Being Elmo rightfully won raves for its surprisingly entertaining portrayal of Kevin Clash, the puppeteer who fists Elmo. Clash was one of those obnoxious people who knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life by the time he could put on pants, and used his passion for puppeteering as a ticket out of poverty. And now he’s taken a leave of absence from Sesame Street amid allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, you know, that old story.
The accusations were made in June by a 23-year-old man who claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Clash when he was 16. In a statement issued Monday, Sesame Workshop said an investigation into the matter “found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated” and that Clash was granted a leave of absence as he’s “taking actions to protect his reputation.” [HollywoodReporter]
Sesame Workshop lawyers recently met with a 23-year-old man who claims he and Clash began a sexual relationship 7 years ago … when he was 16 and Clash was 45.
Clash has acknowledged to TMZ he had a relationship with the young man — but insists it only took place AFTER the accuser was an adult.
Clash further denied his accuser’s allegations to TMZ, saying: “I had a relationship with [the accuser]. It was between two consenting adults, and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not.” [TMZ]
Well I’m no publicist, but if you really want to protect your reputation, maybe keep working and don’t make it look like you’ve resigned in disgrace, no? This is going to be a field day for the right-wing media, who were already calling The Muppets and liberal plot. Now there’s a gay child molester on Sesame Street? Yeesh, have fun with all of that.
Also, remember when Jerry Seinfeld was dating a 17-year-old? I don’t remember him resigning, I mean what. is. the deal. Anyway, 16 is the age of consent in most states. At that age, I have to think you’re able to decide if you want to have sex or not. When I was 16, my decision was a resounding yes, I just couldn’t find anyone else who agreed with me. Except my neighbor’s dog, Freckles, but I bribed him with peanut butter.
[via People]
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What is the deal with high school cafeteria food?!
Elmo, gay? Nothing makes sense anymore.
All muppets are into fisting.
Psychotherapist: “Johnny, show me on this puppet where the man touched you…what? Where? Up to his elbow? OH…MY…GOD!”
When reached for comment, Bert and Ernie just stared at the reporter for a moment and started making out.
And Freckles was like, 50 in dog-years, so he’s the one who should get the blame in that relationship.
16 years old may be the age of consent for most states, but seriously, it’s creepy enough for someone over 21 to have a relationship with someone under 18 let alone someone who is over 40. You’re just asking for a shit storm of controversy.
You forgot something … “Now there’s a (black) gay child molester on Sesame Street?”
I feel better now.
Tickle me. Tickle me HARD, son.
To be fair to the guy he spends most of his day fisting a puppet….it was probably all a big misunderstanding.
HEY SUGARTEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR ZITS LOOK STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU’RE GOING TO GET RAPED BY A PACK OF PUPPETEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SugarTeenz would be a great trolly subreddit (probably already there)
Fun fact: Seinfeld’s former teen girlfriend now owns a successful fashion line.
But I’m sure she wasn’t using him at all.
Wait, I thought that any old nobody could just write a best-selling cookbook and design fashion and make a gajillion dollars doing it. Isn’t that what normally happens? I’m pretty sure that’s just the average experience growing up: high school, then to the publisher, then off to Fashion Week.
It this isn’t true then the world as I know it is a lie.
To be fair, she does have incredible breasts.
@Kushiro: I sure you’re not suggesting that Jerry Seinfeld’s ex-teen-girlfriend is probably both a really talented fashion designer AND chef. But I also don’t think you’re suggesting that people are running out to buy her normal-looking dresses and cookbook b/c she used to date Jerry Seinfeld, and therefore must have great taste. Where are you taking me?!
This is true. Give her all the fashion lines.
Actually, I really like her line, so I can’t hate. She designs for ladies with boobs and hips, which is kind of rare.
Sorry, Dux. Got the ex-GF and the wife all conflated in my brain. This is a fuzzy-headed day for me.
In reading the little blurb at the bottom of the Jerry and girlfriend picture (“I don’t look at the age issue, none of my friends do…”), I’m assuming it’s because she does have pretty fantastic tracts of land
Hey here she is with Elmo….hmmm….
[images.wikia.com]
Did Seinfeld work with kids?
He worked with kids from time to time, yes. Also he worked with some teenagers, too, which is the age range we’re actually talking about.
wait are we really counting the random child that would be on Seinfeld like once a season as “working with kids”?
Not really, but it’s about as logically sound as implying that a 16-year-old kid is the same as a bunch of primary school children.
oh i think this is blown out of proportion as well.
Famous rich middle-aged black guy bangs teenage boys. I must make excuses for his behavior.
I’m just glad we have people shattering color barriers. Black Presidents and Black Pedofiles. What an age we live in.
Even if the allegations are true (and even the Sesame Street guys are calling bullshit), 16 isn’t pedo. It’s ephebophilia. Not that even my spellcheck cares about the difference, the right wing media are going to love smashing the happiness of all the children they insist couldn’t be aborted or planned.
Elmo likes to suck dick
And give reach-arounds, too…
Thaa at’s Elmo’s world…..
Big deal. The accuser makes it sound like nobody has ever been given the bad touch by a middle-aged guy doing an Elmo voice. That was a Tuesday where I came from.
*sobs uncontrollably