi.
B
Hey, Cookie.
A
Hey, Matt. Hey, Bowen.
C
Hi, Cookie.
A
Hi.
C
We're here to talk food at the Olympics.
A
Yes. Me love that. Yeah, Me very excited about the food in Milan.
B
Me loved that too. And I have to say, Cookie, me love you.
C
You are.
B
Don't tell anyone else. My favorite.
A
Shh. Don't. We not going to say anything about that.
C
Don't.
B
But I love that you.
A
Thank you.
B
You know what you want and you go for it. You want cooking.
A
You have a purpose.
C
Yes.
B
And you have to make out the purpose. Yes.
A
And me focused, Cookie.
B
Yes, Cookie. And you always get what you want.
A
Me too.
C
Is that your game plan? This focus when you go to Milan for the Winter Olympics.
A
Yes.
C
You're gonna be focused on what?
A
Oh, the food. You know me. Me, the official self appointed Olympic food correspondent.
C
Yes.
A
For the Winter Games.
C
Wow.
A
You not know that, huh?
B
Okay, so this is news to us. And we're really happy to be with you because you are our food connoisseur. What are the foods that you are most excited to consume? And hey, let's leave cookies out of it just for a little while because we know your whole thing with cookies.
A
Yes, we love the cookies, but you know, at the Olympics they have these golden cookies. No cookies. No golden cookies.
C
I think that's a gold medal Cookie Monster.
A
It's a cookie.
B
Oh, it's a cookie.
A
But it could be a gold medal. But you know what? It's a golden cookie. It's a special Olympic golden cookie. And me think this podcast is about to become an ASMR podcast.
B
So I.
A
Is me going to indulge.
B
I Have to say there's a lot of people out there that are gonna be really excited about Cookie Monster getting asmr. So let's see your skills here, Migo.
C
Ooh, I'm getting the tingles already.
B
That really. That really.
C
Well, Cookie, that was supposed to go to Chloe Kim, but I guess she doesn't have a medal anymore.
B
She'll earn another one. We're sure of it.
A
Yeah, be sure she's going to get one of those. You know what me excited about?
B
Tell us.
A
Cannoli.
C
Okay.
B
And I have it on good authority that we have some cannolis around.
A
We happen to have some cannolis.
B
Yeah, well, I would expect that you'd have cookie, you being the monster of them at all.
A
Yeah. And look at that.
B
Wow, that's yum.
A
Got like a cookie shell and it got chocolate chippies and yummy.
B
Oh, you're starting. You're starting.
A
Get ready, asmr, folks.
B
You're starting.
A
Here we go again.
B
Oh, here we go.
A
Nom, nom, nom, nom.
B
Oh, my goodness. You are making an absolute mess. But you know what?
C
I get it.
A
We're gonna clean up.
C
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Cookie Monster.
A
Yeah, yeah.
B
It's okay. Just focus on us and the cookies, which I'm sure is not gonna be difficult for you.
A
This beautiful green screen wonderland.
C
Oh, see, we almost said it was a video wall. Now it's a green screen.
A
Beautiful, beautiful green screen wonderland.
B
Look at the clock. We don't know how we feel about that.
C
Oh, Cookie, we're gonna teach you about production terms. There's a key. There's a video screen. It's just different stuff.
A
Okay.
C
It's all lingo.
A
Gotcha.
C
But Cookie Monster. Yeah? You just took the cannoli. Yes. What else are you excited about?
A
Okay. Me excited about pasta.
B
Oh, well, who's not?
A
Especially ravioli. Yeah. Me not just eat cookies.
B
Well, that would be ridiculous.
A
Me not one dimensional monster. Me like all flav.
B
Oh, no. You contain multitudes, and we've always said that.
A
Mead bicycle. Well, mead canoe.
B
I don't know.
C
Mead.
A
Mead monster. Mead. Like all flavors.
C
That sounds like Summer Olympic Games stuff. Let's not talk.
A
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's right. Bobsled. Mead Bobsled.
C
There you go.
B
I think there's gonna be so many good bobsleds.
C
They taste so good.
B
What do you mean? Olympics? Yum, yum.
A
Anyway, back to the ravioli.
B
Yeah, let's see.
A
Ravioli.
C
Wow. Cookies of pasta.
A
Yeah. Oh, me love that.
B
Yeah, I bet you not thought of that one before. Well, why don't you give one a try?
A
Okay, sure. Me indulge.
C
Just a nibble?
A
Yeah, just a nibble.
B
Just indulge for once, cookie. Oh, that's not a nibble. Oh, my goodness. That plate doesn't stand a chance.
C
Well, at least you didn't eat the plate.
A
Yummy. Like little pasta pillows. Yummy. Yummy.
B
It's gonna be so cool to get to Italy and have authentic ravioli.
A
Oh, wait. This is not authentic.
B
Can I ask you a question? How come you haven't asked to share any of your cookies or ravioli with us?
A
Oh, yeah. Here.
E
Sorry.
B
Yeah, thanks.
C
Thank you so much.
A
There. You guys can split that one.
C
Okay, great. Well, we're gonna doggy bag this.
A
Yeah, maybe save it for later.
B
I'll pack it up.
A
Yeah, you Wait. You not have cannoli. Me thought me had cannolis out. Oh, me, too.
B
We have cannolis. But here, can we just play two for us?
A
Yeah, yeah, we have cannolis right here.
B
Thank you. That's very kind.
A
One, one, two.
B
Come on.
C
Please, please have some restraint. Please don't.
A
Oh, sorry about that.
C
That's okay. You're incorrigible, Cookie Monster.
A
You feel terrible now.
C
Well, why don't we talk about the game? No, we don't want you to feel bad.
B
Don't feel guilt or shame. Only feel cookie.
C
Yes, Cookie Monster. Let's talk sports. What sports are you most excited about?
A
Well, hockey.
C
Yes.
B
Is that because the puck looks like a cookie?
A
It does.
B
Yeah.
A
It looked like a cross between a cookie and a brownie.
C
Ooh, Pretty delicious.
A
Yummy. Me just follow that yummy puck around the icing rink and then a slap shot. And we just hope it goes right into me mouth.
C
Yes. Have you had hockey puck before?
A
No, me haven't. Have you?
C
No.
B
I don't think that we can ingest hockey puck like you. A monster can. Yeah, I don't think it would go down easily.
A
I think we could take one of those down. Yeah.
C
I bet they taste great in Italy.
A
Oh, yeah.
B
After a fresh slap. Oh.
A
Begin to work on the catching of the hockey puck.
B
Yeah.
C
You make a great goalie.
B
That's amazing.
A
Pretty nimble, huh?
B
Yeah, you're very spry.
A
We didn't even stretch.
B
Wow. Can you. You want to do some. Should we do some stretches all together to get ready for the big game?
A
Yeah, let's go.
B
Let's stretch our arms stretched out. Yeah, give him a good one. Let's go to the left. Little neck stretch and then do a neck.
A
Maybe some jaw Stretches.
C
Some jaw stretches.
B
Now we're ready to eat some pup. Hey, what about curling?
A
Curling? Yeah. That's when they sweep that cookie all across the ice.
C
It's a big, thick cookie.
A
It's a big. And they have a broom.
C
With a broom.
A
Yes. Once you eat the cookie, you could sweep up the crumbs.
C
Yeah, I guess you're right. But that big.
A
That's very efficient.
C
Yes, it's very efficient.
A
Yeah.
C
And sometimes the cookie has, like, a handle on it.
A
We could go for that. We never had. That's a great idea.
B
Yeah.
A
Cookie with a handle.
C
Yes.
B
Wow. I have to say that.
A
Genius.
B
This new dimension that we're adding to curling, I think is gonna skyrocket its popularity as a winter sport.
A
I really do. Me could win gold.
C
Oh, definitely.
A
You know what? Me gonna compete. Help me sign up for that event.
B
I think it's as simple as just signing up.
C
Right?
A
You just sign up. You show up and say, me do it.
C
Yes. There's a registrar somewhere. It's a nice woman.
A
Okay. Miguen, look for her.
C
Now, cookie, here's a sport that I don't think has any cookies in it. Okay. Snowboarding.
A
Yes. That you. Right.
E
Yeah.
A
Yeah. But you know what? That make me think of hot cocoa. It does. Yeah. Because, you know, hot cocoa with marshmallows is really good in the snow.
B
It's true.
A
When you're up on the snowy mountain, when you're spectating. When you're spectating, you could have a little sip of hot cocoa. And we have some right here.
C
Yes, I think we all have some hot cocoa.
A
You got some too. Mm. Shall we have a little hot cocoa maybe?
B
Hey, cheers. It's great to meet you.
A
Great to meet you.
B
We have wanted this our whole life.
A
Well, me hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as me.
B
Did you have a future in podcasting?
A
Really?
B
Yeah.
C
Yeah.
A
In asmr.
C
Asmr. You can do a whole finance podcast. I'm sure you can do that.
B
Yeah.
C
You could do a few podcasts.
A
Oh, exact. Cheers. Yeah.
C
Well, we'll see you in Milan, Cookie Monster.
A
Maybe we get dinner.
B
Absolutely. I think that would be a wonderful risotto somewhere. Yeah, absolutely.
C
Risotto, biscotti.
B
We'll gobble everything up.
A
Me no can wait. See you there.
C
See you, Cookie Monster. Bye. Bye.
A
Me gonna go back out there to the front.
B
Yeah, right out there.
A
Begin to get me cross country skis on and get out of here.
B
That was awesome. Please welcome back to our admittedly fake cabin, Elmo. Hey.
F
Hey.
C
Good to be back Elmo, you have something to give us.
D
We heard. Yes. Well, you know how at the Winter Games they give out gold, silver, and bronze medals?
B
Yes, we know all about it.
D
Well, Elmo would like to give a gold medal for you for the.
B
This is an honor.
C
Elmo, you as an accredited medal giving body. This. Well, this is what you told us before off camera, so I'm just saying you.
D
It's true. It's true. I almost just honored.
C
You're just honored. And we're honored that you're giving us the medal.
D
Let's bring out the medal.
B
Oh, oh, do we not.
C
That's okay. It can be an imaginary medal.
A
It's okay.
D
There is a medal. Do you have it?
B
No, no, I don't think they have it.
C
Jeff.
B
There's no Jeff.
C
Do we have the medal?
D
Jeff.
B
Hey, Jeff.
C
Well, why isn't Jeff. I thought you and Jeff were pals. Elmo.
D
Yeah, Elmo, too. Jeff, you got that medal.
B
It's not about a orange.
D
Elmo's very sorry for this. Elmo thought there was a physical metal. Do we have one?
B
Elmo feels like.
C
No, Elmo, you don't have to do this. Elmo, we love you. We love you no matter what.
E
Now.
D
Elmo loves you, too. It's about six inches around. Let's go. They're my son to death.
C
Elmo. I think Cookie Monster, he may have eaten it. I'm sorry, Elmo.
D
That's exactly what happened. Elmo's so sorry.
B
No, that one's okay.
C
You don't have to be sorry.
B
We're happy for Cookie.
D
Good. That's a good way to be.
C
That's a good way to be. All right, now, let's close out the show. Thank you so much for joining us on our podcast.
B
Hey, I think we need everybody back out here for this.
C
Yeah.
D
Come on out, everybody.
A
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
D
Everybody's here.
E
Yeah.
B
Go stick us out.
A
Bowen and Matt me feel terrible about the cannoli incident, you know, before. So we got everybody cookies.
B
Oh, my gosh.
C
Cookie moms.
E
Yeah.
B
All right. Let's sing out, everybody.
A
Okay, let's do it. Wait, Wait a minute. You know, since we have cookies, can we do the song in Om nom nom nom noms.
C
Of course.
B
We can't.
A
Okay, here we go. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
Hosts: Matt Rogers & Bowen Yang
Date: January 31, 2026
Produced by: Big Money Players Network & iHeartPodcasts
Special Guests: Elmo, The Count, Grover, Cookie Monster (with cameos from Oscar the Grouch and others)
In this playful, heartwarming, and delightfully meta crossover, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang invite some of Sesame Street’s most iconic residents into their “cozy winter cabin” for an exuberant discussion of the 2026 Winter Olympics, “the beating heart of culture.” Expect pop culture observations, Olympic trivia, high fashion talk, plenty of jokes about Italian airports, and a riot of joyful chaos courtesy of Elmo, The Count, Grover, and Cookie Monster. The episode deftly blends Las Culturistas’ self-aware wit with Sesame Street’s signature earnestness, making it as enjoyable for grownups as the young at heart.
Elmo’s candor on Olympic knowledge:
Elmo on airport packing:
On Olympic bobsledding:
The Count on his passion:
Cookie Monster’s non-cookie tastes:
On curling innovation:
The episode is highly playful, cheekily self-aware, and warmhearted. The Las Culturistas hosts relish the opportunity to both riff with and be the straight men to the Sesame Street cast’s unmistakable personalities. The puppets remain true to form, delivering gentle punchlines, earnest wisdom, and signature catchphrases. Even as gags abound about “fake” cabins and fictional sports, there’s a genuine joy at the intersection of culture, sport, and friendship that shines through.
This is a pitch-perfect family-friendly crossover, brimming with the quirks and joy fans expect from both Las Culturistas and Sesame Street. No real expertise on the Winter Olympics required—just a readiness to giggle and bask in cultural camaraderie. Whether you’re in it for pop culture, sports, comedy, or Muppets, this episode promises pure, cookie-filled fun.