So I was clicking through the TV channels, and started watching one of those shop-at-home channels. The items featured for sale at that time were Titanic mementos and keepsakes, obviously spurred on by the success of the movie. Some of the items were the ever-present collector's plate series (who the heck would display a plate picturing a ship sinking?), books, videos, CD's, etc. They even had actual chunks of the Titanic's coal for sale and also genuine stock certificates from the White Star Line. Then, they presented something for sale that made my mouth drop open in disbelief. I can't remember the exact name of the character, so let's just call it "Snowflake, the Titanic Polar Bear." They were actually selling a stuffed polar bear toy to commemorate a ship that sunk and resulted in over 1,500 lives being lost. A cute little mascot, dressed in a Titanic crew member's uniform, that you can buy in remembrance of the Titanic dead. And it being a polar bear reminds you that those poor unfortunate souls froze to death in icy waters amidst icebergs. I got to thinking...is this a new trend? Should we create cute characters to symbolize great tragedies and bad times throughout history? If so, here are some suggestions:
- Harry, the Holocaust Hound (a cute little malnourished greyhound pup, attired in a concentration camp uniform.)
- Vinnie, the Vietnam Vet (when you clap your hands, this cuddly penguin hits the deck and trembles , simulating a Vietnam flashback.)
- Hindenburg Hank (a plush blimp toy that bursts into flames when you squeeze its tummy and says "Oh, the humanity" in a funny duck voice.)
- Flat-broke Frankie (a depression-era kitty-cat dressed in raggedy clothes holding a sign that reads "Buddy, can you spare a hug?")
- Hiroshima Hanna (a precious little Japanese girl doll with radioactive burns all over her body... glows in the dark.)
- Challenger Charlie (the cutest little space shuttle astronaut you've ever seen!)
If any of these offend you, sorry, but that's the point. I'm merely pointing out the absurdity of people making and selling a mascot based on mass death.
(from an email)
3 comments:
MSN:
I agree.
Cashing in on a tragedy is simply NOT right.
I mean if the Titanic has sailed a few times, and people stole a few ashtrays BEFORE it sank (or was scrapped)...fine.
Those other "cuddlies" are more insidious than that "Chuckie" doll from those horror movies.
But...you "could" always market Welfare Barbie...or Crack-Head Ken.
OR the Obama mascot...just sits around, goes to paries and bows to anyone while eating ONLY "healthy" foods.
Trouble is...when you pull the ring to make him talk, all he does is apologizes for America or spouts progressive nonsense.
None of those would be big sellers.
Good post.
Stay warm & safe down there.
So true, I have never seen that infomercial. it sounds ridiculous. Blessings, Joanne
unreal. i can relate to vinnie though. probley would get him so we could have our anxiety attacks together. sarcastic yea, but very true and my life. and NO, you did not offend me. i'm a freaked out desert storm vet.
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