Adam sent this link through to me the other week under the title of "Most... disturbing... video ever.":

"Next week on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles..."

Elmo has certainly come a long way since his first "Tickle-Me" incarnation. In fact, in researching this, I had no idea there were so many different Elmo dolls at present (see video below). I think the possibilities of the new one are pretty damned cool, though. How hackable will the new Elmo be - because that will certainly be a sales factor.

It makes me think of what Teddy Ruxpin could have been with a chip and an uplink cable, instead of a cassette player embedded in his stomach. Get in line early, folks, this one is going to be the must-have XMas toy of 2008. Buy early, eBay earlier...

I disagree with Adam though - this video is much more disturbing entertaining:

"Hehehe...that tickles! KILL JAMES. KILL ALL HUMANS."

More Elmo-phemera:

• Puppeteer (muppeteer?) and voice of Elmo, Kevin Clash on NPR's "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me", January 2007 Link