It's hard to believe that Elmo has only been tickling young kids for ten years. Fisher-Price is celebrating Elmo's anniversary with the latest model, known as "TMX Elmo".
TMX Elmo features interactive tickle spots on his chin, tummy and toe. Just tickle Elmo once on any of these spots, and he'll begin to laugh and slap his leg! Then, he'll fall down, sit, and rock himself back up to a standing position! The real fun is if you keep on tickling him, he will repeat the same pattern but surprise you with other movements, such as falling back and kicking his feet or hitting the floor with his hand and laughing hysterically. Gee, sounds like me when I'm in a laughing mood!
Watch Elmo's epilepsy moments in CNN's video. TMX Elmo is recommended for ages 18 months and up, operates on 6 AA batteries, and is virtually sold out everywhere! But if you can get Elmo, he sells for $40.
Gearlog wants to know, what is Elmo really laughing about? We decided to ask the crew at Ziff Davis, and here are their snarky, yet serious replies:
Because no one knows that underneath his fur, he's naked! -Jeremy Kaplan, Senior Editor
Aibo thought he could best me. Aibo was wrong! And now, Aibo has met his grisly end. There can be only one. Hear me, I am Elmo! Mwahahahahaha! -Laarni Ragaza, Senior Editor (Hardware)
He's laughing at all the idiot parents that are going to simultaneously go broke ($40?!?) AND insane (cute at first. . .then they'll be asylum-bound) from buying this toy for their toddlers. -Dave Foster, Graphics Director
At Rosie O'Donnell's career path since she left him behind? -Whitney Reynolds, Assistant Producer
Clearly the laughter itself. Forced to repeat the same mechanistic actions over and over for the delight of small children, Elmo has clearly retreated into a nihilistic state where only the laughter remains. Or maybe it's just the expected bidding wars on eBay? -Mark Hachman, News Editor
He's laughing that every year there seems to be a new crop of uncles, aunts, and grandparents ready to buy the latest evil model for their new 1-year old. -Joel Santo Domingo, Desktop Analyst
Someone told him a dirty joke involving American Girl dolls. Or he found out Bert and Ernie were both mentioned in the book, The Confession by former N.J. gov. James E. McGreevey. -Terry Sullivan, Digital Camera Analyst
Elmo is laughing at you, because you're shelling out $40 for a glorified flip-over puppy. Only the laughter is more annoying that the traditional yip-yip-yip. Or because the previous model was "Toking-me Elmo," and the ganja's finally kicked in. -Michael Steinhart, Senior Editor/Writer
Someone told him that there will be no more Sony battery recalls. Or he saw Fisher Price's second quarter earnings. -Cisco Cheng, Laptop Analyst
He's laughing because Bert is taking the fall for all of his evil activities. BERT IS EVIL - The Only Official Evil Portal. Bert is just a patsy; Elmo is the true evil mastermind. -Neil J. Rubenking, Security Analyst
Elmo the megalomaniac is cackling uncontrollably because he is controlling the minds of children all over the world—buy branded toys, collect them all, one is not enough, merchandising is fun! -Blogging Molly, Web Producer
He's laughing with the evil single sibling who bought one for their niece/nephew to drive their sister CRAZY! -Scott Schedivy, Photographer
Now it's time for our Gearlog readers to tell us what Elmo is freakin' laughing about!!! Post your comments.
[CNN via Gizmodo]
Mixx It
Digg It
Stumble
More...
September 20, 2006 1:15 PM
I think he's laughing at all the parents who'll rush out on Black Friday to buy him knowing they'll never, EVER, EVER lay eyes on him. Or perhaps he's laughing at all the people who'll lay down hundreds or thousands of dollars on eBay to have one by the holidays. Or perhaps he's laughing because he thinks we're pathetic fleshbags and will dispose of us when elmos rule the world. ...I for one welcome my new ticklish elmo masters.
September 21, 2006 5:52 PM
AOL Attracts New Customers With Free Sure, there's no such thing as a free lunch. But for AOL, giving...
September 21, 2006 8:37 PM
My daugther is a huge fan of Elmo and we have a 6 year old Keehsond that has epilpesy and I don't think think that it was politically correct to use this term when describing ELMO who is loved by all.
September 21, 2006 11:18 PM
Rhonda, I'm sorry your Keehsond has epilepsy, but if you're a regular Gearlog reader, you would know not to take things so literally!!
September 22, 2006 9:03 AM
I'll have to ask my Furby what he thinks about the new Elmo....
September 22, 2006 9:55 AM
Yep, they seem to be selling in the $80 - $90 range on Ebay at the moment. By december should be a few hundred. And lighten up, Rhonda. Tickle Me Elmos are NOT universally loved and are more than fair game. Not your right to control other people's analogies. Screw politically correct.
September 22, 2006 7:00 PM
Come on its just a toy that laughs and does more things then the other tickly me elmo. Sooner or later next year there going to probley make a better one then this one and there goes every person out there going crazy finding that one to. Ove coures your kids are going to like this one but sooner or later there going to get tired of this one and want a much better one. To me I think you people sould use that 40 dollors on somthing better like lets say helping the poor and the need. But thats what I think.
September 23, 2006 11:34 PM
In spain we have the TMX Ernie! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nbsFelp3Jc
September 24, 2006 11:09 AM
Dude, you have some valid points but you really need to learn how to spell...I would be embarrassed to post something on a public blog and mispell simple words so badly. Just a thought.
September 25, 2006 11:18 PM
Clearly elmo is laughing not only at the fact that people are selling elmo dolls on ebay but that people are stupid enough to buy them for their kids! does nobody remember the elmo doll that said "who wants to die?" i think not
September 27, 2006 2:20 AM
I was one of those that shelled out 92.00 for the thing although I see it as a investment, ha ha I will be getting at least double that by dec.
September 27, 2006 2:21 AM
I was one of those that shelled out 92.00 for the thing although I see it as a investment, ha ha I will be getting at least double that by dec.
September 29, 2006 1:21 PM
Jess, you paid $92 and expect to double that? I can see why YOU would be laughing. You go! (I would have said "girl", but realized you could be a guy.) but I expect that Elmo is just giggling from the tickling. Seriously, what toddler, when they ASK you to tickle them, doesn't over-react and giggle more than is necessary? Do they not shriek with delight? Do they not wiggle around? Yes, I think they do. Just like Elmo.
October 1, 2006 5:16 AM
Jess.. you paid 92? you could have purchased one 1/2 that price from me on ebay tonight. I try to sell mine at cost, I actually caught the store tonight as they JUST unloaded the pallet. I only got 2 because Im not greedy, one for my nephew, one for me.. but the other couple "in line" had 3 freakin carts and took all the rest of them (over 20!!) man, I hope they loose money on that, it takes away from normal kids who cant afford to pay 100+ for a stupid doll... sigh
October 1, 2006 4:41 PM
What do the different boxes mean (the green when open the flap), they say different things when they open...i have seen on ethat says haha no peeking and the others say elmo feels ticklish in here (I think) what is the difference in the them, does anyone know>
October 4, 2006 9:10 PM
HEY, JUST A QUICK THOUGHT...I AM SO SAD THAT ELMO IS AT A SUCH A HIGH PRICE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT OF A BABY BOY WHO IS 20MONTHS, I SHELL OUT $100.00 A WEEK ON DAY-CARE,HAVE NO CHILD SUPPORT , AND REFUSE TO GO ON WALFARE, BUT I DID GO TO WAL-MART AND TRY TO BUY THIS TOY FOR MY SON, I STOOD OUTSIDE FOR OVER 3 HOURS, THEY WERE GONE BY THE TIME I GOT BACK TO THE TOY DEPT..NEEDLESS TO SAY...EBAY HAS ALOT OF THEM..BUT GOD, I CANNOT SEE HOW THIS TOY CAN TRIPLE IN PRICE, JUST FOR GREED...MY SON GIGGLES EVERYTIME HE LOOKS AT THE TV-AD FOR ELMO, AND THAT FOR NOW IS ALL THAT MATTERS..I'LL KEEP TRYING TO BUY THIS TOY, IT MEANS ALOT TO ME WHEN MY SON LIKES SOMETHING...AT THIS AGE THEY ARE SO SWEET..ANYWAY, HAVE A BLESSED DAY :)
October 5, 2006 1:38 PM
I was a single mom with 3 children two of them have severe autism. I am very lucky as I have had a wonderful man who is financially sucessfulcome in to mt life after years of struggle. Montee your comments moved me to realize that one of the four elmos that I have purchased I will give to a parent who cannot afford it. It is very sad indeed that the toy companies do not get the fact that this is very difficult for the people who want to purchase one for their child and really can not due to the price because of lack of producing enough. If you are interested message me back and maybe I could give it to you. Sincerely, Donna
October 6, 2006 12:36 PM
If you are in a bad financial situation, I don't think elmo should be at the top of your priority list. Worry about providing a means of education for your child so that he/she won't have a live like you are now.
October 7, 2006 1:03 AM
Hi DONNA, I AM SITTING HERE TODAY AND I AM CRYING JUST BY WHAT YOU WROTE.....I AM SHOCKED THAT YOU WOULD DO THIS...GOD BLESS YOU, AND YOUR FAMILY...BUT LET ME PAY YOU THE REGULAR PRICE IF I COULD...I CAN EVEN PAY YOU MORE ....I HAVE BEEN SAVING SOME MONEY HERE AND THERE...ANYWAY DONNA YOU CAN REACH ME AT MY E-MAIL...BABYALEX2006@HOTMAIL.COM...GOD BLESS :) MONTEE
October 7, 2006 1:44 AM
HEY, I STRUGGLE NOW BECAUSE I AM IN SCHOOL, AND WORK 2 JOBS ,AND I SLEEP ABOUT 4HOURS A NIGHT...BUT I DO THIS SO MY CHILD CAN HAVE A GREAT STABLE LIFE. ME STANDING OUTSIDE THE STORE TO GET THIS TOY AT THIS TIME IS NOT GOING TO MAKE ME OR BREAK ME.I STILL GOT UP THE NEXT DAY AND WENT TO WORK..I DO THIS FOR MY BABY, MY CHILD GETS WHAT HE NEEDS AND LOVE IS AT THE TOP OF MY LIST. :) I AM A GREAT MOM DESPITE OF WHAT YOU MAY THINK..I HOPE YOUR LIFE IS VERY RICH AND YOU PROSPER IN LIFE, DON'T LOOK DOWN ON PEOPLE LIKE ME.GOD-BLESS ps...HEY MEB, THANK-YOU
October 7, 2006 12:23 PM
You know, that was REALLY dry, dude! Right now, is what counts to those kids. That person wants to give their kid a little bit of joy for the holidays, and you cut them down? Well dude, perhaps you should worry about your OWN means of education, when you try to knock someone for trying to bring joy to their kid, and YOU can't EVEN spell life! Perhaps YOU should get one! I wish you all the best Montee, you keep on keepin' on, it will get better!
October 9, 2006 3:54 PM
I THINK ELMO IS LAUGHING BECAUSE (1)EVERYONE WANTS ONE AND YET THERE IS NONE TO BE FOUND. (2)HE IS GOING FOR ABOUT $500 ON EBAY> (3)HE IS REALLY AN EVIL LITTLE MONSTER WHO HAPPENS TO BRING THE BIGGEST SMILE TO LITTLE FACES ALL OVER. HE IS GOING TO CORRUPT EVERYONES MINDS ONE DAY WITH THAT ANNOYING LITTLE LAUGH AND THEN EVERYONE WILL REGRET FIGHTING OVER THE LITTLE THING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORE IN THE FIRST PLACE
October 9, 2006 4:01 PM
HEY HELLEN, THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION. I HAVENT SEEN THE BOXES AT ALL BUT I BET ITS JUST TO MAKE SOMETHING DIFFRENT
October 9, 2006 9:25 PM
Hi! I did some research, and I beleive that the one that says " Elmo is feeling very ticklish in here" was the 1st release, the one that says " no peeking" is the next batch. At least that is what I have gathered! I did buy 2 from eBay, and one says one, and one says the other. I wanted to know why too!
October 13, 2006 11:47 AM
ok? It's just an elmo... big deal... Yes, I might want one, but it's not like I'm going to go out to Wal-Mart (a company that has bought over many small companies and put them out of business) just to spend forty bucks on an elmo that's going to be and out of date in a couple of months. What's wrong with people going crazy over toys?
October 14, 2006 2:11 AM
Hey I actually found a reliable tmx elmo tracker. It has a realtime up to the minute reading. This is what those ebay sellers are using to buy them. www.tmxelmohunter.com
October 14, 2006 9:09 PM
They are really cuter then I had expected! Was lucky enoug to find a few TMX Elmos through Walmart and Traget. There's a nice ( http://find-tmx-elmo.matched.info )TMX ELMO Inventory Track that helped, for anyone who's looking for one
October 15, 2006 9:25 AM
heh. i wanted to get this but don't want the hassle of tracking all these inventories.. so i just participated in a survey and wait for my elmo...
October 21, 2006 5:29 PM
If anyone know where you can get an Elmo TMX at regular price, please let me know...I have a 3 yr old that loves Elmo and has every one that has been made, including 2 original 1996 Tickle Me Elmo's. I am a single mother and cannot affor the greedy Ebay prices. I am not looking for Pitty, just help finding one. I have both trackers on my favorites and check them often. I will even pay more than regular price but I cannot afford $100-$200 for this doll...my email is txgal1973@yahoo if you can help. And dont post some rude reply because I am just trying to get one for Christmas without paying double or triple or more for it. Thank you in advance.
November 10, 2006 3:46 AM
TMX Elmo is expected to sell like hotcakes this holiday season.