Sesame Street character Elmo and Kevin Clash pose for photographers on the red carpet at the Kennedy Center for the gala performance for the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, December 4, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

Sesame Street character Elmo talks to reporters on the red carpet at the Kennedy Center for the gala performance for the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, December 4, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]