Being Elmo

Being Elmo

New York, United States
11 images
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Jorge is a Mexican immigrant who makes tips by dressing up as Elmo from TV’s “Sesame Street” and posing for photographs in New York’s Times Square.

Many others do the same, but Sesame Workshop, which owns the rights to assorted puppet monsters on the beloved children’s programme, has said that it is drafting plans to stop performers who dress up as the characters.

. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

While many street performers are popular among tourists, the recent antics of some have drawn the ire both of city officials and “Seasame Street” producers.

"Sesame Workshop has not authorised the appearance of any Sesame Street costumed characters on public streets in any city," said the nonprofit group that produces the internationally broadcast children's programme.

The statement came days after a man dressed as Spider-Man was arrested in Times Square for punching a police officer who scolded him for demanding money from tourists.

. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Sesame Workshop said it had been meeting with other "concerned" groups, including the companies that own the licenses to some of the other characters appearing in Times Square, to decide what to do about unauthorised costumed street performers.

The group declined to answer questions about its plan or say whether it would file a lawsuit or back proposed legislation aimed at regulating the performers.

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Slideshow

Jorge, an Elmo street performer, leaves a subway station in Times Square.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Jorge, an Elmo street performer, leaves a subway station in Times Square.

He walks across a busy intersection in the touristy area.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

He walks across a busy intersection in the touristy area.

Dressed as Elmo, he poses with two children.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Dressed as Elmo, he poses with two children.

He rests in Times Square next to another street performer dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

He rests in Times Square next to another street performer dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

Jorge stands with a group of other Elmos hoping to make tips by posing for photographs in Times Square.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Jorge stands with a group of other Elmos hoping to make tips by posing for photographs in Times Square.

Jorge takes a lunch break in Times Square.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Jorge takes a lunch break in Times Square.

He carries the head of his Elmo costume.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

He carries the head of his Elmo costume.

He heads back into a subway station after making some tips.
. NEW YORK, United States. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

He heads back into a subway station after making some tips.

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