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With Ads of the Weird, MSNBC.com takes a look at some of the oddest, most eye-catching, controversial and just plain interesting advertising out there today. Primary writer Allison Linn covers the retail and advertising industries for MSNBC.com. The Ads of the Weird team is always interested in hearing what ads have caught your attention, whether it's online, on television or in print.


Snickers doesn't make everyone snicker

Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008 7:24 AM by Allison Linn
Filed Under: , ,

The makers of Snickers are pulling an ad after it failed to get laughs among gay rights activists who called it homophobic, according to an Associated Press report.

In the commercial, a man is speed-walking down the street when 1980s icon Mr. T comes barreling around the corner, firing candy bars at him and calling him a "disgrace to the man race."

The ad, which aired in the United Kingdom, ends with the tagline "get some nuts."

snickers.com

The AP says Mars Inc., which makes the candy bars, meant the ad to be funny, not offensive, and that's why they decided to pull it. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation said the ad used stereotypes of gay men.

Readers may recall that this is actually the second time Mars has pulled a Snickers ad because of accusations that it was homophobic. In 2007, a Super Bowl ad featuring two men accidentally kissing over a Snickers bar was yanked after similar complaints.

Click here to hear what MSNBC cable has to say about the latest controversy, or click here to watch the ad.

Update: Some readers noticed that a previous link to the ad had stopped working. We've posted an updated version.

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Comments

Not gay but love my gay and lesbian brethren and sistern.  Is the gay speedwalking necessarily gay?  And is the Mr. T. character necessarily straight? C'mon, kids, they're selling a candy bar.  "Get some nuts" simply means toughen up...and of course buy our candy bar.  Time to relax, people of all sexual orientations, and either find the ad amusing or not amusing..but it's not meant to harm or defame anyone, from what I can see. Just sell a calorie-laden candy bar to the masses.

bjth, lax and environs, california (Sent Saturday, July 26, 2008 5:58 PM)

Wow I guess I don't have to say much. Mars Inc. are wussy's I never would have puled that ad.

HiDef Guru Hollister Mo (Sent Saturday, July 26, 2008 11:20 PM)

Speed walking gay? Odd and funny to watch perhaps. Now let's talk about Mr. T shooting his chocolate bar with nuts at a mans backside. Hello.

Betty Humpter (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 3:06 AM)

welcome to LA!

MEG Indy ,Indiana (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 6:40 AM)

The ad is clearly mocking the "macho male" sterotype. If these activist groups want equality and to be totally political correct, why haven't they claimed that the ad infers african-american men are gay bashers? Or that it could suggest all candy bar eaters terrorize white males who exercise? Forget about getting some nuts, get a sense of humor.

Sean in California (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 6:49 AM)

The ad is clearly mocking the "macho male" stereotype. If these activist groups are after equality and want to be totally PC, why haven't they claimed that in, addition to being homophobic, the ad infers african-americans men are gay bashers? Or that it suggests all candy bar eaters are thugs terrorizing white men who exercise? Forget about getting some nuts, get a sense of humor.

Sean in California (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 6:57 AM)

Everybody needs to take a deep breath and go eat some fruit or something...it's a funny commercial. And I'm sorry, but I didn't know that speedwalking is a solely gay sport. Who cares?? It's a funny commercial. You don't sees straight guys whining when Budweiser makes a commercial about men being stupid. Everyone chill out.

Kita, Rochester, MN (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 8:18 AM)

Yep, I'm gay, and I thought the ad was funny.  I wouldn't assume the speed-walker was meant to be gay at all.  But, with that said, who is this dimwit on here who thinks I get special rights?  What planet did you post from?  I spent all of my high school years getting physically assaulted, I pay more taxes for being "single" because my relationships aren't "legitimate" (while paying for a school system I'll never put kids into), actually was fired from a job for "being to openly gay", can't serve in the military without lying about myself, cannot live with my partner because he's European and I cannot marry him and bring him to the U.S.  Yeah, gee, I'm feeling really FREAKIN' special.  In fact, I'd like someone to tell me just what special rights I do get for being gay?  I can't find a single one.  Not even the free toaster oven I was promised.

Robb (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 8:56 AM)

Offensive? Anything funny is offensive, thats why its funny. We need to start letting go of the idea that forgetting the humor in life is the way to end all the tension and prejudice in our society.
Maybe if for just one day we could all let go and laugh at ourselves and whats funny in the world we'd all be better off at the end of the day. This ad is hilarious and hardly anyone looks at it and says "This man walks in a slightly gay fashion and getting snickers bars shot at him by Mr. T. I think I'll sue."

The guys that pulled the ad need to get some nuts.

Jynx and Co. (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 11:32 AM)

In reference to Renaissance Boy's comments, I actually wondered if this isn't actually viral advertising on Mars' part. If so, it's ingenious. Look at the publicity. "Oh ... we're pulling our ad because gay rights groups are complaining." Who's going to question that?! Meanwhile, the ad still gets run on Youtube and any other video website that will host it, and they get mounds (pun intended) of free publicity.

Now who's snickering?

CAM in UT (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 1:26 PM)

I'm waiting for the Straight Male Brigade to start complaining about how beer ads depict them all as stupid, piggish louts who only care about football and giant breasts.

Or the Straight Female Brigade to complain that, according to television ads, all they do all day is vaccuum, change diapers, wash dishes, search desperately for shampoo and throw in a few loads of laundry.

To complain about a commercial as silly as this one is to really undermine the gay cause. Be gay. I don't care. But quit bitching about every little damn thing that may - or may not! - refer to you in a slightly less than fab light. As a woman, I'm not thrilled that advertisers still think of us all as maids and soccer moms. But am I going to get the latest Dawn Detergent commercial pulled because of it? No.

MC from DC (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 2:17 PM)

Sorry, But I laughed my butt off!!

N Mello VA BCH, VA (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 3:27 PM)

I agree wholeheartedly with these two comments:

"I for one am sick and tired of every little comment, picture, phrase, ad, movie, or thought being held hostage because it might be offensive to homosexuals. I'm sick of tip toeing around them. I'm sick of them prancing around half naked and worse in parades and inviting families and "respectable" people to legitimize them. In short, I'm offended by their presence. Can I shut down their nasty, disgusting "parades" because I'm offended?"

And:

"I think people are missing an important point here. Forget about whether or not the person depicted is gay....what about the crudeness of the message itself, "get some NUTS'?

Yet another example of the tasteless vulgarity that is slowly trying to become an accepted part of our culture with its declining common decency values."

Disgusted with Homsexuality (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 4:56 PM)

There are probably few commercials that don't offend someone in some way, their own interpretation, of course. I wish homosexuals would refer to themselves as they are - homosexuals.  Gay was never meant to be a stand-in for the correct term of homosexual.  If you are really proud to be one, why don't you use the correct term, or are you, in fact, knowingly ashamed of yourself because you know it's wrong.  I think homosexuals are touchy whenever something seems to or does critize because they know it's wrong.

E. Morgan, Tucson, AZ (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 5:59 PM)

I understand why M&M Mars pulled the ad. Because the feelings of a few outweigh the humor of the many. I thought the ad was hysterical. Any time you put Mr.T in something it automatically becomes funny, campy and over the top. The ad didn't make me think of gays it made me wonder what the speed-walkers would think. Maybe M&M Mars needs to take the advice of their own tagline!

Glenn Johnson, Tallahassee, FL (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 7:08 PM)

When did we have to become so politicly correct? I'm not saying we should all out bash people for their differences,  but what was offensive about this ad other than the tag line "Get some nuts" ? What this is all about is the lawyers are scared that they will get bad PR and law suits for being anti gay, when actually looking at most of these posts most gay males were not offended. We should just stop trying to be so correct and reaize that everyone is not going to be happy with everything and sometimes people are going to get offended by things, but thats just perception. Nobody can make anybody 100% happy 100% of the time.

Nicki, Kansas City MO (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 7:13 PM)

I would have to aggree with most everyone else on here. I'm concerned that HRC is on a new quest to paint everything grey. They do make a point that it perhaps fosters the idea of violence again someone who is efeminate (man or woman), but this is a bit extreme. As a gay man, I'm offended by their being offended!

Steve (Sent Sunday, July 27, 2008 7:25 PM)

Mr. T is iconic, just like the fat stay at home mom who does the same speedwalking that we've all seen. Offended ones:  stop taking yourselves sooooooooo seriously and relize, whether you like it not, someone is laughing AT you all the time.

allornothin (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:18 AM)

More and more this country move toward a dangerous end, allowing homosexuals to control. It isn't  enough that they are destroying the country with their perversion.

bobbie j, shreveport, LA (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 3:39 AM)

just wait until the speed walker advocacy groups get hold of this.  i think yous just called them gay.

oz (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:49 AM)

huh? the speed-walker wasn't supposed to have been a gay stereotype? good grief people.. wake up. seems to be the trend now to be anti-politically-correct as if being aware of the people around you is a difficult task; an imposing inconvenience. the ad was flat-out wrong.

Mick O''Gorman, Waverly, New York (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:32 AM)

This ad is a riot!  This is what happens when we celebrate our differences instead of what keeps us together.  Isn't that what a culture is?

John, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 7:53 AM)

>> Mark, Birmingham, UK (Sent Friday, July 25, 2008 4:48 PM)

Sorry, Mark - but you're wrong. The company Mars, which makes M&Ms *IS* American. They started in Tacoma, Washington, which wasn't ever a part of England, at least in our history. Sorry if that incommodes you somehow. Not sure why you got up in arms to begin with anyway. Next time, do some research before displaying your ignorance.

http://www.mars.com/global/Who+We+Are/History.htm




Come on ... I know America THINKS is owns the world ... but Mars an American candy-maker?  Don't tell that to the good people of Slough, which unless I missed something, is a few miles west of London Heathrow Airport where Mars made their candy for more years that I have been alive.  Snickers IS American. The candy bar in it's original form was a Marathon bar.  As for the ad, it's funny.  And as an ageing gay myself, I am not offended by it.  The 'gay' lobby in USA appears to be getting as daft as the 'anti-gay' lobby.

Paul (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 8:47 AM)

Laughed out loud after watching the commercial. Stereotypes, caricatures, humorous depictions.....
Big deal. We have more significant problems facing our nation than worrying about a few homo jokes.
How about an energy plan ?
How about not giving mortgages to illegals or people without incomes?
How about less government bailouts of idiots?

Alan (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 9:20 AM)

Glad to see that The United States Of The Offended is alive and well!  The Superbowl "two guys kissing" as was incredibly funny and I was very disappointed when I heard it was pulled.

Mike Then, Rocky Mount, NC (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 9:31 AM)

They started by pulling the Frito Bandito because it sterotyped Mexicanshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSVkOl-5dZw, then the Alka Seltzer ad with "Mama Mia, that's a spicy meatball!!"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41Yl24z8b_c&NR=1 because it stereotyped Italians.  The best way to get past all this PC idiocy is to let these ads "leak" onto the internet and then they'll get the airplay they deserve! A lot cheaper too.  I think I'll watch the Budweiser "horse farting" ad again.

MA, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:35 PM)

It's funny. Get used to it.
Only extremists cannot laugh at themselves.  Like gay "activists" (whatever the $%#% that is), and media "watchdogs" (that is, people who have too much time to watch TV and complain). Please, borrow $5.00 from a friend and go buy a clue.

M Lyster (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 3:12 PM)

The comments here show just why the ad should have been pulled.  

The ad played on stereotypes.  Yes, there's a difference between being effeminate and being gay.  But most bigots blur that distinction, and anti-gay "comedy" often plays off of that stereotype.

What pushes this over the top is that it advocates violence in connection with a message that someone was not sufficiently "manly."  When gays and lesbians are still getting physically attacked and killed -- including a middle school student here in "liberal" California -- there is no justification for making light of violence against anyone, including gays and, yes, effeminate speedwalkers.

These are serious issues.  Anyone who thinks that finding it is being "PC" or "overly sensitive" to take offense at making light of violence against homosexuals and  attacking the "manliness" of those who are perceived as effeminate should talk to the mothers of Matthew Shepard and Lawrence King.

Brian, Pasadena, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:39 PM)

all of you need to get over yourselves, learn how to spell, amd open a grammar book once in a while, lmfao...and the gay community needs to move...preferably to Mars or some other far away planet.....no one wants you or your kind, trust me. violence in a commercial?? oh boy, time to head for the hills.

jo blo (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:55 PM)

I'd like to blame Mars for promoting a negative Heterosexual stereotype that all straight men do is shoot gay men with confectionary.

I really cant see why people are worried about this kind of thing when the world has so much more to worry about. I wonder what would happen if the people taking time to write to these companies to complain used that valuable time to help charities or help the communities.

Also, note the irony that most people wouldnt have seen the jogger as a gay stereotype until these complaints were made.

Jay Hogan, UK. (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 6:23 PM)

Whoever posted the ad has removed it. Can someone post the latest link?

Terence (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 6:52 PM)

Don't look at me, I'm pissed at Snickers (well, Mars Candy Co.) for a totally unrelated reason. Maybe I'm just squeamish, but I can't eat a Snickers without thinking about how Mars routinely does pointless experiments on animals. Do we really need to know that injecting cocoa directly into your femoral artery is a bad idea? Do we really need to measure how much caffine it will take to make a hypothermic heart detonate? What epidemic is there where at-risk youths are hot-lining chocolate into their veins (all jokes aside)? Maybe Snickers should worry less about marketing and worry more about what kind of practices they follow. I'll stil to Reese's and Hershey's, thanks.

E.W., San Diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 7:03 PM)

Holy crap, in my search to find this commercial on YouTube, I came across some of the other ones as well, and they're freaking hilarious!  Especially the one in question.

How exactly is it derogatory to the gay community though?  If it is, then I suppose it's also derogatory to the heterosexual community as well for promoting the stereotype that every straight man's goal in life is to become tank-driving badasses, right?

Heh, the irony is in the commercials though... this country complains about stupid crap too much.  I think we would all do well to "Get Some Nuts."

Cheshire the Cat (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 8:18 PM)

How is this gay-hate?  "Disgrace to the man race" was because he does that lame soccer fake injury.  Not because the soccer player is gay.  "Get some nuts"  mean's "be brave", not "you are gay".  

I didn't see anything gay about this ad.  Ifi would have seen it on tv, gay would not have crossed my mind.  

Will, NJ (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:59 PM)

There are so many ways to be funny, it's sad that Mars felt it had to reach back to last-century's stereotypes.  The commercial is hate speech, pure and simple.  I applaud Mars voluntarily dumping it into the dustbin of history.

Randy (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:04 AM)

I think this just goes to show how wacky people have become.  I am gay and don't have any problem with the commercial.  I mean chances are that if that was in real life the person would be gay but the commercial does not target homosexual people.  Just because someone is straight does not make them a manly man and that is what the commercial is really about.  What is the world coming to.  If you don't like the commercial just don't buy the product and change the channel if the commercial comes on.  

Anonymous (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:37 AM)

I am eating a Snicker's right now, but in a very heterosexual manner.

Smuckers, Cleveland Ohio (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:53 AM)

Vote!   You like the commercial, the company and the product - then buy the product.  You don't like the commercial, you don't like the company's actions, you don't like the product - then don't buy it.   I didn't like the company's action (pulling the commercial).  I might buy more snickers if they run it again.

Larry, Boca Raton, Florida (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:50 PM)

I doubt the gay majority is crying about this commercial. If this is the biggest issue the HRC can drum up to stay in the public eye than its time to disband. All gays may be homosexual but not all homosexuals are gay. In fact I personally reject the gay identity and all it represents. Not all gay men are victims.

caw3, santa ana ca. (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 2:39 PM)

Let me see if I understand here...Telling a speedwalker to "run like a man" is anti-homo?  By protesting this ad, gay groups are AFFIRMING the stereotype of the scrawny, limp-wristed gay man.  Afterall, only straight guys are athletes, right?

Grow the hell up, folks.  

As a straight man, I am offended by those claiming to be offended.

"Get some nuts!"

Mike Day (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 3:41 PM)

Just watched the ad. How is this related to gays?
You people need to get a grip. Are you that insecure?

Karl Balk (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 9:18 PM)

Brian of Pasadena.
I'm hoping you are being facetious, otherwise there is no hope.

Karl Balk (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 9:30 PM)

people just want to set around and cry about the silliest things all day. who really cares if it offended them, if they don't like the advertising then don't buy the candy. i am sure that if they boycotted the business would go under. and since when is gay union representing the masses granny?

james detroit michigan (Sent Tuesday, August 05, 2008 3:43 AM)

I feel sorry for the speedwalkers being called gay

PS- Im gay, not offended

Bob (Sent Tuesday, August 05, 2008 9:08 PM)

Anyone who would buy a Snickers based on this commercial probably isn't too bright anyway.  In fact anyone who would eat a Snickers isn't too bright.
But I suspect the same people who wrote this are the brilliant people behind the McCain campaign; devoid of any ideas and appealing to the lowest common denominator.  The slide continues...

Darin Walters, Englewood Colorado (Sent Thursday, August 07, 2008 6:20 PM)

I'm gay and I find it funny. And the so-called "crudeness" of the message that someone mention is just what the UK does. They have more strict guidelines on TV crime than sexual humor. The US is the opposite.

Jason, Minneapolis (Sent Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:35 AM)

Like many said before me: what the heck makes the guy gay? Was there a disclaimer somewhere that said Homosexual Man? I was more disturbed by the reference to "Get some nuts"--I really don't want to picture testicles when I think of or eat a candy bar. Speedwalkers are the ones that should be offended for having their style of walk made fun of.

Veronica, Levittown, PA (Sent Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:12 PM)

Maybe commercials should go to naming the product and that it's available for purchase. That way no one will be offended only lonign for the days when creativity was allowed and not everyo9ne wore their feelings on their sleeves. This PC *#@&% makes me want to toss my cookies.

Stuart, VIenna, West Virginia (Sent Wednesday, August 13, 2008 5:48 PM)

Good grief!!!! We live in a nation of WHINERS!!! Yes, I said it. And Heaven forbid we should offend anyone. Never mind that advertising is using sex to sell and our children are watching this stuff and developing image problems. By all means, don't offend anyone. That's WAY more important than the other crap that's on TV.  

Melissa, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:56 PM)

That sounds like a funny ad. Homophobic? If they want to get married, they are fair game like everyone else?

pandy (Sent Tuesday, August 26, 2008 11:28 PM)



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