Stanley Tucci followers unleash their angst after Hollywood actor posts harmless message on X

For many people, when asked how they are, it is simply a reflex to reply that they are ‘fine’.

How, when popular TV chef Stanley Tucci to to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, to ‘hope everyone is doing alright!’, he received a mixed bag of responses – with many commentators pointing out that they are not indeed ‘doing alright’.

Many people suggested they are suffering from a range of concerns and problems, including financial crises, as well as concerns over global conflicts, as well as other personal problems.

And rather than just politely ignore their issues in favour of responding in stereotypically polite style, saying yes, all is fine, many pointed out in response to Mr Tucci’s post that they are not, in fact, ‘doing alright’.

After posting the message after midnight on December 10, it racked up some 2.6 million views, 14,000 like, and 619 responses (at the time of publishing). 

The actor and TV chef simply wrote: ‘Hope everyone is doing alright!’

While it’s not possible to know what he expected the response would it, the staggering attention stirred up by the show may have surprised Mr Tucci.

Among the responses to his short, upbeat messages, were many people who voiced that they were not feeling great at the moment.

One respondent simply answered the question by answering: ‘No.’

Another, slightly wordier reply stated: ‘Not so good Stanley, thanks.’

A further X user wrote: ‘Not really.’

‘We’re not, but thanks,’ answered another. 

A slightly more positive respondent wrote: ‘A slightly more positive respondent wrote: ‘I’ve been better but hanging in there. How are you?!?!’

In a similar vein, another added: ‘Hanging in there Stanley.’ 

However, some fans were more positive, and responded to the message with more upbeat replies.

One wrote: ‘I’ve actually had a pretty great few days tbh. It’s been a banner Xmas season so far.’ 

And another added: ‘So far, so good. Have a great day.’

Meanwhile a third said: ‘Thank you, Mr. Tucci. Hope you are as well.’ 

One canny respondent brought up a similar situation that had happened in the past.

They to the platform to write: ‘tucci did you see what happened to elmo when he did this?’

This followed a post the Sesame Street character Elmo wrote on X in January, in which he asked: ”How is everybody doing?’.

Since joining X in November 2012, Elmo has amassed a cult following with more than 622,000 followers by frequently posting well-wishing messages on the platform.  

So it was perhaps surprising that people used the seemingly innocuous tweet as an opportunity to ‘trauma dump’ on the much-loved red puppet.

The adorable creature describes himself as being three-and-a-half years old and often refers to himself in the third person.

Followers bombarded Elmo with their marriage woes, fears about climate change, and existential angst. 

Although it was meant to be a well-meaning question – with Elmo seemingly intent on checking if people were feeling ok – he received a wide range of responses. 

Many people took the chance to sprinkle their replies with dry humour, seizing upon an opportunity to vent any frustrations. 

One user wrote: ‘Every morning, I cannot wait to go back to sleep. Every Monday, I cannot wait for Friday to come. Every single day and every single week for life.’ 

Another moaned: ‘Elmo we are tired’. 

A third tearfully joked: ‘Wife left me Daughters don’t respect me My job is a joke. Any more questions, Elmo???’

A fourth said: ‘I’m at my lowest. Thanks for asking.’

‘The world is burning around us, Elmo,’ said another, while a fellow followers said they were ‘suffering from existential dread’. 

‘I did not have us all trauma dumping on elmo on my bingo card,’ said one surprised follower in the aftermath of the outporing. 

Elmo was clearly shocked by the level of interaction his post received too, because he released a follow-up tweet that read: ‘Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you.’ 

The official Sesame Street account posted a link to various mental health resources on its website, saying: ‘Mental health is health!’

As people around the world continued to bombard the Sesame Street character with their woes, even President Biden took the opportunity to join in with the discussion.

His official X account wrote: ‘I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days. 

‘Our friend Elmo is right: We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbor in need, and above all else, ask for help when we need it. 

‘Even though it’s hard, you’re never alone. ‘