The Elmo curse refers to a bizarre phenomenon that occurred in the early 2000s involving the popular children's character, Elmo. Elmo, the lovable red monster from Sesame Street, seemingly became linked to a series of strange events and misfortunes, leading some to believe in a so-called "Elmo curse." The speculation of an Elmo curse began in late 2006 when several tragic incidents seemingly involved the character. The most prominent of these incidents was the case of Reinaldo Lira Pedroso, a Brazilian man who allegedly murdered his stepson and attempted suicide while dressed as Elmo. This incident, along with reports of other violent acts committed by individuals wearing Elmo costumes, became highly publicized and sparked widespread curiosity. Following these incidents, various stories began to emerge, further fueling the belief in an Elmo curse.
Watch Elmo Call Out Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Bad Language on the Set of ‘Sesame Street’ in This Resurfaced Clip
Sesame Street has hosted many celebrity guests over the decades, from Buzz Aldrin to Margaret Hamilton in full Wicked Witch of the West regalia from The Wizard of Oz. When Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared on the children's television program in 1994, she received a special lesson from Elmo: Cursing on Sesame Street is unacceptable, even behind the scenes.
As Primetimer shared, a clip of the Seinfeld star using inappropriate language in front of Elmo and Zoe recently resurfaced on Twitter. In the video, the actress curses under her breath after flubbing a line during a take. Though there were no human children around, she was in the presence of two preschool-aged Muppets.
Elmo had the reaction you'd expect from a sassy Muppet monster. After accusing her of saying a bad word, he demanded five dollars as penance. Louis-Dreyfus joked that he would be "a rich Muppet at the end of this day." You can watch the full blooper above.
The puppeteers that bring the cast of Sesame Street to life are seasoned professionals, but even they make mistakes on occasion. Many of the outtakes that never make it to air stem from coordination issues, like falling off chairs or holding props incorrectly. But unlike the show's celebrity guest stars, the puppeteers of Sesame Street are less likely to add a dollar to the swear jar when they mess up.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Curses in Front of Elmo in Hilarious Resurfaced Clip
Reddit user u/MulciberTenebras shared the video of Louis-Dreyfus' slipup, which amassed more than 43,000 votes.
In the clip, she is seen speaking with Sesame Street characters, Elmo and Zoe before the cameras began rolling to get clarification on how they would approach the scene they were shooting.
A blooper of Julia Louis-Dreyfus cursing in front of Elmo and Zoe during her appearance on "Sesame Street" has resurfaced and went viral on Reddit. Here, Elmo is pictured at Sesame Workshop's 13th Annual Benefit Gala. Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images
The scene began, but Louis-Dreyfus said the wrong name while reciting her line. Once she realized her mistake, she let out an explicative.
"The Grump needs—s**t," she said as she cut herself off from finishing the rest of the sentence, intending to refer to Oscar the Grouch.
Louis-Dreyfus apologized and Elmo turned and exclaimed that she "said a bad word."
"Five dollars!" Elmo suggested as a charge for the uttered curse word, while Zoe demanded a nickel.
"You're going to be a rich muppet at the end of this day," Louis-Dreyfus said as Elmo nodded enthusiastically.
Sesame Street has been on the air for more than 50 years. According to Sesame Workshop's website, the show has educated children on a number of topics, including racial justice, how to cope with a national tragedy and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to Louis-Dreyfus, other public figures have made guest appearances on the long-running television program, like Robin Williams, Viola Davis and Michelle Obama.
Louis-Dreyfus' blunder prompted Reddit viewers to weigh in.
"I love that the muppets stay in character between shots," one Redditor wrote. "Of course, it makes perfect sense but it's neat to see. Must really help the guest feel part of the Sesame Street world."
"This just made me realize how fun it must be for actors to do this show—getting directions from in-character Muppets between takes is hysterical," another commented.
"I love when Elmo goes unscripted," a viewer wrote.
Others commended Louis-Dreyfus for her talents and career.
"Giving me President Selina Meyers vibes," one Redditor wrote, referring to her character on the popular television show Veep.
Read more- Ted Cruz Targets 'Sesame Street' for Not Citing Science in Elmo Vaccination
- 'I'm So Sorry, Zoe': Woman Compares Beloved Muppet Doll To Pristine Copy
- Resurfaced 'Sesame Street' Blooper of Elmo and Robin Williams Goes Viral
Fans of other programs have previously shared their favorite details or bloopers from television shows and movies.
A blooper reel of a well-known moment from the sitcom Friends resurfaced and left viewers in stitches.
One man posted a video in which he pointed out inconsistencies in movies, while another fan spotted a small detail from the 1986 movie Top Gun.
Following these incidents, various stories began to emerge, further fueling the belief in an Elmo curse. These tales ranged from bizarre occurrences at Elmo-themed events to troubling coincidences involving Elmo merchandise. Some alleged that they experienced strange phenomena or bad luck after purchasing Elmo toys or watching Elmo-related content.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Curses in Front of Elmo in Leaked Sesame Street Clip
A leaked clip of Julia Louis-Dreyfus cursing in front of Elmo is going viral after a Twitter user shared a clip of the foul-mouthed moment. The clip, originally from Sesame Street's 25th anniversary special in 1994, features an outtake of Louis-Dreyfus filming a scene with Elmo and Zoe. The Seinfeld star accidentally says the wrong name before realizing her mistake, saying, "Sh*t!" Still in character, Elmo responds, "She said a bad word. Five dollars," asking for $5 for the swear jar.
obsessed with this video of julia saying shit in front of elmo pic.twitter.com/UctDEB5VN6 — lauren (@jldwiig) July 3, 2022
"You're going to be a rich Muppet at the end of this day," jokes Louis-Dreyfus. Sesame Street is currently streaming on HBO Max, although the 25th anniversary special is not available on the service. People are talking about Sesame Street in our forums. Join the conversation. Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.
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Although mostly considered as urban legends, rumors surrounding the Elmo curse gained traction on social media platforms, prompting discussions and debates amongst fans and skeptics alike. Some argued that it was merely a case of coincidences being exaggerated, while others believed that there was some supernatural force or negative energy associated with the character. Despite the attention and speculation surrounding the Elmo curse, there is no concrete evidence to support its existence. The incidents and stories linked to the curse remain anecdotal, relying on personal testimonies rather than verified facts. Critics argue that the Elmo curse is simply a result of the psychological effect known as confirmation bias, where people tend to notice and remember incidents that align with their preconceived notions. Nevertheless, the idea of an Elmo curse became ingrained in popular culture for a brief period of time, capturing the interest and imagination of many. The Internet, in particular, played a significant role in spreading and perpetuating the myth, as enthusiasts, skeptics, and curious individuals shared their thoughts and experiences online. Today, the Elmo curse is largely considered a peculiar and captivating phenomenon of the past. While it may have caused alarm and fascination for a brief period, the hype surrounding the curse eventually faded, leaving behind an intriguing piece of modern folklore..
Reviews for "Haunted Toys: The Curse of Elmo"
1. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Elmo Curse'. The plot was incredibly weak and the acting was subpar. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, leaving me cringing throughout the entire film. The special effects were also very cheesy and underwhelming. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time on this movie."
2. John - 2 out of 5 stars - "I had high expectations for 'Elmo Curse' but it failed to deliver. The storyline had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was uneven, jumping from one scene to another with little coherence. The characters lacked depth, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The climax felt rushed and underwhelming. It's a shame because the concept had promise, but in the end, it fell flat."
3. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars - "I couldn't stand 'Elmo Curse'. The acting was atrocious, with wooden performances from the entire cast. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, filled with clichés and forced humor. The plot was poorly developed and predictable. The film relied heavily on jump scares, which became tiresome and predictable after a while. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good horror flick."
4. Robert - 2 out of 5 stars - "I found 'Elmo Curse' to be a disappointing horror film. The overall concept was interesting, but the execution left much to be desired. The scares were few and far between, and when they did occur, they were not as effective as I had hoped. The pacing was slow, making the movie feel longer than it actually was. The characters were poorly developed, and I struggled to care about their fates. Overall, 'Elmo Curse' failed to deliver the chills and thrills I was expecting."
5. Jessica - 1 out of 5 stars - "I regret watching 'Elmo Curse'. The story was confusing and lacked clarity. The editing was jarring, with choppy transitions that took away from the overall viewing experience. The acting was flat and unconvincing, making it difficult to become invested in the characters. The film failed to create a tense and eerie atmosphere, leaving me unimpressed. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one."