One month since T.M.X. Elmo first laughed, slapped his knee and keeled over onto U.S. shoppers' stage, consumers' efforts to secure one of the now-scarce furry red dolls has become increasingly ...

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — When a tattered Elmo doll lost a decade ago found its way home to Candy Scarbrough, she felt like she had a piece of her son back too. Scarbrough's son, Tucker, died when he was 3.

The laughing, vibrating toy became a sensation, and caused a serious uproar -- and fights -- just in time for the hottest shopping season of the year. The Tickle Me Elmo craze during the 1996 holiday ...