The dude who has his hand up Elmo’s bottom for a living is being accused of abusing a minor boy. If only they allowed puppeteers could marry, this never would’ve happened.
Scandal and serious accusations hit the beloved children’s series Sesame Street. Claims of misconduct have fallen on the man behind the voice of Elmo. Kevin Clash who is an Emmy-award winning puppeteer and who has performed Elmo for Sesame Street for the past 27 years is denying claims that he had sex with an underage 16 year old boy.
E! Online reported that Sesame workshop issued a statement saying: that a 23-year-old man contacted the company in June alleging he and the 52-year-old Clash had a relationship seven years prior. Workshop reps say they met with the unidentified accuser twice and communicated with him on repeated occasions. They also met with Clash, who adamantly denied wrongdoing.
TMZ reported on their website this comment from Kevin Clash, 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.
Reportedly, Sesame Street tried to “muzzle” the young man. Wonder if the media will go after PBS. Probably not.
November 12, 2012 at 8:10 pm
You'll never guess where Mr. Clash is from. Hint: It's one of the first states to allow same-sex "marriage" by popular vote. Maryland (he grew up very near where I live in MD).
November 12, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Interesting choice of words, "who adamantly denied wrongdoing." As in, he didn't deny particular actions? He only denied that it was wrong. [Reason #1 to avoid lowering the age of consent, I'd say!!!]
I'm sure the media will not go after PBS.
Will late night "comedians" now go after puppeteers and their desire to be around kids?
Is the victim going to go after PBS? After all, why call the police when you can sue the employer for all they're worth? 'Cuz they should have known, and all.
November 12, 2012 at 8:44 pm
I had the same thought about the carefully considered language. You just know pr guys and lawyers came up with that.
November 12, 2012 at 9:13 pm
I heard a rumor that there may be a scandal involving Bert and Ernie. Something about them moving to Maine? Stay tuned.
November 12, 2012 at 10:37 pm
It was only a matter of time before Elmo tickled. back.
Too soon?
November 13, 2012 at 2:00 pm
We quit watching Sesame Street in the early 90's, but the little girl that I watch is totally, completely in like with Elmo. News like this just really makes me feel bad.
November 13, 2012 at 2:37 pm
"Tickle Me Elmo" now on sale at all adult sex shops! How to get to Sesame St…..
November 13, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Judgment first, facts later. This accusation has been investigated, and the charges dropped. Clearly the young man was trying to take advantage of a potential money-making scheme, and failed.
November 13, 2012 at 9:03 pm
Yes Julia, but let's consider if Mr. Clash were a Catholic priest?
If Mr. Clash were a Catholic priest he would have instantly been withdrawn from service pending an investigation, which would not have been internal to the Children's Television Workshop or PBS… the police and child protective services would have to be called. The president of PBS would have announced it to the entire world that there were alligations, and that if anyone were aware of any further wrongdoing they should call the police to initate a criminal investigation. When and if everything were cleared, he'd probably be advised by leadership not to speak of the issue upon returning, except for some lawyer-prepared statement which limply vindicates the character and rights of the formerly-accused… or not (particularly if a settlement were reached outside of court by the management with a whole boatload of stipulations.) In any case, the formerly-accused would not be allowed to countersue for a false accusation in an effort to bury the entire bad news. Ultimately he'd be under such pressure from the viewers and management that he'd have to go to another show, such as Dora the Explorer, where everyone there would whisper about the past accusation that he must have gotten out of 'by a technicality or something'… until he dies a broken man with only shreds of his dignity and good name.
Everyone in PBS would have to take some 'safe environment' program and be held up to ridicule every time the crime were mentioned in the media. Indeed, everyone who works at PBS must be a child molester, right?
I do hope better for Mr. Clash, presuming he's innocent… err… 'cleared of wrongdoing'. Yes, the accused is deserving of due process when accusations are made… and if the accusations are proven true, then the criminal should be tossed in prison, throwing away the key… Heck, put 'em on a one-way trip to Mars.
I hate what this crime has done to the reputation of the Church and the priesthood. But to see that another organization is dealing with it by an internal investigation, after what we have seen in the experience of the Church is not good enough… unless we are all willing to live with a clear double-standard for investigating this most disturbing accusation of crime. The potential for corrupt management, particularly at such a money-making operation as PBS, is particularly disturbing, as they have every motivation in the world to sweep this thing under the rug.
November 13, 2012 at 10:52 pm
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/13/accuser-recants-allegation-against-elmo-puppeteer/?smid=tw-share
Not that the truth matters around here. Of course we don't expect an update.
November 14, 2012 at 2:21 pm
The truth is a LIE. I bet Obama coerced this guy into LYING about his age! It's all obama's fault. And the gays'!