Commotion: Mr. Potato Head Canceled
The Claim
Mr. Potato Head, beloved spud with an affinity for mustaches, has been “canceled.”
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Emerging story
Mr. Potato Head is a plastic spud that can be dressed up via plugging plastic accessories into a plastic potato. The toy is an iconic figure first produced in the early 1950s. It was the first toy ever advertised on television.
Recently, Hasbro – the company who owns the Potato Head brand of toys – announced that it’s going to take the “Mr.” off of its brand name. This is meant to give the brand a more general-neutral tone, to be what the company feels will be more inclusive. This has led to some outcry on social media.
Senator Matt Gaetz of Florida denounced the change, saying that Hasbro is effectively canceling Mr. Potato Head.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that much of this outcry seems to be assuming that Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head will be removed in favor of a gender-neutral character. However, Hasbro isn’t canceling any of its characters. While they are changing the Potato Head brand name, they’re still going to be selling Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head in stores.
They will be sold with their own male/female-deemeed accessories, just as before.
