One Star Trek actor has slammed comedian Larry David’s attack on Elmo – which took place on live TV – and explained he was “triggered” by the incident.
Star Trek: The Next Generation teen star Wil Wheaton, now 51, said the incident brought back memories of abuse he suffered as a child, and branded Larry an “a**hole” after the incident. The actor took to Facebook to pen a lengthy tirade against him, after Larry appeared on The Today Show along with the Sesame Street puppet.
During the clip, Larry was seen storming behind the couch and gripping Elmo’s fuzzy red face, as the puppet screamed: “Oh no! No!” While the hosts on the couch yelled: “Oh my gosh!”, Elmo’s puppet father Louie, also in attendance, instructed: “Ask permission before you touch people, Larry.”
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Larry later offered a half-hearted apology, which Wil branded “obviously insincere”. Larry insisted at the time: “Somebody had to do it!” and later added: “Elmo was, he was going on about mental health and I had to listen to every word.
(Image: NBC)
“And I was going, ‘Oh my God, oh my God, I don’t think I can take another second of this!’ And so I got off my chair and I approached him and I throttled him! And you know what? I would do it again!”
Fans were shocked by the controversial segment, but Wil Wheaton confessed he was personally “triggered” by it. He explained: “So I heard about Larry David assaulting Elmo on life television, but didn’t watch it until now, because I knew it would upset me.
“Holy s*** it’s even worse than I thought. What the f*** is wrong with that guy? Elmo is, like, the best friend to multiple generations of children. In the Sesame Street universe, ELMO IS A CHILD.
(Image: Getty Images)
“And Larry F***ing David… did… that? And thought it was going to be… funny? What?” He went on to brand the comedian a “stupid, self-centred, tone deaf a**hole.” Wil then detailed the abuse he’d suffered as a child, offering “full disclosure” for those reading.
He explained: “When I was growing up, my dad would grab me by the shoulders and shake me while he screamed in my face. He choked me more than once. He was always out of control, always in a furious rage, and always terrifying.
“I’m a 51 year-old man and my heart is pounding right now, recalling how I felt when I was a little boy who loved Grover the way today’s kids love Elmo. Larry David, this was not okay, and your obviously insincere ‘apology’ clearly communicates that you don’t get that.”
(Image: NBC)
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The star then added: “First of all, you aren’t even in the segment, but you just decided to barge in and draw focus because… why? You couldn’t stand that a puppet brought people together in a meaningful way that you can’t? You couldn’t stand that your appearance on national television to promote your wildly successful series was delayed for a few seconds while the adults talked about mental health?”
The rant went on: “Larry David was there to promote the final (thank god, maybe he’ll go away now) season of a television series. Like, read the room, d***head. It isn’t always about you being the centre of attention. […] Larry David strikes me as a person who mocks and belittles people who are vulnerable and sensitive, and enjoys being cruel, because he feels untouchable.
(Image: Getty Images for Headspace)
“With one question, Elmo got lots and lots of people speaking openly and honestly about their mental health. Elmo probably saved lives and relationships by opening that conversation. A man who would belittle and mock that isn’t much of a man at all. Shame on you, Larry David.”
If you have been affected by issues of domestic violence or coercive control you can call Refuge’s 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free. The number is 0808 2000 247
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
