Elmo is a Muppet on the children's television show Sesame Street. He is a furry red monster with googly eyes and an orange nose. He currently hosts the last full 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

The character 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 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." 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.

A popular doll called the Tickle Me Elmo was manufactured in his likeness, and became the must-have toy during the Christmas season in 1996. Other Elmo toys include Hokey Pokey Elmo ("Hokey Cokey Elmo" in the United Kingdom), Limbo Elmo, Let's Pretend Elmo and Chicken Dance Elmo. Another version, Elmo Knows Your Name, comes with a CD that allows parents to program Elmo to say the child's name and other personalized phrases.

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), and The View (October 10, 2007). Elmo and a developmental expert gave babysitting tips on the June 18, 2005 episode of Teen Kids News.