Larry David Attacked Elmo On Live TV - And He'd Do It Again

Everyone's favorite "Sesame Street" character just can't seem to catch a break. In late January, Elmo, the red-colored Muppet, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to ask his fans and friends how they were doing. Social media bombarded Elmo with some truly hilarious and super-dark responses, highlighting just how important it is to talk about mental health. Elmo's tweet became a viral sensation, which prompted the "TODAY" show to invite him on to talk about the variety of responses he received. It was good-natured fun, but things didn't end there, as "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator and star Larry David emerged onto the morning show's set and attacked the Muppet.

David was conducting a separate interview for "TODAY," but couldn't resist the opportunity to assault the Muppet. David's attack on Elmo obviously wasn't met with praise, as the "TODAY" hosts shrieked at the sight of the "Seinfeld" writer groping the Muppet's face. "Larry, you've gone too far this time!" said host Savannah Guthrie. For what it's worth, Elmo took the whole thing in stride, saying, "Let's get back on the couch and talk about how you're feeling." Off-camera, David gave the perfect response: "Somebody had to do it!" 

Later that day, while speaking with Seth Meyers, David explained his logic behind attacking Elmo, expressing little to no remorse. "And Elmo was going on about mental health. And I had to listen to every word," David said in an Elmo-like, high-pitched voice. "And I was going, 'Oh my God! Oh my God! I don't think I can take another second of this!' And I got off my chair and I approached him. And I throttled him," he said. He added, "And you know what, I would do it again." 

Larry David attacking Elmo sounds like a bit from your "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which makes this all the more hilarious. David is currently promoting the final season of his HBO comedy, which dramatizes his life and escapades. Following his attack on Elmo, the "TODAY" show asked Larry to apologize to the Muppet. David, being himself, couldn't hold back his laughter as he said sorry to the Muppet. "Elmo, I just want to apologize," David said, as he tried to remain composed. 

The clip of David attacking Elmo immediately became an online sensation, with thousands taking to social media to both praise and vilify the comedian and actor. "you're laughing. larry david assaulted elmo on morning television and you're laughing," said Twitter user @thethirdhan. "Larry David doing the iron claw on Elmo is the first truly good thing to happen to the culture in 2024," wrote Twitter user @rodeoman. "Elmo should get a restraining order, that'd be hilarious," joked YouTuber user @JJ_-fp9sj. The whole clip is genuinely bizarre, but one thing that people can't stop talking about is how Elmo's dad did literally nothing as his child was attacked. "Elmo's dad just standing there like a chump, watching Larry manhandle his son. Guy is all Sesame, no Street," wrote Twitter user @TheRyanK. 

It'll be interesting to see if David will ever open up about the fallout surrounding his attack. Yes, Elmo is a puppet and not real, but the character stands out as one of the most beloved pop culture figure icons of all time. Elmo is the closest thing we have to positivity in the world, and it's pretty damning that David just attacked the child.