# McDonalds' Unbelievable New Ad Campaign **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 17, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667 "2004-05-17T22:12:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/21 "2004-05-18T22:06:22Z")
Ya know, maybe the McDonald’s people saw the Burger King Subservient Chicken site and decided that they wanted to one-up BK by making a site that would virally market itself by appearing to be _unintentionally_ ludicrous. One can only hope. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/22 "2004-05-18T22:18:38Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > Anywhooo, Today’s random question about McDonald’s: **Whatever became of the Hamburglar?** and the big Purple Guy who seems more and more like Patrick from Spongebob in my mind? > [@](#): > > [http://www.argusonline.com.au/Past%20Issues/Issue%2015/Articles/mccheese.htm](http://www.argusonline.com.au/Past%20Issues/Issue%2015/Articles/mccheese.htm) > > Jokes aside, the McTruth is that McDonalds and the advertising agency responsible for creating Mayor McCheese and the entire McDonaldland campaign were sued in the 70’s by Sid and Marty Krofft, creators of the bizarre HR Puffinstuff. Apparently, a court found that the agency ripped off HR by wrongfully appropriating the “total concept and feel” of the show and even went so far as to hire ex-Puffinstuff employees to design the costumes and sets. Ultimately, the Kroffts were awarded a large settlement and, presumably as a result of the court action, McDonalds were forced to stop using the misappropriated characters. Unfortunately, this left the world deprived of one of its most endearing burger-headed statesmen. Oh, the McHumanity! > [@](#): > > Thank you and have a nice day. Thanks! You, too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/23 "2004-05-18T22:35:54Z")
In addition to wierd/offensive ad campaigns - have you seen some of the toys they sell? One lot looked like a load of shrunken heads on a key chain (you had to add the stamp face) and the latest(?) lego boys doing sports (where are all the girls - oh, that’s right, they don’t play sport) with no arms and strange pole things that you attach to push them along I guess? Almost creepy - who designs this shit and do kids actually like playing with them for more than 10mins? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/24 "2004-05-18T23:10:06Z")
> [@](#): > > who designs this shit and do kids actually like playing with them for more than 10mins? My guess would be the lunatics who design Hello Kitty. Things no one needs, yet are compelled desperately to want. Very scary, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/25 "2004-05-18T23:15:33Z")
In addition to **Shayna** ’s link, there’s always Cecil’s take: [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990827.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990827.html) ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/26 "2004-05-19T00:17:18Z")
> [@](#): > > In addition to wierd/offensive ad campaigns … Yah, it’s out of control ! Next thing you know they’ll be using … I dunno, Justin Timberlake in their ads ! … oh, wait … ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/27 "2004-05-19T00:59:38Z")
> [@mischievous](#): > > Doesn’t that more or less admit that thier food is disgustingly fattening? Is this a big secret or something? If you have to be told that a meal that turns the bag it comes in translucent is unhealthy, I weep for you. And I assumed that Hamburglar was a victim of “three strikes” laws. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/28 "2004-05-19T01:59:46Z")
I don’t understand the Adult Happy Meals. Are the pedometers disposable? Why do you need a new one every time you eat there? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/29 "2004-05-19T02:41:02Z")
> [@Green Bean](#): > > –McSushi will be test-marketed in various cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, and Duluth. I’d like a McTapeworm roll and a McSalmonella Donburi please. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/30 "2004-05-19T12:01:37Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t understand the Adult Happy Meals. Are the pedometers disposable? Why do you need a new one every time you eat there? 😕 You lose the pedometer in the fat rolls on your gut. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/31 "2004-05-19T12:16:48Z")
Mayor McCheese was the hamburger head, not Hamburglar. Hamburglar wore a black and white striped suit, and the big purple gumdrop thing was Grimace. I definitely remember the Hamburglar and Grimace from McDonald’s commercials 10-15 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/32 "2004-05-19T17:16:14Z")
Grimace. That’s his name. Thank you! It was like a steering wheel in the fly of my pants. It was drivin’ me nuts. and I am a girl. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/33 "2004-05-19T17:42:45Z")
Since I haven’t offended enough demographics today: **Australia** : - After we spend the day chasin’ kangaroos and watching koala’s fock in trees like rabbits, we are powerfully hungry from such a walk about. Me and me mates like to grab a bite to eat on our way to the rugby game before we get so pissed rooting for our team before getting kicked out, then we pick up some take away and go diggin’ for opals and see if we can score with some sheila’s. \* **McDonald’s** :\* Get pissed, then get fed with greasy transfatty foods. It’s the way we do things Down Under. G’Day \* **Brazil** \*Before we shoot our losing goalkeep in an important game we always eat a Super Value Meal. More bang for our buck and it keeps us looking rotund for the topless chicks with hot bodies on the beach. Rawrrrr! \* **McDonald’s** : We can’t guarantee you will see topless hot brazilian chicks, but you never know. \* **France** - Eef you zink zat a country as Great as ours will allow such crappy food to infiltrate our superb gastronomical fare you are an ediot. Wait, it will bring jobs and buttloads of those ill mannered fat tourists with loaded wallets to our country? Hehehehehe! We surrender! Viva la Big Mac! \* **McDonald’s** Every caves into us sooner or later. And we mean \*Everyone \*. **Sweden** Hun do wah bjork ! bjork bjork! ::::salad flies everywhere::::: **McDonald’s of Sweden:** \* Europe’s Unheated Attic. Eat a Double Cheese Bjorker and Be Happy! \* **Lichtenstein** \*If you took all the hamburgers eaten globally by McDonald’s customers over the years you could cover the entire country of Lichtenstein. If you did this to New Jersey, it would be considered an improvement. \*\*McDonald’s: We’re Lichtensteiners! \*\* Please don’t hurt me. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/34 "2004-05-19T22:37:47Z")
Ms Ujest - you’re funny. If Maccas was sued in the 70s, did countries outside of the US have different agreements, because I’m sure we had the Hamburlar et al well into the 80s? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/35 "2004-05-19T22:49:55Z")
😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/36 "2004-05-20T02:41:54Z")
HR Pufnstuf? McDonaldland? I don’t see it. McDonald’s commercials in the '70s never made me thing “acid trip”. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2004, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/37 "2004-05-20T02:50:30Z")
I want to see [i-am-black.com](http://i-am-black.com) **We’re Black Americans “living in the ghetto,” where our diverse cultures and the everyday American lifestyle become one. We’re hanging on to our great traditions while we breakdance and give each other high-fives to the beat of the times. We honor our heritage - but we love being Americans. From crack-pipes to tech-nines, from hip hop to fried chicken, we’re weaving the threads of our culture into the fabric of everyday American life. Whether we’re sipping on 40s of malt liquor or enjoying a Big Mac® sandwich, we’re helping make the magic re-mix called America become even richer. And McDonald’s is right there with us, everyday!** ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/38 "2004-05-20T04:16:11Z")
**Cisco** you bad. You so baaaaad. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667/39 "2004-05-20T20:39:38Z")
> [@Phase42](#): > > McDonald’s commercials in the '70s never made me thing “acid trip”. Maybe not, but that [animated Ronald McDonald](http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cooltoons/wacadofronmc.html) by Clasky Csupo definitely screams “massive drug abuse at work.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-unbelievable-new-ad-campaign/245667.md?page=1)