I'm not sure if you've heard of Aldi's 'Kevin the Carrot' plush soft toy. I won't be surprised if you haven't because I hadn't either.
It's a phenomenon that has completely passed me by, up until now. Well, being generous of heart I have decided to share it with you, along with my incredulity.
It all started in 2016, when in their Christmas ad, the supermarket Aldi decided to put Kevin the Carrot as the main support act to turkey (since we are naming food, let's call it Tallulah) on the Christmas table. This incensed Russel sprout (understandably so).
The ad ended with Kevin powering Santa's reindeer and his sleigh (with him in it of course) which is no mean feat (not that I am fat shaming good old Santa).
In 2017, Kevin met Katie (I've never seen such long lashes on a carrot). Yes, Kevin stayed true to his race - no pretty Penny Parsnip for our Kev. Katie batted those impossibly long lashes at him and he turned to mush.
Fast forward to 2019, and Katie appears to have morphed into the Marge Simpson of the vegetable world, although I am happy to say that the lashes are still lush. Don't ask me about the mechanics of it all but they have produced three baby carrots.
Not sure if their names begin with 'K' as well but if they do, it makes them the KKKKK klan of karrots.
In the meanwhile, the passing years have only served to embitter Russel Sprout further. Who can blame him? He gets to be feted (I exaggerate) one day in the year before fading into oblivion for the next 364 days.
His vendetta takes a turn for the worse as he and his gang of Leafy Blinders (flat cap and all) try to attack Kevin.
It ends with Kevin singing 'Let me entertain you'. Personally, the only thing I would entertain is a cardiac arrest if a carrot shot up on my plate at the Christmas table and belted out a Robbie Williams song.
Now for the part that has me incredulous. There is an absolute craze for the plush soft toy versions of these characters. A three foot Kevin sells for £19.99.Why would anyone want to cuddle a three foot carrot is beyond me. In fact the whole thing is beyond me.
Apparently, people (mostly parents) have been queuing up for hours waiting for Aldi shops to open, so that they can merrily push and shove each other in non-seasonal fervour to acquire these toys.
Personally, I feel a little sorry for Russel Sprout. Kevin and Katie do appear to be a trifle smug. Maybe it's because even little humans like them, which is not a boast most vegetables can make.
They are popular all year round, so I don't think that they should be stealing the limelight from poor old Russel Sprout on that one day of the year that he gets to shine (once again, I exaggerate).
It's too late now, but bearing in mind that the Leafy Blinders were unsuccessful this year, perhaps Russel Sprout can recruit Rod Bean to help him next year.
That's your new character for next year sorted Aldi. I am open to a show of gratitude by way of a hamper (I am nothing if not persistent). Please don't feel obliged to include any of your plush soft toy vegetables in it, although on second thoughts, they apparently go for six times the retail price on ebay........
Until next week, try and keep it light!
No comments:
Post a Comment