I agree, Vic...
Yes, it's a great puppet, and the "Elephant Elevator Operator" song wasn't bad, but that was because that was Dave performing (or at least it sounded Beauregard-ish).
The voice adds a lot to the character, and to me, Joey Mazzarino overuses that same whiny, grating voice over and over again that sounds exactly the same with characters that immediately become annoying from the first syllable. Joey the Armadillo, Stinky the Stinkplant, Goggles, Bug from Elmo in Grouchland, Joey Monkey...it's all the same voice. I'm sure the elephant is no exception.
David Rudman also gets annoying, and especially when paired with Mazzarino. (Joey and Davey Monkey, anyone?) But Baby Bear, or as he says, Baby
Beawh is annoying enough on his own.
Voices really help to define a character. All you need to do is listen to any of Jerry Nelson's characters. Even similar voiced ones like Gobo and Robin are pitched differently. These and other wonderful characters have voices that are not only pleasant to listen to, but they are totally believable. You truly believe in them. Jerry's just one example. (I was watching Fraggle Rock this morning).
But Mazzarino? Man...two grating words from the self-pitying, whiny stinkplant and I change the channel. Change the channel back after a while, and that
same voice is back, this time on the elephant, a monster or any other character Joey performs. Learn a new voice, man.
Had to be said.
Convincing John