Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 1992 song “Baby’s got Back” may have been a hit on the charts, but its use in a recent Burger King commercial has parent advocacy groups all up in the fast-food chain’s grill.
The Chicago Sun Times reports parents think the ad – featuring SpongeBob SquarePants, Sir Mix-A-Lot claiming “booty is booty” and an altered version of his song playing in the background – is offensive.
Parents are also upset that the Burger King mascot measures the rectangular posteriors of dancing women.
The spot started airing during the NCAA basketball championship game last week. Parents soon complained, says the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which is heading a letter-writing campaign against the ads.
"Associating a cartoon character who is wildly popular with young children with this kind of objectification of women and looking at and talking about their body parts, this is really a new low," said Josh Golin, the group's associate director.
Burger King and SpongeBob network Nickelodeon claim the spot isn't aimed at children.
"[It is] meant to appeal to the adults who take their families to Burger King restaurants," Burger King said. "This commercial is intended to show that even adults can have fun, laugh and be silly with entertainment genres – such as rap and pop culture icons – that have become part of everyday life."
Check out the ad for yourself:
Thoughts? melissa@tvguide.ca
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