On a lunch break several months back, I watched some videos of Mr. Rogers online (like him defending PBS in front of the Senate, and read this essay, and cried my damned eyes out. I claimed terrible allergies that day.
Back to the topic, I was charmed if a bit troubled by the documentary (Being Elmo) I saw about Kevin Clash, as there seemed to be a fair amount of turmoil in his life and broken marriage. I chalked it up to not having any time for his wife and kid, as he admitted, but didn’t realize it might (also) have been due to his sexuality. I hope this situation isn’t as terrible as it’s being portrayed. Nonetheless, I suspect his career is probably done even if it was a truly consensual relationship.
Yeah, come to think of it I too watched that docu, and I’d completely forgotten that he was married and had a kid. I think his career has a good chance to come out unscathed. Unless some fringe groups try (and succeed) to make a big deal about it, he has several key points in his favor:
[ul]
[li]Being gay, even on a kid’s show, isn’t a big deal (as long as someone doesn’t insist on making it one). Richard Hunt, a long time Muppet performer, was also gay and died of AIDS yet few remember that.[/li][li]Elmo is world famous, Kevin Clash is not. No one recognizes his name, face, or normal speaking voice.[/li][li]Kids can’t really know or care about adult things like this, it will go completely over their heads.[/li][/ul]
I hope so. But PBS fired Fred Willard for wanking in a porn theater, and he wasn’t even on any kids’ shows - and what else are those places for anyway? “Indecent exposure” in a porn theater, vs. allegations of sex with an underage vs merely teenage guy… I don’t know. We’ll see how it shakes out I guess.
To be honest, I’m no fan of Elmo himself and so wouldn’t care if the character disappeared from the media in general, but apparently he really resonates with toddlers. I know I’m not his target audience.
Aside I’ve never seen a full episode of Mr. Rogers’ show, AFAIK it never played on TV here. I’m aware of him from references on other TV shows or movies.
That was a great essay and really painted a vivid picture of the man. Thanks.
The late, great, much beloved SDMB poster known as Diogenes the Cynic also thought that Mr. Rogers just had to be a child molester, so clearly great minds do indeed think alike.
^this. I hate hate hate Elmo’s voice and referring to himself in third person. My 1.5-year-old loves him. He has a magical effect on her whenever she watches her half-hour-per-day of him before sleep.
I don’t think they would have to work too hard to find a replacement though.
I know very little about Clash, but I have to wonder if the accuser is looking for fame/money. I could imagine an 18 year old going out with a much older person for finacial gain if they were in a consensual relationship. It seems very weird he’s coming out with it almost ten years later if he was indeed molested. I think, but could be wrong, they were probably together. It ended and now the accuser wants money or was always looking for money and jumped on the opportunity when it presented itself. It reminds me of someone else who was gay and he married this guy and about two years later he took him for all he had. A lot of people close to the star said they thought the husband was always in it for cash.
Elmo isn’t good for toddlers. They don’t learn any thing from his moron babbel. I remember when I did my student teaching, the teacher would let them watch Sesame Street. I couldn’t believe how much they changed from when I was a child. That was around 2009. I can imagine it’s only gotten worse.
Mr Rodgers is responsible for the Zombie Apocalypse.
No, really. George Romero used to work on Mister Rodgers’ Neighborhood. Romero said that Rodgers was a great guy and encouraged him to get into feature film making. Romero took the risk and made Night of the Living Dead, which invented the modern zombie genre. Romero invited Rodgers to see the movie when it was finished and Rodgers said “It’s a lot of fun, George.”
I’m now eagerly awaiting the definitive Moderator ruling as to whether claiming someone is similar to Diogenes the Cynic violates the “No personal insults” rule.
Why are you so sure that it would be the older guy doing the seducing (especially in the case where the younger person is above the age of consent)?
I’ve never lived somewhere where a sixteen year old couldn’t legally have sex, so even the “younger” case seems to me like either could be doing the seducing.
Kevin Clash is also a genuinely nice guy. (Watch Being Elmo if you don’t believe me; I also met him briefly in person once.) It’s always disheartening to see accusations against someone you like and admire. I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who would engage in such a dastardly act.
The show skews younger now because, surprise, six year olds these days don’t watch Sesame Street. Too many other options with all the cable cartoon channels.
My toddler loves Elmo and that works for me. I’m not in Elmo’s targeted demographic and he is. Shame about the scandal but it doesn’t really change my opinion much or anything. 16/17 might be skeevy (even if legal) but it’s not the same thing as 4 or 5.
Why do dopers think the accuser is anonymous? Is there something that protects an accuser into adulthood if the alleged abuse was when underaged?
As long as we’re all placing our bets before the evidence comes to light, my money’s on the accuser being old enough, but now being a discarded boy toy, is looking for a pay day.