Elmo Live: 2008's Hottest Christmas Toy?

Back when I was a kid, a "hot" toy meant that the toy was being recalled because it caught fire when you played with it. In the past 30 years; however, it seems like every Christmas produces a toy or two that is impossible to find on any store shelf.

Consider the Elmo line of products. In 1996, Tickle Me Elmo was introduced to the world with the simple premise that if you touched Elmo in the right places, he would giggle and shake. Tickle Me Elmo created a huge frenzy among parents who were willing to pay a fortune and even literally fight over the doll. Many successful variations followed over the years, including TMX (Tickle Me Xtreme) Elmo, which retailers couldn't keep on the shelf back in 2006.

Now, Fisher-Price has announced the introduction of Elmo Live to the world. Introduced yesterday at the 2008 Toy Fair, Elmo Live will be the first Elmo doll that actually acts like the beloved Sesame Street Muppet character. According to Fisher Price's press release on Business Wire,"In this truly life-like creation, for the first time ever, Elmo seems to actually be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like the real Muppet, Elmo, from Sesame Street.

His mannerisms are right on target as his head bobbles back and forth as he speaks. He waves his arms, sits and stands, even crosses his legs, all the while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo's foot, tummy, back or nose."

This would seem to address one of the main complaints that many parents had with all of the Elmo dolls. After about 15 minutes of play, these dolls become less than engaging as their speeches and motions become repetitive. After about a week of play, your average electronic Elmo doll becomes an expensive weight for your kid's toy box that comes to life at inopportune times and scares the cat.