he video: The Heart Attack Grill — a deliberately unhealthy Arizona restaurant where waitresses dressed as sexy nurses serve up Quadruple Bypass Burgers — has been a subject of controversy since Jon Basso, a former nutritionist and Jenny Craig employee, opened it in 2005. But the criticism grew louder recently after the restaurant hired customer Blair River to serve as its 590-pound pitchman. River's 60-second spot (watch below) spoofs weight-loss ads and promises those who weigh over 350 pounds that they can eat for free.
The reaction: This "wannabe viral video" is "irresponsible," says Eric Forney at This Dish Is Veg. Obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are no laughing matters." It's "obviously in jest," says Allie Townsend in Time, but given that more than 1.3 million Americans suffer a heart attack each year and $316.4 billion is spent annually to combat heart disease, this restaurant's gimmick is "an unbelievable affront against the human body." Yes, "to celebrate and promote unhealthy food is terrifying," says dietitian Joy Bauer, as quoted on MSNBC, but I will admit, there is something "hilarious and different" about their marketing. Watch the ad:
- WATCH: Jon Stewart hates everyone in Washington now
- The politics behind Kanye West's 'New Slaves'
- Why Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn doesn't want tornado relief money
- 7 purported health benefits of drinking coffee
- Why NASA is funding a 3D pizza printer
- Are we on the cusp of a solar energy boom?
- Why Tornado Alley is prone to disaster
- What is a quantum computer — and why does Google need one?
- 10 things you need to know today: May 21, 2013
- LISTEN: Beyonce's leaked new song 'Grown Woman'
- The politics behind Kanye West's 'New Slaves'
- LIVE UPDATES: Massive tornado tears through Oklahoma City area
- WATCH: Jon Stewart hates everyone in Washington now
- Are we on the cusp of a solar energy boom?
- Angry at the government? 5 ways you can fight back
- What is a quantum computer — and why does Google need one?
- The cool backstory of the Slurpee
- Oklahoma City's ferocious tornado: What you should know
- The time's not right for Tesla
- 'Crazy ants' invade the U.S. Southeast: What you should know
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||













