Was the comedy sketch featuring Larry David assaulting Elmo a step too far? Max explores the problems with puppet punching!
Although this may be a month late, my sister recently informed me that Larry David assaulted Elmo on National TV for a joke. For our American readers, Elmo is a beloved little red monster that premiered on the young children’s show, Sesame Street in 1980. Sesame Street first premiered in 1969, so Elmo is a bit late to the party. But as the decades continued, he became a fan favorite on the still-running show, even accruing his mini-show Elmo’s World. Elmo has a high-pitched voice and speaks in the third person (hinting at his monster background). But he is probably one of the sweetest, child-friendly symbols in the history of the world. He loves everyone and I remember my sister was mesmerized by Elmo’s World as a young toddler.
PRANKED!
Larry David (a famous comedic actor) played a prank on the Today Show, as Elmo (and his puppeteer) appeared on the show to address mental health. A serious problem that affects many people in America and the U.K., including this author. And this is not Elmo’s first time playing therapist either. A few months before his appearance on the Today show, Elmo “tweeted” the world, asking how everyone was feeling. With the post-COVID world full of conflict, many people tweeted back an alarming number of “I’m not okay” responses. However, it’s okay to not be okay. Elmo responded that he would check back later; concerned at how many people are suffering right now.
LARRY DAVID
Larry David is a great actor. He was great on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and I understand that he was just trying to be funny. However, there is a line between funny and distasteful. Elmo is a toddler, essentially. One who is beloved by many children aged between 1-7. He is not a symbol that should ever be tarnished by smut. It’s equivalent to a grown man kicking a kitten or a puppy. David disturbingly grabbed the top of the puppet’s head in his hand, pressing on it like you would crack an egg. Shockingly, he then swiped his hand above the puppet’s head as if he were slapping or punching him.
The talk show members were alarmed by David’s sudden indiscretion, and David walked off the set when he had finished as if he was a thug on the subway assaulting a strap-hanger for no good reason. The puppeteer made the decision to speak as Elmo as the poor monster was being “assaulted” and as I watched the gruesome scene unfold, I couldn’t help but imagine that if any kids had seen this occur, they would likely be in tears. Utterly traumatized. Larry David later “apologized” to Elmo, and Elmo then accepted his apology (gotta love the puppeteer for not breaking character). David took two steps back, imitating Elmo’s high-pitched voice showing he had no real intention of apologizing.
BAD TASTE
I know this really isn’t a big deal. After all, no toddlers were watching a morning talk show. But it just puts a bad taste in my mouth. Especially considering what Elmo stands for and the message he was trying to deliver that day. It just wasn’t funny. Beating up a little kid is not humorous and that was essentially what it was. A grown man picking on a small, loving child. I am ALL for dark humor (as I regularly watch South Park and review it), but this wasn’t the right venue or person to demonstrate it on. A good parallel example is that of Kathy Griffin’s “joke” in 2016 when billionaire Donald Trump first ran for President of the United States.
Trump is a real piece of work and many MANY American comedians are always making fun of how much of a strange buffoon he is. But when Griffin posted a picture of herself with the man’s decapitated head in her hand, all the humor went out the window. His then 9-year-old son, Barron even saw it and was horrified to see his father so brutally and grotesquely pictured in a cruel joke. One that didn’t even tickle the funny bone (and Barron is truly the only innocent member of that family for sure!).
THE LEGACY OF SESAME STREET
There is a difference between funny and wrong. They go hand in hand a lot, yes, but there are “frequencies” that just don’t hit the ear right. David’s behavior was one of those examples. I believe Sesame Street should release a statement that child abuse is not funny. At all. I believe that Elmo reaching out to support those with mental health issues is EXACTLY what we need right now.
Was Larry David’s assault on Elmo a step too far? Or is puppet punching harmless fun? Drop a comment below.
Max Nocerino is a regular Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. He is a passionate Star Wars fan and loves the literature of the galaxy far, far away. Follow him on Twitter where he shares his love of the Force frequently!
