A recent Snickers commercial starring Mr. T that aired in the UK was pulled after complaints from the United States that the ad was offensive to homosexuals. It hadn’t even aired here in the States, but it featured Mr. T firing a Gatling gun full of Snickers at a speedwalker. The Human Rights Campaign surprisingly interpreted this as “homophobic” instead of “totally fucking awesome.” Mars, the maker of Snickers, caved, but not before basically insulting America’s lack of a sense of a humor. The Daily Mail reports:
A spokesman for Mars said: ‘This ad is the second in a series of UK Snickers ads featuring Mr T, which are meant to be fun and have been positively received in the UK.
‘However, we understand that humour is highly subjective, and it is never our intention to cause offence. Accordingly, we have pulled the Mr T speedwalker ad globally.’
I’m pretty liberal, and even I think this is some bull to the shit. First off, Mr. T mounting a machine gun on a pickup is as American as apple pie made with bald eagle crust. Second, the ad’s not homophobic. It simply warns people of all walks of life about the lameness of speedwalking while simultaneously promoting the firearm capabilities of chocolate-covered peanuts and nougat. In fact, I’m sure gay men will love it because, at the end, Mr. T professes his love of nuts.
UPDATE: Here’s a statement from T himself:
“Mr. T thinks everyone should put their penis wherever they want without discriminatory jibba-jibba and pities the fool who says otherwise. [Due to a hectic schedule forging confectionery-themed attack vehicles, Mr. T kindly requests you punch yourself in your own face then flex for emphasis.]”
Thanks to Craig who took a Mallomar to the hip back in Nam.
Brad | July 31, 2008 at 9:02 am
PITY THE FOOL WHO IS FIRST
hellcat1983 | July 31, 2008 at 9:05 am
God Americans are such prudes!
Retireded | July 31, 2008 at 9:05 am
Haha, The UK gets the best adverts ever! I hate that people don’t embrace this for the Mr T lovin’ humour that it is. GO SNICKERS.
T | July 31, 2008 at 9:14 am
Another example of the U.S getting involved where no one asked them to.
Tom Cruise | July 31, 2008 at 9:14 am
Gay people are like so gay.
WhiteBear | July 31, 2008 at 9:15 am
WTF? how unbelivably stupid, argh!america must be full of repressed gays that just try to stick it to someone in any other way, mind your own fucking business you arseholes,
jag | July 31, 2008 at 9:17 am
You know who it seems was GAY? Marcia Brady!
That’s something I can totally get down with:
http://grrlplanet.com/2008/07/31/rumor-marcia-brady-nookie-early-years/
GirlyGirl | July 31, 2008 at 9:22 am
LOL! This post is really effin funny!
Guy | July 31, 2008 at 9:22 am
Fuck off Americans, trying to shove your sugary crap down our throats.
Nathiest | July 31, 2008 at 9:26 am
You idiots its called a “Viral Add!” It’s not actually band. duh!
JWM | July 31, 2008 at 9:38 am
This was banned because it was offensive to homosexuals? What? Because speed walking makes you look effeminate? It does. That’s just a fact.
Margo | July 31, 2008 at 9:40 am
I have never commented here before, but that was totally hilarious. The ad, the controversy, but most of all your commentary. Keep up the good work, Perez!
Stat1124 | July 31, 2008 at 9:43 am
Yo!!! EASY PEOPLE! Don’t try to clump all of us Americans into one category! Each one of your countries has a bunch of uptight AZZHATS too! I think this commerical is hilarious and should be run on repeat during every major sporting event, awards ceremonies, and political campaign! haha It isn’t Americans that don’t like the Snickers ad…its self righteous jackazzes that always have to make something more than what it is! There is one of the those people in every content in the world!
T | July 31, 2008 at 9:43 am
what the fuck?
that shit’s funny, I’m sick of all this stupid ‘Politically Correct’ bullshit…
and don’t start bashing Americans over this, it was one small set of people that got their panties in a wad. The majority, like myself, would find the commercial Funny & Awesome.
free lily | July 31, 2008 at 9:45 am
Ha, that’s fucking great! We have a guy who walks exactly like that up and down our block. Perhaps I should put in a call to the A Team?
wtf? | July 31, 2008 at 9:56 am
Doesn’t that speak more about the stereotypes of the ones who issued the complaint? THEY associate speed walking and effeminate gait with homosexuality. That’s like complaining that depicting someone with a big nose is offensive to Jews. Because, clearly, only Jews can have big noses, just like only gay men or middle aged women can speed walk.
Loved the ad. I wish they’d played it here in the US too.
Uncle Eccoli | July 31, 2008 at 9:57 am
I find the term “homophobia” to be offensive.
cixo | July 31, 2008 at 9:58 am
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Deacon Jones | July 31, 2008 at 10:00 am
It’s all the fucking Republican’s.
Theyre afraid half their representatives would be too distracted by these ads to be able to suck guys off in bathroom stalls and fondle interns on a regular basis.
Lynniebud | July 31, 2008 at 10:01 am
Just because the man is speed walking doesn’t make him gay! And the fact that they assumed that just makes The Human Rights Campaign seem pretty reliant on stereotypes – which can’t be good! Leave Mr T alone you bigots! He’s just ridding the world of idiots in tight shorts, which we should all be doing!!!
Ok, I’m calm now….
PimpMammaM | July 31, 2008 at 10:03 am
You can thank the Liberals for all this crap. Don’t do this, Can’t say that……someone might be offended.
OhImSoOffendedOMG | July 31, 2008 at 10:35 am
*Sigh*
Anyone who finds this video “offensive” should be branded with a triangle and shoved into an oven. Same goes for those carelessly throwing about half-baked concepts like “human rights” and “homophobia.”
Sign me up to man the camp!
Diana | July 31, 2008 at 10:42 am
Okay-first, who in the United States complained? We need to find out who it was and slap them upside the head for speaking for the rest of us. What gives whoever it was the right to do that? They get rid of the best commercials using the old ‘it might offend someone’ . Commercials that are funny and cute. Like the mayo commercial. Like the Snickers commerical. I swear these people need to get a life and stop telling the rest of us who have one-what to watch, what to eat and how to live.
me | July 31, 2008 at 10:42 am
Why wasn’t the hot chick on the right side in the commercial?
Didn’t see anything offensive, but the commercial sucked anyway. Who cares.
FACE | July 31, 2008 at 10:44 am
More proof that this is becoming a country of faggots. My best friend is gay – but he isnt a faggot. Mr T deserves this – he is a good guy and an American icon, It would have been a smash for Snickers in the US. Mars is showing its faggotry for being punked into pulling it.
Nepkarel | July 31, 2008 at 10:46 am
So, let me get this straight. Gays are upset because they think speed walking is typically gay?
Ms.Nurse | July 31, 2008 at 10:52 am
To #16 that was a DAMN good point! I love it when people can type an intelligent comment AND get the spelling correct! Hurrah!
Ms.Nurse | July 31, 2008 at 10:52 am
To #16 that was a DAMN good point! I love it when people can type an intelligent comment AND get the spelling correct! Hurrah!
dbone | July 31, 2008 at 11:03 am
the reason it went over better in europe is because there you can’t tell the difference between a gay person and a german. german or gay? i never knew. so mr. t could have just been shooting candy bars at a german and telling him to get some nuts. there’s just not enough ambiguity here in the us, so it seems homophobic.
new jersey, i think it’s time for you to step up and show your true colors so that mr. t fans everywhere have a new reason to watch tv.
dbone | July 31, 2008 at 11:03 am
the reason it went over better in europe is because there you can’t tell the difference between a gay person and a german. german or gay? i never knew. so mr. t could have just been shooting candy bars at a german and telling him to get some nuts. there’s just not enough ambiguity here in the us, so it seems homophobic.
new jersey, i think it’s time for you to step up and show your true colors so that mr. t fans everywhere have a new reason to watch tv.
BigSarge | July 31, 2008 at 11:10 am
We are overdue for an asswhoopin. We keep rollin over for the weak little sissy bitch minority. America is no longer Great and we will deserve what happens to us because some pussies here give a shit about the feelings of fags and other stupid fucking people. I dont have a political correctness bone in my body. Come to my little town and march and ill shoot more than snickers you. And for a footnote…..At least we aint swamped with Sharia law bullshit. The UK needs to” get some nuts” and kick those ragheads out before they become France.
noneyobeezwax | July 31, 2008 at 11:24 am
so, i’m sure this has been stated, but if the fucking ad hasn’t been shown in the u.s. then how in the hell did someone who hadn’t seen it complain about it?
Peter | July 31, 2008 at 11:42 am
Greatest commerical EVER!
West Door | July 31, 2008 at 11:42 am
That was funny! Ah I’ll just save the picture and put it on my gay (not that kinda gay) Myspace.
Prof | July 31, 2008 at 11:45 am
LOL that was the best damn commercial I’ve see in years it actually made me laugh… Mars Corp should have told the complainers, “LISTEN FOOL GET SOME NUTS!” Y’know its literally to the point in America that if a straight guy just looks at an attractive women and says, “NICE” he’s treated like a potential date rapist, but a gay guy explains in detail how and what he would like to do to the fellow watching the women everyone just shrugs and smiles-NOT that theirs anything wrong with it…yadda, yadda, yadda!
whatdafooz? | July 31, 2008 at 11:47 am
Only homos speedwalk?
CJ | July 31, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I’m sworn to the Adkins Plan for Weight Loss but I’m stocking up on Snickers!!! Too damn funny!
Forever greatful! | July 31, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Thank you Superficial guy for posting this, my rock hard member was already quivering in anticipation with the treasure trove of socio and politico knowledge hiding in this comment section.
Thanks Deacon Jones for explaining that “It’s all the fucking Republican’s.”
And thank you PimpmommaM for letting me know that I can “thank the Liberals for all this crap.”
And bless you subjects of the United Kingdom for letting us in on the secret problems of our government. Sometimes all it takes is for a kind soul to scream out the obvious again and again and again and again before we take notice, so bless your patience with our weak minds, we’re trying.
The 13th | July 31, 2008 at 12:10 pm
This is stupid. The ad is awesome!
I think it’s because Mr. T tells the man to run “like a real man” and shoots him. It’s not that the ad was homophobic, but Mr. T looked like one and that it was fine for him to be.
Waity Laroque | July 31, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Dunno what’s awesomer – the hightop mohawk or the bandoliers filled with Snickers.
Waity Laroque | July 31, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Dunno what’s awesomer – the hightop mohawk or the bandoliers filled with Snickers.
stupid libturds | July 31, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I’m offended that gays claim speedwalking as their activity
blp | July 31, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I’m outraged! How dare gays in America get my favorite TV ads banned. It’s not offensive to homosexuals. But this is, fuck you fags.! I hope Mr.T shoots Snickers bars up your arse and you enjoy it!
Gboy | July 31, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I’m offended as a straight man who speed walks
gypsy | July 31, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I’m an American, and I’m disappointed that we screwed ourselves out of another good commercial. Idiots! I’m still bitter that the gay people stole rainbows from me. Every time I wear one, I get hit on by a lesbian.
Justin | July 31, 2008 at 1:22 pm
As funny as this ad is, it does make the point that a dude walking in an effeminate way deserves to be attacked and that doing so is HILARIOUS. Assholes, homophobes and general douche bags everywhere are going to see this and view it as an affirmation of their “fags are gay and should have their asses kicked for not man-ing up!” mentality. Personally, what I find funny about this video is the hysterically excessive way that Mr. T deals with the plague of speed-walking AND the the hilarious tagline, but it does make the world a bit a less safe for effeminate men. This isn’t about political correctness, it’s about being socially responsible.
Paul W | July 31, 2008 at 1:32 pm
That’s hilarious. And hey, stop ripping on America. It wasn’t “Americans” as a people that banned the ad. It was some uptight morons who did it. Don’t tell me you don’t have any in your countries…
JimmySpeed | July 31, 2008 at 1:46 pm
As a homosexual speed-walker, I’d have to say, it’s always been a fantasy of mine to have Mr. T shoot me from behind with a snickers. Pew Pew!
Rightwing Wackjob | July 31, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I almost spit my drink out Fish!!!!!!! (sick fuck)
twzzlrgirl | July 31, 2008 at 2:09 pm
#46, Justin: this add makes the world a bit let safe for effeminate men??? WTF? You afraid you’re gonna be hit with a snickers?
The REAL stereotype here is that pansies are even afraid of a flying snickers bar.