CHUD.com Community › Forums › CULTURE, HUMOR, & FREE FORM › Misc. Culture › Hugo is gonna make you fatter than you are.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Hugo is gonna make you fatter than you are.

post #1 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:14am
Thread Starter 
As if America really needed that:



Quote:
410 Calories Without Taking a Bite
Introducing The 42 oz McDonald's "Hugo" Drink

McDonald's has been struggling to give themselves an image makeover—they've cut the "supersize" menu and added salads and "apple dippers." But what's this?

The "Hugo"? What the heck is a Hugo?

The Hugo is McDonald's new drink size, available only in certain markets, the Hugo is 42 oz and when filled with regular soda weighs in at an impressive 410 calories.

It's priced as low as $0.89. A hell of a deal! But who needs that much soda? From the NYT:

"People, I believe, tend to drink more during the summer," said Danya Proud, a McDonald's spokeswoman. "People are out and about."

She said the Hugo was being offered because of customer demand, and so far, it has sold quite well. Ms. Proud cautioned about comparing the Hugo to McDonald's old Supersize menu.

"That's not what this is about," she said. "You have to put it in context with the rest of our menu."

That's a rediculous amount of soda, but what can you do? People want what they want. We just wonder if it would sell as well if it said "410 calories" on it.
A context ?
Reply
post #2 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:18am
What's the difference in this and a Big Gulp? Convenience stores all over the US have been offering up keg-sized soft drinks for under $1 for years now.
Reply
post #3 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:24am
Reply
post #4 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:27am
That was exactly the first thing I thought of when I saw Hugo. I could picture this giant doll in different disguises, telling everyone to eat more.
Reply
post #5 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:29am
Thread Starter 
It's scary that you guys are accustomed to see stuff like that. You can do laps in this beverage.
Reply
post #6 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:35am
God damn it, the word is ridiculous.
Reply
post #7 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:39am
I thought that Mr. Weaving had something against me being on Weight Watchers.
Reply
post #8 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:39am
"rediculous" and "suprise" tend to travel hand-in-hand, in my experience.
Reply
post #9 of 62
8/8/07 at 10:42am
See, I'd be filling that up with Diet Coke. There was a day when I used to fill containers that size with Mountain Dew, and be on the fast track to Diabetes. Now I'm on the fast track to whatever weird cancer aspartme gives you.
Reply
post #10 of 62
8/8/07 at 11:22am
On a related note...

Kids are really gullible.
Reply
post #11 of 62
8/8/07 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martianman
What's the difference in this and a Big Gulp? Convenience stores all over the US have been offering up keg-sized soft drinks for under $1 for years now.
Exactly. I mean, I hate McDonald's as much as anyone, but sometimes the backlash is just laughable. 7-11 has been selling 64oz Big Gulps for at least a decade, so if McDonald's wants to compete in the bladder busting beverage market--and 84 cents is a pretty competitive price--what's the big deal?
Reply
post #12 of 62
8/8/07 at 11:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMushnik
what's the big deal?
It's so socially irresponsible that it makes me die a little on the inside.
Reply
post #13 of 62
8/8/07 at 11:49am
Until Grimace is holding it in an ad, I shall not drink from that hugeness.
Reply
post #14 of 62
8/8/07 at 11:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissZooey
It's so socially irresponsible that it makes me die a little on the inside.
Absolutely true, but the incentive to promote social responsibility is laughably small. Viva la unfettered capitalism!
Reply
post #15 of 62
8/8/07 at 11:51am
For a few seconds I thought this is going to be about Hurley's new superslim look on Season 4 of Lost.
Reply
post #16 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:02pm
What in god's name is that doll thing? It frightens me in ways only the Roseanne sex tape can.
Reply
post #17 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissZooey
It's so socially irresponsible that it makes me die a little on the inside.
Then don't buy it. My point was that this is nothing new; the only reason that the news story exists is because it's McDonald's that's selling it and I think that's a little disingenous. Reporters just jump on any chance to waste column inches making McDonald's look like the evil empire--in this case for marketing something that's already available. McDonald's is a reprehensible comapny and they should be called out on it--when it's justified. I just don't see the issue here.

And Is 7-11, or any other convenience store, socially irresponsible, too?
Reply
post #18 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:14pm
Wendy's has done the same thing, too. Medium is now small, Biggie is now medium, and Great Biggie is now large. It's ridiculous and kind of gross.
Reply
post #19 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:15pm
I was about to say, the local McDonald's around here have a promotion going on where it's 49 oz for $.69. So how is this exactly a shock?
Reply
post #20 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMushnik
Then don't buy it.
I don't. But do you want to be the one to explain to the overweight, malnourished 15-year-olds of the world why they shouldn't buy it, either? Again, I link to this.

Quote:
And Is 7-11, or any other convenience store, socially irresponsible, too?
Um, yes. Yes, they are.
Reply
post #21 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissZooey
I don't. But do you want to be the one to explain to the overweight, malnourished 15-year-olds of the world why they shouldn't buy it, either?
My issue is with the faux-crusader attitude of the Consumerist piece, not with your point of view, which I agree with.
Reply
post #22 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMushnik
McDonald's is a reprehensible comapny and they should be called out on it--when it's justified. I just don't see the issue here.
My problem with McDonald's and this tub of liquid crap is clearly answered by MissZooey's link.

They are targeting children more than other customer group. We see these large drinks as abomination. Someone raised with them will see it as normal, along with the trailer they need to carry their distended bodies.
Reply
post #23 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:49pm
The marketing toward children is pretty shitty, but if some adult wants to buy that much soda, so be it.
Reply
post #24 of 62
8/8/07 at 12:56pm
I love the McDonald's rep attitude. She get questioned about why they appear to be reverting to their super sizin' ways and the respones is along the lines of a giant, heaving sigh. "We tried, people hate themselves, leave us alone."
Reply
post #25 of 62
8/8/07 at 1:06pm
The thing is you can't regulate social responsiblity. What would be the next step? Limit the number of burgers a person is able to buy?

The food that these places offer ALONE should not be considered socially responsible.


I agree that American eating habit's are disgusting, but this type of marketing wouldn't exist if the demand weren't there.

And vice versa

It's like an oroboros.


A big, fat oroboros with diabetes.......
Reply
post #26 of 62
8/8/07 at 1:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcassady
The marketing toward children is pretty shitty, but if some adult wants to buy that much soda, so be it.
Fine. But I don't want Medicare to cover it when they need to have their foot amputated because they haven't been monitoring their type II diabetes.

Socially. Irresponsible.

eta - know what, gl? I'm fucking sick of the "they wouldn't sell it if people wouldn't buy it" excuse. If an item's ability to turn a profit is the only justification that can be offered for its existence, it's probably not something we need. There are undoubtedly people out there who would buy small, portable, nuclear devices, but, somehow, we manage to contain the overwhelming urge to sell those.
Reply
post #27 of 62
8/8/07 at 1:13pm
See, I tend to drink one big drink throughout the day. So it's not like someone's chugging that down in a matter of minutes. I don't see the problem. I am diabetic, btw, so it would be a diet drink for me.
Reply
post #28 of 62
8/8/07 at 1:18pm
At my last job, I had at least two coworkers who would consume a 20 oz. Coke (not diet) every single time they had a reference shift. That means 20 oz. of Coke, five times a week, in two hours. The very thought makes me ill. In short, I admire your restraint, Nordling.
Reply
post #29 of 62
8/8/07 at 1:47pm
What's worse, a rediculous, or a definately?
Reply
post #30 of 62
8/8/07 at 1:52pm
BTW how is this size supposed to be pronounced is it like "Hugh-go"? Like Hurricane Hugo. Or is it "Huge-Oh" or is it "Hug-Oh". Either way, can we just have a Crisis On Inifinte Earth's style restart regarding food sizes and get back to small, medium and large?
Reply
post #31 of 62
8/8/07 at 2:09pm
Quote:
At my last job, I had at least two coworkers who would consume a 20 oz. Coke (not diet) every single time they had a reference shift. That means 20 oz. of Coke, five times a week, in two hours. The very thought makes me ill. In short, I admire your restraint, Nordling.
Holy crap!!! 20 oz. in 2 hours ... that's like 1 oz of soda every 6 minutes! Insane!

Look, a 12 oz. soda (a can) has about 150 calories in it (all from sugar). This drink is basically the equivalent to 3.5 cans of soda if and only if they don't put any ice in it. The truth is though, that they will fill it at least half with ice making it actually a lot closer to 2 cans of soda or the one 20 oz. bottle referenced above.

I just don't see why this is even remotely a big deal. Why don't we crusade against the giant sodas they sell at movie theaters (hey, you don't want to feel like you're getting ripped off with your $4.50 soda).
Reply
post #32 of 62
8/8/07 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dontEATnachos
I just don't see why this is even remotely a big deal. Why don't we crusade against the giant sodas they sell at movie theaters (hey, you don't want to feel like you're getting ripped off with your $4.50 soda).
The higher price is acting as some some of deterrent for some people, who will smuggle juice, water or cheaper and smaller soda bottles, bottles. You could actually be wiser to jack up all the soda's prices and thus funding a part of your healthcare system, which will be taxed by an influx of massive people. But that's a bit too liberal for some.
Reply
post #33 of 62
8/8/07 at 2:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissZooey
Fine. But I don't want Medicare to cover it when they need to have their foot amputated because they haven't been monitoring their type II diabetes.

Socially. Irresponsible.

eta - know what, gl? I'm fucking sick of the "they wouldn't sell it if people wouldn't buy it" excuse. If an item's ability to turn a profit is the only justification that can be offered for its existence, it's probably not something we need. There are undoubtedly people out there who would buy small, portable, nuclear devices, but, somehow, we manage to contain the overwhelming urge to sell those.
I'm glad you are determining what I need now.
Reply
post #34 of 62
8/8/07 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcassady
I'm glad you are determining what I need now.
You should be. I'm quite clever.
Reply
post #35 of 62
8/8/07 at 2:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcassady
I'm glad you are determining what I need now.
I don't see how MissZooey is trying to keep you from knowing anything. I think she's trying to keep you from having to pay for something.

Personally, upon further reflection, I'm all for the Demolition Man style future that MissZoey envisions. I'm really looking forward to figuring out what the 3 seashells mean.
Reply
post #36 of 62
8/8/07 at 3:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissZooey
Fine. But I don't want Medicare to cover it when they need to have their foot amputated because they haven't been monitoring their type II diabetes.

Socially. Irresponsible.

eta - know what, gl? I'm fucking sick of the "they wouldn't sell it if people wouldn't buy it" excuse. If an item's ability to turn a profit is the only justification that can be offered for its existence, it's probably not something we need. There are undoubtedly people out there who would buy small, portable, nuclear devices, but, somehow, we manage to contain the overwhelming urge to sell those.

I agree with you, there are alot of things out there that I don't think need to be.

Cigarettes. Alcohol. Prostitutes.

But I didn't create supply and demand.

Once you give the gluttonous public what they ask for they develop a sense of entitlement. And once you take away whatever you've given they revolt.It doesn't matter if it's for the greater good (...the greater good) or not.

It's impossible to get that genie back in the bottle.


I didn't create the rules.

Oh, and Stump is abusing rep. It was nice having 2 green boxes for a whole 5 seconds.
Reply
post #37 of 62
8/8/07 at 3:38pm
I didn't think that was abuse. I just think you're completely wrong.
Reply
post #38 of 62
8/8/07 at 3:40pm
No hard feelings. I realize that on the whole I suck at this game.
Reply
post #39 of 62
8/8/07 at 3:43pm
Could be worse.
Reply
post #40 of 62
8/8/07 at 3:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martianman
That was exactly the first thing I thought of when I saw Hugo. I could picture this giant doll in different disguises, telling everyone to eat more.
I thought of Johnny from "Airplane!":

"The fog is getting thicker."

"And Leon's getting LAAARRGER!"
Reply
post #41 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Savage
They are targeting children more than other customer group. We see these large drinks as abomination. Someone raised with them will see it as normal, along with the trailer they need to carry their distended bodies.
Shouldn't it be up to the parents to teach their kids about healthy eating and steer them away from fast food?
Reply
post #42 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson
Shouldn't it be up to the parents to teach their kids about healthy eating and steer them away from fast food?
You clearly underestimate the persuasive powers of children. If the TV says something, it is true. Not what daddy says.

EDIT: The parents have a responsibility. But if they eat like pigs, the children will clearly follow.
Reply
post #43 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:11pm
Savage, do you mean the powers of children to persuade or the ease in persuading children?
Reply
post #44 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson
Shouldn't it be up to the parents to teach their kids about healthy eating and steer them away from fast food?
Exactly what I wanted to say. No, a drink this huge(o) doesn't need to exist, and yes, it is rather revolting for McDonald's to market to children. But if people raised their kids properly they wouldn't have to worry about these things. Raise a kid in a healthy household and he/she will end up eating right. Raise them on fast food and they'll just end up like the rest of America.

Feigning shock at what McDonald's is doing is a bit ridiculous.
Reply
post #45 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcassady
Savage, do you mean the powers of children to persuade or the ease in persuading children?
I meant the first, but the second is also relevant here.

I remember nagging my parents to death for some McDonald's, and they were adamant about have some very occasionally. I find that parents today are, generally speaking, softer, and they are a generation that was raised on it. It's not really helping. It's mainly their problem, but McDonald's also has a (lesser) responsibility in it.
Reply
post #46 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Savage
You clearly underestimate the persuasive powers of children. If the TV says something, it is true. Not what daddy says.

EDIT: The parents have a responsibility. But if they eat like pigs, the children will clearly follow.
I grew up when you could still see guests openly smoking on The Tonight Show. My parents smoked until I was 16 years old. Told my sister and I every day what a stupid, disgusting habit it was until they finally quit. I don't smoke, never even tried it. Good parenting trumps television every time.
Reply
post #47 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Savage
I remember nagging my parents to death for some McDonald's, and they were adamant about have some very occasionally. I find that parents today are, generally speaking, softer, and they are a generation that was raised on it. It's not really helping. It's mainly their problem, but McDonald's also has a (lesser) responsibility in it.
Very true. It was the same when I was a kid - McDonald's was an occassional treat, not a way of life. If we behaved, if it was someone's birthday - then we could have it. Yes, McDonald's targets kids. But it was up to my parents to say yes or no. McDonald's will always exist, it will always target children, it will always be bad for you. But Ronald McDonald doesn't hold a gun to your child's head - it has to be up to Mom and Dad how often the kids indulge.
Reply
post #48 of 62
8/8/07 at 5:39pm
There is no doubt that companies are more efficient marketers than during our youth, but that only makes it that much more imperative that parents meet the challenge or at the very least, call Officer Shaq.
Reply
post #49 of 62
8/8/07 at 6:03pm
I think suing corporations for making my kid a fat fuck will be my preferred method of parenting. Will you be my attorney, Jon?

And why hasn't anyone posted that picture of the really, really fat little kid who looks like a bloated Stay Puft Marshmellow Man enjoying some fries and a Big Mac?
Reply
post #50 of 62
8/8/07 at 6:05pm
Hurley AKA Hugo approves:



EDIT: Robert K. beat me to it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gl2899
I agree that American eating habit's are disgusting, but this type of marketing wouldn't exist if the demand weren't there.
Funny, I thought MacDonald's was a worldwide franchise. They don't eat Big Macs in other countries? Yes, I'm aware of the US of A's obesity statistics.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Misc. Culture
CHUD.com Community › Forums › CULTURE, HUMOR, & FREE FORM › Misc. Culture › Hugo is gonna make you fatter than you are.