Comedian Larry David’s Unscripted Antics with Elmo Ignite Controversy on ‘Today’ Show

 / 

Larry David

Renowned comedian and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star, Larry David, made headlines during a recent appearance on the “Today” show, leaving both hosts and viewers in shock. The incident occurred during a conversation with Elmo, the beloved “Sesame Street” character, and his father, Louie.

As Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin transitioned to Al Roker, Larry David seized the opportunity to inject his trademark humor. Without hesitation, he approached the couch where Elmo and Louie were seated and playfully squeezed Elmo’s face. The situation escalated when David mimed throwing a right hook, leaving the hosts and Louie visibly flustered.

“Mr. Larry, Elmo liked you before!” exclaimed the distressed Muppet as David retreated. “Letโ€™s get back on the couch and just talk about how youโ€™re feeling.”

Guthrie admonished David off-camera, stating, “Larry, you’ve gone too far this time.” Unfazed, David responded with a defiant, “Somebody had to do it!”

Despite the initial chaos, Guthrie and Kotb persuaded David to issue a heartfelt apology to Elmo. The actor begrudgingly complied, saying, “Elmo, I just want to apologize,” though his sincerity was immediately undermined by laughter.

“Thank you, Larry,” responded Elmo. “Elmo accepts your apology.”

However, Larry David, co-creator of “Seinfeld,” defended his actions during an appearance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” later that day. He candidly shared that he couldn’t endure another second of Elmo discussing mental health, prompting him to playfully “throttle” the character. David concluded, “And you know what? I would do it again!”

The “Today” hosts had initially invited Elmo and Louie to discuss the recent viral moment, which originated from an innocuous X post by Elmo on Jan. 29. The post, asking how everyone was doing, garnered a staggering 200 million views and triggered an outpouring of heartfelt responses from viewers.

The intensity of the comments on Monday prompted Sesame Street’s official X account to intervene, tweeting links to mental health resources. “Thank you, Elmo, for checking in with a reminder for us to pause and take a mindful moment to focus on how we’re feeling,” the account expressed before sharing valuable mental health support links.

Larry David And Elmo Controversy

Larry David’s unapologetic approach and subsequent defense of his actions have sparked controversy and divided public opinion. While some see it as a lighthearted stunt, others argue that it crossed boundaries, especially considering the sensitive topic of mental health addressed by Elmo.

Social media has been abuzz with discussions, with hashtags like #LarryVsElmo trending. Fans and critics alike are sharing their perspectives, with some praising David’s boldness and humor, while others express concern about the appropriateness of his actions in the context of a serious topic.

As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact Larry David’s public image and whether any further actions will be taken by the “Today” show or Sesame Street in response to the unconventional encounter between the comedian and the beloved children’s character.


— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Up Next

Billie Eilish Shares Lifelong Struggle with Depression in Candid Interview

Larry David

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, acclaimed singer-songwriter Billie Eilish opened up about her lifelong battle with depression. Known for her emotionally charged dark pop music, Eilish discussed the intense bout of depression she faced last summer, shedding light on her ongoing mental health struggles.

Reflecting on her experiences, Eilish revealed that despite moments of joy and laughter, she has never considered herself a truly happy person. Instead, she described herself as a joyous individual who grapples with deep-seated depression. This admission comes as a poignant revelation from an artist celebrated for her raw and introspective lyrics.

Billie Eilish Talked About Her Mental Health Journey

Eilish’s candid dis

Up Next

Halle Bailey Opens Up About Struggles with Severe Postpartum Depression After Welcoming Son Halo

Larry David

In a candid revelation, actress Halle Bailey shares her battle with severe postpartum depression following the birth of her son, Halo, last year. The actress, known for her role in “The Little Mermaid,” took to social media to discuss the challenges she has faced since becoming a new mother.

Bailey, who quietly welcomed her son with her boyfriend DDG, shared her experience in a heartfelt video posted on Snapchat and later shared on Instagram. She expressed feeling “triggered” by comments on social media about her family, prompting her to open up about her struggles with postpartum depression.

Halle Bailey Shares Her Postpartum Struggles

Despite her deep love for her son, Bailey revealed the severity of her postpartum depression, admi

Up Next

R Madhavan Shares Tips on Stress Management: Advocates Individualized Approach

Larry David

In the latest installment of Power Breakfast with Curly Tales, R Madhavan, the renowned actor, delves into strategies for managing stress, catering to both Gen Z and Gen X demographics.

Acknowledging his expertise as derived from personal experience and research rather than formal qualifications, Madhavan offers insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle amid demanding schedules.

Madhavan critiques the inundation of advice prevalent on social media platforms, cautioning against a one-size-fits-all approach to life. He emphasizes the uniqueness of individual experiences, suggesting that what causes stress for one person may not necessarily affect another in the same manner.

R Madhavan Shared Practical Tips for Coping W

Up Next

Alia Bhatt Opens Up About Weekly Therapy Post Childbirth: “I Work Hard on My Mental Health”

Larry David

Bollywood icon Alia Bhatt, who became a mother in 2022, once spoke about seeking therapy while opening up about her journey through motherhood, emphasizing the importance of tending to her mental health.

Alia Bhatt doesnโ€™t mince her words and has always been candid about sharing aspects of her life beyond her work in cinema.

Be it her relationship with her husband Ranbir Kapoor, her daughter Raha Kapoor, or her fitness routine, the Gangubai Kathiawadi actor has often been open about her personal life, including her mental health journey and seeking therapy.

Alia Bhatt Shared Challenges Of Motherhood

In a 2023 interview with Vogue India, Alia, then a new mom, opened up about her jo

Up Next

Hania Aamir Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles and Encourages Fans to Reduce Stigma

Larry David

In a bold and candid move, actor Hania Aamir spoke openly about her struggles with mental health, urging her fans to break the stigma surrounding the issue and encouraging discussions on mental wellbeing.

In a lengthy Instagram caption, Aamir shared her journey, stating, โ€œHaving an honest moment here. Not doing too well these days, tbh [to be honest]. Havenโ€™t been feeling good for some time now. Some days I get distracted and have an okay day and some days thereโ€™s a grey cloud following me,โ€. Her post garnered over 300,000 likes for her candor.

Hania Aamir Raises Awareness

Acknowledging that the matter could have been dealt with privately, she emphasized that she felt a sense of kinship with her audience on Instagram, sharing both the โ€œre

Up Next

Imran Khan Reveals Struggle with Deep Depression and Journey to Recovery

Larry David

Imran Khan, the renowned actor, revealed that he struggled to function normally while confronting profound and severe depression. During a discussion with Film Companion, the 41-year-old actor shared how a “mental health scare” prompted him to reassess his life, leading him to believe that stepping back from films would be the wisest choice.

Imran shared that around 2016-2017, he began to prioritize his mental health and recognized that while being an actor is a choice, taking care of his mental well-being is not optional.

Imran Khan Opens Up On Struggles With Depression

โ€œThe week before Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na released, nobody could have given a damn if I walked on the street; the week after it released, suddenly there are people

Up Next

Ciara Shares Struggles of Postpartum Period as She Navigates Work and Parenthood

Larry David

Ciara, the renowned singer, and wife of NFL star Russell Wilson, recently took to Instagram to shed light on the struggles of postpartum period after giving birth to her fourth child in December.

In a heartfelt post, the “Level Up” singer extended a “shout out” to fellow moms who, like her, are juggling the demands of work, self-care, and family responsibilities. Ciara, 38, shared her aspirations of losing 70 pounds post-baby, and preparing for upcoming shows and tours, all while breastfeeding and managing her businesses.

Ciara Reveals Struggles of Postpartum Period

Accompanying her message was a photo capturing her determination and resilience in the face of these daunting tasks. Ciara also included the hashtag #MambaMentality, payi