Elmo

Infobox Sesame Street character
name = Elmo


caption =
first = c. 1972 (as Baby Monster)
November 18 1985 (as Elmo)
gender = male
creator =
voiced by =
portrayer = Kevin Clash
alias =

Elmo is a Muppet on the children's television show "Sesame Street". He is a furry red monster with large white eyes and an orange nose. He currently hosts the last full 15 minute segment on "Sesame Street", titled "Elmo's World", which is aimed at toddlers. He is accompanied by his goldfish Dorothy, and by silent Charlie Chaplin–like characters named Mr. Noodle, Mr. Noodle's Brother Mr. Noodle, and sometimes, Mr. Noodle's Sister Miss Noodle. His puppeteer is Kevin Clash, who uses falsetto to produce his voice.

History

Elmo is self-described as three and a half years old, and characteristically refers to himself in the third person. For example, "Elmo has a question" rather than, "I have a question". "Sesame Street" staff writer Nancy Sans once described Elmo's origins: "There was this extra red puppet lying around and the cast would pick him up sometimes and try to create a personality, but nothing seemed to materialize."Fact|date=February 2007 The puppet was performed by Caroll Spinney in the early 1970s, Brian Muehl from 1979-1981, and the late Richard Hunt from 1981-1984. Sans continues that "...one day [in 1984] , Kevin Clash, a talented puppeteer, raised him up and brought energy and life into Elmo and from that day forward we would all write for Elmo. Kevin's performance inspired the writers to develop Elmo's character. The lesson here is never think you're unimportant because you never know what is going to happen." [cite news | last=Shon | first=Debora | title=Sesame Street will spend this weekend in Poughkeepsie |date=2006-01-31 | publisher=Poughkeepsie Journal | url=http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/LIFE/601310301/1005] John Tartaglia, Matt Vogel and Jim Martin have all been secondary performers for the character, providing movement for Elmo's arms and legs, particularly in green-screen shots.

After becoming a regular guest on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" (June 28, 1996, December 24, 1997, February 16, 1998, November 5, 1998, November 5, 1998, January 28, 1999, September 21, 1999, December 6, 1999, January 4, 2001, September 21, 2001, February 6, 2002, May 2, 2002), Elmo began touring the talk-show circuit. He has appeared on "Martha Stewart Living" and "Martha" (September 13, 2005), "The Tony Danza Show" (October 11, 2004, April 11, 2005, November 10, 2005), "Rove Live" (March 20, 2001, September 24, 2002, 2004, July 11 2006 and July 13, 2008), "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" (January 26, 2007) [ [http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=35&prgDate=01-06-2007&view=storyview Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! : NPR ] ] , and "The View" (October 10, 2007). Elmo and a developmental expert gave babysitting tips on the June 18, 2005 episode of "Teen Kids News".

Elmo was the star of the 1999 full-length, theatrically-released motion picture "Elmo in Grouchland". He also starred in the film "Elmo Saves Christmas".

Elmo also appeared in a fifth season episode of "The West Wing", along with his friends Zoe and Big Bird. In the March 3, 2004 episode "Eppur Si Muove", Elmo receives a medical checkup from Abbey Bartlet, the First Lady, and cheekily questions her about the validity of her medical license.

Elmo is the only Muppet ever to testify before the U.S. Congress. At the request and with the assistance of Rep. Duke Cunningham, he testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education in April 2002, urging support for increased funding in music education. [ [http://www.amc-music.org/news/pressreleases/sesame.htm American Music Conference ] ]

"Emeril and Elmo's Healthy Start" was a special featuring Elmo and Emeril Lagasse, that aired November 4, 2005 at 8 pm. Aired as part of the Food Network's second annual "Cook With Your Kids Week", the special was produced in conjunction with Sesame Workshop's Healthy Habits for Life program.

Criticism and controversy

* Some longtime fans of the series, particularly those who had begun watching it prior to Elmo's introduction, resent his now-prominent status, which has caused some older characters (such as Oscar the Grouch, Prairie Dawn, Grover, and Cookie Monster) to see reduced roles. [cite web|url=http://www.jumptheshark.com/topic/sesame-street-general-comments/1767|title=jumptheshark.com]

* Some people believe that Elmo's characteristic of referring to himself and others in the third person will teach children improper English usage. In its FAQ, the Sesame Workshop responds to this accusation, stating that this behavior "mimics the behavior of many preschoolers". [cite web|url=http://www.sesameworkshop.org/aboutus/inside_faq.php#9040705|publisher=Sesame Workshop|work=Frequently Asked Questions|title=Why does Elmo refer to himself in the third person? Won't this teach kids improper English? (LOGIN REQUIRED)]

* In January 2006, controversy surrounded the book with sound "Potty Time With Elmo" when a mother reported that pressing the buttons caused Elmo to say "Who wants to die?" The book's manufacturer said that this was not an isolated claim, and that they'd had several complaints about the book. In fact, Elmo is saying "Who wants to try?" but the low quality of the sound chip makes it difficult to distinguish consonant sounds. [cite news | title=Toddler's Talking Elmo Book Asks 'You Want To Die?' |date=2006-01-01 | publisher=WKMG-TV | url=http://www.local6.com/news/5784303/detail.html]

* In February 2008, a Lithia, Florida woman claims an [http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=8050&e=getProd&selCat=kyn_elmo&pid=34159 Elmo Knows Your Name] doll threatened to kill her son by name. [cite news | title=Toddler's Elmo Doll Makes Death Threats, Family Says |date=2008-02-21 | publisher=TBO.com | url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/21/toddlers-elmo-doll-makes-death-threats/] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPQIeiGojkk: Video of the Death Threat]

References

External links

* [http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/tickle/ Tickle Elmo]
* [http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/elmosworld/ Elmo's World]
* [http://www.wpt.org/blog/2007/02/be-more-tuned-in-podcast-kevin-clash.html Downloadable 15-minute interview with Elmo voice and puppeteer Kevin Clash from Wisconsin Public Television] - Kevin Clash talks about how he became Elmo and how the muppet is able to affect children's lives
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