Some Italian-Americans not happy over latest Carl's Jr. commercial

celeb_2006 · November 6th, 2009, 07:51 PM

SFGate: Politics Blog : Paisan watch: Sacto insider Maviglio's Mafia war with Carl's Jr.

YouTube Video

Democratic strategist Steve Maviglio is a big name in Sacramento for taking on the big guns -- Arnold, Bush, Rove. But this week, he's an ethnic hero for whacking a major fast food chain's Mafia-themed spots criticized as offensive to anyone with roots in The Boot.

The all-Italian-American political team here at the Chronicle Mother Ship -- yours truly and Comrade Joe Garofoli -- in our thank-god-it's-Friday lite mode, reviewed the recent spot which ran throughout the World Series from Carl's Jr.
Think waterfront, Italian subtitles, "blood," and actors in the school of Big Pussy from The Sopranos.

"Advertisers think they can get away with making Italian-Americans mobsters and garbage men,'' said Mavig, founder of Sacramento-based Forza Communications today. "They wouldn't think of doing it to any other ethnic group..they think it's funny.''

The former spokesman for former Gov. Gray Davis and Democratic insider decided to go to the mattresses because "I was appointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger to the California Italian-American Task Force" -- (wait, there's an official Italian-American task force??) -- which is an "official government thing.'' (That "blowing up the boxes" Arnold call to reduce boards and commissions must be..on Austrian time.)
Mavig and the task force chair, Bill Cerruti, working with the National Italian American Foundation, hit Carl's -- uh, contacted Carl's -- regarding the problems of ethnic stereotyping.
Today, "we're pleased this campaign is going the way of the Frito Bandito and Jello-O's Chinese baby ad of the 1970's,'' said Cerruti.
So this spot now sleeps with the fishes more peacefully than Paris Hilton in a car wash.
Bada bing.

kingcap72 · November 6th, 2009, 08:34 PM

I feel the same way every time I see one of those damn KFC commercials dominated by black people. We don't all eat the Colonel's stolen recipe.

minime7 · November 11th, 2009, 02:44 PM

I'm not an Italian and if this commercial does offend Italians it should be taken off the air but when I watched this I thought it was hilarious.

buttmunch · November 11th, 2009, 02:57 PM

This all reminds me of the Sopranos episode where Tony's therapist is having dinner with her ex and some other people and they have this big debate about Italians always being portrayed as mobsters. And King, I am shocked you aren't down at the KFC daily. You're killing all those lovely stereotypes with that kind of post!

angelais · November 11th, 2009, 02:58 PM

I think the commercial is stupid but I'm not offended. However I'm not Italian. I just say let's find something else in the world to worry about.

Anyone ever heard of freedom of speech? Too many people get their panties in a bunch over stupid shit these days.

Icepik · November 11th, 2009, 03:01 PM

I don't know...I'm 100% and I laughed.

kingcap72 · November 11th, 2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buttmunch

This all reminds me of the Sopranos episode where Tony's therapist is having dinner with her ex and some other people and they have this big debate about Italians always being portrayed as mobsters. And King, I am shocked you aren't down at the KFC daily. You're killing all those lovely stereotypes with that kind of post!

Butt, you've offended me...for no apparent, rational, discernible reason.

*calls ACLU & PC Police in tears*

witchcurlgirl · November 11th, 2009, 03:05 PM

I'm not offended, but I'm just not easily offended. If these people want to make a thing about it, it's fine. There is definitely some truth to the fact that it's ok to use this stereotype while others are completely off limits.

Mel1973 · November 11th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingcap72

I feel the same way every time I see one of those damn KFC commercials dominated by black people. We don't all eat the Colonel's stolen recipe.

don't lie... it's ok. it's us white folk who eat all the Popeyes...

kingcap72 · November 11th, 2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel1973

don't lie... it's ok. it's us white folk who eat all the Popeyes...

*adds Mel to the list of people who need to go the Political Correctness Re-Education Camp*

buttmunch · November 11th, 2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingcap72

Butt, you've offended me...for no apparent, rational, discernible reason.

*calls ACLU & PC Police in tears*

Damn! This is when I realize sarcasm doesn't always translate on the internets. By the way, I'm part Italian and I love mob stuff. It makes me strangely proud. Now, I'm off to eat some white people food.

kingcap72 · November 11th, 2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buttmunch

Damn! This is when I realize sarcasm doesn't always translate on the internets. By the way, I'm part Italian and I love mob stuff. It makes me strangely proud. Now, I'm off to eat some white people food.

Well, the ACLU put me on hold, but the PC Police said they're putting you at the top of their Politically InCorrect Most Wanted List. The PC Alert will be going out within 24 hours.

Moongirl · November 11th, 2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buttmunch

This all reminds me of the Sopranos episode where Tony's therapist is having dinner with her ex and some other people and they have this big debate about Italians always being portrayed as mobsters. And King, I am shocked you aren't down at the KFC daily. You're killing all those lovely stereotypes with that kind of post!

You know if they also served watermelon, he'd be there in a flash...