McDonalds Selling its Soul?

[Desnudo]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...onald_s_health

A couple of thoughts:

1. For some reason this article made me think of that Simpsons episode where Itchy and Scratchy become nonviolent due to Marge protesting and everyone stops watching. "They love, they love. They love, and love and love."

2. The majority of people are really fat in America. This is because they like to eat too much fatty food, like McDonalds.

3. People who are health conscious have such a negative image of McDonalds, and usually chain restaurants in general, that there is no way McDonalds will ever draw them in.

4. McDonalds will end up appealing to no one and should go back to doing what they do well. Making cheeseburgers and fries.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

McDonalds will end up appealing to no one and should go back to doing what they do well. Making cheeseburgers and fries.

They are going to sell plenty more cheeseburgers and fries than they are the healthy happy meals... but that doesn't mean it's a bad idea to try this kind of offering. It's not like they are shutting down the grills and canceling the Big Mac for this... it's just another option.

[Desnudo]

Screw that. I want the other option to be a triple quarterpounder with cheese.

[HornedFrog Purple]

Isn't it their McSoul?

[sabotai]

Doesn't effect me, I usually go to Wendy's.

[Suicane75]

I miss the MCDLT, I miss it with all of my fat heart.

[Fidatelo]

McDonalds has a soul?

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

McDonalds has a soul?

Exactly.

[condors]

bring back the mcrib for the health food nuts like me

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

I miss the MCDLT, I miss it with all of my fat heart.

They essentially still have it, its just called the Big'n'Tasty, and of course, it's missing that genius two sided styrofoam box, and the catchy "hot side hot, cool side cool" commercials.

[corbes]

Check this movie out.




http://www.iofilm.co.uk/io/mit/0/publicity.php

Controversy Attracts at Sundance

To generate publicity for your documentary it doesn’t hurt to stick your neck - or stomach - out. At least, not too far...

By Rebort

	Morgan Spurlock enjoys breakfast, lunch, or is it supper?

There’s nothing like controversy to get you in the public eye. Hacks gobble it up. We all gobble it up. Especially when it strikes close to home.

Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock has been serving it up with relish in his documentary Super Size Me at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

For the Michael Moore-ish (it even sounds like Moore’s book Downsize This) investigation into America’s obsession with fast-food he ate McDonalds, accepting super sizes if offered, for a whole month to see what it would do to him.

"Morgan Spurlock took the fasttrack to becoming an obese American," is one of the taglines you find on the fast-food themed website. And "Super Size Me: a film of epic portions."

In the film, Spurlock, who ignored his doctor’s advice against doing the month-long stunt, takes a medical examination before and after. Spurlock says he put on almost 30 pounds (although he has since lost it) and ended up with a liver so punished that it resembled an alcoholic’s.

It remains to be seen whether the film, which just premiered at Sundance this past Saturday will follow anything like the meteoric trajectory of Bowling For Columbine, but the signs are good.

The film has created great buzz - interest from across the media, television and radio interviews, advance seat sell-outs, queues for rush tickets.

A stream of glowing reviews and a great distribution deal would cap a rollicking Sundance festival.

But is it too controversial?

There doesn’t appear to have been much legal outcry from McDonald’s thus far - that may be because after recent debacles and lengthy legal battles with the likes of the McLibel Two, McDonald’s resembles an elephant running away from a mouse.

There is also the issue of whether the large distributors, whose mother companies have fingers in other pies, will be afraid to piss off a major advertiser. I haven’t seen the film so I can’t say just how far it goes. But when you see the culture-jamming modus operandi of the Super Size Me crew - for instance, the redrawing of the Ronald McDonald clown into a obese version of himself - you get a pretty good idea of what to expect.

After Michael Moore’s Bowling For Columbine became the biggest grossing documentary of all time, distributor interest will not be put off easily. Gimmick movies, which this is to some extent, can do surprisingly well and with McDonalds-bashing now an international pastime there is a ready market. In truth, Super Size Me doesn't sound too controversial for distributors, it has just the right kind of controversy that gets a little film oodles of free publicity.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

McDonalds has a soul?

Not trying to stir it up, just honestly curious.

By this quote are you implying that McDonald's is some kind of wickedly evil corporate monster, or are you just saying that as a humorous counter to the thread title?

And if the former, can you please explain.

If the latter, HAR!

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by Samdari

They essentially still have it, its just called the Big'n'Tasty, and of course, it's missing that genius two sided styrofoam box, and the catchy "hot side hot, cool side cool" commercials.

Everywhere? I don't recall ever seeing anything called BignTasty on the menu, although i must admit I dont really pay attention. Does it comes all together? Cause the beauty of the MCDLT was in fact the hot side hot and the cool side cool.

[Suicane75]

Ive heard of that movie and the premise just seems so outlandish as to take any of it seriously. It's like making a movie about walking across a super highway with your eyes closed and seeing what happens.

[sterlingice]

Perhaps dude should get off his fat ass and go outside. There's no way you gain 30 pounds in a month with just supersizing stuff unless you sit in front of a camera and make documentaries the rest of the month. And if he is eating fast food every day for a month, he gets what he deserves, too...

SI

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Not trying to stir it up, just honestly curious.

By this quote are you implying that McDonald's is some kind of wickedly evil corporate monster, or are you just saying that as a humorous counter to the thread title?

And if the former, can you please explain.

If the latter, HAR!

You are trying to stir it up sir. No threadjacking in my threads. Save it for the WTO rally.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

the beauty of the MCDLT was in fact the hot side hot and the cool side cool.

You're screwed. McD's latest incarnation of the Whopper is indeed pre-built.

I always wondered how the accomplished the cool side cool thing while the double wide box was under the heat lamp?

[Miller Time]

I miss the arch deluxe. Those things were the greatest. I worked at McD's for a few years back in the day, you would be sick to your stomach if you saw them cleaning out the grease traps each night. That said, I understand the fast food craze, and I can't fault them for trying to clean up their image. Kitchen Fresh Chicken anyone??

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Perhaps dude should get off his fat ass and go outside. There's no way you gain 30 pounds in a month with just supersizing stuff unless you sit in front of a camera and make documentaries the rest of the month. And if he is eating fast food every day for a month, he gets what he deserves, too...

SI

I could gain 30 pounds in a month drinking nothing but stuff you buy at GNC. Pointless. People with agendas...

I miss the McDLT too. I really did like the cold side. Keeping the lettuce cool was a stroke of genius.

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by Samdari

You're screwed. McD's latest incarnation of the Whopper is indeed pre-built.

I always wondered how the accomplished the cool side cool thing while the double wide box was under the heat lamp?

They actually had a divider that kept the burger side under the heat thingy while the cool side was shielded from it.

[Franklinnoble]

I miss the McDLT and the Arch Deluxe, too... dammit, this thread is making me hungry for extinct hamburgers.

[MikeVic]

I don't know if it's just me and a couple of people I know, but McDonald's food actually makes me sick. My stomach hurts, and I have to go to the washroom for a few minutes...

I've had this experience from the Arch Deluxe, Big Mac, McChicken (although not as bad), and anything with cheese....

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

They actually had a divider that kept the burger side under the heat thingy while the cool side was shielded from it.

LOL, not at the one in Auburn, NY.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

I miss the McDLT and the Arch Deluxe, too... dammit, this thread is making me hungry for extinct hamburgers.

Well, the Big'N'Tasty is the arch deluxe.

[judicial clerk]

don't worry about McDonalds. They are going to be just fine and they are going to keep pumping out plenty of junk food and bringing in plenty of cash. I think they are only doing this so that soccer moms will stop there with the minivan full of chubby little kids. The mom will get the mcSalad while the kids get the burgers and fries. I think this move is akin to Bush in black neighborhoods. He is not necessarily doing it to garner the black vote, he is doing it to garner the middle of the road,white, middle class voter.

[corbes]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

I don't know if it's just me and a couple of people I know, but McDonald's food actually makes me sick. My stomach hurts, and I have to go to the washroom for a few minutes...

Same here, MikeVic.

[Miller Time]

Originally Posted by Samdari

Well, the Big'N'Tasty is the arch deluxe.

Are you sure about that? The arch deluxe had a distinct bun and if I recall correctly they didn't toast it. In Canada at least the Big N' Tasty is called the Big Extra and quite frankly it is nasty.

Ya, if I eat that stuff now it goes right through me. I would eat all the time when I worked their because I either got it half off or didn't pay for it at all (brings back the memories of sneaking downstairs during a shift to polish off a burger.....to be young again )

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by judicial clerk

don't worry about McDonalds. They are going to be just fine and they are going to keep pumping out plenty of junk food and bringing in plenty of cash. I think they are only doing this so that soccer moms will stop there with the minivan full of chubby little kids. The mom will get the mcSalad while the kids get the burgers and fries.

If the mom is buying the McSalad then why is she so tubby too?

[sachmo71]

It's amazing how much weight you can lose just by watching what you eat. I hope this trend continues. It's nice to have options when I want to go out for a fast lunch.

[clintl]

Making cheeseburgers is not something McDonald's does well.

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

McDonalds has a soul?

Of course.

Sincerely,

1982

[Miller Time]

I have always wondered what the obsession with McDonalds in particular is. It is a good place to take the kids and it is usually fast. But the food quality has never been great, chances are you are going to get something that has been cooked at least a half hour ago or has been sitting there for quite some time. Especially if you go at night, there is an allnight drive through right by my place and every now and then we'll go through late at night for some food, I have come to expect my fries to be gross, and my chicken to be stale. They now toast the buns to order, but before that they were just as bad. When I worked there about ten years ago, we used to put the fully made burger in the microwave for 15 seconds or so to heat them up.

All I know is, for my dollar there are better places to get fast food. Wendy's isn't bad, neither is Harveys and there are a tonne of local places that are good too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Miller Time

Are you sure about that? The arch deluxe had a distinct bun and if I recall correctly they didn't toast it.

Y'know, now that you mention it, I remember that one -- it had a sort of funky humpbacked faux roll sort of bun.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Miller Time

I have always wondered what the obsession with McDonalds in particular is.

Among other things, I'd say it stems from:
1) The best french fries (when fresh) in the history of potatoes.
2) The highest-dollar ad campaign for kids meal toys of any fast-food franchise.
3) The most recognizable logo in the fast-food biz.
4) They are freakin' everywhere. You might have to search for an Arby's or something, but there's a McD's at every other exit (or traffic light).

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by Miller Time

I have always wondered what the obsession with McDonalds in particular is. It is a good place to take the kids and it is usually fast. But the food quality has never been great, chances are you are going to get something that has been cooked at least a half hour ago or has been sitting there for quite some time. Especially if you go at night, there is an allnight drive through right by my place and every now and then we'll go through late at night for some food, I have come to expect my fries to be gross, and my chicken to be stale. They now toast the buns to order, but before that they were just as bad. When I worked there about ten years ago, we used to put the fully made burger in the microwave for 15 seconds or so to heat them up.

All I know is, for my dollar there are better places to get fast food. Wendy's isn't bad, neither is Harveys and there are a tonne of local places that are good too.

I don't know how old you are, but during the 80s fast food was McDonald's, Burger King, or a local pizza chain called Papa Gino's where I lived. I think there might have been one Wendy's in all of Massachusetts at the time. For the longest time Burger King had awful french fries. I don't know why they couldn't make good ones, but they were just soggy and disgusting with no salt. So you always went to McDonald's. Except for my dad who liked the Whaler.

Of course now you have tons better options. For example, almost every medium sized town has at least one gourmet quality sandwich shop that is far better tasting than fast food.

[andy m]

mcdonalds puts mind control substances in their food. the government pays them to do this.

[Chubby]

Originally Posted by Samdari

LOL, not at the one in Auburn, NY.

That's because it's Auburn...

I try and stay as far away from Auburn as humanely possible, and Fulton...

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Among other things, I'd say it stems from:
1) The best french fries (when fresh) in the history of potatoes.
2) The highest-dollar ad campaign for kids meal toys of any fast-food franchise.
3) The most recognizable logo in the fast-food biz.
4) They are freakin' everywhere. You might have to search for an Arby's or something, but there's a McD's at every other exit (or traffic light).

One opening on Salem road tomorrow, with another opening 5 miles from it in about two months.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Not trying to stir it up, just honestly curious.

By this quote are you implying that McDonald's is some kind of wickedly evil corporate monster, or are you just saying that as a humorous counter to the thread title?

And if the former, can you please explain.

If the latter, HAR!

Just trying to be funny.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

I don't know if it's just me and a couple of people I know, but McDonald's food actually makes me sick. My stomach hurts, and I have to go to the washroom for a few minutes...

I've had this experience from the Arch Deluxe, Big Mac, McChicken (although not as bad), and anything with cheese....

I've never met anyone who has had anything but this experience. It is just part and parcel with the experience. And yet we all keep going back...

[Leonidas]

So is the idea of Mickey D's selling its soul by selling healthy foods kind of like Satan selling his soul to the Pope or am I just reading too much into this?

[ahbrady]

When I went to Boston a few years back, they had something like a McLobster sandwich. Has anyone actually gotten the nerve to try one of those?

[Craptacular]

McDonalds is pure evil. Too bad they get kids hooked early, before they realize that Wendy's, Burger King, Arbys, etc. all have better tasting food.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by ahbrady

When I went to Boston a few years back, they had something like a McLobster sandwich. Has anyone actually gotten the nerve to try one of those?

Mc... Lobster?!? That's just plain creepy. Some kind of war crime against nature or something.

SI

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Among other things, I'd say it stems from:
1) The best french fries (when fresh) in the history of potatoes.

I'll take Arby's curly fries instead. Or Burger King's, for that matter. Of course, I worked at BK in HS. My favorite was to take some of the chicken tenders (often the ones that had just gotten too old to sell, but were still good) and dip 'em in mayonnaise. MMMMMM boy!

Most of the time at Mickey D's I'll get the Big N' Tasty, which was indeed the Big Xtra (when McDonald's was trying to appeal to a market besides kids and teens with more "adult" sandwiches). I don't believe they toast anything on it...and the kids? They're lucky if they eat 4 bites of a hamburger and a few fries. I end up eating the rest, either after mine or in work the next day.

[Desnudo]

You always knew summer had arrived when the McLobster ads started running. For the record, I think they always advertised 100% lobster meat.

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by Craptacular

McDonalds is pure evil. Too bad they get kids hooked early, before they realize that Wendy's, Burger King, Arbys, etc. all have better tasting food.

My son knows all the local fast food chains (and actually prefers the local diner).

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by Samdari

They essentially still have it, its just called the Big'n'Tasty, and of course, it's missing that genius two sided styrofoam box, and the catchy "hot side hot, cool side cool" commercials.

The Big'n'Tasty, or as I call it, Small'n'Nasty, has nothing on the McDLT.

As far as fast food goes, I really wish we had Sonic up north, because it blows McDonald's/Burger King/Wendy's et al. out of the water. As far as the other big chains, I think they each have their things that they do well. I personally prefer, BK fries to McDonalds or Wendy's, even tho the other 2 can put out quality fries when you get them fresh out of the fryer. Arby's curly fries are in a class by themselves.I can't say I care for McDonald's burgers particularly at this point, but their chicken salads are pretty good, and the McFlurry is phenomenal. Burger King obviously has the King of Burgers in the Whopper, plus quality special menu items like the Chicken Club whatchamacalit. Wendy's has the Big Bacon Classic, which is to me, the closest thing to the Whopper. Then you have the other places which aren't traditional fast food like Panera and Au Bon Pain. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.

[Bosco]

[JeeberD]

McDonald's sucks ass. Why anyone goes there I'll never know...