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'Sesame Street' Files Lawsuit Against 'Happytime Murders'

'Sesame Street' Files Lawsuit Against 'Happytime Murders'

The makers of the children's TV show are worried the R-rated movie could confuse viewers and tarnish its reputation

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

In case you missed it, an amazing-looking, not-at-all-suitable-for-kids Henson puppets movie is due to be released in August.


Happytime Murders stars Melissa McCarthy and is set to show us all a very different side to the lives of the puppets we all grew up watching, depicting sex, drugs and violence under the tagline: 'No Sesame. All Street'.

It looks so good, doesn't it?

However, not everyone is as excited as me at the thought of a puppet sex-scene, and Sesame Workshop - the owners of Sesame Street - have now filed a lawsuit against the creators of the film STX Productions.

According to the BBC, Sesame Workshop are objecting to the R-rated film on the grounds that viewers may think the two are linked and that it could tarnish the wholesome, family-friendly reputation Sesame Street has had for decades.

STX Productions

The suit is calling for damages and a jury trial - adding that the trailer is 'indescribably crude', but it also states that the company isn't attempting to block promotion of the film.

According to Mashable, part of the suit reads: "Defendants do not own, control or have any right to use the Sesame Street mark. Instead, they are distributing a trailer that deliberately confuses consumers into mistakenly believing that Sesame is associated with, has allowed, or has even endorsed or produced the movie and tarnishes Sesame's brand."

Happytime Murders is directed by Brian Henson, the son of Jim Henson, who helped to create the Sesame Street characters all the way back in 1969, and would go on to make The Muppet Show.

In response to the suit, STX released a statement via a puppet character from the film - a lawyer called Fred Esq. Honestly, I'm not taking the piss, they did.

In a statement 'Fred' said: "STX loved the idea of working closely with Brian Henson and the Jim Henson Company to tell the untold story of the active lives of Henson puppets when they're not performing in front of children.

"Happytime Murders is the happy result of that collaboration and we're incredibly pleased with the early reaction to the film and how well the trailer has been received by its intended audience. While we're disappointed that Sesame Street does not share in the fun, we are confident in our legal position. We look forward to introducing adult moviegoers to our adorably unapologetic characters this summer."

Happytime Murders is due to hit cinemas on 17 August.

Sources: BBC; Mashable

Featured Image Credit: STX

Topics: TV and Film, US Entertainment, Weird