On Thursday, the toy company Hasbro announced that they will drop the “Mr.” in the iconic Mr. Potato Head series from its brand in a move of inclusivity aimed to make all feel “welcome in the Potato Head world.”
The move, however, initially created upset and confusion as many thought that Hasbro was permanently dropping the Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head characters, who are also seen in the Toy Story films. But the brand assured that both characters will continue to be sold, but it will be under the new “Potato Head” logo.
“Hold that Tot – your main spud, MR. POTATO HEAD isn’t going anywhere! While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand name & logo are dropping the ‘MR.’ I am proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD aren’t going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD,” Hasbro tweeted Thursday.
Hold that Tot – your main spud, MR. POTATO HEAD isn’t going anywhere! While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand name & logo are dropping the ‘MR.’ I yam proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD aren’t going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD pic.twitter.com/6I84KrxOLQ
— Hasbro (@Hasbro) February 25, 2021
According to the Associated Press, the company also announced a new playset without Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head this fall. Instead, the new set will provide children the opportunity to create their own potato families, including families with two dads.
Robert Passikoff, founder of marketing consultancy Brand Keys explained how Hasbro is seeking to “broaden the franchise” by removing assigned genders from the Potato Head logo.
“You take the focus of what is essentially one character and now allow it to be a platform for many characters,” he added.
In recent years other toy companies, such as Mattel, have made similar strives toward LGBT inclusivity. As Christian Headlines previously reported, last December, Mattel’s American Girl named doll Kira the American Girl “Girl of the Year.” Kira has an LGBT family storyline.
The original Mr. Potato Head, which first debuted in 1952, did not come with a plastic spud. At the time, children had to add the eyes, nose and mustache to an actual potato.
Hasbro eventually bought the brand and added a plastic potato.
Related:
Over 20,000 Sign One Million Moms Petition over American Girl Doll with Same-Sex Storyline
Photo courtesy: Geri Cleveland/Pixabay
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
