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08/19/2004 Entry: "I saw Mr. Peanut."

Went outside for an early smoke after getting to work, not even hitting the point where I would've considered myself fully awake yet. So of course, when I looked up and saw Mr. Peanut, I assumed it to be mere residual dreamy shit.

But it was really him. Mr. Peanut was standing right there, with human helpers who handed out free packets of honey roasted Planters peanuts while urging folks to join in on some walk-a-thon. A contradiction in actions almost overlooked because hey, Mr. Peanut was standing right next to me.

I knew the day could only decline in quality from there. Those who favor momentum should only allow themselves to see Mr. Peanut near midnight.

The best thing about being paid to dress up like Mr. Peanut and hand out peanuts is that, while growing up, nobody would've ever predicted that you'd end up doing that. You are a career surprise. You're Mr. Peanut, and I love you for it.

REPLIES: 75 comments

God bless you, Mr. Peanut

Chestnuts roasted by Jared @ 08/19/2004 11:09 PM EST

Indeed, Jared. A hero in disguise.

Chestnuts roasted by Dr. Plusbee @ 08/19/2004 11:15 PM EST

Still... it's better than running into a herd of monkeys. More surreal, but better.

Chestnuts roasted by AlphaCentaurian @ 08/19/2004 11:23 PM EST

Ugh...I wish I was there every day.

Chestnuts roasted by Denise @ 08/19/2004 11:24 PM EST

Matt, you really need to review UHF.

Chestnuts roasted by Spam @ 08/19/2004 11:40 PM EST

I wonder if Matt would interested in a New 12" Roto-Cast "Gremlins 2" Action Figure?

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/19/2004 11:41 PM EST

I really hope that the last thing I see before I die is Jesus playing tennis with a the Tinman. Mr. Peanut comes in at a close 2nd.

Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Mr. Mr. @ 08/19/2004 11:46 PM EST

"be"

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/19/2004 11:46 PM EST

Matt,
you need to start a "zany characters you've met" gallery for all these cool "celebraties"(sp?) you encounter! ^_^

Chestnuts roasted by Tetsu Deinonychus @ 08/20/2004 02:10 AM EST

I really need to visit NYC. I can only hope that when I get there, I get to see something at least as cool as Mr Peanut.

Chestnuts roasted by marioshoku @ 08/20/2004 02:12 AM EST

The only real celebrity I've seen in all my trips to NYC is some guy dressed as a wizard who was once ridiculed by Triumph. I'd kill to see such a star as Mr. Peanut.

Chestnuts roasted by Danny @ 08/20/2004 02:29 AM EST

egads...

first the tamagotchi-mobiles and now mr. peanut?

*sigh* all i need to see on this site is a walking "Lucky the Leprechan" robot and i could die happy

Chestnuts roasted by DantheApe @ 08/20/2004 02:32 AM EST

Mr.Peanut... Hasn't he made enough commercials to need to make a public appearance?

Chestnuts roasted by Jay @ 08/20/2004 05:14 AM EST

Should have hugged him.

Chestnuts roasted by fdgfh @ 08/20/2004 09:19 AM EST

I think I know that guy in the yellow shirt beside Mr. Peanut! Weird. Anyways, Matt- you work in a very cool place. And yeah- review UHF.

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 08/20/2004 09:53 AM EST

You know, judging by the way Mr Peanut dresses, he must be filthy rich.

Oh, and AlphaCentaurian, it's not a "herd of monkeys"...The correct collective nouns for monkeys are a cartload, troop, or tribe of monkeys.

I myself prefer a cartload of monkeys.

Chestnuts roasted by Stilewalker @ 08/20/2004 10:14 AM EST

Or, we could say, a Heard of monkeys. KEVIN!

Chestnuts roasted by John Heard @ 08/20/2004 10:19 AM EST

Boy, Matt, you sure see some interesting characters in NYC.

Chestnuts roasted by Beta-Theta @ 08/20/2004 10:19 AM EST

Off topic, has anyone seen the new Tamagotchi's commerical on TV. The eyes on some of Tamagotchis creep me out.

Chestnuts roasted by Beta-Theta @ 08/20/2004 10:23 AM EST

For those lovely monkey's, as much as I love "cartload," I'm gonna have to go with barrel of monkeys. it sounds like more monkeys to me.

Chestnuts roasted by Chrispy @ 08/20/2004 10:45 AM EST

That right folks, I love dishing out my nuts for the world to eat!!!

Chestnuts roasted by Mr. Peanut @ 08/20/2004 11:37 AM EST

Oh sure, I've heard of monkeys....
Nice pics of The Peanut That Walks Like A Man.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/20/2004 11:44 AM EST

Man: Dogs don't like nuts.

Dog: Err?

That Planter's commercial always struck me as odd. In my experience dogs can't stay away from nuts. Leave 'em alone for 10 seconds and their all over them.

Chestnuts roasted by Blah...blah @ 08/20/2004 12:16 PM EST

You sure can't beat Matt's job location in NYC, right on Times Square. What corner is that? Looks like Broadway at 44th.

Chestnuts roasted by Shelby @ 08/20/2004 12:23 PM EST

When you saw Mr Peanut, did he happen to ask you about the CHIA PLOT?!?!?!

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 08/20/2004 12:43 PM EST

Sigh...I wanna live in NYC.

Chia Plot, please.

Chestnuts roasted by Behonkiss @ 08/20/2004 12:46 PM EST

That bald guy in pix number three is starin' at Mr. Peanut's booty.

Chestnuts roasted by Astroboy @ 08/20/2004 12:55 PM EST

I call it a herd of monkeys. I'm aware of the correct labelling of animal collectives, I was just being creative with my text. Herd of monkeys is funnier.

Chestnuts roasted by AlphaCentaurian @ 08/20/2004 01:08 PM EST

Ok, here's what I think:
A gaggle of geese
A school of fish
A herd of cattle
A group of people
A pride of lions
A swarm of bees
A line of cocaine
A covey of quail
A quart of milk
A gang of hoodlums
A crash of rhinoceri
A leash of foxes
A flock of seagulls
and...

A barrel of monkeys.

If I could ask Mr. Peanut just one thing, I would ask what's the name of that one-eye'd thing you wear on your one eye. Is it a spectacle? Its not an eye-glass... you know, what's it called? I think it starts with a "P", which is why they gave it to Mr. Peanut.

Chestnuts roasted by Barry J. Deeper @ 08/20/2004 01:27 PM EST

Barry J. - the eyeglass doesn't start with a 'P'. It's a monocle.

Chestnuts roasted by Bex @ 08/20/2004 02:25 PM EST

Barrel of monkeys and a Murder of Crows. Light and Dark. Artsy Fartsy.

Chestnuts roasted by Blaine @ 08/20/2004 03:19 PM EST

A pound of puppies?

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 08/20/2004 03:40 PM EST

I just saw the commercial for Totally Obsessed on VH1 with the Ninja Turtle fan. They are casting for upcoming episodes.

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/20/2004 04:48 PM EST

A Sneak of Ninja?

Chestnuts roasted by Blaine @ 08/20/2004 05:28 PM EST

Hah! It is a Monacle!
Thanks BEX!!!

Hey, Bex rhymes with...

Chex!

Chestnuts roasted by Barry J. Deeper @ 08/20/2004 06:02 PM EST

Hey Matt, who do think would win in an Alien vs Predator-style death battle: Mr Peanut or Homeless Spiderman???

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 08/20/2004 06:06 PM EST

And I should add to the Tomagotchi thing...at the KB Toys store where I work at, we opened up one of them and played with it.

Let me tell you one thing: its just as cool and addictive as the originals! @_@ We named him Pepay becuase my manager wouldn't allow us to name it Peepi or something that sounded like it...

I was actually trying to post earlier, but I got a page saying that I was banned from using this site whenever I tried to post a message. Weird...

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 08/20/2004 06:10 PM EST

Mr. Peanut would destroy homeless Spidey.

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 08/20/2004 06:12 PM EST

Beware the power of Mr. Peanut's monochle. It will destroy you...

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 08/20/2004 06:14 PM EST

Just something I've always wondered: Matt, I always enjoy these little photo vignettes (is that the right word) of your days, but why exactly are you always carrying your camera around? You said that you went out for a smoke when this happened, I wouldn't think a camera would be required for that activity. (Then again, I'm a non-smoker, what do I know?)

Chestnuts roasted by Aberration @ 08/20/2004 06:46 PM EST

90% of the time I carry a bag, and 100% that I'm carring my bag, I have the camera. This wasn't one of those times, but my cell phone also has a camera.

Yes, I shoved a cell phone up in Mr. Peanut's grill, yo.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 08/20/2004 06:48 PM EST

Aberration, wait until the day the aliens/bigfeet try to kidnap Matt and he outsmarts them. You will then see why one should always carry a camera and thank him for the photographic proof of those damn space lizards/missing links' evil webmaster plot.

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/20/2004 08:08 PM EST

Too bad you didn't have a Bamboo Mystery Peanut to give him.

Chestnuts roasted by CaptainCaveman @ 08/20/2004 10:28 PM EST

D'oh, I completely forgot about camera phones, it all makes sense now! I should get one of those someday, although I rarely run into pop icons on the street, so there's no rush.

ME, I don't think the aliens would bother kidnapping Matt. With all the monster/alien movies that he's seen, I'm sure he could figure out a way to defeat any inhuman threat within an hour. They'd either have to get rid of him first, or try to win him to their cause (which almost never works, but most aliens aren't known for their smarts)

Chestnuts roasted by Aberration @ 08/20/2004 11:05 PM EST

Mr. Peanut, man! When I was growing up, at Woodbridge Center Mall in Joisey, there was a cigar store near JC Penney that had a lifelike Mr. Peanut statue. His hand was always sticking out, and, as a kid, I always had to shake it!

~Excuse me sir, are you going to eat your peanuts?!

Chestnuts roasted by Mugzy. . . @ 08/20/2004 11:09 PM EST

there is a laser in his monocle, and he scans everything he sees into his database of things to destroy...muahhahahaha

Radioactive peanut man banished from his home planet to forever peddle peanuts on the streets of new york with his sidekick Spiderbum!

Chestnuts roasted by heeloyd @ 08/21/2004 12:06 AM EST

I'd like to see Mr. Peanut fight Swamp Thing. It would be pretty interesting. Or perhaps Swamp Thing vs. The BEast from the Beauty and the BEast show that was on FOX back in the day. It would be the showdown of old school fox shows. Perhaps they could team up and destroy the cast of 21 Jump Street. Imagine the possibilities.....

Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 08/21/2004 01:51 AM EST

' You know, judging by the way Mr Peanut dresses, he must be filthy rich. '

Of course he is! He's selling out his OWN KIND!

Chestnuts roasted by Fhydra @ 08/21/2004 03:52 AM EST

It's like the Perdue chickens getting "fired" for eating pizza. Run! Run, while you still can, chicken! Or soon, you will be some greasy truck driver's lunch!

I remember how hot it was out. Wow, Mr. Peanut must have been sweltering. Did he talk? Matt, you should carry one of those mini tape recorders w/ you so you can record life's great oral mysteries. Also, if you had a Rex Harrison hat w/ a little card sticking out of the brim that said PRESS, you'd be able to get into all kinds of cool places, like movie premieres and crime scenes.

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 08/21/2004 07:57 AM EST

Uh, Majesco Acquires Rights to Jaws

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/21/2004 11:38 AM EST

Majesco Acquires Rights to Jaws
http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/mag.dyn/News/8155.html

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 08/21/2004 11:38 AM EST

Holy shit- Off topic, but I just spent half a day reading the PHOTOG blog....wow. I've been reading this site for over a year now, and I will definately be spreading the word about this epic. Amazing. smile

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 08/21/2004 11:47 AM EST

....surprised it took me so long to find it, really. Glad I did!

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 08/21/2004 11:48 AM EST

Matt,
It makes me wonder that as soon as you get to work you go right for a smoke break.

Chestnuts roasted by Dik Fishman @ 08/23/2004 03:19 PM EST

"Hey Matt, who do think would win in an Alien vs Predator-style death battle: Mr Peanut or Homeless Spiderman???"
Im late but.....Naked cow boy would so kill both of them.

Chestnuts roasted by Dugga @ 08/25/2004 11:12 AM EST

ACK! GIANT PEANUT! I HATE PEANUTS!

Chestnuts roasted by The Dragonrider @ 08/25/2004 04:00 PM EST

I love Mr. Peanut, only man on earth who can say (almost) everyone loves putting his nuts in their mouth.

Chestnuts roasted by sailor moon @ 08/25/2004 10:20 PM EST

Oh My ChristyCakes. The Saint who hath walketh amongus. Mr. Peanut.

Or, As the french call him, Monsieur Arachide. Seriously. Look it up. (THank joo Altafish)

But, yeah, Mr. Peanut selling his own kind just seem wrong...That Damn dirty legume...

Oh, And:

A bevy of swans
A brace of coneys
A cast of hawks
A company of parrots
A conspiracy of ravens
A covey of quail
A fall of woodcocks (XD)
A prickle of Porcupines
A streak of Tigers
A dray of squirrels
A hover of Trout
A bed of clams (Sounds comfy)
A smack of Jellyfish
A clowder (Or Pounce) Of cats
A kindle of Kittens
A pace of asses. (Not the human kind...)

And, the finale..*Drumroll*

AN ARMY OF FROGS. Honest. Look it up. Somewhere.

Chestnuts roasted by Quentin Tarentin-O's @ 08/25/2004 10:25 PM EST

I thought it was a murder of ravens

Chestnuts roasted by Firebert @ 08/26/2004 06:34 PM EST

Monocles are mono-cool.

Chestnuts roasted by MTenace @ 08/28/2004 01:04 PM EST

It is a group of crows you are thinking of. A group of crows is called a murder.

Chestnuts roasted by Info @ 08/29/2004 06:42 AM EST

Chia.

We all know a group of crows is called a murder 'cos of Counting Crows's clever first-album name, "A Murder of One". Who else eventually figured that one out? I didn't at the time. But then, I was only thirteen when "Round Here" first debuted. "Cool" was being able to play said song on a guitar. Basically why I learned to play guitar...

What is with you, kingklash, and your subliminal desire to be mean to helpless small furry animals (sfa's)? A pound of puppies indeed.

I thought this was supposed to be about Mr Peanut? We don't have said icon in South Africa... (We don't have Gap outlets either, or ...wait, we do have Pepsi, but no-one drinks it, cos frankly if I wanted cat piss I'd drain the kitty-litter tray... Hype is meaningless. Obey the Stink.)

I did see some sort of poll on the news - a survey on the streets of NYC as to what the all time favourite tv brand character was. With large peanut-men and all sorts of creatures I couldn't recognise; New York has so many hot-air vents, and insufficient Marilyn Monroes. (btw, This is "news"? It's funny, because ad campaigns are featured on cnn, but you barely ever see Africa on the news. When you do it's starving people or volcanoes erupting. This is why people always ask me if I have a pet lion/giraffe etc. Most annoying... I mean, I grew up in suburbia. Just a lot less recycling bins, and the trees are different.)

Matt is the quintessential roving reporter, bringing to us the happy news of our childhoods; there are some iconic moments in childhood one never forgets, involving warm summer days, icecream, and nintendo. It's spring in the southern hemisphere, so icecream is big on my agenda. (No smurf-corpses either). Well done, Matt. I took my camera around the local mall in tribute, but don't have enough webspace to post the pics. Shall have to build a new geocities page. Low bandwidth, but at least it's free.

Also did cute evil-pony parody cum tribute of matt's chia plot, now in second instalment. Smells like fun. The my little ponies is taking over the world, y'all.

Chestnuts roasted by eminentfreak @ 08/31/2004 04:20 AM EST

a flock of cows.

Nothing funnier than a flock of cows. Maybe a herd of whales...

a geek of programmers?

Chestnuts roasted by eminentfreak @ 08/31/2004 04:24 AM EST

Whoa, wotta laugh!!! I had a cameo gig wearing a Mr Peanut suit and handing out samples at the 1964 World's Fair in Flushing Meadows Park, NYC. [Yeah, Jack IS a fossil.] I had no helpers and was soundly trashed on each of my 35 minute shifts. It was like these well fed middle classers were suddenly dosed with famine gas, or something, 'cause the little old grannys beat me solid just to get a mini snack for the kiddy. Could've had the job all summer, but I had plans to go to Italy, so I bailed.

Chestnuts roasted by Jack @ 09/04/2004 02:14 PM EST

Chestnuts roasted by Jack @ 09/04/2004 02:15 PM EST

You could have seen much worse things, trust me. It could have even been that Naked Cowboy fellow. Geez ...

Chestnuts roasted by Caga @ 09/14/2004 12:05 PM EST

Hey, man I work in Manhattan too, got out of the subway yesterday and there was Mister Dunkin Donut! Just a cup of coffee with eyes walking down the street - nothing promotional about him, not even a DD in sight - and I just thought "Must be on his way to work." Would have been great if he was chilling with Grimace and they popped into a bodega for some sandwiches.

Chestnuts roasted by Brendan @ 09/14/2004 03:04 PM EST

You saw Mr. Peanut?!?!?!? Wow... what a great day you must have had! Mr. Peanut rules!

Chestnuts roasted by Georgia @ 09/14/2004 11:49 PM EST

Mr. Peanut got dressed at the Marriot Marquis that day. I saw the person in the costume...he was hot...I know this b/c I am that person. Mr. Peanut is very near and dear to me...he will be in nyc this Monday with other popular ad icons!

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