i hate to even think that “tickle me elmo” now has a double meaning…
it makes me sad when people do shit like this.
it takes the innocence away from something that wasn’t suppose to be tainted….
NEW YORK — The puppeteer who performs as Elmo on “Sesame Street” is taking a leave of absence from the iconic kids’ show in the wake of allegations that he had a relationship with a 16-year-old boy.
Puppeteer Kevin Clash has denied the charges, which, according to Sesame Workshop, were first made in June by the accuser, who by then was 23.
“We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action,” Sesame Workshop said in a statement issued Monday. “We met with the accuser twice and had repeated communications with him. We met with Kevin, who denied the accusation.”
The organization described the relationship as “unrelated to the workplace.” Its investigation found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated. But it said Clash exercised “poor judgment” and was disciplined for violating company policy regarding Internet usage. It offered no details.
“I had a relationship with the accuser,” Clash said in a statement of his own. “It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was.”
Sex with a person under 17 is a felony in New York if the perpetrator is at least 21. It was unclear where the relationship took place, and there is no record of any criminal charge against Clash in the state.
Clash, the 52-year-old divorced father of a grown daughter, added, “I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter.
“I am taking a break from Sesame Workshop to deal with this false and defamatory allegation,” he said.
Neither Clash nor Sesame Workshop indicated how long his absence might be.
i’ve heard about people using their jobs to get sex,
but this is ridiculous.
i can’t even look at elmo the same again….
… and i know the soccer moms won’t either.
Turns out the story wasn’t true as the accuser recanted his story. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-elmo-kevin-clash-accuser-recants-20121113,0,5568752.story
This is just sad, Im thinking also that this was some type of I need some money or Im gonna expose you type of shit. Sad to say, its a wrap for his career, hopefully he has royalties and a good pension to rely on. Bert and Ernie are probably next.
Out of all things we now have a Sesame Street scandal. SMH. I hope this isn’t true. This is a situation that we are just going to have to wait and see how it all unfolds.
Th truth is gay men put them self in that firing squad, wolfs have a obsession with young meat and that cannot be denied even among heterosexuals sex with minors is taboo so its twice as taboo for us in their minds. But honestly you think he would not have hit the 16 year old if given the chance from all of our experiences with older gay men.
^i was thinking this so heavy.
that man could as well say he is done with that job/career.
sesame street is a brand and his character and decisions will come into play.
i should report the older men who kept harrasing me when i was 16-17 at least before i turn 21
Some Mitt Romney lover had something to do with this…. You will not taint my Elmo
If this shit is not true, I want the name and address of the accuser!
:'( I’m burning everything I have with Elmo’s face on it when I get home.
Well fuck it…
Send it to me then. I would love to have it.
Why are people already condemning the man? If he was white and straight, people wouldn’t be coming at him like they are. Then again people like the opportunity for a chance to throw stones these days..
I believe that a person is innocent before he is proven guilty and until then I will just say a prayer for both parties and hope to God this isn’t true..
It could go both ways. Either it’s true and Elmo will never be the same…
or its not true and the dude is only doing this because he is scorned and this is his way to get back at Mr. Cash. THIS is why it’s hard for older gay men to trust younger men. THIS is why I won’t date anyone under 25…
This WHOLE story is just sad…
Thank you. Sesame Street says the accusation is unsubstantiated as well, so…let it all play out. I think it’ll be hard for people to look at Elmo the same for a while regardless, though.
It kinda sounds like a jilted lover…maybe he was tryna extort some money & they said no, so he went public for humiliation.