Elmo's Mom
From Muppet Wiki
Elmo's Mom helps Elmo cope with missing his father in Talk, Listen, Connect, a direct-to-video special released in the summer of 2006 to help military families cope with a loved one being far away.
Elmo's dad, Louie, first appeared in the Sesame Beginnings video series earlier in 2006. Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments is the first on-screen appearance of Elmo's mom. She is also seen in the special When Parents Are Deployed, in material lifted from these segments. She appeared again in Talk, Listen, Connect: Homecomings in 2008.
When Louie has to leave for "lots and lots of days" to do grown-up work, Elmo and his mom keep busy passing the time until his return by keeping a daily routine. When it's finally time for her husband to come home, Elmo's mom bakes a cake and helps Elmo and his friends decorate for the homecoming.
A National Public Radio story on the video included a behind-the-scenes audio clip, recorded during a take for the scene in which Elmo's mom is reunited with her husband. The script called for an embrace between the couple, and a kiss. This soundbite illustrates the care taken between Fran Brill and Bill Barretta in determining just how long is too long for a kiss when dealing with scenes meant for innocent eyes. For this particular outtake, the performers took some liberties when the kiss had seemingly gone on too long. [1]
In Episode 4069, Elmo's mom can be heard in voice-over performed by Stephanie D'Abruzzo. In Season 37, she's heard again, performed by Leslie Carrara.
Contents |
Appearances
Video
Books
Illustrated versions have varied from red to orange fur, and various hairstyles. Elmo's mom had been seen in a number of books, and like Grover's Mommy, her appearance varied widely according to the artist. In such titles as Elmo Gets Homesick and When Is My Birthday?, Elmo's mom resembles an adult (female) version of Elmo. However, in the more recent illustrations and books, the character holds true to the current version of Elmo's mom, as seen in Talk, Listen, Connect.
- When Is My Birthday? (1988)
- Elmo Gets Homesick (1990)
- I Want to Be an Astronaut (1991)
- No Red Monsters Allowed! (1991)
- Grover's Guide to Good Manners (1992)
- Elmo's Guessing Game (1993)
- Smile for Elmo (2002)
- Elmo's Easy As 123 (2006)
- Elmo's Favorite Places (2007)
- Rosita's Easter on Sesame Street (2007)
- What Makes You Giggle? (2007)
- I'm a Helper (2007)
Elmo's World
A version of Elmo's mom was seen in the "Birthdays" episode of Elmo's World. In Dorothy's imagination, she appears the same way everyone does in Tickle Me Land: as a variation of Elmo. In this dream sequence, she is called "Gladys" in homage to performer Kevin Clash's mother.
Gallery
 When Is My Birthday? is an example of early Elmo's mom, with red fur. |
 What Elmo's parents look like in the brain of a goldfish. |
 Previous to 2006, all that had been seen of a puppet version of Elmo's mom, was her arms in an Elmo's World board book. |
 Her appearance in Smile for Elmo is indicative of the style that would be adopted for her permanent look. |
