Smiths Chips Had a Horrifying Alien Mascot that Even Makes Grimace Look Normal
Smiths Chips Had a Horrifying Alien Mascot that Even Makes Grimace Look Normal
DYOR Dave
As the podcast edges further towards becoming a food blog during the off-season, I thought I’d continue today’s chat regarding McDonald’s mascots by illuminating the Punter and the Dribbler to the existence of one of the strangest and creepiest mascots in Australian food history.
Gobbledok is an alien from the planet Doc who apparently survives only on potato chips. He first started appearing in Smiths ads in 1987 and left the screen in 1996, much to the relief of horrified children nationwide.
Looking like a mix between an inbred Oompa Loompa and an orangutan, he was no doubt conceived by advertising ‘gurus’ due to the runaway success of the US sitcom Alf, which featured a similarly ugly orange alien.
Gobbledok’s adventures see him run through shops, people’s cars, and houses to try steal bags of chips, either yelling “chippies” or sounding like he’s one stroke away from an orgasm every time he gets close to a packet.
Gobbledok was voiced by Dave Gibson, who also provided the sound effects and voiceovers for Australia’s Funniest Home Videos as well as enjoying a long radio career alongside the likes of Doug Murray and Andrew Denton at MMM.
The gross alien has since been reused for anniversary advertisements in 2017 and 2021, and was also once shot and killed by Andrew Denton on an episode of his show, although unfortunately, the footage looks to have been lost.
Gobbledok was voiced by Dave Gibson, who also provided the sound effects and voiceovers for Australia’s Funniest Home Videos as well as enjoying a long radio career alongside the likes of Doug Murray and Andrew Denton at MMM.
The gross alien has since been reused for anniversary advertisements in 2017 and 2021, and was also once shot and killed by Andrew Denton on an episode of his show, although unfortunately, the footage looks to have been lost.
Check out Tom and Eddy discussing Grimace, Ronald McDonald and all their weird friends in Episode #310
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