Forget the New Mr. Peanut and Love the Orange

While Gothamist is a bit iffy about the new Mr. Peanut (as the Times' Stuart Elliott puts it, moving from a "dignified dandy, meant to be timeless in his appeal" to showing "off his moves on the basketball court and the dance floor," posing as a centerfold, and remembering when he was a "baby legume"), we do like the March Madness commercial where Mr. Peanut is playing various school mascots. Mr. Peanut is ridiculously skilled, but seeing the Maryland Terrapin, Duke Blue Devil, Kansas Jayhawk, and Syracuse Orange might worth ruining the brand equity built in Mr. Peanut.

Watch the brilliant mascot spot at the Peanut Gallery. Gothamist loves the Syracuse Orange, because any mascot that has a body that prevents it from grabbing something with both hands is the best. He lumbers, he can't guard the Blue Devil...he totally got picked last in gym class and that's why Gothamist relates to Syracuse Orange the most.

Maryland and Syracuse play each other on Saturday.

People didn't like it when KFC's Colonel Sanders did the cabbage patch.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts & Entertainment on March 19, 2004 10:55 AM

Comments [rss]

Jen

No one wants to see you just in a monocle and tophat, dude.

But FCB needs to release a 60-second version of the commercial, and without Mr. Peanut.

tien

and why do they use the mascots of two of last year's final four teams ('cuse and kansas), but not for texas and marquette?

that said, this commercial is great. i could watch the orange all day!

jake

that's just sad. i've looked up to mr. peanut all my life, and now he goes and shatters my illusions by jumping on the dance floor. where is the dignity?

for my wedding in august, i was thinking of dressing up in the full suit with monacle and tophat, but karen nixed the idea.