November 2006
T.M.X. Elmo
Elmo is back
T.M.X. ELMO One of the hottest new toys got a mixed response from test-ticklers.
T.M.X. Elmo is the latest iteration of Tickle Me Elmo, the plush doll from Mattel's Fisher-Price line that first whipped holiday
shoppers into a lather 10--yes, 10!--years ago.
Seems T.M.X. has had the same effect since his release in September 2006: In many shopping outlets, T.M.X. Elmo has reportedly sold out, leaving intense demand and limited supply.
Why the big fuss? To find out, Consumer Reports asked four staff members to take Elmo home to their children for an informal test-tickle. We wanted to know what kids thought of the doll, and find out whether we'd giggle so hard that $40 (suggested retail price) plus tax would fall out of our wallets.
For those unfamiliar with T.M.X. Elmo, he's a mechanized plush doll that, according to the Fisher-Price Web site, has three phases of laughter, triggered by being touched on his chin, stomach, or toe. While he giggles, he moves his arms up and down, sits down, rolls onto his back, kicks his legs, rolls onto his stomach, and stands back up.
Reactions vary by age
Our nine test-ticklers had three days to play with Elmo, and ranged in age from 1 to 11 years old (the product's recommended age is 18 months and up, but parents may buy it for younger children).
The youngest children's reactions ranged from disinterest to fear. Celia, 20 months, was intrigued to hear Elmo's voice coming from the unopened box (a small voice-box built into the package says "No peeking! Hee hee hee!"), and hugged Elmo and played with him while the toy was turned off. But after Elmo was turned on, she became fearful of his jerky movements and clung to her mother. Marc, 14 months, was interested in the toy at first, but lost interest quickly, opting instead to dig in the dirt. One-year-old Julia was scared of Elmo and cried whenever the toy was activated. (Her parents noted that she's scared of other robotic toys as well.)
The older kids in our test-tickle were not scared of Elmo, but enjoyed him to differing degrees. Three-year-old Genna was entertained for about a half-hour, but "lost interest in it totally" after that first day, her father said, adding that Genna has three mechanized dolls similar to Elmo.
Jonah, 5, and Zach, 7, were excited to see Elmo at first, and played with the doll for a short time, but lost interest quickly, according to their mother. Neither of them even looked at Elmo by the second day, she said.
Elmo had some fans among sisters Charlotte and Abigail, both 8, and Silvie, 11. At first they were taken by the novelty of this new Elmo, reported their father. Having had the earlier version, they wanted to see what this one did differently. They thought he was cute, and enjoyed his laugher and movements, but "they would probably lose interest in it after a while," their father said, adding that he "guarantees" they won't add the doll to their holiday wish-lists.
In our informal test, Elmo was more interesting to kids 8 and older and adults, and mostly of novelty appeal. A few parents thought Elmo was funny and would make a good "gag gift" for adults. But other parents thought he wasn't worth the money, for themselves or their kids, especially since any novelty quickly wore off.
Not so warm and fuzzy
Unlike some soft Elmo dolls available, this one is mostly hard plastic covered by a thick fabric, making the doll less "cuddly," so a softer alternative may be preferable for some kids. T.M.X. Elmo requires 6 AA batteries.
See our free report on hot toys for the 2006 holiday season.
Seems T.M.X. has had the same effect since his release in September 2006: In many shopping outlets, T.M.X. Elmo has reportedly sold out, leaving intense demand and limited supply.
Why the big fuss? To find out, Consumer Reports asked four staff members to take Elmo home to their children for an informal test-tickle. We wanted to know what kids thought of the doll, and find out whether we'd giggle so hard that $40 (suggested retail price) plus tax would fall out of our wallets.
For those unfamiliar with T.M.X. Elmo, he's a mechanized plush doll that, according to the Fisher-Price Web site, has three phases of laughter, triggered by being touched on his chin, stomach, or toe. While he giggles, he moves his arms up and down, sits down, rolls onto his back, kicks his legs, rolls onto his stomach, and stands back up.
Reactions vary by age
Our nine test-ticklers had three days to play with Elmo, and ranged in age from 1 to 11 years old (the product's recommended age is 18 months and up, but parents may buy it for younger children).
The youngest children's reactions ranged from disinterest to fear. Celia, 20 months, was intrigued to hear Elmo's voice coming from the unopened box (a small voice-box built into the package says "No peeking! Hee hee hee!"), and hugged Elmo and played with him while the toy was turned off. But after Elmo was turned on, she became fearful of his jerky movements and clung to her mother. Marc, 14 months, was interested in the toy at first, but lost interest quickly, opting instead to dig in the dirt. One-year-old Julia was scared of Elmo and cried whenever the toy was activated. (Her parents noted that she's scared of other robotic toys as well.)
The older kids in our test-tickle were not scared of Elmo, but enjoyed him to differing degrees. Three-year-old Genna was entertained for about a half-hour, but "lost interest in it totally" after that first day, her father said, adding that Genna has three mechanized dolls similar to Elmo.
Jonah, 5, and Zach, 7, were excited to see Elmo at first, and played with the doll for a short time, but lost interest quickly, according to their mother. Neither of them even looked at Elmo by the second day, she said.
Elmo had some fans among sisters Charlotte and Abigail, both 8, and Silvie, 11. At first they were taken by the novelty of this new Elmo, reported their father. Having had the earlier version, they wanted to see what this one did differently. They thought he was cute, and enjoyed his laugher and movements, but "they would probably lose interest in it after a while," their father said, adding that he "guarantees" they won't add the doll to their holiday wish-lists.
In our informal test, Elmo was more interesting to kids 8 and older and adults, and mostly of novelty appeal. A few parents thought Elmo was funny and would make a good "gag gift" for adults. But other parents thought he wasn't worth the money, for themselves or their kids, especially since any novelty quickly wore off.
Not so warm and fuzzy
Unlike some soft Elmo dolls available, this one is mostly hard plastic covered by a thick fabric, making the doll less "cuddly," so a softer alternative may be preferable for some kids. T.M.X. Elmo requires 6 AA batteries.
See our free report on hot toys for the 2006 holiday season.
