Devo To Sue McDonald’s Over Offensive Toy

Let’s see, back in April I wrote a post entitled, “Genrefication Reset And McDonald’s Current Contribution To The Destruction Of Creative Thought”. In it, I discussed the offensive batch of “American Idol-inspired Happy Meal toys” that McDonald’s was about to distribute and just why they are so offensive.

Today, Pitchfork had this…

As noted on Devo’s website, not only is Nigel wearing an approximation of Devo’s iconic “energy dome” hat, he also rocks an orange jumpsuit, sports some angular shades, and even plays a song that– as the band’s site puts it– is “Devo-esque.”…

Devo, as you might imagine, feel differently. According to an Australian Associated Press report reprinted on stuff.co.nz [via BrooklynVegan], the band is suing McDonald’s, claiming that no one from the company contacted them about New Wave Nigel. Devo bassist Gerald Casale– who designed the trademarked energy dome headgear– is quoted as saying, “This New Wave Nigel doll that they’ve created is just a complete Devo rip-off and the red hat is exactly the red hat that I designed, and it’s copyrighted and trademarked. We’re in the midst of suing them…they didn’t ask us anything. Plus, we don’t like McDonald’s, and we don’t like ‘American Idol’, so we’re doubly offended.”

All right. Good going Devo and, good going Gerald Casale.

Here is the “American Idol-inspired Happy Meal toy” in question.

Here is Devo.

I also want to recommend that, instead of getting your kids an “American Idol-inspired Happy Meal toy” that is a Devo rip-off, go to the the Devo website instead and get them one of these.

DEVO Action Figure
$11.99

The Spuds in Effigy! Single figure in a radiation suit packaged with five interchangeable heads. Includes energy dome and whip. Featuring Bob Casale, Jerry Casale, Bob Mothersbaugh, Mark Mothersbaugh and Josh Freese!