gmen81 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/news/elmo-puppeteer-accused-underage-relationship-150143910.html?orig_host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=US&.lang=en-US NEW YORK (AP) — The puppeteer who performs as Elmo on "Sesame Street" is taking a leave of absence from the popular kids' show in the wake of allegations that he had a relationship with a 16-year-old boy. Sesame Workshop said puppeteer Kevin Clash denies the charges, which were first made in June by the alleged partner, 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 personal and "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 told TMZ. "It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not." At his request, Clash has been granted a leave of absence in order to "protect his reputation," Sesame Workshop said. No further explanation was provided, nor was the duration of his leave specified. "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," Sesame Workshop said in its statement. "Sesame Street" is currently in production, but other puppeteers are prepared to fill in for Clash during his absence, according to a person close to the show who spoke on condition of anonymity because that person was not authorized to publicly discuss details about the show's production. "Elmo will still be a part of the shows being produced," that person said. The 52-year-old Clash, the divorced father of a grown daughter, has been a puppeteer for "Sesame Street" since 1984. It was then that he was handed the fuzzy red puppet named Elmo and asked to come up with a voice for him. Clash transformed the character, which had been a marginal member of the Muppets troupe for a number of years, into a major star rivaling Big Bird as the face of "Sesame Street." In 2006, Clash published an autobiography, "My Life as a Furry Red Monster," and was the subject of the 2011 documentary "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wizard of AZ Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I always thought Tickle Me Elmo was kinda creepy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChenWei91 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlayStation Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Did he promise to take the kid to go see Big Bird? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Whoops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armada Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeromotacanucks Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 somebody please tell me why these creppy and wierd crimes always happens in USA? a guy stole a delivery car and still does the delivery... Elmo accused to be a pervert... a woman go on TV angry because the signs are designed for Beavers and not for humans... what´s the next? maybe "Telletubie Tink Winky accused of being a porn actor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goalie13 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 somebody please tell me why these creppy and wierd crimes always happens in USA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Ambien Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 somebody please tell me why these creppy and wierd crimes always happens in USA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lillooet_Hillbilly Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Romeny is still mad i see, watch out PBS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthNinja Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I find the ignorance of this statement ^ pretty creepy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Ambien Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 You mean creppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeromotacanucks Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 ABNT 2 keyboard with autocorrection my keyboard is set for Spanish/French/Italian/Portuguese. s$%#% happens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthNinja Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 ABNT 2 keyboard with autocorrection my keyboard is set for Spanish/French/Italian/Portuguese. crap happens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jägermeister Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I guess Elmo tickled him back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jai604 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Oh boy, what a hairy situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckster19 Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 This sound usually followed a Bert and Ernie sketch but I couldn't find one... or Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imuzi Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Don't mind me. I'm just looking for the bus to Cincinnati. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offensive Threat Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Well so far the guy hasnt been charged with a crime. Theres no mention of a police investigation of any kind and the PBS reps who met with the accuser on multiple occasions found the accusations to be "unsubstantiated". Nothing to see here. Move along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:D Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 16 years old isn't a young boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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