http://www.npr.org/2012/03/23/149209143/kevin-clash-making-elmo-come-to-life
I listened to Terry Gross’s interview with Kevin Clash, the puppeteer behind Elmo, from December 2011. Terry does an excellent job asking Kevin Clash questions about how he got into puppeteering, how he deals with Elmo’s fame, the connections Elmo has with the audience, and other aspects of being the hands and voice behind such a famous character. Terry Gross even had a few questions for Elmo. Throughout the interview, Terry Gross’s direction, order of questions, and follow up questions were well planned. The entire interview seemed very put together. The only times in the interview when Terry Gross tripped up was actually when she was talking to Elmo. It seemed like she could handle talking to the real person, but the character was something else entirely. Terry Gross does a large variety of interviews, this is easily a less hard-hitting story. She still treats the interview with a kind tone and seriousness, even though it contrasts from some of her otherwise more intense interviews.
