When the R-rated trailer for THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS dropped the world was exposed to the sex, filth, and drug-filled adult lives of puppets. The only ones who didn’t seem to be having a happy time were the people over at the iconic kids show Sesame Street as they filed a lawsuit against STX Entertainment claiming trademark infringement with the “No sesame. All street.” tagline. Now STX has responded to the lawsuit using their esteemed puppet lawyer Fred, Esq.
STX Entertainment sent Huffington Post a statement supposedly written by Fred (along with his photo) that hints the studio has no plans to back down and will continue using the tagline.
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.” – Fred, Esq., lawyer for STX Entertainment
The lawsuit was filed by Sesame Workshop – the owners of Sesame Street – last week claiming that the crude, violent, overall explicit nature of the movie threatened to tarnish the good-natured brand Street has been working to cultivate for decades. As well, they believe the tagline confuses customers by making them think this movie is supported by, and is even in association with, the Sesame brand.
I can see why STX wants to keep the tagline: It's clever and further stands to make the movie come off as a spoof of popular puppet shows/movies. Who knows how this will play out, but at the very least STX earns some kudos for this very clever response. I'm just waiting on eggshells to see Fred thrash those other fools working for Sesame in a courtroom.
THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS arrives on August 17.