In what's shaping up to be a battle of the American icons of different generations, the venerable A&P grocers are suing YouTube, sort of.
More specifically, they have filed a $1 million suit against two former employees who created a parodic rap video called "Produce Paradise," which plays like a cross between "Clerks" and...well, it's pretty much like "Clerks."
In the video, the two rappers mock their former job, make disparaging claims, and even appear to urinate on some of the vegetables. Is A&P right to try to put "Produce Paradise" in the freezer section, or is this yet another circumstance where a company's attempt to protect its corporate image will only result in free publicity for aspiring comedian-rappers?
(Warning: there's some profanity)
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Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Who is the head of A&P? How can anyone watch these two dimwits and think they are a threat to your company? A&P needs a new CEO!!
David S. at 3:44PM on Aug 30th 2007
2. Just dumb - sueing two kids over something like this. Maybe they shouldnt have done the video but I seriously doubt any real harm was done. Firing the poor kids was enough.
JD at 9:39PM on Oct 9th 2007
3. Sue the crap out of the losers. These nasty freaks should not have used copyrighted material without permission. For those who think that soiling someone's recognizable symbols and environment whether by urine or mockery for the sake of a laugh should think back to the rebel flag so horribly used by the KKK early last century so that now it is an affront to all that is decent.
David at 4:09PM on Aug 30th 2007
4. I totally agreed with your statement until you mentioned the "rebel flag".
The rebel flag has always been a symbol for the Confederacy which (in case you forgot) organized a secession of states from the Union and fought a war (the Civil War) in support of slavery.
I don't understand when it was ever a symbol for anything decent.
There is only one nation, one flag, and it's called Old Glory.
All others should be taken down and burned.
Uncle Sam at 4:54PM on Aug 30th 2007
5. befoer i scrolled down to the picure, i knew these were some white kids from the suburbs..when they get bored, their thoughts turn to peeing on something..anything..why rap?why not some of that head bangergoth satanic death metal??what would imus say?...
suoires at 5:49PM on Aug 30th 2007
6. Business MUST BE SLOW!
Mo at 5:55PM on Aug 30th 2007
7. What a bunch of idiots
Dave at 6:27PM on Aug 30th 2007
8. Any idea how much $ this stupid type of lawsuit will cost taxpayers? Anyone? I see judges, public defender, lights, A/C, paper, clerks, court reporter, security, secretaries... Did I miss anyone? Weren't they the "future store" at some point? Well, in the future, I will not be giving the "future store" any business just for wasting our money. Thanks also for letting us know, with your stupid lawsuit, what kind of dumbasses you have working for you.
Steve Barnes at 11:37PM on Aug 30th 2007
9. Have these two rejects of the Endless Summer tour ever thought that how would they like it if the higher ups at A&P made fun of them. These rappers better learn how to sing Nat King Cole songs like "Send For Me."
George B Vieto at 1:01AM on Aug 31st 2007
10. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that the supermarket industry has nothing but contempt for it's associates. Ever since the big strike 15 years ago, there is a hostile us-vs.-them mentality that didn't exist before. When the strike ended, the stores got rid of virtually all full-time personnel cut wages by introducing a tier system to the unions--reducing them to 'sweetheart' status. Today, they hire mostly kids and take advantage of the fact that these kids--having never worked before--don't realize that work is not just supposed to stink. When you complain that things are not the way they ought to be, they 'suggest' that you quit. Can anyone say, "Hostile work environment"? Work can be fulfilling, satisfying and even uplifting. The fact that it can be in my mind tells me that it should be. But, in the supermarkets, it is degrading. You can work your butt off and still have NOTHING to show for it. Let me put it another way: When the customers are the BEST part of the job, you KNOW there is something SERIOUSLY wrong!
Keith J. Mohrhoff at 10:16AM on Aug 31st 2007
11. This is ridiculous...all A&P has accomplished is allowing a much wider audience to see the video, knowing from the beginning EXACTLY which grocery store it is. LOL. Backfire much?
Funny Videos at 2:07PM on Aug 31st 2007
12. Just when we think most fantasy productions are idotic and meaningless,we are reminded of some values in life: “Think on these things: whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (True, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, has virtue and praise)- Quote from Apostle Paul, servant of Christ.
Alan Klaus at 2:08PM on Aug 31st 2007
13. Alan Klaus;
You quoted Phillipians 4:8--My favorite verse!!
Thanx!!!
Keith J. Mohrhoff at 5:18PM on Aug 31st 2007
14. "10. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that the supermarket industry has nothing but contempt for it's associates. Ever since the big strike 15 years ago, there is a hostile us-vs.-them mentality that didn't exist before. When the strike ended, the stores got rid of virtually all full-time personnel cut wages by introducing a tier system to the unions--reducing them to 'sweetheart' status. Today, they hire mostly kids and take advantage of the fact that these kids--having never worked before--don't realize that work is not just supposed to stink. When you complain that things are not the way they ought to be, they 'suggest' that you quit. Can anyone say, "Hostile work environment"? Work can be fulfilling, satisfying and even uplifting. The fact that it can be in my mind tells me that it should be. But, in the supermarkets, it is degrading. You can work your butt off and still have NOTHING to show for it. Let me put it another way: When the customers are the BEST part of the job, you KNOW there is something SERIOUSLY wrong!"
Keith, you should quit..that is unless they're are employing you against your will.
Max Entropy at 12:37AM on Sep 1st 2007
15. Anyone featured on Youtube receives an unbelievable amount of free PR. A&P has probably initiated this lawsuit to build the chatter about their company. Pretty good advertising stunt. I can't think of any other reason for them to bother these guys who are just being expressive and certainly no reason for A&P to fire them. We all did stuff like this before we understood what consequences result.
jennifer at 7:51AM on Sep 1st 2007