Happy Birthday, Elmo!

Elmo isn't without controversy – although the most recent one involving Katy Perry's cleavage wasn't his fault. (Of course, Elmo said he was open to another playdate.) The longer-running controversy though is over Elmo's very popularity: A few old-timers resent him usurping the attention once granted to the likes of Bert and Big Bird and call him the "Little Red Menace." But Elmo came about when producers realized their audience was more ... more 

Elmo isn't without controversy – although the most recent one involving Katy Perry's cleavage wasn't his fault. (Of course, Elmo said he was open to another playdate.) The longer-running controversy though is over Elmo's very popularity: A few old-timers resent him usurping the attention once granted to the likes of Bert and Big Bird and call him the "Little Red Menace." But Elmo came about when producers realized their audience was more pre-schoolers, and needed a mop-headed monster like themselves. And these days, Elmo still runs the neighborhood. less