Jerry Seinfeld has stood up for Larry David following his infamous altercation with Elmo on the Today Show. Appearing on Today With Hoda & Jenna, Seinfeld defended David’s actions, saying he ‘enjoyed’ the moment.
“Did you see when Larry David was here and he attacked Elmo?” Today host Jenna Bush Hager asked Seinfeld.
“No, I liked it. I enjoyed that,” Seinfeld replied, much to the surprise of the hosts.
“Elmo is an American treasure!” Bush Hager exclaimed.
“Well, even treasures need a beating once in a while,” Seinfeld quipped, eliciting laughter from the hosts.
The incident in question occurred in February when David interrupted a live Today broadcast to confront Elmo. The Sesame Street character responded by telling David, “Elmo loved you before!”
Despite being assaulted, Elmo still urged David to “get back on the couch so we can talk about your feelings.”
David later apologized to Elmo after Today host Hoda Kotb encouraged him to speak “from [his] heart.”
However, the moment sparked controversy, with Stand By Me star Wil Wheaton calling David a “stupid, self-centered, tone deaf asshole” for the stunt.
“What the fuck 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, who is currently putting mental health and caring for others in the spotlight,” Wheaton wrote in a Facebook rant.
Despite the backlash, David has stood by his decision, saying that “somebody had to do it!”
