Althouse: What an edgy KFC ad.

February 23, 2018

What an edgy KFC ad.

KFC is apologizing for running out of chicken (in the UK).

75 comments:

Wilbur said...: I am repelled by their ad campaign making fun of Harlan Sanders. Just my take.; 2/23/18, 10:48 AM
rcocean said...: I know several peeps who worked at KFC when in college.

They NEVER eat there.

Reasons.; 2/23/18, 10:49 AM
SeanF said...: We were actually told, "Sorry, we're all out of chicken" at a KFC drive-through a few years ago.

We just went somewhere else, but I remember being momentarily stunned. How can a KFC be out of chicken?; 2/23/18, 10:49 AM
rcocean said...: KFC isn't bad, as long as you take off the skin and all the Goop that's on the skin.; 2/23/18, 10:51 AM
langford peel said...: The Asians ate all the chicken.; 2/23/18, 10:52 AM
rhhardin said...: If they still have breading, it should be okay.; 2/23/18, 10:52 AM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: Popeyes leaves KFC in the dust.; 2/23/18, 10:55 AM
Bay Area Guy said...: There's a Popeyes in downtown Oakland. If it ran out of chicken, there'd be riots!; 2/23/18, 11:00 AM
Churchy LaFemme: said...: I am repelled by their ad campaign making fun of Harlan Sanders. Just my take.

Have you ever read his WP entry? The guy was a "man in full". I did not know that..; 2/23/18, 11:01 AM
tcrosse said...: Back in 2009 the Wisconsin Tourism Federation was obliged to change its name and its WTF logo.; 2/23/18, 11:07 AM
Bay Area Guy said...: I might go to Popeyes today for lunch. Its kinda addicting.; 2/23/18, 11:08 AM
Ralph L said...: Popeyes used to have a terrible food delivery system. Slow fast food. Piles of cooked chicken sitting there while you wait. I hope they've improved it.

The chicken is good if you like pepper.

The Chick Fil A's here are always crowded, especially at lunch, but they dropped their delicious lemon pie. Zaxby's is always about empty.; 2/23/18, 11:09 AM
Virgil Hilts said...: In college I went to Arbys late one morning (about 11am) and they told me sorry we are temporarily out of Roast Beef. At least KFC closed their doors and put up a sign.; 2/23/18, 11:10 AM
Churchy LaFemme: said...: In college I went to Arbys late one morning (about 11am) and they told me sorry we are temporarily out of Roast Beef. At least KFC closed their doors and put up a sign.

Maybe not for a chain, but normally, that would be sign #2 your favorite restaurant is about to close; 2/23/18, 11:20 AM
traditionalguy said...: It's not only that bucket logo, the stores are now calling their chicken parts Breasts, Legs and Thighs. What has this world come to.; 2/23/18, 11:21 AM
rhhardin said...: German philosophers are great. I read all of Kant for pleasure. Even Heidegger made huge advances.

The unnoticed truth is that evil is hard to spot. You can't be lazy about it.

Levinas, who spent WWII in a concentration camp, wrote of Heidegger's Nazism,

It is impossible to be stinting in our admiration for the intellectual vigor of "Sein und Zeit," particularly in light of the immense output this extraordinary book of 1927 inspired. Its supreme steadfastness will mark it forever. Can we be assured, however, that there was never any echo of Evil in it? The diabolical is not limited to the wickedness popular wisdom ascribes to it and whose malice, based on guile, is familiar and predictable in an adult culture. The diabolical is endowed with intelligence and enters where it will. To reject it, it is first necessary to refute it. Intellectual effort is needed to recognize it. Who can boast of having done so? Say what you will, the diabolical gives food for thought.; 2/23/18, 11:29 AM
AGEN RESMI PRODUK S3 INDONESIA S3 CARBO MGANIK said...: Jual Obat Hercules Cair Asli Di Bandung
Jual Obat Kuat Cialis 80mg Asli Di Bandung
Jual Obat Viagra 100mg Asli Usa Di Bandung
Jual Obat Hermuno Intoxic Anti Parasit Di Bandung
Jual Obat Penirum Asli Di Bandung
Jual Obat Erogan Asli Di Bandung
Jual Obat Forex Asli Di Bandung
Jual Hammer Of Thor Asli Di Bandung
Jual Titan Gel Asli Di Bandung; 2/23/18, 11:31 AM
Shawn Levasseur said...: "It's not much of a cheese shop then, is it?"

https://youtu.be/cWDdd5KKhts; 2/23/18, 11:32 AM
Fabi said...: Brilliant -- two chicken wings up!; 2/23/18, 11:33 AM
Rumpletweezer said...: What do you sell?

Chicken.

Can I have some?

No.

Why not?

We're out of chicken.

It's the Monty Python Cheese Shop come to life.; 2/23/18, 11:35 AM
Leland said...: Had breakfast at Chick-fil-A this morning. What's this about KFC?; 2/23/18, 11:49 AM
Mr. Groovington said...: Superb.; 2/23/18, 11:53 AM
Snark said...: Well, that would work on me.; 2/23/18, 11:57 AM
whitney said...: Edgy. I'm so sick of edgy. Also dark. So many movies, TV shows, books and art are described as edgy and dark. It would just be better to call them depraved; 2/23/18, 11:57 AM
reader said...: I like it. It made me grin.; 2/23/18, 11:59 AM
Static Ping said...: We stopped going to KFC a while ago. They use a lot of MSG in their food to the point that it was violently triggering a sensitivity to it. Nothing tastes good enough to barf it up in the middle of the night. We go to Popeye's now. The only thing I really miss is the pot pie.; 2/23/18, 12:03 PM
Static Ping said...: But the ad is good. Admitting the problem and apologizing while explaining that the situation should be resolved soon is a good way of handling the situation. Of course, if they do not deliver it will make things worse. Then again, if they do not fix the problem then they have worse problems that PR campaigns.; 2/23/18, 12:05 PM
Nonapod said...: Is it my imagination, or have there been many more link spammers on the Althouse Blog these past few weeks?; 2/23/18, 12:06 PM
Triangle Man said...: Chick-fil-A has brilliant marketing and juicy chicken, but I can't abide their sickly sweet and under-seasoned batter anymore. When they first opened, though, we were there every week.; 2/23/18, 12:15 PM
Unknown said...: “Is it just my imagination, or have there been many more link spammers on the Althouse Blog these past few weeks?”

Another Monty Python reference!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE; 2/23/18, 12:16 PM
Mr. Groovington said...: I guess that’s why I hope Inga comes back soon. She was wrinkly, cranky, but uniquely delivered her thing without the long lefty blitheringness; 2/23/18, 12:24 PM
Wilbur said...: Today's spam chick 's pic is pretty cute, so there's that.

I love Popeyes - their side dishes are surprising top notch - but it's something I'll eat and then I won't want any for another 2-3 months. I guess that's a good thing.; 2/23/18, 12:25 PM
pacwest said...: Looked at the pic and didn't catch it at first. I like humor that takes a second to sink in.; 2/23/18, 12:30 PM
Shawn Levasseur said...: "Another Monty Python reference!"

NO ONE expects the Spammish Repetition!; 2/23/18, 12:40 PM
Kevin said...: Works really well in the UK where they drop the F word and both C words into formal business conversations and other places you'd never expect it. I work at an international business and there is just an outright double standard that employees from the UK and Ireland get to say things no one else can.; 2/23/18, 12:42 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: “I am repelled by their ad campaign making fun of Harlan Sanders. Just my take.”

My partner’s mother worked for Sanders for quite awhile, and she would take her family over to his place on Sundays on occasion. Apparently a very nice man. She remembers him very fondly. Sanders had a special needs son, whom he kept out of the public eye, and whom he doted upon. Funny thing was that they never ate KFC chicken there - her mother wouldn’t have stood for it. She made most of their food from scratch, and that much fat and carbs was not acceptable food for her kids. She was into natural foods decades before it was fashionable.; 2/23/18, 12:44 PM
Art in LA said...: Used to be PFK in parts of Canada ... "Poulet Frit Kentucky". WTF!; 2/23/18, 12:47 PM
MountainMan said...: Been a customer of Chick-Fil-A for 50 years. Started out at the very first one in Greenbriar Mall in 1967. Probably have not eaten at a KFC in the last 10 years, and never more than once/year before that at the most. CFA beats all other chicken fast food places on just about everything - quality of food, service, cleanliness - except price. I eat breakfast at CFA just about every Monday morning - chicken biscuit, fruit cup, large black coffee. Great way to start my week. I have been to Britain many times over the last 40 years and could never understand their fascination with KFC.; 2/23/18, 12:59 PM
Ignorance is Bliss said...: Static Ping said...

The only thing I really miss is the pot pie.

I hear the Marie Callender's in Boulder has good pot pies...; 2/23/18, 1:12 PM
Bay Area Guy said...: This has been the Fried Chicken Hour with Ann Althouse.; 2/23/18, 1:18 PM
Rob said...: Bay Area Guy wrote, "There's a Popeyes in downtown Oakland. If it ran out of chicken, there'd be riots!"

Also if it didn't run out of chicken.; 2/23/18, 1:27 PM
Gahrie said...: I have been to Britain many times over the last 40 years and could never understand their fascination with KFC.

The Japanese fascination is even weirder. KFC is now traditional Christmas food in Japan.; 2/23/18, 1:33 PM
prairie wind said...: Great ad. Almost makes me want to try KFC again but I'll stick with Raising Canes.; 2/23/18, 1:46 PM
Churchy LaFemme: said...: Read an article that claimed that part of it was that although the Japanese are fascinated with Christmas, it's not an official Japanese holiday and they don't get the day off. Thus they want something unusual to celebrate, but can't spend the day cooking: Enter KFC..; 2/23/18, 1:48 PM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: I don't like Chick-Fil-A chicken as much as I do Popeye's, but Chick-Fil-A's service cannot be beat.; 2/23/18, 2:01 PM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: There is a Japanese baseball curse - yes they have them there too - involving Colonel Sanders and KFC:

"Curse of the Colonel (カーネルサンダースの呪い Kāneru Sandāsu no Noroi) refers to an urban legend regarding a reputed curse placed on the Japanese Kansai-based Hanshin Tigers baseball team by deceased KFC founder and mascot Colonel Harland Sanders.

The Hanshin Tigers are located in Kansai, the second largest metropolitan area in Japan. They are considered the eternal underdogs of Nippon Professional Baseball, in opposition to the Yomiuri Giants of Tokyo, who are considered the kings of Japanese baseball. The devoted fans flock to the stadium no matter how badly the Tigers play in the league.

In 1985, much to the nation's surprise, the Hanshin Tigers faced the Seibu Lions and took their first and only victory in the Japan Series, largely due to the efforts of star slugger Randy Bass (presently State Senator from Oklahoma), an American playing for the team.

The fan base went wild, and a riotous celebration gathered at Ebisu Bridge in Dōtonbori, Osaka. There, an assemblage of supporters yelled the players' names, and with every name, a fan resembling a member of the victorious team leaped from the bridge into the waiting canal. However, lacking a Caucasian person to imitate MVP Randy Bass, the rabid crowd seized a plastic statue of Colonel Sanders (like Bass, the Colonel had a beard and was not Japanese) from a nearby KFC and tossed it off the bridge as an effigy.

According to the urban legend, this impulsive maneuver cost the team greatly, beginning the Curse of the Colonel, which states that the Tigers will not win the championship again until the statue is recovered. Subsequently, numerous attempts have been made to recover the statue, often as part of a variety TV show. Most of the statue was recovered in March 2009."; 2/23/18, 2:18 PM
Char Char Binks, Esq. said...: No FCK pls, we're American.; 2/23/18, 2:18 PM
Static Ping said...: Damnit, I just got it.

Clever. Rude, but clever.; 2/23/18, 2:20 PM
Wince said...: "BAD CHICKEN! MESS YOU UP! "; 2/23/18, 2:23 PM
mikeski said...: The bucket couldn't have read "D'OH"?

Or do they not have The Simpsons on the other side of the pond?; 2/23/18, 2:24 PM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: I just love that the crowd of Japanese baseball fans thought a Colonel Sanders statue would be an acceptable substitute for Randy Moss just because they were both white guys with beards.

"They all look alike, what's the difference?"; 2/23/18, 2:33 PM
Gahrie said...: Read an article that claimed that part of it was that although the Japanese are fascinated with Christmas, it's not an official Japanese holiday and they don't get the day off. Thus they want something unusual to celebrate, but can't spend the day cooking: Enter KFC..

KFC did some really effective advertising also.; 2/23/18, 2:35 PM
Michael said...: It's a Brit thing. Some time ago the apparel chain French Connection opened stores in Britain and had fun with FCUK (French Connection, United Kingdom). How droll.; 2/23/18, 2:35 PM
Sigivald said...: It's Britain.

"F*ck" is not near as edgy as in America.

If they'd said "We're bloody well sorry", that'd be edgy.; 2/23/18, 2:35 PM
mikeski said...: Read an article that claimed that part of it was that although the Japanese are fascinated with Christmas, it's not an official Japanese holiday and they don't get the day off. Thus they want something unusual to celebrate, but can't spend the day cooking: Enter KFC..

It's also due to an attempt to borrow all the trappings of Western-style Christmas. Turkey-farming is "not a thing" in Japan, and chicken dinner is the next-closest thing to turkey dinner, apparently.

They also borrowed British-style "Christmas cakes", but they're usually just plain white cake in Japan, not fruitcake.; 2/23/18, 2:36 PM
MadisonMan said...: Not a fan. I'd prefer a simple "We're Sorry"

Leave clever for others. I want quality food.

I've add KFC maybe 3 times in 57 years, though. I'm not their audience.; 2/23/18, 2:38 PM
tcrosse said...: I once saw this on a t-shirt:
FCK
the only thing missing is U.; 2/23/18, 2:43 PM
Deep State Reformer said...: Hungry customers don't give a fck about your clever ad copy. Next time this happens they should dismember and fry up the management that let it happen because... fck them.; 2/23/18, 2:48 PM
Francisco D said...: "I have been to Britain many times over the last 40 years and could never understand their fascination with KFC."

I was in London for a week about 8 years ago. The Brits cannot cook. KFC is a delicacy to them.

The Indian food was great, but traditional English dishes were overcooked. They eat to live whereas the French live to eat.; 2/23/18, 3:07 PM
madAsHell said...: From the wiki page....

In 1930, the Shell Oil Company offered Sanders a service station in North Corbin, Kentucky, rent free, in return for paying the company a percentage of sales.[6] Sanders began to serve chicken dishes and other meals such as country ham and steaks.[17] Initially he served the customers in his adjacent living quarters before opening a restaurant. It was during this period that Sanders was involved in a shootout with Matt Stewart, a local competitor, over the repainting of a sign directing traffic to his station. Stewart killed a Shell employee who was with Sanders and was convicted of murder, eliminating Sanders's competition.

....and there's more! He was a brawler!!; 2/23/18, 3:20 PM
Ralph L said...: Does KFC still pressure-cook their chicken? That was part of the Colonel's secret. It didn't take as long to cook, so the food was fresher and less was wasted.; 2/23/18, 3:38 PM
Etienne said...: I once drove 60 miles to the A&W Root Beer restaurant in Williston, ND. They told me they were out of root beer!

I still remember that day, just like the day Jimmy Hoffa got out of prison.; 2/23/18, 3:39 PM
Etienne said...: Ralph L said...Does KFC still pressure-cook their chicken?

Yes, but it doesn't taste good, because they are using a soy product now. The days of corn oil are over. You can have an AR-15, but no corn oil pilgrim!; 2/23/18, 3:46 PM
Curious George said...: Growing up in the Chicago burbs we would do Browns Chicken. Until two assholes killed the owner, his wife, and five workers. For $2,000. Sad for them. And no more chicken.; 2/23/18, 3:56 PM
Snark said...: "Used to be PFK in parts of Canada ... "Poulet Frit Kentucky". WTF!"

It probably still is. Quebec would rather call it KKK than put up an English sign.; 2/23/18, 3:59 PM
Bay Area Guy said...: There was a Church's Chicken in West Berkeley, but it was kinda ghetto, so I only went there once in 42 years.

It closed, but here's one of the last Yelp reviews:

I can't get the taste of moldy bread out of my mouth now. I've washed with Listerine and brushed and swished and it's been hours now. The chicken wasn't even hot like they just cooked it, it was hotish and overcooked like they just reheated some chicken that I hadn't even ordered (ordered spicy, got overcooked regular with moldy breading).

Never mind that the service sucked and they were out of everything. Also I notice a review form 12 days ago says the intercom was broken. Still broken tonight. You're a fast food restaurant, a major chain. How do you not get your intercom fixed in 2 weeks?

I also see from the photos people have noticed it looks like they intentionally jackhammerd the drive through to increase tire damage.

You don't deserve this business. You don't respect what you have.; 2/23/18, 4:09 PM
bagoh20 said...: I love the ad!

Maybe you'd be surprised, but maybe not, but Reba McIntyre tastes like chicken.; 2/23/18, 4:25 PM
tcrosse said...: As I recall, the Brits like their chicken a bit gamier than we North Americans do. Maybe because they have Lucas refrigerators.; 2/23/18, 4:35 PM
rcocean said...: The Brits are much more vulgar, profane, and atheistic than White Americans.

I know. Its surprising, since we all think every Brit went to Oxford and speaks with a BBC accent.

For example, the Brits love to pepper their speech with "Fuck" "Cunt" and "Sod off".
The age of consent if 15. The love sex, boozing it up, and seeing simulated sex on the Telly. Whenever they go to Spain on "Holiday" they take all their clothes off, have sex in the streets, and scare the horses.

Its not all "Masterpiece theater".; 2/23/18, 5:06 PM
Mark said...: The ad is not edgy -- assuming that's a real ad and not a joke. It is no-class and trashy.

Running out of product happens and is unintentional. This was intentional.; 2/23/18, 5:38 PM
Richard said...: The good "Colonel" was Confederate, right? How is it possible this business survives?; 2/23/18, 5:48 PM
mikee said...: I usually eat a quick lunch at a KFC about once every six months.
That keeps me from eating at a KFC for about another six months.
And let's not talk about Taco Bell.; 2/23/18, 6:08 PM
Darkisland said...: Someone mentioned the soggy covering. Even the extra crispy isn't ay all crisp. The only thing I like at kfc is the big crunch sandwich.

Even col sanders didn't like kfc in the 70s. In an interview I saw he was complaining that after he sold it, they changef the recipe and it tasted like crap.

I fondly remember kfc before they had standalone restaurants. In the DC area they werea menu item at Tops Drive ins. In Philly at Genos. Other places, other chains.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Church's fried chicken. Very crispy and moist close to how I remember kfc of my youth.

John Henry; 2/23/18, 8:21 PM
n.n said...: FiCK is a play on CHiCK.; 2/23/18, 10:42 PM
Jual Vimax Obat Pembesar Penis said...: Obat Testo Ultra Asli Di Medan
Obat Develope Sex Asli Di Medan
Obat Hermuno Asli Di Medan
Obat Titan Gel Asli Di Medan
Obat Anabolic Rx24 Asli Di Medan
Obat Forex Asli Di Medan
Obat Vimax Asli Di Medan
Obat Viagra Asli Usa Di Binjai
Obat Cialis Tadalafil Di Medan
Obat Blue Wizard Asli Di Medan; 2/25/18, 5:57 AM