Ticklish time with touchy star

President Bill isn't the only famous American here this week - Elmo's been here, too. RUSSELL BAILLIE pulled a few strings to go one-on-one with the Muppet-turned-movie-star.

Talk about eye contact. When Elmo, a rare star in that he is bigger in real life than he appears on the screen, stares at you with those big black-and-white eyes, it borders on the hypnotic.

You are in Elmo's power.

Or maybe you're just transfixed by that voice of his. For Elmo is a squeaker - the sound of Michael Jackson being eaten by a beanbag.

But then again, as he and his minders are at pains to point out, he is only three and half years old.

In that time he's already set the toy world alight with his Tickle Me Elmo line.

But it's that unwavering eye contact that just gets you - suddenly talking to a clump of red fuzz about escaping the old neighbourhood (y'know, Sesame Street) for the big screen (his first movie Elmo in Grouchland), the tickling thing, the blue blanket fixation ... well, it made sense at the time.

What do you think of New Zealand so far?

"Oh, it's a lot of fun. Elmo saw some sheep today. Sheep and cows."

Where was that?

"Way up on a hill with one tree on it."

One Tree Hill.

"Oh, that's what it's called? Ha ha."

Your president is here, too.

"Right next door to where Elmo is staying" The next room?

"No, not the next room, not that close. The other hotel."

So this movie business ....

"Oh, it's a lot of fun. We had a lot of fun doing it. We hope we can do it again."

Was it hard work?

"Yeah, but we also had fun doing it so it was okay."

Harder than Sesame Street?

"A little, because it takes a lot longer."

And Sesame Street is television?

"Sesame Street is different because it's a street. It's not a TV show, it's a street. It's where we live."

Oh, right. What's the story to Elmo in Grouchland?

"It's about how much Elmo loves his blanket and he loves it so much he doesn't want to share with anybody."

Tell me about this relationship with your blanket. How long has that been going on?

"Ever since Elmo was born. Elmo's mummy gave it to him."

How old is the blanket now?

"Elmo was born about three and half years ago, so ... "

Quite an old blanket, then.

"Kind of."

Don't you think you're too old for the blanket?

"No. You're never too old for what you love."

So you're sure you'll never be too old for the blanket?

"Yeah, I'm sure. Next subject."

Okay, next subject, sorry.

"No problem".

What do you think of the Teletubbies?

"Elmo loves the Teletubbies, especially when that stuff happens with their stomachs. Elmos loves the baby sun, too."

Who's your favourite?

"The red one."

Which is that, I wonder?

"Elmo has no idea."

The tickling problem - that still going on?

"Well, Elmo doesn't call that a problem. Elmo just loves to be tickled. Don't you love to be tickled?"

Well, yes, but don't try anything.

"No."

What else are you going to do while you're here?

"Elmo is going to go to a hospital. What's it called? The Star ... Starship."

The kids' hospital.

"Elmo is going to see his friends and fans there."

How do you deal with going out in public with your fans?

"Elmo loves them all. Elmo can't wait to see them. Elmo loves travelling."

But you are a movie star now ...

"Elmo didn't know that."

It must be hard when all those kids start screaming at you ...

"No, they are Elmo's friends. Elmo loves to see them."

Are you going to make another movie?

"Elmo hopes so. We had a good time doing this one.

You got yourself an agent?

"An agent? What's that?"

That would take a long time to explain.

"Maybe Oscar can act as Elmo's agent."

He'd be excellent. So, Elmo, give your movie a plug - why should people go and see it?

"Because it's fun and they get to see their friends playing in a different way."

Thank you, Elmo.

"You're welcome."

* Elmo in Grouchland opens in theatres on Saturday.