SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – KFC have come under heavy criticism after losing control during filming for a commercial at an Australian cricket ground. The commercial showed a white fan attempting to pacify a group of raucous West Indians by handing out chicken from a variety bucket featuring 6 pieces of original recipe chicken, 6 crispy strips and 1 regular popcorn chicken. The assembled crowd – who allegedly hadn’t been fed during the shoot – seized upon the the actor and crew, who held additional buckets in reserve. The chase has continued for days despite filming being completed and the commercial already shown on Australian TV. KFC have been called insensitive by many race advocacy groups for waving buckets of chicken in front of hungry black people.
Our correspondent is on location with details of the chase.
[Chief Correspondent] Matt, what’s going on down under?
[Pacific Correspondent] …Excuse me?
[Chief Correspondent] In Australia?.
[Pacific Correspondent] Oh. Well, actors playing West Indian cricket fans are still in pursuit of white cast members after tensions spilled over during filming.
[Chief Correspondent] How did things get out of hand?
[Pacific Correspondent] It appears the crowd became increasingly ‘rowdy’ after learning that the chicken was designated as a prop and so could not actually be eaten.
[Chief Correspondent] Why was this a problem?
[Pacific Correspondent] Many in the crowd had chosen to forgo earlier meals in anticipation of the shoot. When told they couldn’t actually eat the chicken, it proved too much.
[Chief Correspondent] This is when things spilled over?
[Pacific Correspondent] Yes, the crew physically prevented a number in the crowd from feasting and it’s at this point they were set upon. A witness described the crowed as ‘losing their minds’. They’ve been chasing them since.
[Chief Correspondent] Are the crew are still being pursued?
[Pacific Correspondent] Very much so. It’s believed they are spread over various locations on the outskirts of Sydney.
[Chief Correspondent] Why haven’t they just handed over the chicken?
[Pacific Correspondent] As a prop, it cannot be technically be used for consumption and to do so could potentially land the company in legal trouble.
[Chief Correspondent] People could go to jail?
[Pacific Correspondent] It’s possible. All actors should have known this about the prop clause, perhaps some thought they could ignore it.
[Chief Correspondent] I understand the commercial has received a lot of complaints?
[Pacific Correspondent] Yes, many have criticised KFC Australia for putting the actor in such a position with African Americans especially outspoken, saying they should have known better.
[Chief Correspondent] Hindsight is 20-20 as they say. I’m sure they would not have done this if they had been fully aware of the consequences?
[Pacific Correspondent] Agreed, though this isn’t the first time they have been caught up in controversy after the suspicious death of a man in the US just some months ago. KFC denied involvement, but it doesn’t look good for PR.
[Chief Correspondent] So how will this end Matt? Surely the crew members can’t run forever.
[Pacific Correspondent] No, eventually they’ll tire and be set upon by the crowd and KFC will have to deal with the aftermath. They have already pulled the commercial to avoid inciting similar reactions elsewhere. The company have also issued a statement saying:
“After being made aware that a KFC commercial being shown on Australian television has apparently caused consternation among certain groups. KFC will cease running the commercial immediately and begin searching for crew members currently being pursued across the Australian plains.”
[Chief Correspondent] At least they’re are trying to make amends. We’ll be sure to keep abreast of the situation. Good reporting Matt.
Our correspondent is on location.
[Chief Correspondent] Dan, what’s going on down under?
[Pacific Correspondent]…Sorry?
[Chief Correspondent] In Australia?.
[Pacific Correspondent] Oh. Well, actors playing West Indian cricket fans are still in pursuit of white cast members after tensions spilled over during the filming of aKFC commercial.
[Chief Correspondent] How did things get out of hand?
[Pacific Correspondent] It appears the crowd became increasingly ‘rowdy’ after learning that the chicken was designated as a prop and so could not actually be eaten.
[Chief Correspondent] Why was this a problem?
[Pacific Correspondent] I’ve recently learnt that many in the crowd had chosen to forgo earlier earlier meals in anticipation of the shoot. when told they could not actually eat the chicken, it proved too much.
[Chief Correspondent] This is when things spilled out?
[Pacific Correspondent] Yes, right before the crew where due to trash the chicken once the scene was done, the crowed then turned on them. They’ve been chasing them since. A witness described the crowed as ‘losing their minds’.
[Chief Correspondent] Where are the crew now?
[Pacific Correspondent] We are unaware of the exact location, it’s believed they are spread over various locations on the outskirts of Sydney.
[Chief Correspondent] Why haven’t they just handed over the chicken?
[Pacific Correspondent] As the chicken had been used as a prop, it cannot be legally used for consumption and to do so could potentially land the company in legal trouble.
[Chief Correspondent] People could go to jail?
[Pacific Correspondent] It’s possible. All actors should have known this, but it seems that some weren’t fully aware of the situation.
[Chief Correspondent] I understand the commercial has received a lot of complaints after being aired recently?
[Pacific Correspondent] Yes, the commercial was uploaded to Youtube and many African Americans have criticised KFC Australia for parading buckets of chicken in front of hungry black people with many saying they should have known better.
[Chief Correspondent] Hindsight is 20-20 as they say. I’m sure they would not have done this if they had been fully aware of the consequences.
[Pacific Correspondent] I’m sure, although this isn’t the first time they have been caught up in controversy. We reported on the suspicious death of a man in the US just some months ago. KFC denied involvement, but it does look bad.
[Chief Correspondent] So how will this end Dan, the crew members surely can’t run forever.
[Pacific Correspondent] No, eventually they’ll tire and be set upon by the crowd. KFC has already pulled the commercial from screens to avoid inciting similar reactions elsewhere. In a statement on it’s website, the company have issued a statement saying:
“after being made aware that a KFC commercial being shown on Australian television has apparently caused offense, particularly in the United States,KFC will cease running the commercial immediately and begin the search for the crew currently being pursued across the plains of Australia.”
[Chief Correspondent] at least they’re are trying to make up for their mistake. We’ll be sure to keep abreast of the situation. Good reporting Dan.
Rattling nice pattern and great subject matter, nothing else we want : D.