First of all, the allegations have already been found to be groundless. The police were not informed by the accuser, he only went to his ex-boyfriends employer, one can only assume this is revenge for the relationship ending.
Second, even if the allegations had been proven (which they weren't) a new voice artist would be found. Frank Oz, the original voice artist of many of the original characters, died a while back & the characters are still going strong!
Oh, & Clash should never have been forced to explain his personal life in public like this. I hope the unidentified accuser (who is protected under the law even though he is the one breaking the law) is charged with making false allegations, defamation & harassment!
Elmo Puppeteer Is Accused of Relationship with 16-Year-Old Boy: Is This the Death of Elmo?
SodaHead News
2012/11/12 19:00:00
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Big Bird’s job may be secure now that President Barack Obama has been reelected for a second term, but that doesn’t mean all is going smoothly on "Sesame Street." In fact, the show seems to have been hit with the biggest controversy in its 43-year history -- and the most popular monster on the block is at the center of it all. News broke Monday morning that Elmo’s puppeteer, 52-year-old Kevin Clash, has been accused of having sexual relations with a 16-year-old boy.
The very serious allegations surfaced in June, when the now 23-year-old accuser approached Clash’s bosses at the Sesame Workshop. He said that seven years prior, he and the man behind the Muppet had a relationship. An internal investigation was conducted, including a couple of meetings and an email exchange with the unidentified man and conversations with Clash. They concluded that the claims were unsubstantiated and that Clash only used “poor judgment and violated company policy regarding Internet usage.”
For his part, Clash has admitted to having a relationship with the man in question — but not until they were both “consenting adults.” Now, Clash appears to be hell bent to protect his very family-friendly reputation. He’s taken a leave of absence from "Sesame Street" and is said to be exploring his legal options. As for Elmo, the Sesame Workshop team insists that he will remain unharmed and a staple of their legendary show. But children’s television scandals have ruined careers before (we’re looking at you, Pee-wee Herman.) Do you think this is the death of Elmo?
Top Opinion
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skyebrand 2012/11/12 22:23:08
To all of those who believe the accuser is 16, that Frank Oz is dead, that the allegations have been proven false, RTFR!
The accuser is a 23 year old who claims the sexual contact occurred when he Was 16.
Frank Oz is not dead.
The allegations have Not been proven false.
What appears to be certain is that Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo, has taken a leave of absence - allegedly to explore his legal options.
An "internal" examinations by Sesame Street employees concluded that the claims "couldn't be substantiated" by looking at the company's email cache. Unsubstantiated does not mean "Not Guilty".
The Sesame Street folks DID say that Clash "used poor judgement", but refused to say about what. Maybe he used poor judgement in parking his car.
The Sesame Street folks also said Clash had violated company email policy.
None of this whole mess even has legal implications at this time because the complaint was not made to legal authorities, nor has Clash filed suit for anything.
One thing that almost certainly has happened is that Kevin Clash's "family-friendly reputation" has changed with his admission of sexual contact with the young man when they were both "consenting adults".
The 16 year old has recanted. We may not even have to hear a permanent change in Elmo's voice!
Yup! Elmo has been way too over rated over the years,
Grover was cuter and funnier to me, sure his voice was annoying to , but not as annoying
as Elmo.
. http://t5ak.roblox.com/b99428...
The Cookie Monster is sooo cute!
A Puppet maybe, but not a Muppet, lol, lol
I just had to say that, lol
Isn`t it the extremely wealthy folks that control everybody and everything?, even the wars and economy,and making sure that the human population doesn`t get too big?
I know they make sure the masses don`t become too large , we would be able to take over then. lol
An excellent book if you have not already read it , (And The truth shall set you free, by David Icke)
Later my friend......
Lastly, if true, he should be fired. Not because he is gay, but because he had sex with and under age child.
So, in answer to your question, it is not archaic. pre obama, I would have said it was.
"'Elmo says this, Elmo says that,,,,,,," Elmo is gonna do this, ,,,,Elmo ,,,Elmo boring Elmo.....
It bugs me that the guy makes Elmo constantly refer to itself as a third person, and how the guy makes it say "Elmo" so much practically every third word the muppet says is it`s name.
Sorry I just need to vent about one of my long time running pet peeves, I just had to jump at this opportunity. thanks.
P.S I love Elmo