So no discussion of Kevin Clash and Elmo?

jc&cat

What do you ladies think? Was he forced to resign or was it his decision? I read an article yesterday and one of the comments to follow was the Sesame Street should retire Elmo rather than replace. I say no, why let the children who love Elmo suffer for all of this.

MammaBear81

I guess I live under a rock.. what is the issue?

jc&cat

https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/20/us-elmo-idUSBRE8AJ18B20121120

I meant to add a clicky. Sorry..

smurf605

I can't imagine that they would retire Elmo (or as DS says Me-Mo - makes me smile every time).  I would think that Elmo is the biggest money maker for Sesame Street.  I read that they already have a few back-ups trained for Elmo for when Kevin is out.

I guess I don't have an opinion if he decided it was time to get out of the spotlight himself or if Sesame Street pressured him.  I could see and understand either happening. 

justme04

Sesame Street producers made it loud and clear after the first allegation that "Elmo is bigger than one person."  Considering how long of a run Sesame street has had I'm sure there have been more then one personel shift and very few retired characters.  Personally I can't stand Elmo so I wouldn't mind seeing him go, but I very much doubt that Elmo will be leaving the show.  Especially since they just realeased the LOL Elmo doll!

MammaBear81

justme04:

Sesame Street producers made it loud and clear after the first allegation that "Elmo is bigger than one person."  Considering how long of a run Sesame street has had I'm sure there have been more then one personel shift and very few retired characters.  Personally I can't stand Elmo so I wouldn't mind seeing him go, but I very much doubt that Elmo will be leaving the show.  Especially since they just realeased the LOL Elmo doll!

All of this, I can't STAND Elmo's voice!  I used to love Sesame Street when I was little, but I don't let my kids watch it because I hate Elmo that much.

I would hope the company didn't make him resign, but I wouldn't put it past them.  They would cut off their right arm if it saves face, but that's how business goes.

I feel really bad for him if the allegations are false.  His whole life will be ruined over someones greed.  Do people not realize what happens to people when you drag their name through the mud?  If they are true, then he's got what's coming to him.

tulipblossom

MammaBear81:

justme04:

Sesame Street producers made it loud and clear after the first allegation that "Elmo is bigger than one person."  Considering how long of a run Sesame street has had I'm sure there have been more then one personel shift and very few retired characters.  Personally I can't stand Elmo so I wouldn't mind seeing him go, but I very much doubt that Elmo will be leaving the show.  Especially since they just realeased the LOL Elmo doll!

All of this, I can't STAND Elmo's voice!  I used to love Sesame Street when I was little, but I don't let my kids watch it because I hate Elmo that much. Glad I am not the only one. I tried to let O watch SS once and it was like 5 minutes of Elmo and some other puppet screaming at each other, NEVER AGAIN

I would hope the company didn't make him resign, but I wouldn't put it past them.  They would cut off their right arm if it saves face, but that's how business goes.

I feel really bad for him if the allegations are false.  His whole life will be ruined over someones greed.  Do people not realize what happens to people when you drag their name through the mud?  If they are true, then he's got what's coming to him.

Wulfgar

The first false allegation he could live through, but when another came out about the same age it makes it hard to keep your job when you work with and around children.

They should keep Elmo like it seems they are going to do since they have replacement puppeteers to replace him.

bookkitten

We are huge Sesame/Muppet fans in our house and this has been a major topic of conversation around here. I have no doubt that Elmo will continue to appear on Sesame, although I would not be surprised if his role gets a little smaller as time goes on. After Jim Henson died, his characters were taken over by other Muppeteers and, as Frank Oz, has eased into retirement, his parts have been taken over, too. The individual Muppets have always been bigger than the performers who bring them to life.

 As to Kevin Clash... I literally feel sick over the whole thing. There is no "win" here for anyone. If he is innocent (which, in my heart, I believe he is), it is just unconceivably awful that someone could ruin a man's life so quickly and thoroughly with a false accusation. I don't know how you recover when what you have loved and worked for your entire life (i.e., being a Muppeteer) is taken from you because you dated the wrong person. If, God forbid, he is truly guilty of the accusations, then I hope he has to face the consequences of his crime and that the accusers receive the help they may need. Either way, my heart is kind of broken.

kimbo1216

bookkitten:

The individual Muppets have always been bigger than the performers who bring them to life.

.

I agree with this.  I don't think it would be that hard to find someone who can do an elmo voice.  I wouldn't think it just has to be the one guy.