Elmo Live brings laughs to 2008

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Elmo is a furry red monster muppet with big eyes and an orange bulb for a nose. So, what’s the great appeal?

The toy doll has been a phenomenon since 1996, when Tickle Me Elmo arrived at toy stores everywhere, and shoppers lined up around buildings to get their hands on one for their kids or for themselves.

Hokey Pokey Elmo and Chicken Dance Elmo have also brought new twists to the Elmo collection. TMX Elmo (debuting in 2006) actually fell to the floor, laughing -- a quaking, giggling ball on your floor.

And now, this year gives us: Elmo Live.

Elmo Live is truer to muppet mannerisms than other Elmo dolls before him. His mouth opens and closes, he waves his arms, he can stand up, and he even sits cross-legged while he tells you stories.

Lovable for kids and adults (I know many grown ups who are crazy over the little guy), Elmo’s appeal is hard to define. It must be the hysterical laughter -- an ongoing, uninhibited roar that we all wish we could burst into on a daily basis.

-- Lori Kozlowski