"Cringe worthy": Viewers left speechless after star attacks Elmo
Viewers were left shocked after comedian Larry David unexpectedly attacked Elmo during their appearance on the latest episode of the US Today show.
The 76-year-old was there to promote the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, while Elmo was in the studio alongside his dad Louie to talk about the importance of mental health resources.
As the show was transitioning from segment to segment, David walked over to Elmo and smushed his face in before taking a swing at Elmo's dad.
The attack caught the show's hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin, off-guard and they began shouting at his ill-timed act.
“Oh, my gosh, you love Elmo, don’t you?” Guthrie said to David as an equally shocked Melvin exclaimed, “Oh, my God!”
While Elmo didn't seem too bothered by the encounter, the 76-year-old was lectured by muppet dad Louie for his strange act.
“Ask permission before you touch people, Larry,” Louie said.
“Get back on the couch and let’s talk about how you feel,” Elmo added.
Guthrie also called out David's inappropriate act and said: “Larry, you’ve gone too far this time."
Although the Seinfeld star was later on forced to apologise to the plush duo and Elmo accepted his apology, the situation left many viewers disgruntled, given the topic matter that Elmo was there to discuss.
“Larry David ruined a beautiful story,” one person commented on a video of the segment shared to Instagram.
“I felt like I was watching Will Smith all over again. Very sad.”
“I must say, I was shocked – it was cringe worthy,” another person wrote.
“I love Larry David, but he should have stayed seated until his own segment.”
“Although you tried to play it off, Larry David totally messed it up … guess no one told him the theme of the segment” a third shocked viewer added.
Image: US Today Show/ Instagram