Elmo



Elmo is a furry red Muppet monster with an orange nose. He currently hosts the last full segment on Sesame Street, called Elmo's World, which is aimed at toddlers. He is accompanied by his goldfish, Dorothy, and silent Charlie Chaplin–like characters named Mr. Noodle, Mr. Noodle's brother Mr. Noodle, and Mr. Noodle's sister Ms. Noodle.

The character is supposed to be about three-and-a-half years old, and characteristically refers to himself in the third person. As with many children of his age, he is seen somewhat infrequently with a favorite toy of his: an orange monster-like doll named David, whose namesake can be found in the former proprietor of Hooper's Store.

He started out as an unnamed monster used for the songs "Near and Far" and "We Are All Monsters."

Elmo has appeared in several Monsterpiece Theater sketches, including "Me, Claudius" and "Waiting for Elmo."

The puppet has been around since the early 1970s, when he was called Baby Monster, and was performed by Caroll Spinney. When he first appeared (as Elmo), he was performed by Brian Muehl (and occasionally by Jerry Nelson) from 1979-1984. Then Richard Hunt performed him for a year. Kevin Clash took over in 1985.

A popular doll called the Tickle Me Elmo was manufactured in his likeness, and became the must-have toy during the 1996 Christmas season. A tenth anniversary edition, T.M.X. Elmo, was released in 2006. Other Elmo toys include Hokey Pokey Elmo ("Hokey Cokey Elmo" in the U.K.), Limbo Elmo, Chicken Dance Elmo and Let's Pretend Elmo.

Elmo was the star of the full-length, theatrically-released motion picture The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. He also made a cameo in Follow That Bird, and appeared at the wedding in The Muppets Take Manhattan. He also made a silent cameo appearance in A Muppet Family Christmas.

Elmo has starred in such home videos as Elmo's Sing-Along Guessing Game, The Best of Elmo, Elmocize, and Elmo Visits the Doctor, and has also appeared in many other videos, including Play-Along Games and Songs, We All Sing Together and A Celebration of Me, Grover. Elmo has also starred in specials such as Elmopalooza and The Street We Live On.

Elmo has a mommy and a daddy named Louie. According to one Sesame Street picture book, Elmo also has at least one set of grandparents, and a sister named Daisy.

There are either eight or nine Elmo puppets currently available. Kevin Clash told Channel Newsasia that: "This one [on my lap] is rodded. There's a full radio-controlled Elmo, there's one for the blue screen, etc. They do different things."

On Big Bag, Elmo made a guest appearance in one episode, as Chelli's pen-pal.

Casting history

 * Caroll Spinney: 1970s
 * Brian Muehl: 1979-1984
 * Richard Hunt: 1984-1985
 * Kevin Clash: 1985-present