Elmo
Elmo Monster is a red Muppet character on the children's television show Sesame Street.[3] A furry red monster who speaks in a high-pitched falsetto voice and frequently refers to himself in the third person, he hosts the last full five-minute segment (fifteen minutes prior to 2017) on Sesame Street, "Elmo's World", which is aimed at toddlers. He was most often puppeteered by Kevin Clash, but since Clash's resignation in late 2012, Elmo has been puppeteered by Ryan Dillon.[4][5]
For other uses, see Elmo (disambiguation).Elmo
1980 (season 11) (as a supporting character); 1985 (season 17) (as a permanent character)
Caroly Wilcox
- Principal performers
- Kevin Clash (1985–2012)
- Ryan Dillon (2013–present)
- see all below
Muppet monster
Male
- Louie and Mae (parents)
- Daisy (sister)
- Mimsy (cousin)
- Cousin Pepe (cousin from Mexico)
- Elmo-noske (cousin from Japan)
- Elmer (cousin from Texas)
- Aunt Sue
- Elmo's Grandma and Grandpa
- Selmo
- Elmo's Great Grandmother
- Elmo (great-great grandfather and namesake)
- Uncle Jack
- Aunt Jill
- Jesse (cousin)
- Chester (cousin)
- Chester's parents (aunt and uncle)
- Funella Furchester (aunt)
- Furgus Fuzz (uncle)
- Phoebe Furchester-Fuzz (cousin)
- Ollie (cousin)
American
Red[1]
February 3[2]
Popular culture
After becoming a regular guest on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, Elmo began touring the talk-show circuit. He has appeared on Martha Stewart Living, Martha, The Tony Danza Show, Rove Live, Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!,[11] and The View. Elmo and a developmental expert gave babysitting tips on the June 18, 2005, episode of Teen Kids News. He has also appeared on Emeril Live, helping Emeril make (non-alcoholic) eggnog during a Holiday Special shown in December 2008. Kevin Clash and Aaron Neville were also guests on this show. On a special episode of Oprah called "The Faces Behind the Famous Names", Kevin Clash and Elmo appeared at the same time.[12]
Elmo was the star of the 1999 full-length, theatrically released motion picture The Adventures of 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 that episode, Elmo receives a medical checkup from Abbey Bartlet, the First Lady (who is making a guest appearance on Sesame Street), and cheekily questions her about the validity of her medical license.
Elmo also appeared in the eighth-season episode of Scrubs, "My ABC's", along with Oscar the Grouch, Grover, and an Anything Muppet named "Ex Ray". All four characters are in separate fantasies of J.D.'s in the episode.
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.[13]
Emeril and Elmo's Healthy Start was a special featuring Elmo and Emeril Lagasse that aired on November 4, 2005, at 8 p.m. 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.
In 1996, a Tickle Me Elmo doll became a fad toy.[14]
Some traditionalist fans of Sesame Street have complained that Elmo's prominent status has caused roles to be greatly reduced for several older characters,[15] with some referring to him as the "Little Red Menace".[16] Some fans also blame Elmo for the semi-permanent departure of Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street.
In its FAQ, the Sesame Workshop addresses the allegation that Elmo referring to himself in the third person will teach children improper English, by stating that this behavior "mimics the behavior of many preschoolers. Like 3-year-olds, he doesn't always have the skills or knowledge to speak proper English."[7]