No sense of humor. None. Such a shame.
Earlier this month, we told you that a limited batch of specially flavored ice cream was hitting your grocery’s freezer, brought to you by the masterminds at Ben & Jerrys. It’s name – Schweddy Balls, after the iconic Alec Baldwin SNL skit.
Now, the innuendo of the name is what it has made it a classic joke for the last decade or so, but apparently the American Family Association’s affiliate OneMillionMoms doesn’t find the joke all that funny. In fact, their delicate sensibilities are offended and they are calling for a boycott against all Ben and Jerry’s products because of the “vulgar new flavor” which has turned something as “innocent as ice cream into something repulsive.”
Oh wait, there’s more! They sent out this newsletter as a call to action for all of their constituents, saying:
Ben & Jerry’s announced their newest ice cream flavor which sounds anything but appealing. Schweddy Balls is the best they could come up with. The vulgar new flavor has turned something as innocent as ice cream into something repulsive. Not exactly what you want a child asking for at the supermarket.
The name originated from a Saturday Night Live skit featuring Alec Baldwin as Pete Schweddy, owner of a holiday bakery called Season’s Eatings. “There are lots of great treats this time of year,” Schweddy says. “Zucchini bread, fruitcake, but the thing I most like to bring out at this time of the year are my balls.”
He then explains that he sells popcorn balls, cheese balls, rum balls├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥balls for every taste├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥and the ball puns proceed for about four minutes. Ben & Jerry’s chose to go with fudge-covered rum and malt balls for their flavor. The skit culminates in Baldwin stating that “No one can resist my Schweddy Balls.”
In the past, Ben & Jerry’s has released controversial ice creams, like a special edition of Chubby Hubby called Hubby Hubby last year which celebrated gay marriage. It seems that offending customers has become an annual tradition for Ben & Jerry’s.
The ice cream is being released in a limited batch, which means it will be distributed nationwide but only for three or four months. If it proves popular, another batch might be forthcoming, but we hope not.
“The name is irreverent,” says Ben & Jerry’s spokesman Sean Greenwood. “But we’ve always been about having some irreverence and having some fun … We’re not trying to offend people. Our fans get the humor.”
TAKE ACTION
Please send Ben & Jerry’s Public Relations Manager, Sean Greenwood, an email letter requesting that no additional Schweddy Balls ice cream be distributed. Also, highly recommend they refrain from producing another batch with this name or any other offensive names or you will no longer be able to purchase their products.
Ah, c’mon Moms! Have you ever even tasted Schweddy Balls? Sure, the texture leaves something to be desired and a mouthful might because your tummy ache after while. But seriously, Schweddy Balls can be really delicious if you just open your minds and mouthes to them.
All we are saying is give Schweddy Balls a chance!!