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Every week, msnbc.com entertainment producers Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, Denise Hazlick, Paige Newman, Kurt Schlosser and Anna Chan weigh in on topics ranging from TV commercials to movie hype to the latest celebrity blunder. We're not ashamed to admit our love for bad TV or reveal what's on our iPods, and invite you to join the conversation via your comments.



Fast-food ads: Dethrone the Burger King

Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under:

Yes, we know fast food is bad for us, but many of us eat it anyway. I have fond memories of the goofy old McDonaldland commercials, with the Hamburglar and Grimace. (How retro is this one, featuring Grimace's green relative, Uncle O'Grimacey, promoting Shamrock Shakes?) And while good ol' Burger Chef is long gone, you can still watch this ad, with Burger Chef and Jeff receiving a visit from Count Fangburger.


Is it part of the Burger King's royal duties to ensure his subjects' butts are level? Creepy!

Fast-food mascots have pretty much gone off the rails since then. The #1 offender? That stupid plastic-headed Burger King. We've dissed him before in this contest, but this year he's back with a completely weird ad featuring SpongeBob Square Pants, a remix of "Baby Got Back," and a bunch of women with square hinders. I get that Burger King was obviously having a SpongeBob promotion, but this ad doesn't promote the restaurant, is off-the-cuff odd, and ends up just embedding the original Sir Mix-A-Lot song in my head for hours.

We talked about sexy/risque ads a few weeks ago, including that creepy Quizno's one, but one ad campaign I didn't mention was Carl's Jr.'s series called "Hot Chicks Eating Burgers." Yeah, because THAT'S how they got their slender bods ... downing a drippy, calorie-laden burger. I was a little shocked to see Padma Lakshmi (of "Top Chef") in this ad. First, she brags up her culinary cred. Then, as if to totally negate what she just said, she digs into a Western Bacon Cheeseburger. I looked it up on Carl's Jr.'s Web site: There's 710 calories in that thing! I'd hope a "Top Chef" candidate making one of those would be told to "pack your knives and go."

Oh, I'm not anti-burger. I'm not even anti-plastic-headed mascots. While I don't care for the King, I do like Jack, of Jack in the Box fame. (We never had Jack in the Box restaurants when I lived in Minnesota, but now that I'm in Seattle, there're quite a few.) The JITB people gave Jack a goofy, sardonic, but not cruel personality. Seeing him interact with others is pretty funny -- some ads even give him a family. But the best Jack in the Box ad right now doesn't include Jack until the end. It's this one, where tiny cowboys ride mini cows that eventually, uh, end up being turned into mini sirloin burgers. What? It's funny! Cows the size of schnauzers!

I'm of two minds on the Sonic Drive-In ads. First, I'm kind of mad because there aren't any locations in Seattle and I could really use a cherry limeade once in a while. (Here's a recipe to make them at home!) And secondly, some of them are just excruciatingly painful to watch, while others are -- dare I say? -- funny. This Tater Tot rejection ad is a few years old, but hey, it made me laugh. (So does the iced latte mustache ad.) Some of the others, though, just make me want to slap the people upside their heads.

So let's talk fast-food ads. Which ones make you laugh, and which ones are just empty calories? Have you ever tried a new food item because you saw it in an ad? Are any of the fast-food ads contenders for this year's best or worst commercial of the year title?

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Comments

The BK commercial with the big plastic head I hated worst was the - "Wake up with the King" one where they were promoting breakfast. What?! Who wants to wake up with a big, creepy, Chucky wanna be in your bed? Freaked me out.

Lyn Smith (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:26 AM)

Someone PLEASE strangle those two morons in the Sonic ads.. I have to change the channel everytime one of those comes on.  

JOHNNY DOE,DENVER,CO (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:41 AM)

The Padma Lakshmi ad is for Hardees, not Carl's. I hate any ad that tries to sell food with sex. It is unneccessary and just plain gross!

Shana, Montgomery, AL (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:42 AM)

Check your facts about Sonic locations--there are several in Washington now, most in Eastern Washington but there are a few on the wesstern side as well. I think the closest is Puyallup. I'm from Oklahoma where there's a Sonic on every corner, and I was ecstatic to find they were now in Washington. Get down there and get a cherry limeade!

Suzanne, Redmond WA (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:45 AM)

I find the Burger King Sponge Bob particularly offensive because it was supposed to be aimed at children...it was promoting their kid's meals...very inappropriate.

BMorris, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:46 AM)

Bring on the western bacon burger.. Now THATS a sandwich.... Forget about the brainwashing of america by the eat "healthy" i.e. boring crowd... Enjoy life for a change and eat whatever you want ... Hey I do and I am healthy with no medical problems at ALL ... Take that you health nuts ... I love trans fat!

John Mc (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:51 AM)

I loathe the Burger King guy. If I woke up to that thing in my house - someone would be hauling his lifeless body out the door.  It's super creepy and really turns me off to eating at BK.  I didn't think it possible for any commercial to be creepier than the "Bob" ones for that male enhancement pill.
Plus those Sonic guys are complete morons.  My husband groans everytime those commercials come on and changes the channel.

sundee - Texarkana, AR (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:52 AM)

The King really doesn't bother me all that much - especially compared to those stupid Sonic ads.  I love Sonic, but good GOD - make them stop!

Also, the best homemade cherry limeade is to take one can of Sprite or Sprite Zero and mix it with one can of Minute Maid Lite Cherry Limeade.

Dave, KC MO (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 9:59 AM)

Worst of the year contender:  McDonalds.  Kids are looking through a telescope, but the sky is empty.  Ronald then waves his hand and the sky is full of stars.  I don't claim to be religious, but the idea of Ronald McDonald as God is enough to make Atheism a desirable alternative.

CharlieG, Alexandria, VA (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:02 AM)

The Burger King is alienating.

Peter Panagore, Portland, Maine (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:04 AM)

Carl's Jr. ads alternate between stripper pole skankiness and goo-dripping mess. The Burger King has the aura of a pedophile.

The Highlander (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:12 AM)

The Burger King always creeped me out.  From the very beginning I thought it was a parody of Michael Jackson.  Burger King... King of Pop... then the creepy King in bed with the kids in one of the first commercial.  All very creepy.

T Grimes (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:15 AM)

There is a Sonic at 13609 MERIDIAN E, PUYALLUP, WA 98373, I saw them building it last summer. Which is about 30 miles from Seattle and there is 4 of them in Washington state. By the way I got the address off there web site. A little resurch always helps.

Andy Mendes Poulsbo Wa (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:16 AM)

No Sonic with in 3 states of you? There is at least one Sonic in Spokane. Yeah quite a drive, but hey I've driven 8 hours one way just to get a route 44 Ocean Water. Minnesota now has a Sonic too! But sadly, I live in a state that has neither... but it least it keeps me away from Fast Food.

Sonic Lover (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:16 AM)

Remember when McDonald's ads featured a Grimace who actualy grimaced, a Hamburgler that stole burgers, French fry goblins?  

dawn (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:19 AM)

Gael,

Being from MN myself and not having JITB ---- I understand. Come on over to Spokane, we have your Sonic fix. Well worth the 4 HR drive.....OR -- I'll trade youi Sonic for some Famous Dave's BBQ......

Phil Hamm, Spokane WA (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:21 AM)

My wife and I both laugh at the mini-sirloin-burgers ad.  But my favorite is the new series of Dominos "American Legends" ads.  My wife thinks they're dumb, but I always crack up when they come on.  My favorite line is the one "How 'bout we put some South in your mouth?"  Gets me every time.

Howard, Sacramento CA (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:23 AM)

HEY..YOU UP IN SEATTLE....COME TO SALEM OREGON..WE HAVE TWO SONICS..........YUMM....

MARY ANN MASSEY, SALEM OREGON (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:23 AM)

I think that ad with the creepy Burger "King" and Spongebob is so completely offensive and not appropriate for children that I actually contacted Burger King and told them so. Plus, it's just a terrible ad. I want to know where I can get a job making tons of money and putting out crappy advertising.

Beth, Jackson, WI (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:29 AM)

I absolutely adore the Mini Sirloin Burger ads!  Most JITB ads are really good, but this one is the best.

Lately I have been loving the silly ad Wendy's has with the "boy band" singing about the coffee toffee frostie.  Hilarious!

And I agree completely on Burger King. That weird overly large Burger King just creeps me out.  It creeps me out enough that I haven't stepped foot in a BK in over 6 years.  

Lisa, San Antonio (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:32 AM)

Love the cows is that a prairie dog ???
I get a laugh every time I see it !!!!
The king is wierd, that commercial should be banned.  

B Phoenix AZ (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:38 AM)

I don't know why the head of Burger King doesn't fire the advertising people that came up with the creepy King.  He looks like a pedophile!  Anytime a commercial that includes him is on - we change the channel.  It is just too weird!

Out in Oregon (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:44 AM)

There is a sonic opening up in Wenatchee, WA and another one planned for Kitsap County.  They are getting close and will soon invade Seattle.

Chris, Port Orchard, WA (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 10:51 AM)

we don't have any jitb's in GA so i'm aggrevated when I see a commercial because they are definitely the best fast food ones out there right now...the rest of this comment may need to go to the risque article but:

please watch the jitb "mini buffalo ranch chicken sandwich" commercial.  the one where there's a bunch of people dancing to the song...there's a part where there's a mini sandwhich, a bottle of hot sauce, then a sandwhich...just for a split second in a phallic image, then they slide the third sandwhich in the frame...am I sick??

PCF (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:07 AM)

my feeling is, you can never go wrong with midget cowboys. it just works on so many levels.

I like the plastic head king ads, they always make me smile and sometimes laugh. I don't like the transformer king commercials tho, just pointless and stupid.

Omega in Denver (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:07 AM)

JITB -- The mini buffalo ranch chicken sandwich commercials are too funny and catchy. The little dance that they do, well let's just say that my sister did it at the counter in the restaurant and they gave her her lunch for free ...

Linda, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:08 AM)

I believe that Hardees and Carl's are the same. We have the commercial here in Portland where there are Carl's but no Hardees. I agree about the idiot on the Sonic commercial, get him off my screen.

Snow, Portland, OR (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:10 AM)

As a parent, I'd never take my child to a BK - their "mascot" is a creepy, perverted old man who peeks in windows, climbs into bed for breakfast with another man, and lifts his skirts on the football field. Now he's checking out (and inappropriately touching) women's behinds. No - never, ever taking my kid to a BK.

ellie (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:15 AM)

My kids grew up hearing this after every commercial "who is the target market & does it work".  My kids know they are being targeted by fast-food ads & they have a healthy disrespect for "marketing experts".  Education is the key to smart choices.

sandra K (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:26 AM)

Hardees and Carl Jr.'s are the same.  They merged a few years ago.  Here in Illinois they changed many of the Hardees to Carl Jr.'s but it was not very successful and they changed the name back.  They now market one or the other differently in many states.  

Kimmy (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:35 AM)

Ah my dear Gael - I am from MN - moved to Seattle and then back to Minneapolis... 'sigh'.

However - you have the be all end all in Seattle - Dick Burgers!  Ok - well Dick's Drive through on Capitol Hill!  That was always good for a laugh!

Agree though - MUST, MUST, MUST get rid of the plastic headed "King" AND the talking oven!

A-Net, Minneapolis (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:36 AM)

There is a Sonic Drive-In on Meridian in Puyallup in the South Hill area and more are on their way to Seattle Tacoma area. So you're about a 45 minute drive tops from a Sonic.

James, Oly, WA (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:36 AM)

While we don't have JITB near me I've been to Phoenix, where they do have them.  I think the commercials are funny...but I'm not a huge fan of the food. I might just be picky though, or not eaten the right things there! :)

Rae, Madison, WI (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:37 AM)

Hate Burger King adds. Love the " mini cowboys". There is a Sonic  in Puyallup on south hill, opened about three months ago.

ron burien wa (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:38 AM)

Hate Burger King adds. Love the " mini cowboys". There is a Sonic  in Puyallup on south hill, opened about three months ago.

ron burien wa (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:42 AM)

Seriously people need to lighten up, they are just commercials, most people either fast forward through them if they have TiVo or walk away and do other things while they are on.  I know my neices and nephews play with their toys when commercials come on and could care less about what fast food mascots are doing.

Amanda D, Fargo, ND (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:46 AM)

Sometimes when my kids get out of line, I just tell them,"you better watch out, or the Burger King is gonna come to getcha!"  Straightens them out every time.  Of course, they don't want to eat there...

Dave, Detroit MI (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:47 AM)

I think we have all played right into the advertisers' hands. The fact that we are giving these bad commercials so much attention is probably making them very happy. As someone told me when my son was younger and acting out, "Negative attention is better than no attention at all."

Maybe if we stopped giving them negative attention and focused on the good commercials and give them positive attention the advertisers and marketers would finally get it.

Nancy, Chesapeake, Virginia (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:50 AM)

Remember the Carl's Jr. commercial featuring Paris Hilton in a skanky bathing suit on the hood of a car eating a burger.

WORST. COMMERCIAL. EVER!

Sam, IN (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:50 AM)

I think we have all played right into the advertisers' hands. The fact that we are giving these bad commercials so much attention is probably making them very happy. As someone told me when my son was younger and acting out, "Negative attention is better than no attention at all."

Maybe if we stopped giving them negative attention and focused on the good commercials and give them positive attention the advertisers and marketers would finally get it.

Nancy, Chesapeake, Virginia (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:50 AM)

Poor mini cows!!  It's too bad they're so delicious!  Overall, I have to agree with the BK King being just too darn creepy.  However, I just love the square butt commercial.  I have to wonder if it's really targeting children.  It does promote a spongebob toy, but I've only seen it running kind of late at night, perhaps for the older teen/adult spongebob audience?  I agree it's inappropriate if young kids are the target.  The Sonic guys don't bother me and are sometimes funny.  

The commercials I hate the most are usually for snack food, not necessarily fast food...the one's that show people going from bored to laughing and acting wild b/c they started eating a chip.  Food does NOT make you happy or interesting or beautiful or cause a wild party to break out.  No wonder our kids are obese - a can of Pringles or bag of dorito's will solve all their social problems!  

JCR (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:50 AM)

The plastic-headed Burger King gives me the willies. I haven't eaten at Burger King since they began airing those commercials. The whole square-butt thing is offensive.

Robbie, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:57 AM)

the burger king ad's are just scary.  they totally turn me off from the chain.  the "king" is a creepy old man.

gina, amherst, ma (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 11:58 AM)

ha. I love the Burger king! their advertising is what attacts me most to their chain. (no sonic here either :( ) it'ss creepy and a little (okay, alot) off beat but i'm impressed that they're willing to go there. anyone remember subservientchicken.com ?  though i must say my favorite BK commercial was the "Tender crisp bacon chedder ranch" cowboy ballad sung by hootie

Sansserif (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 12:02 PM)

I thought it was just me and my son who thought the "Burger King" is just plain creepy. Here I was just healed of my clown phobia and then came along this thing! It sent me right back into therapy!

Marcus (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 12:04 PM)

For the millionth time (hahaha) Carl's Jr. and Hardees are the same fast food company.... Carl's is prime west coast.... hardees is east coast - midwest- and southeast

Mike, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 12:06 PM)

I, for one, find the Sonic and BK ads hilarious...usually.  There are a couple bum sketches on occasion but not often.  The fact that the "King" is so creepy and weird is what makes it so over the top. And the Sonic actors usually have pretty good comedic timing.  Nonetheless, both companies' marketing depts have done their job...they've got you talking.    

paul, birmingham, AL (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 12:08 PM)

Shana in Mongomery - Hardee's where you are is Carl's Jr. in the West.

P Szymeczek, Sierra Vista, AZ (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 12:11 PM)

I know it's not a national chain, but when people talk about fast food they just ignore White Castle, which is 88 years old this year.  And they got that way without a scary mascot.  And their ads are generally aimed at adults.

Penny Hernandez, Waddington, New York (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 12:14 PM)

ugh! I HATE burger king ads. I have a 3 year old who loves spongebob and here this commercial comes on. Whats that saying to little kids? And the one for the star wars cups, stupid beyond belief. wow. who comes up with these commercials?

Jane, Small town, ny (Sent Monday, July 20, 2009 12:19 PM)



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