Despite Campaign, Public Still Hates Rodents (Even Adorable Ones With Small-Time Gambling Addictions)
In the newest in a popular series of Pennsylvania Lottery commercials to hit the airwaves, Gus (the second most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania) promotes a new heat-themed lottery game by entering a hot wing competition, prompting a highbrow joke about him “winging” the recipe. Disturbingly, Gus’s heartfelt advice/advertising slogan/post-hypnotic suggestion, “Keep on scratchin’,” has been grossly distorted into a mantra of “Keep on killin’” in the minds of many. Over 11 anti-Gus Facebook groups have sprung up, many with a violent agenda in their names, such as the Committee to euthanize Gus (the second most famous groundhog in PA) and “WHO WANTS TO DECAPITATE GUS?” the second most famous groundhog. These anti-Gus groups far outnumber the mere two pro-Gus groups, a trend that seems be gaining momentum. The public may be manifesting its anger on the roadways of rural Pennsylvania, where several groundhog corpses have been found slain.
Like that relative whose holiday drunkenness you overlook because his charming stories bring so much joy to the family, can’t we all just accept Gus’s slightly embarrassing lottery huckstering problem in light of his keen wit and adorability? Why has this loveable little critter caused such violent reactions?
June 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Finally, a real news story.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:02 am
I don’t know if this is true or not, but I heard that this is Gus’s 2nd job in advertising. He was originally a spokesperson (spokesanimal?) for a yeast infection medicine, but his “keep on scratching” slogan was both offensive to women as well as being contrary to the purpose of the product.
June 12th, 2009 at 11:21 am
its cute how our state-run lottery uses muppets to lure kids (and adults with kid brains) into gambling, but it makes the lines at the fishtown market that much longer.