New Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavor Boycotted for Bad Taste

on September 21, 2011 at 1:28 PM

ben & jerry's schweddy balls Ben & Jerry's may have made Saturday Night Live fans happy with the announcement of its newest ice cream flavor: Schweddy Balls (inspired by the classic 1998 sketch with Alec Baldwin and Molly Shannon). But a group of angry parents has no patience for the tongue-in-cheek flavor reference. In fact, this feisty group has even gone so far as to call for a boycott of Schweddy Balls ice cream because it thinks it's offensive and in bad taste.

And I for one can't help but AGREE!

It's very, very rare that I find myself on the same side as the group behind the boycott: One Million Moms. In fact, this might be the first time in the history of my conscious existence. (One Million Moms is an offshoot of the conservative American Family Association that rallies around many issues, including the recent boycott of Dancing With the Stars after it was announced that Chaz Bono would be involved.) But the group does make a good point with respect to the boycott of Schweddy Balls:

The vulgar new flavor has turned something as innocent as ice cream into something repulsive. Not exactly what you want a child asking for at the supermarket.

As someone who appreciates food -- particularly ice cream -- I couldn't agree more. Ice cream isn't just innocent: It's lovely and magical and therapeutic after a bad day. Why in the world would we take something as marvelous as ice cream -- especially one that consists of vanilla ice cream with rum flavor, mixed with fudge-covered rum and milk chocolate malt balls -- and give it a horribly gross name no matter how clever?

I have a sense of humor and still I don't want to put Schweddy Balls into my mouth -- there I said it! Just because it's funny doesn't mean people will want to eat it. Sure, I'll watch the clip over and over again and laugh; but I'll be eating Chubby Hubby when I do it.

Do you think Schweddy Balls is offensive?

Image via Ben & Jerry's

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Leelee1008

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:30 PM

NO! I think its fricken hilarious! If these stuck up parents dont like it then, well dont buy it. dont look at it. I could see if it if say Sweaty ball sacks. but it doesnt.

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on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:32 PM

Hmmmm I think I will go to the store and go find me some schweddy balls!

laughing sidesplittinglaughter

LoriAnn87

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:34 PM

No it's funny and for those who think it is need to get a sense of humor.

Facebook comment from Pua Smith

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:35 PM

Oh come on. Stop being sticks in the mud. It's FUNNY. And it looks delicious.

jagamama0710

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:36 PM

No I think it's hilarious and anyone who finds it offensive needs to get the stick out of their butt. I read about this a week or so ago. I cannot wait to try some!

BobbieKay29

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:39 PM

I think it's hilarous! It's one of my fav SNL skits and does everything in this country have to be so freaking serious. I think people need to eat some Schweddy Balls and chill out! I'm going to go look up that clip on youtube. lol

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:43 PM

No one complains about them having an ice cream named after a known drug addict....

Lulu_B

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:47 PM

Come on--that's comedy gold!! Why not boycott half-baked because it's a drug reference? Or Karamel Sutra? I mean, it's part of Ben & Jerry's schtick to do fun (mildly offensive) names for their flavors.

PonyChaser

on Sep 21, 2011 at 1:48 PM

I agree with you. It's disgusting. But then I'm one of those "prudes" and (wait, what were they called?) "Stuck up parents" who apparently has a "stick up her butt"... because I won't let my son listen to a lot of the trash that passes for music, too. Or watch a lot of the crap that's on tv.

What happened to erring on the side of modesty? What's wrong with not making every vulgar thought that pops into somebody's head into a mass-selling product?

What happened to trying to preserve a little bit of our children's innocence? Kim is right - just the thought of my son asking for this ice cream makes me shudder.