Mae

Elmo's Mom helps Elmo cope with missing his father in Talk, Listen, Connect, a direct-to-video special released in the summer of 2006 to help military families cope with a loved one being far away.

Elmo's dad, Louie, first appeared in the Sesame Beginnings video series earlier in 2006. Talk, Listen, Connect is the first on-screen appearance of Elmo's mom. She is also seen in the special When Parents Are Deployed, in material lifted from these segments.

When Louie has to leave for "lots and lots of days" to do grown-up work, Elmo and his mom keep busy passing the time until his return by keeping a daily routine. When it's finally time for her husband to come home, Elmo's mom bakes a cake and helps Elmo and his friends decorate for the homecoming.

A National Public Radio story on the video included a behind-the-scenes audio clip, recorded during a take for the scene in which Elmo's mom is reunited with her husband. The script called for an embrace between the couple, and a kiss. This soundbite illustrates the care taken between Fran Brill and Bill Barretta in determining just how long is too long for a kiss when dealing with scenes meant for innocent eyes. For this particular outtake, the performers took some liberties when the kiss had seemingly gone on too long.

In Episode 4069, Elmo's mom can be heard in voice-over performed by Stephanie D'Abruzzo. In Season 37, she's heard again, performed by Leslie Carrara.

Books
Illustrated versions have varied from red to orange fur, and various hairstyles.
 * When Is My Birthday? (1988)
 * Elmo Gets Homesick (1990)
 * I Want to Be an Astronaut (1991)
 * No Red Monsters Allowed! (1991)
 * Grover's Guide to Good Manners (1992)
 * Elmo's Guessing Game (1993)
 * Smile for Elmo (2002)
 * Elmo's Easy As 123 (2006)
 * Rosita's Easter on Sesame Street (2007)
 * Elmo goes to the Doctor (online, interactive storybook)
 * What Makes You Giggle? (2007)
 * I'm a Helper (2007)

Elmo's World
A version of Elmo's mom was seen in the "Birthdays" episode of Elmo's World. In Dorothy's imagination, she appears the same way everyone does in Tickle Me Land: as a variation of Elmo. In this dream sequence, she is called "Gladys" in homage to performer Kevin Clash's mother.