Gobbler Goodies

Earlier this week, a friend sent a link to a funny Thanksgiving e-card with turkey vocalist “Gloria Gobbler” warbling “I Will Survive.” I posted it, then a fellow blogger alerted me that the link didn’t work. I deleted it and learned about GG vs. posting a pirated video (this isn’t her).

What I didn’t know, but do now is that this e-card is not new. Created by AG Interactive, the media subsidiary of American Greetings, the #2 U.S. based card company (Hallmark is #1), it racked up over 30 million internet views before 2010 Thanksgiving day. The Ohio-based American Greetings estimated were that it had been seen by about 1 in every 10 Americans (except myself).

Gloria Gobbler’s performance is a parody set to “I Will Survive” a hit of Gloria Gaynor, 70s disco star. Its lyrics state that she will not be eaten for Thanksgiving as she dances and sings with two disco turkeys and belts out:

"And now you're back, think you're the boss. Wanna put me on a plate next to your wife's cranberry sauce. I should know this day would come, I should have known not to relax. If I thought just for one second you'd come in here with that ax . . ."

Also learned that the original video e-card was later blocked by Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG Publishing) on copyright grounds. It has since re-circulated on other channels. This parody (and more) can be found on YouTube (just saying).

By now a star, Ms. Gobbler re-appeared 2 years later in another turkey day funny to the tune of “You Can’t Hurry Love” called “You Can’t Gobble Me” with lines such as:

“Keep way back, I’m not your meal. Find another menu. You can’t gobble me on Thanksgiving Day. . . Feed yourself the vegan way...Why can’t I find a place to live in peace where I’m not a part of someone’s Thanksgiving feast. Don’t want my giblets touched, don’t want my drumsticks gnawed . . .”

That same year, AG Interactive came up with a turkey hip-hop challenger to Gloria, and introduced “MC Gobbler” This turkey rapped “U Can’t Stuff This” a singing parody of MC Hammer’s “U can’t touch this.”  Accompanied by three groupie hens, MC Gobbler sings to an audience of farmyard animals that he will not be dinner (this is not him):

“U can’t stuff this. My My My. Ladies think I’m so hot. Makes me think it’s time to strut my stuff around the farm cuz this hayseed here can’t do me no harm. Feels good when you know you’re down, a super Tom Turkey you can’t sell by the pound and I’m known as such, U can’t stuff this, I told you farmboy . . .U can’t stuff this . . .”

AND, this year, Ms. Gobbler is back with a new parody “This turkey won’t be stuffed” and accompanying vocalists singing:

“I thought I'd seen the last of you, And you want to see the end of me, Well Honey, this turkey won't be deceased for your Thanksgiving feast (just listen to me now!) I'm gonna make it! I know I can! I'm gonna live to see December, put away your roasting pan . . .Hope mashed potatoes fill you up Cuz this turkey won't be stuffed . . . Yes I'm a winner, not your family dinner . . .”

The creators of these e-cards, American Greetings has a website where you can preview and email cards.There’s an annual subscription fee and  a 7-day free trial period. OR, search YouTube for these and even more turkey day funnies. You can enjoy some HAPPY Thanksgiving treats preferably before dinner sans calories.

And a question — ANYONE shopping on Thanksgiving Day for Christmas?