X-Entertainment.com X-Entertainment.com A Proud UGO Affiliate
X-Entertainment buys lobsters from the market and sets them free.

03/21/2005: The Ninja Turtles Easter Egg Value Pack!

As mentioned, Toys 'R' Us now considers Easter the most important holiday of the year, and they're celebrating with more candies, more baskets and more SPRING SALES than anyone scheduled to die within the next fifty years could count.  It's mostly a sea of forgettables, but a few of the selections are worth buying billboard space for to celebrate.  Example:

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Easter Egg!  WOOOOO!  This thing is friggin' amazing.  Basically, Playmates grabbed a couple of TMNT toys that by and large are considered obsolete, but once packed in a turtleshell egg with see-thru top (think pantyhose), it's the single greatest contribution to Easter since damned dead lamb.  The egg itself is the only "new" item included, but come on, that's more than enough.  You could do pretty much anything with that thing.  Fill it with toys, fill it with candy, fill it 10% with gravel and 3% with baby turtles…it is your unlikely championship canvas.  Do what you will, take what you may.

Retailing for 9.99, the contents just barely pass as a good deal.  You get two miniature Ninja Turtle figures still in their packages, one regular sized figure sans package, a sheet of stickers, and the ultimate must-have: Retromutagen Ooze!!!  Hell yes.  They had me at "big egg," but if not, they would've had me at "small ooze."  Combined, big eggs and small ooze tag team every frown upside down.  It's the ten buck miracle cure.

Though all of the eggs have the same assortment of stuff, the characters differ.  Dunno how many parents-of-little-ones read this site, but trust an eternal little boy on this: they will love a Ninja Turtle Easter Egg.  I can think of no one who wouldn't.  Except most girls and people who hate Ninja Turtles.  Total minority.

Posted by Matt. E-mail me!


Discussion Thread: 92 comments

i don't like the ninja turtles… and i am a girl.  :)

Posted by jessica_76 @ 03/21/2005 3:00 PM EST


I used to friggin' love the Turtles…from the toys to the Arcade Game.  Not sure if I'd pay ten bucks for them now…but I still have my original four "soft head" turtles…along with most of the little plastic weapons… ah… memories!

(second post!)

Posted by bad karma @ 03/21/2005 3:04 PM EST


I want a Turtle Easter Egg!  When I was little, Ma would buy L'eggs pantyhose and Little Brother and I would play with the eggs, storing candy or our Hot Wheels in 'em.  Or filling one with dirt and dropping it from the third-story of our old apartment building.  The gold and silver ones were our favorites though.

Posted by kingklash @ 03/21/2005 3:31 PM EST


I LOVE L'eggs.

Posted by Kristal @ 03/21/2005 3:35 PM EST


Dude, I'm a girl, and I pose this question to you: Who would win in a fight, Ninja Turtles or My Little Pony? Turtles. Turtles all the way. The Turtles fucking rock. I rest my case.

Posted by Pirate7L @ 03/21/2005 3:41 PM EST


Is that really saying any thing though? I mean, the Turtles got Swords and nunchucks and sais… My Little Pony has… Rainbows.
A boy in my tech class today called me a dork for knowing all of the four Turtles'names. What a sad, sad little deprived child. What's worse was he was born when the Ninja Turtles were new and exciting. I was born when they were on there way out. But that's kinda neat though, because then all of the action figures were at thrift stores and were cheap at non-thrift stores. :)

Posted by radiodj19 @ 03/21/2005 4:02 PM EST


Minority? As if there are people that don't love the Ninja Turtles! If there are, it's only because Hostess took away the Secret of the Ooze pies too fast and they didn't get a chance to fall in love like the rest of us.

My three year old son is getting one for Easter.  That cancels out Jessica's comment of hatred.

Posted by Shelby @ 03/21/2005 4:11 PM EST


8th post!!!

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Posted by EMajorwitz @ 03/21/2005 4:19 PM EST


Don't get me started on the TMNT…I had a LOT of their crap! From the toys, to videos, to games (board and video), color change mugs, pillowcases, bedsheets, a bedmat (or whatever you call those mats that you lay next to your bed), and of course, The Secret of The Ooze Pies themselves. I can barely taste them now, but the flavor is still there!

A couple of days back I searched for the name of a McDonalds mascot, which turned out to be Big Mac, the cop with the Big Mac for a head. This got me wondering: I (and probably Matt too) would like to know who your favoritve McDonaldland character is.

Mine is Grimace. Even though I was born way after the 6-armed days, he still is my favorite, with that bigass purple grin on his face and his love of milkshakes.

Posted by Invader Norbert @ 03/21/2005 4:24 PM EST


I've always been fascinated with Mayor McCheese.  I can't say I remember him from childhood ads (though I've seen many since), but he was always lingering around the decor of unrenovated McDonald's restaurants, and the sight of that big burger head always piqued my interest.

I pretty much like all of the characters though, for one reason or another.  When you're young, those dudes are as good as any cartoon character.

Posted by Matt @ 03/21/2005 4:27 PM EST


Memories of old-school Ninja Turtle fun…jesus, that makes me go a warm, rubbery one. I had all the typical TMNT crap that every other young lad had back in the day, but I'd have to say my favorite possession was a damn-near life-sized plush Raphael that I would roundhouse-kick over the sofa thirty-eight times every afternoon. Sigh…

Posted by The Yeti @ 03/21/2005 5:56 PM EST


I Like Michelango Cuz Hes A DUDE your a DUDE WERE ALL DUDES!!! DID Yall Ever See Good Burger??

Oh  yea bback to the subject I like those turtles and is that the same ooze That they had back in the day with lil turtles in it I loved how that smelled ahh the memories. TMNT you will live with me until I die then you will live with another. and so on. TIL 2020

Posted by JAM @ 03/21/2005 6:02 PM EST


INVADER NORBERT and anyone else,
For more McDonaldland fun, check out CLERKS the animated series.
Nice egg.

Posted by The Manimal @ 03/21/2005 6:08 PM EST


I miss a lot of the old mascots.  I remember Mayor McCheese, Officer Big Mac, The Professor, Captain Cook the Pirate, The talking trees with the Apple Pies hanging from the branches, Fry Gobblins, Evil Grimace, and McDonaldland as a happy Krofft hallucination.  I remember when there was a Burger King and that was before the magic ring version.  There is no such thing as too much TV.

Posted by kingklash @ 03/21/2005 6:23 PM EST


Oh yeah, my whereabouts for those who care. I have been around but had nothing to say on the last couple of blogs; busy with work too.
Erik, traj, whomever else, here are some great emmie pics if you are interested:
http://www.msnusers.com/Manimal-aholics/shoebox.msnw?albumli...

Posted by The Manimal @ 03/21/2005 6:25 PM EST


Kingklash,

Inrestingly enough, the last time I saw Captain Cook and the Professor was in a McDonald's in Paris (!!!). I videotaped them of course.

Posted by The Manimal @ 03/21/2005 6:30 PM EST


I am quite female, and I'd be perfectly happy with a Turtles egg OR a My Little Pony egg. I like both. I know a lot of girls who like both, too…or would actually prefer the Turtles.

I saw a lot of similar Easter stuff at K-Mart (when I could see anything at all - they're in the midst of remodeling) today. Didn't see the Turtles egg, but I saw quite a few other interesting things, including stuffed Peeps. Yes, folks, there are now stuffed versions of everyone's favorite neon-colored Easter marshmallow candies floating about. I thought about getting one, but I really wanted the bunny instead of the chick and there were only two chicks left.

Posted by starwenn @ 03/21/2005 8:17 PM EST


Yeah, the egg is fairly cool, but the bad thing about it is that anyone who's even remotely into the new TMNTs probably already has its contents! An exclusive figure or even some relatively rare ones — say, the miniature versions of Shredder and Splinter — might've made it worth it, but as is I'd say pass. Unless you (or the intended recipient) don't already have those figures, anyway! Then it's a must-have.

Just my take, though. ;) Hope you've been well, Matt!

Posted by Wes @ 03/21/2005 8:17 PM EST


haha i would still buy one of those I loved the turtles stuff back in the day ah the memories of turtle everything(mainly the hostess turtle pies after pre school)

Posted by ANDREW @ 03/21/2005 8:32 PM EST


The Manimal, I'm fully aware of Clerks the Animated Series, and I am well aware of one of the episodes featuring the mayor of Leonardo, NJ dressed up as Mayor McCheese (and voiced by Al Franken)

Oh, and my 18 birthday is on Wednesday.

Posted by Invader Norbert @ 03/21/2005 9:50 PM EST


Manimal, those pics are great!  I like how she's laughing and waving her hand in the second one!  Very cute!

I lik-ah da toitles. It would be cool if they put the baby turtles in the eggs.  They are the perfect size.

And yeah, kingklash, I used to put all kinds of crap in my mom's L'eggs containers!  Till they cracked.

I liked the Hamburglar the best.  Robble Robble!  The Fry Guys always  looked kind of scary to me. Just like little Koosh balls with hands and feet and EYES!

Posted by kidneyboy @ 03/21/2005 9:55 PM EST


Manimal she is sooooo adorable! The third picture is my favorite, she looks like she's plotting trouble. What a cutie.
I think that McCheese is my favorite mascot. I remember him from the Playplace at the McDonald's of my youth, back when it was all steel and before they switched to that wussy safety plastic. That big burger head was at the top of the slide, surveying all of McDonaldland.
Matt, I meant to ask before: Did you get a new camera?

Posted by squee4242 @ 03/21/2005 11:24 PM EST


Okay, girl here who loves TMNT. They freaking rocked. But the old ones. Can't like the new ones. Just not the same. *sob*
Anywho, TMNT vs. MLP is not even a fair match. Dude.
Oh, and the only damn way I ever remembered the "impressionist" painters was because of TMNT, so party on, dudes.

Posted by TehSwankanator @ 03/21/2005 11:51 PM EST


Congradulations Norbert!

And those TMNT eggs are pretty cool. I'd get one if I didn't already have all the TMNT toys I wanted.

Posted by Tetsu Deinonychus @ 03/21/2005 11:56 PM EST


Oh, I forgot — I found out the other day that, apparently Easter is "our biggest holiday behind Christmas" for sales. Sad isn't it? I don't remember getting video games and piles of toys for Easter. A basket of candy and stuffed bunny was all I got, later on, a CD instead.

It's insane at that store, and I don't remember it being so crazy last year. Can't wait till Baby Fair is over, too … *sigh*

Posted by Ryane @ 03/22/2005 1:02 AM EST


Hi everybody!

Sorry for the 8th post thing, I think that is the highest I have ever been.

Ninja Turtles are sweet!!!  Though I'm alittle pissed that I bought one of those transforming turtles back in the day and they bring them back cheaper!!!

Thanks for the pics of E.Claire Manimal, she is quite the adorable little stinker!  And check out that full head of hair! :)

Oh, we went in for another ultrasound yesterday…

It's a boy!!!

(Does the numba numba dance)

I saw a turtle Trajeal!  Basically, all I saw was like two balls, but my wife and the doctor confirmed the presence of a penis.  Never been this excited about a phallic symbol, but oh well.

Wife is stoked that she doesn't have to take iron pills anymore.  What a great day…no more pills, it's a boy, and pics of E.Claire to enjoy.

Wow, ask and I shall receive.  Now, I want a million dollars in the mail…

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Posted by EMajorwitz @ 03/22/2005 3:20 AM EST


Nothing can kill the Grimace!

Posted by marioshoku @ 03/22/2005 3:41 AM EST


Erik- Congrats on the boy!

I am a girl who fricking loves TMNT- I waited in a line up on a sidewalk for 2 hours to see "TMNT 2:The Secret of the Ooze" when it came out- I love everything turtle.  Donatello is my favorite- the reasons are three fold:
1. He is smart, and when I was in school, I was the "smart kid" just like Donatello!
2. Due to his smarts, he created the Turtle van, most of their coolest shit and also saved their asses more than any other Turtle combined
3. If you watch the first Turtle movie, he is the funniest character! AND he is voiced by one of the pillars of my childhood- Mr. Corey Feldman!

God, I love Turtles….so, here in Korea I have started taking a martial art called Hapkido- we use swords, nunchucks and (just like Donnatello) the bo stick! I am gonna be a Ninja Turtle! :)

Posted by Muppet Baby @ 03/22/2005 9:48 AM EST


Oh yeah, and I've read "Fast Food Nation" as well (it strengthened my dislike for fast food) and it said that more children world wide recognize Ronald McDonald over pics of both Jesus and Santa Claus. Crazy.

Posted by Muppet Baby @ 03/22/2005 10:18 AM EST


Well, in all fairness, Jesus and Santa are great and every thing, but they are not responsible for nearly enough cheeseburgers to beat out Ronald for the prize of best guy ever.

Posted by Jeff @ 03/22/2005 11:05 AM EST


Matt,

Tell me you have seen these. My wife brought home last night a Peeps Egg Decorating kit. It basically comes with six large peep eggs and some cake decorating gel for decorating purposes…its pretty sweet. Seen it?

Posted by Goody @ 03/22/2005 11:18 AM EST


Ma orders from Avon a lot, and this Easter, there's plush Peeps in the offering.  Yellow chick, purple chick, and purple bunny.  With pull-back and go motors, complete with "peep-peep" noises as they waddle across the floor.  I wonder if all the old McD metal playground equipment was destroyed, or if some lucky soul has bought a set and has set it up at their home.  Old-fashioned scalding-from-the-sun jungle gyms and slides rule!  the only really good thing about the current plastic stuff is sometimes my nephew builds up a good static charge.

Posted by kingklash, now in cinnimon-tuna! @ 03/22/2005 11:49 AM EST


Did anyone else have the "Turtle Blimp" from the first line of toys? I'd never really thought too hard about it before, but that toy actually came packaged with a sheet of stickers intended to cover the holes and miscellaneous tears that would inevitably appear in the big, green inflatable bladder that attached to the glider. The folks at Playmates had the foresight to include a "repair-kit" for their shoddy product in the guise of comical stickers. Well, even though the blimp tore apart easier than pantyhose on prom night, it was still a kick-ass toy.

Posted by The Yeti @ 03/22/2005 12:10 PM EST


Sweet. Ah to be a kid on Easter.  Best Easter presents I ever got were GoldenEye for the N64, and a giant, peanutbutter filled, chocolate Easter egg about the size of a grown mans head!!!

PS- This may have already been covered in previous blogs, but….I know Matt is really into the drink world.

I believe that Moutain Dew(Pepsi Co) is stealing old Kool-Aid flavors.  In specific the best flavors of all time.  Pitch Black tastes just like Purplesoarus Rex and Baja MoutainDew tastes just the like the Great Bluedina.  If you don't believe me check it out.  Keep up the great work Moutain Dew, I missed those flavors.

Posted by Don't Touch, Willy. @ 03/22/2005 12:22 PM EST


Ah, yes, the Turtles. I have a big box of my TMNT toys in the attic. I loved that show and would watch it every day. I rmember my doctor asking me if I ate any green food (meaning vegetables) and I told her that I ate Ninja Turtle pies…

Posted by JG! @ 03/22/2005 12:35 PM EST


Ha! I laughed so hard when I saw that picture just now.

Saturday night at work (yeah, TRU) I was doing reshop (that's when we put everything away that people either returned or didn't want at the register) and when I saw that egg in the cart I thought of you, Matt.

I never had any interest in the Turtles, whatsoever. :( Sorry…

Posted by Ryane @ 03/22/2005 12:57 PM EST


I don't know about Turtles.  I mean, I liked them and everything, but that egg doesn't have a chance against my favorite easter gift I ever received…Ecto-2.  How can anything compare to the Ghostbusters in a helicopter?

Posted by DJ Babiuk @ 03/22/2005 1:04 PM EST


Sweet mother of fucker Jesus Holy and shit!  I gotta get me one of those.  Ninja Turtles for Easter?  Yee Haw!  What a way to celebrate our Saviour's death and resurrection!?  What a blessing!?  As for the Easter Bunny, he and Santa are the devil!

Posted by Nate @ 03/22/2005 1:08 PM EST


See, for me, it's not really about what's in the egg…it's just so rare to get "official" Easter items aside from the edibles.

But God…the egg is FANTASTIC.  And BIG!  I'm gonna drill a slot in the top and call it Mr. Bank.

Posted by Matt @ 03/22/2005 1:18 PM EST


Funny, I always thought Corey Feldman was Raphael in the first TMNT. IMDB and Muppet Baby disagree, so who am I to argue.
Hey! Matt! What happened to your St Patty's Day pics? I was looking forward to Shark-suit guy.
Favorite McDonald's characters (despite my current hatred of the corporation now) would have to be the Chicken Nugget guys.

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/22/2005 1:23 PM EST


Shit, I forgot about the Shark Guy.  I'll grab him today. :D

Posted by Matt @ 03/22/2005 1:25 PM EST


Wow! Instant request! Thanks!
And I never got toys for Easter either. Maybe now that I'm a self-sufficient adult it's time I did.

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/22/2005 1:26 PM EST


I've asked everyone I know if the remember the Hostess Turtle Pies and nobody does. Not my brother, who ate them alongside me, not my mother who bought them nearly in bulk, nobody!

This world is a sad place.

Posted by Kris @ 03/22/2005 1:27 PM EST


I've got to give it up for Mayor McCheese…

When I was younger, all the COOL kids always had their b-day parties at McDonald's.  And the one near my house had a full-sized mural of the entire gang (pre-Early Birdy but included Captain Hook) and I used to be fascinated with Mayor McCheese..

I also used to stare for an ungodly amount of time at Officer Big Mac, with that little teeny tiny police hat on top of an ENORMOUS hamburger face.  It was surreal…

Pax

Posted by Soj @ 03/22/2005 1:46 PM EST


Favorite Turtle: Raphael.  Dude has attitude.

Favorite McDonald's Character…none…unless they're squished under my car…whoops! did i just write that?  Remember this: Clowns are scary! 

Random question:
Does anyone remember Stompers?

Posted by bad karma @ 03/22/2005 2:04 PM EST


Oh, and I remember playing at a McDonald's playground as a kid that had this big Officer Big Mac that you could climb in.  There was this ladder accessed through a hole in his feet…(god, let it have been his feet…) and then you climbed up to what was basically a cage in his head.

Posted by bad karma @ 03/22/2005 2:07 PM EST


I don't remember Captain Hook as a MickeyD's character?

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/22/2005 2:15 PM EST


Im a girl and I love TMNT, my mom refused to buy me any of the toys and it still pains me to this day! I really want one of thos eggs!! my fave turles was Mikey, and Corey Feldmen was in the movie for sure! My fave Mcds character was grimace, after the sham rock blog, I went to find a pic of him when he had more arms, nows it my msn pic! Bad Karma: they had the same playplace when I was a kid! and it had a merry-go-round too!

Posted by IHAQ @ 03/22/2005 4:05 PM EST


"The Manimal, I'm fully aware of Clerks the Animated Series, and I am well aware of one of the episodes featuring the mayor of Leonardo, NJ dressed up as Mayor McCheese (and voiced by Al Franken)" Invader Norbert

Just thought I would mention it. I didnt mean to offend….

Posted by The Manimal @ 03/22/2005 4:39 PM EST


Might I suggest a group "aawwwww…" for the pics of li'l E-Claire?  aawwwwww…  so cute. (rolls baby down hill.)

Posted by kingklash @ 03/22/2005 5:03 PM EST


ninja turtles kick ass…i still have all my old toys which was pretty much every one from the first few sets

The didnt say theyd be there in an hour cause they displayed turtle power

Posted by sexynigelthepharoahwizard @ 03/22/2005 10:45 PM EST


I remember playing with the plastic eggs from my mom's L'Eggs too, and putting toy cars and alien erasers and colorful rocks and things into them. Can't say I am much into the new TMNT (was totally apeshit about the original), but thanks for bringing back another fond memory from childhood Matt. And the guy who decided to stop packaging L'Eggs in those colorful plastic eggs should be beaten.

Posted by Destro @ 03/23/2005 1:05 AM EST


Oh congrats E Major! How exciting, a boy just like you were hoping! And with older sisters to beat him up and make him tough!

Posted by squee4242 @ 03/23/2005 1:35 AM EST


I don't know about everybody else, but I always connected green ooze with Easter more than silly bunnies… and who wouldn't want to join Leonardo in an easter egg hunt?

Posted by Review the World @ 03/23/2005 2:33 AM EST


Captain Hook was related to the Filet O' Fish sandwich, which ironically was Ray Kroc's favorite sandwich.  It was he who ordered that it only have HALF a square of cheese rather than a whole one, saying it made it taste better.

I used to have (and maybe my parents still have it) some plastic McDonald's plates, one was an octopus trying to steal a Filet O' Fish out of a chest and Captain Hook "saved the day".

Another one was Grimace jumping into a big pile of leaves.

They all had a rhyming poem around the outside lip of the plate.. gosh I wish I still had them!

Pax

Oh I just remembered that there were 4, one for each season.  Grimace jumping in the leaves was Autumn while CH and the gang were on the beach for a summer frolic.  Don't remember Spring or Winter.

Posted by Soj @ 03/23/2005 6:06 AM EST


Having two older sisters, I can vouch for growing up tough.  And a bit sneaky.  Trust me on sneaky.  Ma collects turtles, and a good number of them are TMNT.  One time she found a plush Mikey as big as a four-year-old.  His mask is gone, but the 'M' on his belt is still there. He sits in a corner of the living room, all turtle-y and everything.  guss I'll have to get some toy 'chuks for him one day, and a new mask.

Posted by kingklash @ 03/23/2005 12:11 PM EST


The Manimal, I'm not offended! I just forgot to put this: ^_~

and that ep also mentioned Big Mac, and I must have forgotten about that part.

Oh, and Happy Bday to me ^_^

Posted by Invader Norbert @ 03/23/2005 5:25 PM EST


I left out the "e" in "guess."

Posted by kingklash @ 03/23/2005 5:36 PM EST


Ronald MacDonald is my favorite character because hes funny. I'd Drink him if he was orange juice.
BTW Mc Ribs are nasty why call them ribs if they have no bones in it. I WANT MY BONES!

Posted by Jonny Zero @ 03/23/2005 5:39 PM EST


Ronald MacDonald is my favorite character because hes funny. I'd Drink him if he was orange juice.
BTW Mc Ribs are nasty why call them ribs if they have no bones in it. I WANT MY BONES!

Posted by Jonny Zero @ 03/23/2005 5:39 PM EST


Oops sorry bout the double post clicked on it twice.

Posted by Jonny Zero @ 03/23/2005 5:40 PM EST


I'm an unabashed fan of the food at McDonald's and even I actually wasn't aware that Grimace once had 4 arms until Strong Bad mentioned it in passing a couple of weeks ago in "best thing", the "sbemail" with the Limozeen cartoon. You can see the story of "Evil Grimace" here (link found at the Homestar Runner Wiki).

Posted by Steve Brandon @ 03/23/2005 5:43 PM EST


Oh, sorry, the "here" went to the Planet Garp front page. The "here" I meant to give is here.

Posted by Steve Brandon @ 03/23/2005 5:45 PM EST


Happy Birthday Invader Norbert. Welcome to the world of skin mags, smoke AND smokeless tobacco, and the draft. :)

Posted by The Manimal @ 03/24/2005 6:24 AM EST


I remember Surge tasting like Ecto Cooler.  Anyone else?

Posted by phunqsauce @ 03/24/2005 9:02 AM EST


Totally off topic, but Matt mentioned the giant inflatable NYC union protest rat in a blog post some months ago.  He's outside the building next door to me today.  For those in NYC, he's outside the Fox building on 6th b/w 47th and 48th.

Posted by Pedro @ 03/24/2005 10:13 AM EST


All hail the Inflato-Rat!

Posted by kingklash @ 03/24/2005 11:21 AM EST


oh yeah, by the way, what the FUCK is grimace supposed to be?

Posted by phunqsauce @ 03/24/2005 11:36 AM EST


Ah the eternal question once again rears it's ugly head. A Google search tells me there are many theories on the subject. Officially? (from Straightdope) "According to McDonald's spokesperson Jane Hulbert, Grimace is a "big fuzzy purple fellow." Probably you figured this out for yourself. What you want is detail. Too bad. Here's the complete McDonald's personnel file on the guy: "Grimace personifies the child in everyone. . . . He is Ronald [McDonald]'s special pal. Everyone loves Grimace because of his innocent loving nature. He occasionally causes trouble in McDonaldland because he is clumsy, but his friends overlook this because he is so happy."
Personally (and this is from me now, not Straightdope, which until now I never actually heard of), I think he's just something some Marketing guy came up with. Purple amorphous blobs probably register well in children's minds. What an evil evil mind-controlling coporation McDonald's is. Before they can even read toddlers recognize the golden arches and want to go there. That's from personal experience by the way. A little disturbing to see your little nephew who can barely speak say "Madonahs!" whenever you pass one of their restaurants.

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/24/2005 11:49 AM EST


"A little disturbing to see your little nephew who can barely speak say "Madonahs!" whenever you pass one of their restaurants."

Its called cradle-to-grave marketing.  Many many companies do it, although McDonald's is probably one of the best.  Some companies market things to children long before they will be customers…but once they reach consumer age, they will recognize the brand name and feel comfortable with their choice because it is so hammered into their heads.

Everyone should read "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser.  Great book, and has a whole section on that type of marketing.

Posted by mattbrand @ 03/24/2005 12:52 PM EST


Yeah…You have to register with selective service…Its, the laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!

Stupid radio commercials.

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Posted by EMajorwitz @ 03/24/2005 1:05 PM EST


mattbrand-Funny you should mention that book. I believe it was mentioned in the last 3 blog's messages. Yes, defintely an awesome book. If everyone did read it, I'd like to hope there'd be a lot of changes to the way they do business. More than the superficial ones they are doing now (offering "healthier" food, for instance). His other book is good too. I'm looking forward to his next, I believe it's about the prison-industrial complex or something along those lines.

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/24/2005 1:09 PM EST


Yeah, funny "We will never have a draft again. Don't worry. Oh, but yes, of course you have to register for it. What? No, it makes sense. Stop thinking! Just fill out the form, dammit!"

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/24/2005 1:10 PM EST


Soj, I remember having those same plates.  Is there anything that can't be found on ebay?

I'm pretty sure Grimace is meant to represent the milkshake.  He's a big unidentifiable thing, sort of like McDonalds "shakes".  And his name is the face you make when you try to suck one through a straw.

Posted by cravipat @ 03/24/2005 1:11 PM EST


Well, it may have been mentioned before cravipat, but he was originally a four armed monster who stole shakes from children, so you probably are getting pretty close to where the idea came from.

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/24/2005 1:16 PM EST


Ladies and gentlemen!  Cats and kittens!  Children from all religions!
Direct from peaceaware.com, a commercial from the 70's. 
Not just any commercial from the 70's, oh no!  A McDonalds commercial with a very young Jodie Foster and EVIL GRIMACE

It's not the melting one, though.  I'm hoping no one outside of the McCorporation has that one.  But, the first click is a very interesting thesis on marketing, and the second link is a great ad for us old fogies.  Enjoy at your own risk!  keep all four arms inside your browser at all times, and abandon all hope all who are faint of heart and/or weak of bladder!

Posted by kingklash @ 03/24/2005 1:42 PM EST


I only know of this site becuase of my brother's kids:
WB Bringing NeoPets to the Big Screen

Posted by ME @ 03/24/2005 3:38 PM EST


Damn this workplace of mine! No Quicktime, and I can't install. Oh well, it will wait till I get home.
kinglash, now I really want to see that melting-Grimace commercial you keep talking about. It's apparently impossible to find. So far anyways.

Posted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/24/2005 4:31 PM EST


I never liked Grimace because he reminds me of the purple furry guy at Chuck E Cheese, who always terrified me as a kid. 

As for TMNT, I remember years and years ago when my sister said, "I just found out about the craziest show!  They're some kind of ninja-fighting turtle!  And they're teenagers!"  Really, when you stop and think about it, it sounds like the creators just threw some random words in a hat and drew out four of them.  But they're cool anyway (coming from a girl who used to have about 35 Little Ponies)

And as for the tiny tots who recognize McDonalds early on, I used to nanny for a girl who could recognize Starbucks by the age of 1 1/2.  If we drove past one she'd always point it out.  Sad, sad, sad.

Posted by nddancer @ 03/24/2005 5:10 PM EST


If I was the only one in the history of McDonaldland to have a good old-fashioned 70's freak-out over the ad, it would be to laugh, albeit a little embarrassing to boot.  But, I think there were more of my type than I'll never know.  Little Brother had a kind of primal fear with seeing costumed mascots at amusement parks.  Not over the fact that a giant Huckleberry Hound (for example) was walking about, but with the fact that the costume might have nothing inside! (kinda like in Fullmetal Alchemist)  I don't think my reaction to a Puddle of Grimace helped any.  If any of you name your band "Puddle of Grimace", give me credit.

Posted by kingklash @ 03/24/2005 5:13 PM EST


For your information *I* am a girl (I have the boobies to prove it!) and I own all 3 Ninja Turtles movies and the first season DVD set and tons of old eps on video, toys, clothing, video games, AND I have an article on my website where I dress up and play with the Michelangelo's Electronis Nunchucks set. PBBBBBTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!

On another note, though, I really hope you and other X-Eers get the wonderfully delicious irony of this news story I just saw on Fark….

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=610902

Posted by Mystie @ 03/24/2005 6:10 PM EST


The ancient McDonald-land set is "ginormous": look at the scale of the burgers in the foreground compared to Ronald, Jodie, and Anonymous-boy-who-never-amounted-to-anything.

As for the other link, I was expecting the normal radical chic McBashing claptrap, and it's there in small amounts but even if you're pro-fast food and pro-advertising like I am, it's pretty interesting to see a look at the evolution of advertising icons (it has info on Colonel Sanders and the Burger King too).

Posted by Steve Brandon @ 03/24/2005 6:18 PM EST


Ok, wanna know how stupid I am? For over a year I've been coming to this site and seeing Matt mention TRU, this amazing store that he goes to and finds all these amazing toys, and assuming it was some Northeastern thing that I'll never experience, stuck as I am down south.

And just now…TRU…Toys R Us. God I'm a moron.

Posted by Hellpop! @ 03/24/2005 8:28 PM EST


The Manimal: Thanks, but here in NY, I have to be 19 to enjoy a smooth, tasty Tobacco product :/

And after seeing that old Evil Grimace ad…wow. All hail Grimace, as nothing can kill him.

And to the person wondering what he reperesented: If you read the comments in this thread, (and this comment too) he represented Shakes, besides stealing them. I just found this out just last year.

Posted by Invader Norbert @ 03/24/2005 10:38 PM EST


ok i realise this is like the 84th friggni comment and no one's going to read it BUT i have to try

people of the world BEWARE! dont get attached to the ooz it's fun it's..oozy but for the love of god do NOT hang onto that goo stuff for as long as i have. after a while it REAKS! seriously and evey time you find it from where ever you hurled it last time you wonder what dose it smell like? even though you know it's gonna be bad it's just too tempting and ya  take a wiff nnd hurl it across the room to some far corner to find sometime elce

my piont is..be warned

Posted by Progress @ 03/25/2005 1:19 AM EST


"it's only because Hostess took away the Secret of the Ooze pies too fast and they didn't get a chance to fall in love like the rest of us." -Shelby

Why must people keep bringing this up and reminding me? =(

I'm dying for a turtle pie. If there is any one food that I truly miss right now, it's Turtle Pie. Fuck Hostess in the eye. =\

Posted by Matt (#2?) @ 03/27/2005 5:40 PM EST


Ha ha, I got one of these for Easter!  It has the exact same characters in it as yours, and my sister (wanting to find one with Michelangelo) said that all the ones at Toys "R" Us were exactly the same.  The ooze is extremely fun to play with.

Posted by Brandon @ 03/27/2005 11:13 PM EST


My brother had the pizza shooter, and we used to set up the action figures and knock them down w/the pizza shooter.  IT was this really cool hunk-of-junk, and I remember my mom having to put the decal pizza toppings on the plastic disks for us, because we were too young and careless to do it right ourselves.  It even had a message imprinted on its plastic: DO NOT AIM AT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS.  As if anyone listened ;-D

Wow, Matt, this Easter egg is cool.  Wish they didn't manhandle the turtles, jazzing them up and ruining their old-school style!!!!!  The turtles are not meant to be tampered with. 

Great article.

Posted by Allison @ 03/30/2005 4:30 PM EST


I also have the original Ninja Turtles film on VHS from 1990.  Pretty nifty.  It even has that Pizza Hut commercial on it, with the kids playing baseball.  My co-worker Chris and I (the crazed loonies that we are) came up with our own "version" of this commercial

PREMISE: the kid misses the ball, the coach says he sucks, but oh, what the hell, LET'S GO TO PIZZA HUT!!!!  At Pizza Hut, the coach still tells him he sucks, but no one, even the kid, really cares. THE END. 

Pretty messed-up, huh?  Took us 5 minutes to come up with that one.  A whole 5 minutes we could have used for something more constructive, but there was nothing else to do. 

How bout this for a fight?  Ninja Turtles vs. Rainbow Brite, Care Bears, and My Little Pony???  Tell me that wouldn't be the biggest boy/girl pop culture clash of the century?  Or, at least, the 1980s.  Think about it.

Posted by Allison @ 03/30/2005 4:36 PM EST


The Manimal~

Emmie's beautiful!!!!!!  I saw the link and couldn't resist!!!!  She looks a lot like my ex-bf's goddaughter, who is now 3 yrs. old.  She looked like that around 3-5 months old.  How old is Emmie??

Allison:)

Posted by Allison @ 03/30/2005 4:42 PM EST


I need one of those!! Very important!! I need only michelangelo, his gun or i dont knw what he has in their hands… i will paid it of course!! Write me to my e-mail plz

Posted by Nakha @ 09/08/2006 4:18 PM EDT


I like Mikey…I'm agirl

Posted by Deathly Hallow @ 04/08/2007 1:16 PM EDT


I like Mikey…I'm agirl

Posted by Deathly Hallow @ 04/08/2007 1:16 PM EDT


Add A New Comment!