Baby Elmo: From Minor Puppet To Major Star
On November 8, 1985, an adorable furry red baby monster
, with two large white eyes and an orange nose, suddenly appeared on the fifteen-year-running Sesame Street and quickly launched to fame. Merchandises carrying its likeness and name were outselling the all-time favorites like Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, and even Big Bird, the emblem of probably the greatest children's educational show in the world. Since then, this lovable crimson creature named Baby Elmo has risen to stellar success which many adults can only aspire for.
Elmo was "born" in Sesame Street in 1972, and was bequeathed to succession puppet handlers, which included Caroll "Ed" Spinney, the puppeteer who played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch [1]; and Richard Hunt, who played Forgetful Jones, Placido Flamingo, and Don Music [2]. In spite of the talent that played little Baby Monster, the devotion necessary to forge a personality for this character was missing. That was until one day in 1984, when a skilled puppeteer named Kevin Clash breathed a unique vibrancy into this minor puppet, launching it into the ranks of stardom as Baby Elmo, or simply, Elmo.
Shortly, the bright lights that Sesame Street had been shining on Elmo attracted the attention of other associates of the U.S. media. Offers of television appearances pursued the new children's favorite character on shows like Emeril Live, Oprah, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The Tony Danza Show, Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me, and even The View. In 2004, Elmo made a surprise appearance on an episode of the highly political drama The West Wing, along with Sesame Street friends Big Bird and Zoe. The greatest moment of Elmo's career, however, came in April 2002, when he spoke in person before the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services advocating a boost in music education funding [3].
Today, Elmo hosts a segment for toddlers, entitled "Elmo's World," situated at the last 15 minutes of every Sesame Street episode.
In addition to Elmo's credentials, the ruddy little monster also appeared on the Martha Stewart Living magazine. On November 4, 2005, in the Food Network's annual "Cook With Your Kids Week" special, Elmo guest-hosted alongside the famous American celebrity chef and cookbook author Emeril Lagasse in "Emeril and Elmo's Healthy Start" [3].
Elmo also leads in the motion picture "Elmo In Grouchland" (Jim Henson Pictures/Children's Television Workshop, October 1, 1999), and "Elmo Saves Christmas," a 1996 children's home video.
by: Brian Jones
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