http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/12/voice-of-elmo-on-leave-after-denying-relationship-with-teen/?sr=fbmain
QuoteVoice of Elmo on leave after denying 'underage conduct' with teen
The puppeteer who provides the voice of Elmo is on a leave of absence from Sesame Street after denying he had an inappropriate relationship with a teenage boy.
Sesame Street Workshop says it found the allegation against Kevin Clash "unsubstantiated," and granted him leave as he takes "actions to protect his reputation."
In June, the workshop heard from a 23-year-old man who claimed that he had "a relationship" with Clash beginning when he was 16 years old, the workshop said in a written statement.
The statement did not use the word "sexual."
"We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action. We met with the accuser twice and had repeated communications with him. We met with Kevin, who denied the accusation. We also conducted a thorough investigation and found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated. Although this was a personal relationship unrelated to the workplace, our investigation did reveal that Kevin exercised poor judgment and violated company policy regarding internet usage and he was disciplined," the Sesame Street Workshop statement said.
"Kevin insists that the allegation of underage conduct is false and defamatory and he is taking actions to protect his reputation. We have granted him a leave of absence to do so.
"Elmo is bigger than any one person and will continue to be an integral part of Sesame Street to engage, educate and inspire children around the world, as it has for 40 years."
CNN could not reach Clash immediately for a response. TMZ reported that Clash said his relationship with the accuser "was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not."
Last year, Clash spoke to CNN about the magic of Elmo, a "mirror image" for kids.
Clash, 52, has won Emmy Awards for his work on Sesame Street.
He once spoke with NYC Dads, an initiative of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, about how he worked to spend time with his daughter who lives with his ex-wife outside of Baltimore.
I was always suspicious of those "Tickle Me Elmo" toys. :P
He's a respected artist who has made a significant contribution to human civilization. All accusations of Elmo rape should be ignored.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on November 12, 2012, 12:37:21 PM
He's a respected artist who has made a significant contribution to human civilization. All accusations of Elmo rape should be ignored.
:lol:
Rough year for Sesame Street. First a Presidential Candidate makes the extermination of Big Bird a campaign promise now gay statutory rape scandals.
Quote from: Malthus on November 12, 2012, 12:25:14 PM
"Tickle Me Elmo"
That's probably what the sixteen-year-old said.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on November 12, 2012, 12:37:21 PM
He's a respected artist who has made a significant contribution to human civilization. All accusations of Elmo rape should be ignored.
Exactly. NO EXTRADITION FROM SEASAME STREET
Well, admittedly, the relationship with the young guy would have been legal in most civilised countries (where the age of consent is 15 or 16) and the guy is claiming that they did not consummate the relationship until he was 18.
Still funny as balls.
And the claims have been recanted.
Quote from: garbon on November 13, 2012, 10:24:52 PM
And the claims have been decanted.
kindle is as much your friend as my iPhone is mine :lol:
:sigh:
Quote from: garbon on November 13, 2012, 10:43:28 PM
:sigh:
:hug:
Anyone, is it really a surprise that a man hat plays with dolls and puppets for a living like 'em young? Turns out he didn't consummate until of age, but still creepy.
Is it creepy that a 45 year old had sec with someone 18?
Quote from: garbon on November 13, 2012, 10:48:52 PM
Is it creepy that a 45 year old had sec with someone 18?
well yes :D but more so that he basically been planning it since before he was 18.
Shawshank marrying that 18 year is and was creepy too.
Quote from: garbon on November 13, 2012, 10:48:52 PM
Is it creepy that a 45 year old had sec with someone 18?
I don't see it as that much of an outlier. :unsure:
Quote from: garbon on November 13, 2012, 10:48:52 PM
Is it creepy that a 45 year old had sec with someone 18?
I think so, yes. And paradoxically, especially if it was in a relationship and they knew each other before the kid was 18*.
I wouldn't have that much of a problem if this was a one night stand, but there is a creepy whiff of "grooming" there.
*Of course, I think that 18 is too high and it should be between 14-16 as in most civilised countries. But if there is so much of the age difference and a relationship that starts in adolescence, it is creepy. I wouldn't have a problem if it was a 24 y.o. having sex with a 18 y.o.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 13, 2012, 11:49:00 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 13, 2012, 10:48:52 PM
Is it creepy that a 45 year old had sec with someone 18?
I don't see it as that much of an outlier. :unsure:
Neither do I.
Quote from: Martinus on November 14, 2012, 02:34:44 AM
I wouldn't have that much of a problem if this was a one night stand, but there is a creepy whiff of "grooming" there.
Do you think the kid was tricked into having sex?
Quote from: Martinus on November 14, 2012, 02:34:44 AM
I wouldn't have that much of a problem if this was a one night stand, but there is a creepy whiff of "grooming" there.
Yeah that is the part that makes it creepy. The age difference by itself is not terribly unusual.
Quote from: Valmy on November 14, 2012, 12:11:05 PM
Quote from: Martinus on November 14, 2012, 02:34:44 AM
I wouldn't have that much of a problem if this was a one night stand, but there is a creepy whiff of "grooming" there.
Yeah that is the part that makes it creepy. The age difference by itself is not terribly unusual.
But where is that coming from? I haven't, except for in the recanted allegation, seen evidence that the two even knew each other before they were both adults.
Quote from: Valmy on November 14, 2012, 12:11:05 PM
Yeah that is the part that makes it creepy.
And that they're both dudes. :lol:
Quote from: garbon on November 14, 2012, 08:28:03 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 13, 2012, 11:49:00 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 13, 2012, 10:48:52 PM
Is it creepy that a 45 year old had sec with someone 18?
I don't see it as that much of an outlier. :unsure:
Neither do I.
Actually, I find it more acceptable the closer I approach 45.
Ain't creepy to me.
Two pages into an Elmo gay puppeteer molestation thread, and not a single fisting joke. :P
Quote from: garbon on November 14, 2012, 08:29:28 AM
Quote from: Martinus on November 14, 2012, 02:34:44 AM
I wouldn't have that much of a problem if this was a one night stand, but there is a creepy whiff of "grooming" there.
Do you think the kid was tricked into having sex?
No. If he was tricked, it would be a crime. The guy committed no crime. But what he did is creepy.
Quote from: Malthus on November 14, 2012, 04:37:00 PM
Two pages into an Elmo gay puppeteer molestation thread, and not a single fisting joke. :P
In my defense, they would be hack on my part, as I heard them all already on the gay comedy podcast I listen to. The episode was titled "Diddle me Elmo". :P
Now a second accuser has emerged from the woodwork and Clash had resigned.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:36:55 PM
Actually, I find it more acceptable the closer I approach 45.
Not me. Actually seems more odd now than it did before. Maybe not the sex itself, but everything that must take place both before and after.
Quote from: derspiess on November 21, 2012, 02:10:30 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:36:55 PM
Actually, I find it more acceptable the closer I approach 45.
Not me. Actually seems more odd now than it did before. Maybe not the sex itself, but everything that must take place both before and after.
Why does there need to be much before or after?
Quote from: garbon on November 21, 2012, 02:17:06 PM
Quote from: derspiess on November 21, 2012, 02:10:30 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:36:55 PM
Actually, I find it more acceptable the closer I approach 45.
Not me. Actually seems more odd now than it did before. Maybe not the sex itself, but everything that must take place both before and after.
Why does there need to be much before or after?
He would like to get to know, and yes, even love someone before he uses and degrades them.
Quote from: PDH on November 21, 2012, 02:18:25 PM
He would like to get to know, and yes, even love someone before he uses and degrades them.
Well that's just foolish.
Quote from: PDH on November 21, 2012, 02:18:25 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 21, 2012, 02:17:06 PM
Quote from: derspiess on November 21, 2012, 02:10:30 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:36:55 PM
Actually, I find it more acceptable the closer I approach 45.
Not me. Actually seems more odd now than it did before. Maybe not the sex itself, but everything that must take place both before and after.
Why does there need to be much before or after?
He would like to get to know, and yes, even love someone before he uses and degrades them.
Steve Martin FTW :punk:
I met Kevin Clash once. He was FAAAAAAAAAB-U-LOUS. :)
Quote from: garbon on November 21, 2012, 02:17:06 PM
Quote from: derspiess on November 21, 2012, 02:10:30 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:36:55 PM
Actually, I find it more acceptable the closer I approach 45.
Not me. Actually seems more odd now than it did before. Maybe not the sex itself, but everything that must take place both before and after.
Why does there need to be much before or after?
I guess there doesn't in theory. But for a guy like me it would take a some time and effort on the front end, so to speak, and afterwards there'd inevitably be some awkwardness. And all the time I'd feel a bit creepy.
Quote from: garbon on November 21, 2012, 02:17:06 PM
Why does there need to be much before or after?
Yeah, no kiddin'.
Hell, I wish I knew some of those girls back then now, when I was head over heels and they were like "meh". I could get with that attitude right about now rather easily.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 21, 2012, 02:31:50 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 21, 2012, 02:17:06 PM
Why does there need to be much before or after?
Yeah, no kiddin'.
Hell, I wish I knew some of those girls back then now, when I was head over heels and they were like "meh". I could get with that attitude right about now rather easily.
Hi. :)
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 21, 2012, 02:31:50 PM
Quote from: garbon on November 21, 2012, 02:17:06 PM
Why does there need to be much before or after?
Yeah, no kiddin'.
Hell, I wish I knew some of those girls back then now, when I was head over heels and they were like "meh". I could get with that attitude right about now rather easily.
When did this Seedy exist and about when did he die? :(
Quote from: derspiess on November 21, 2012, 02:36:37 PM
When did this Seedy exist and about when did he die? :(
RIP 1995
QuoteElmo Admits He's Uncomfortable Working With Gay Puppeteer
NOVEMBER 14, 2012 | ISSUE 48•46 | MORE NEWS IN BRIEF
NEW YORK—While stressing that he "in no way discriminates against or dislikes homosexuals," Sesame Street star Elmo admitted to reporters Wednesday that he is "no longer comfortable" working with his now openly gay puppeteer, Kevin Clash. "While Elmo respects Mr. Clash's decision to come out as a gay man, it does make Elmo somewhat uneasy," said the 26-year-old furry puppet, adding that Clash's sexuality "conflicts with [his] personal and religious beliefs." "Elmo simply does not agree with the gay lifestyle, and given the unique puppet-puppeteer relationship, Elmo believes that having daily physical contact with Mr. Clash as part of Elmo's employment is now inappropriate." At press time, Elmo had submitted an official request to the Sesame Workshop to be transferred to a different puppeteer.
Quote from: Martinus on November 21, 2012, 03:41:33 PM
QuoteElmo Admits He's Uncomfortable Working With Gay Puppeteer
NOVEMBER 14, 2012 | ISSUE 48•46 | MORE NEWS IN BRIEF
NEW YORK—While stressing that he "in no way discriminates against or dislikes homosexuals," Sesame Street star Elmo admitted to reporters Wednesday that he is "no longer comfortable" working with his now openly gay puppeteer, Kevin Clash. "While Elmo respects Mr. Clash's decision to come out as a gay man, it does make Elmo somewhat uneasy," said the 26-year-old furry puppet, adding that Clash's sexuality "conflicts with [his] personal and religious beliefs." "Elmo simply does not agree with the gay lifestyle, and given the unique puppet-puppeteer relationship, Elmo believes that having daily physical contact with Mr. Clash as part of Elmo's employment is now inappropriate." At press time, Elmo had submitted an official request to the Sesame Workshop to be transferred to a different puppeteer.
:lol:
And another:
http://news.yahoo.com/ex-elmo-puppeteer-faces-sex-minor-allegation-174928762.html
QuoteEx-Elmo puppeteer faces new sex-with-minor allegation
The puppeteer formerly behind the "Sesame Street" character Elmo faces a new accusation of having sex with an underage boy, a week after a similar allegation prompted him to resign from the iconic public television children's program.
In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, a man identified only as John alleges Kevin Clash engaged in oral sex and other sex acts with him when John was 16 years old. The suit seeks at least $75,000 in damages.
The suit alleges the incident occurred in either 2000 or 2001 when John, who is from Florida, visited New York for modeling opportunities. John came to know Clash, then 40, through a telephone chat line for gays on which Clash claimed to be a 30-year-old named Craig, according to the suit.
John returned to New York when he turned 18, and he and Clash renewed the relationship, the lawsuit said.
"Mr. Clash believes the lawsuit has no merit," Clash's publicist, Risa B. Heller, said in an emailed statement.
It is the latest charge levied against Clash, now 52, who resigned on November 20 from Sesame Workshop, the company behind "Sesame Street," after nearly 30 years on the show.
His resignation came the same day Cecil Singleton filed a claim seeking more than $5 million in damages from Clash. Singleton claims he met the then-32-year-old puppeteer in 1993 in a gay chat room when he was 15.
It added that on numerous occasions over a period of years Clash engaged in sexual activity with Singleton.
The newest allegation comes about two weeks after another man recanted his claims that Clash had sex with him when he was 16 years old. The man later said the relationship was consensual.
Clash had denied the allegations and acknowledged a past relationship with his first accuser. He added the pair were both consenting adults at the time.
The Elmo character debuted on "Sesame Street" in 1979, 10 years after the show premiered and introduced the now-iconic characters Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster, among others, to American children.
While Clash was the third performer to animate the child-like shaggy red monster, Sesame Workshop credits him with turning Elmo into the international sensation he became.
Hm. Can't figure out if this guy is a victim of homopobia, a pedophile, or the victim of false charges of pedophilia.
Quote from: dps on November 27, 2012, 01:16:43 PM
Hm. Can't figure out if this guy is a victim of homopobia, a pedophile, or the victim of false charges of pedophilia.
Seems to me Clash is similar to our very own Grallon - gay man (and now an older gay man) with an interest in post-pubescent young men.
I suppose you can make the case that he is a victim of homophobia - these relationships appear to be outside of the age of consent, and he didn't use his position with Sesame Street, so they are legal, consentual relationships.
However, given the obvious age disparities, and by being a public figure for being the voice of children's icon Elmo, I think his behaviour is of a sort where I understand why Sesame Street didn't want to be associated with him.
Quote from: Barrister on November 27, 2012, 01:21:07 PM
Quote from: dps on November 27, 2012, 01:16:43 PM
Hm. Can't figure out if this guy is a victim of homopobia, a pedophile, or the victim of false charges of pedophilia.
Seems to me Clash is similar to our very own Grallon - gay man (and now an older gay man) with an interest in post-pubescent young men.
I suppose you can make the case that he is a victim of homophobia - these relationships appear to be outside of the age of consent, and he didn't use his position with Sesame Street, so they are legal, consentual relationships.
However, given the obvious age disparities, and by being a public figure for being the voice of children's icon Elmo, I think his behaviour is of a sort where I understand why Sesame Street didn't want to be associated with him.
Do you think that would still be the case if he was accused of having sex with underage females, but the women involved had recanted and admitted that they didn't have sex with him until they were adults?
Quote from: dps on November 27, 2012, 01:24:27 PM
Quote from: Barrister on November 27, 2012, 01:21:07 PM
Quote from: dps on November 27, 2012, 01:16:43 PM
Hm. Can't figure out if this guy is a victim of homopobia, a pedophile, or the victim of false charges of pedophilia.
Seems to me Clash is similar to our very own Grallon - gay man (and now an older gay man) with an interest in post-pubescent young men.
I suppose you can make the case that he is a victim of homophobia - these relationships appear to be outside of the age of consent, and he didn't use his position with Sesame Street, so they are legal, consentual relationships.
However, given the obvious age disparities, and by being a public figure for being the voice of children's icon Elmo, I think his behaviour is of a sort where I understand why Sesame Street didn't want to be associated with him.
Do you think that would still be the case if he was accused of having sex with underage females, but the women involved had recanted and admitted that they didn't have sex with him until they were adults?
Yes.
I agree with BB. After all, with the first allegation, Sesame Street stood firmly by him and through the recanted statement. It was only around the time of the 2nd accusation that their support wavered.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 21, 2012, 03:07:39 PM
Quote from: derspiess on November 21, 2012, 02:36:37 PM
When did this Seedy exist and about when did he die? :(
RIP 1995
So then in 1996 you married the Ravens, a la Elizabeth I.
If he was fucking little girls instead he would get British knighthood and a medal from the Pope. :contract:
Quote from: Martinus on November 27, 2012, 03:31:53 PM
If he was fucking little girls instead he would get British knighthood and a medal from the Pope. :contract:
Well yes he would be a hero in Euroland. But he would still be fired from Sesame Street.
Quote from: Valmy on November 27, 2012, 04:34:19 PM
Quote from: Martinus on November 27, 2012, 03:31:53 PM
If he was fucking little girls instead he would get British knighthood and a medal from the Pope. :contract:
Well yes he would be a hero in Euroland. But he would still be fired from Sesame Street.
:lol: