In the ToughPigs interview with DillonGale, they start a discussion about how Elmo behaves differently on talk shows.
Joe Hennes: Of course, the live stuff is some of the most fun Elmo material out there, both your stuff and Kevin's.
Ryan Dillon: That was always my favorite stuff that Kevin did anyway because, he was allowed to be himself. Not that you can't be on the show, but it's nice to be able to go out and just be silly and not have to necessarily teach a lesson or something. He really goes out there and just is all out and crazy.
Mark Gale: Elmo's funny when you play him a little bit older.
Ryan: Yeah, and there's always this balance too, because I always play him a little older than maybe people would like me to play him, but he is witty and he's a little bit saucy I like to say. He messes with people, but he only messes with people that he really cares about and he knows they can take it.
Joe: It's never malicious.
Ryan: It's sort of like Ernie poking at Bert. Just poking and poking just to get at him, just to be silly. And Kevin was so good with that on Fallon and there's this guy in Australia named Rove McManus who's this awesome guy who's come back and done stuff with us and Kevin's interviews as Elmo on Rove are on YouTube and they're really funny. But it's still sweet. It's that teasing thing that feels like a sweet young kid just being silly. Those are always my favorite things to do with Elmo are the live appearances, cause you can be a little bit crazier.