Subservient chicken
April 7, 2004 5:01 PM   Subscribe

Subservient chicken - modern advertising...
posted by mildred-pitt (92 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite


 
Apparently the chicken is unaware of the benefits of self-abuse.

Or it ain't that subservient.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:07 PM on April 7, 2004


that is way too fucking creepy
posted by bk at 5:10 PM on April 7, 2004


I get a big "Chicken may be performing actions unsuitable for all audiences" when I tell him to strip. Drats.

He shakes a mean tailfeather, I have to give him that.
posted by iconomy at 5:12 PM on April 7, 2004


Evidently the chicken has the Clapper™
posted by filmgoerjuan at 5:14 PM on April 7, 2004


Wow. I love you, mildred-pitt. That was completely bizarre.

(fwiw, the chicken would lay and sit and dance when I told him to, but did not seem to understand when I told him to put himself on a sandwich.)
posted by onlyconnect at 5:14 PM on April 7, 2004


waiting for stavros to discover this one...
posted by wendell at 5:20 PM on April 7, 2004


That's weird, onlyconnect, he made himself a decent enough sandwich for me. He likes playing hide and seek, too.
posted by rafter at 5:44 PM on April 7, 2004


I'm scared. Especially since I used to wear a chicken suit quite similar to that one for high school basketball games. He ran into the wall when I told him to.

bk - are you creeped out because the chicken apparently claims affiliation with you?
posted by sciurus at 5:47 PM on April 7, 2004


Is this *real*? Or just a really well executed simulation?
posted by armoured-ant at 5:58 PM on April 7, 2004


Actually, fuck that.

The real question is;
Why is he wearing a suspender belt?
posted by armoured-ant at 5:59 PM on April 7, 2004


rafter, you're right!!! I just put too many words (like "yourself") into the command!

He can also convincingly fake his own death and at least attempt a handstand. However, like most chickens, he refuses to vacuum.
posted by onlyconnect at 6:00 PM on April 7, 2004


he'll dance, he knows the egyptian and the electric slide, but advertising apparently isn't yet shameless enough for the macarena

on preview: i guess the testing has begun
posted by headless at 6:01 PM on April 7, 2004


and he's got something against vegans...
posted by headless at 6:02 PM on April 7, 2004


Sweet Jesus, this is a freaky little bit of website.

But it's not real. Type "book," and it will go poke around the bookself in the background. Type "blanket" and it goes into a scripted blanket routine, rather as if it were bullfighting. "turn off the light" has it turn in place, while "lights off" turns off the lights.

However, it is possible that there's a live actor on the feed, reacting to wholly unique questions, ie.) those that the scripts can't parse. These questions could then become part of the script database. Very smart, that, if that's what they did.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:14 PM on April 7, 2004 [1 favorite]


Well, when I told him to lay spread-eagled on the floor and cluck, he didn't do it, he just bent over and touched his toes.
posted by briank at 6:19 PM on April 7, 2004


He looks like he belongs in a Jan SvankmajerĀ film.
posted by anathema at 6:29 PM on April 7, 2004


Well, okay then....moving on from that one.
posted by Ufez Jones at 6:32 PM on April 7, 2004


Try the following command
"Go poo poo"
posted by jeremias at 6:34 PM on April 7, 2004


He can do jumping jacks, play peek-a-boo, and moonwalk.

He's my chicken of the year!
posted by Ynoxas at 6:37 PM on April 7, 2004


dear metafilter: is there a polite way to refuse a proposal of marriage from a subservient man in a chicken suit? i don't want to hurt his subservient chicken feelings, and would like to remain subservient chicken friends. signed, meant to type "merry."
posted by steef at 6:38 PM on April 7, 2004


This is crazy and awesome and a fantastic first post. How on earth did you find this? (Maybe I don't want to know)

I however, can't get the chicken to do a damn thing. Possibly my dial up is too slow....
posted by anastasiav at 6:43 PM on April 7, 2004


hint: try 'burger' ...
posted by carter at 6:56 PM on April 7, 2004


i had him breakdance, do a handstand, pee, scratch his balls, fart, and make a sandwhich. the sandwich was the best part.

here's another advertising chicken. [link leads to site with embedded quicktime movie].
posted by dobbs at 7:20 PM on April 7, 2004


I've waited 32284 posts for this...
posted by Cyrano at 7:21 PM on April 7, 2004


'Artichoke' produces an interesting response.
posted by carter at 7:24 PM on April 7, 2004


This is an amazing link..

Thank you for reminding me how much I love Mefi.
posted by Decypher at 7:25 PM on April 7, 2004


Obligatory snark...I bet it goes really well with pepsi blue... Me? I love the smell of viral marketing...smells flame broiled, no? I wonder if we can get a side order of gnome?

Registrant:
CRISPIN PORTER & BOGUSKY (NVBIGTBBUD)
3390 mary street
office 300
MIAMI, FL 33133
US

CP&B specializes in viral marketing, doncha know. Burger Overlord is no doubt cackling with glee about it getting placement on the blue.
posted by dejah420 at 7:25 PM on April 7, 2004 [1 favorite]


Drunken chicken?
posted by Bag Man at 7:26 PM on April 7, 2004


magnificent find, mildred-pitt, truly bizarre.

I asked him to flip me the bird and he did so with relish.
posted by madamjujujive at 7:28 PM on April 7, 2004


also: push up.
posted by Cyrano at 7:31 PM on April 7, 2004


"Do you like McDonalds?" got me a pair of fingers, I think!
posted by five fresh fish at 7:32 PM on April 7, 2004


Thinking it was just a recording, I typed simply "dance" and "skip" and the chicken obligingly danced and skipped. But then I typed "do a handstand" thinking, I wondered if they programmed this? And then the chicken did - and I started to be very scared that I was playing with a real person. So I typed "Thank you" and left quickly.

I might be wrong (I'm still not quite sure), but I can't imagine that it is very good advertising to make your potential customers feel creeped out.
posted by jb at 7:35 PM on April 7, 2004


truly, truly stunning. if this is advertising of the future, then sign me up for every product in the universe.
posted by oog at 7:52 PM on April 7, 2004


leave
posted by NortonDC at 7:53 PM on April 7, 2004


Also, I'm a much better juggler.
posted by NortonDC at 7:54 PM on April 7, 2004


And apparently the chicken is Catholic.

Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch.
posted by NortonDC at 7:59 PM on April 7, 2004


A few tests:

take the cushions off the couch
He took two cushions, and is now on the floor, attempting to successfully sandwich himself between them. Literally. Now he is putting them back on the couch. Brief flash as it returns to default position.

take the chair from behind the bar
He looks behind him, presumably at the bar, then looks back. Does nothing.

flap your left wing. left wing only, please.
He flaps his right wing. Well, it's my left, I guess. Similar result for asking him to flap his right wing.

watch TV
He sits down and appears to watch TV.

take a tape from the TV stand
He stands on the couch.

This isn't live. No way.
posted by brownpau at 8:00 PM on April 7, 2004


One more that clinches it for me:
do four jumping jacks. only four.
He goes and does nine.
posted by brownpau at 8:01 PM on April 7, 2004


vogue
posted by NortonDC at 8:02 PM on April 7, 2004


Of course it's not live. They could never keep up with all our sick, perverted requests in real-time.

Speaking of sick, perverted requests, ask it to make love.
posted by punishinglemur at 8:03 PM on April 7, 2004


Mh I guess it's a simulation which reads orders like "sit down" I asked twice and it made different sittings, but then it restarts exactly at the same frame.

Bah...but curious link thanks mildred
posted by elpapacito at 8:05 PM on April 7, 2004


I asked it to turn the camera around to show the rest of the room, and now, despite its not being live, I am officially creeped out. That costume is freaky.

He didn't turn the camera, though.
posted by brownpau at 8:08 PM on April 7, 2004


You want creepy, try "camera."

Oh, brownpau beat me to it.
posted by whatnotever at 8:10 PM on April 7, 2004


room elephant somersault brush
posted by carter at 8:32 PM on April 7, 2004


Is he incarcerated? Check the ankle... and type in house arrest. Is he trying to liberate himself?

Also enjoyed seeing this one upon loggin' in:
"You are logged in as: zbobo / logout
There have been 6159 links and 158658 comments posted since your last visit"

Anybody have me beat?
posted by Zbobo at 8:36 PM on April 7, 2004


do the ymca gestures
posted by donth at 9:07 PM on April 7, 2004


The chicken does a serviceable cabbage patch. His tai chi, however, is awful.
posted by horsewithnoname at 9:08 PM on April 7, 2004


Garters

This shit is messed up.
posted by anathema at 9:09 PM on April 7, 2004


From the Crispon Porter + Bogusky site that Dejah420 linked (under the Burger King link there):

In 1954 Burger King came up with a great idea, allow the customer to customize their hamburger. And in 1973 they called it "Have It Your Way". They even created a catchy jingle to explain it (go ahead sing it, we know you know it). While it hasn't been on the air for over 21 years, "Have It Your Way" is still remembered. And mass customization is the mega trend that will shape the next century.

Well, we know a good thing when we sing it. So we're bringing "Have It Your Way" back. Of course, we're giving it an extreme makeover.

Right now every smart brand is trying to find ways to make it easy for the customer to personalize their products. Why? Because it empowers the consumer by putting them in control. And they love you for it. We believe Burger King was the originator of this mass customization and we believe it's time we helped them take back their throne.


Thus, the site's opening message joke to the user is, "Get chicken the way you want it."

But dejah, it's clear from the site itself that it's supposed to be related to Burger King -- the site links to bk.com. I don't think they're trying to hide that it's advertising. It's just really odd and engaging advertising.

(Also, maybe the garters are meant to fit in with the subservience theme? Or maybe they're just holding up the chicken leg costume.)
posted by onlyconnect at 9:17 PM on April 7, 2004


Pumpernickel (pump)

Pomegranite (Pom?)

Flashdance (dance?)

escape

house arrest (rest?)

The Sky Is Falling (give her a heartattack!)

This is Good Stuff. Kind of like a text adventure game. Figure out the puzzle of "what did they think of?"
posted by five fresh fish at 9:26 PM on April 7, 2004


Crispon Porter + Bogusky also gets results. LOL.

Best of all was still "McDonalds", though.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:30 PM on April 7, 2004


Well, it is a "she." If you type "garters" she suggestively tugs at them.

that is way too fucking creepy
posted by bk at 8:10 PM EST on April


Yeah, too fucking creepy that someone named bk is commenting in this thread.
posted by anathema at 9:32 PM on April 7, 2004


Not only is the chicken a "she," I think it's also Muslim. Try 'Pray'.
posted by horsewithnoname at 9:35 PM on April 7, 2004


air guitar
posted by donth at 9:37 PM on April 7, 2004


Hey, it's a living. The pay isn't great, but I get lots of exercise, at least.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 9:48 PM on April 7, 2004


Since when do Muslims make the sign of the cross?
posted by anathema at 9:52 PM on April 7, 2004


weird...that wasn't the gesture I got when I typed 'pray'.
posted by horsewithnoname at 9:57 PM on April 7, 2004


"bowling" and "hopscotch" work...
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:35 PM on April 7, 2004


The same command sometimes sets off one of a few different scenarios. "Pillow fight!" can get you several different fighting sequences -- but it's even better without the exclamation point -- "pillow fight" gets you the chicken tearing three of the pillows off the couch and throwing them on the floor, or some strange fencing maneuver, or the chicken attacking itself with a pillow.

Also, "circle" gets a couple of different responses, one of which (where chicken approaches the camera) is a little scary.

Given his reaction to McDonalds, he has a surprisingly positive feelings for Colonel Sanders. However, asking him to poke out his eye doesn't make him very happy.
posted by onlyconnect at 10:37 PM on April 7, 2004


zen
posted by moonbird at 11:24 PM on April 7, 2004


Ha! This is fun! He does the worm too...
posted by Stauf at 11:49 PM on April 7, 2004


im glad you guys figured out that it isnt live.

...

...
posted by Satapher at 12:01 AM on April 8, 2004


oh, and headless, he will do the macarena; though it's important to note that he only did it for me when I told him to "dance like a nerd" =P
posted by Stauf at 12:03 AM on April 8, 2004


Once you are looking for it, you can see that, when the action you have requested ends, there is a slight "jump" as it returns to its original position and then, while it is just standing there looking like it is moving slightly, you can see that it is a series of stills rotating, rather than actual video.

Still, good fun.
posted by dg at 12:18 AM on April 8, 2004


He'll heil hitler, but not without warning you about it.

And dg (et al), while i don't think this is done live, the fact that there's a static "default post" doesn't impact either way, IMHO. Even if it WAS live, he'd be doing a bunch of things for other people at any given time, and would need to give you a "default image" while he attends to their needs. (I'm still toying with the idea that someone behind the scenes pulls out a recorded action when it's appropriate, OR tells the chicken to act out a new one if it's something new.)
posted by Marquis at 12:28 AM on April 8, 2004


I wonder if this really IS an ad for BurgerKing? I'd think it'd be branded much more and there'd be a much more limited "vocabulary." And the production values are pretty bad. I mean, it's in a crappy basement, the chicken suit looks like they picked it up for $1.25 at a yard sale, and nobody even bothered to move the coil of wires in the lower left part of the screen.
posted by papercake at 7:01 AM on April 8, 2004


"lay an egg" gets some convincing squatting, but sadly no little egg. ah well.
posted by caution live frogs at 7:16 AM on April 8, 2004


It's either really cool or really lame how many actions that people in this thread tried -- either to avail or not -- that I did.
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:39 AM on April 8, 2004


Type in "wonderchicken" and it takes a bow. I guess it is stavros. Glad you found work, buddy!

And congratulations on a fantastic first post, Sir Mildred.
posted by languagehat at 8:04 AM on April 8, 2004


However, like most chickens, he refuses to vacuum.


I feel strangely satisfied that I am not the only person who tried to get him to do some cleaning.
posted by archimago at 8:14 AM on April 8, 2004


the bar chair by the floor lamp and the cushions on the sectional sofa keep shifting around without being touched by the chicken...

weird product placement: the ektorp sofa and chair from ikea. heh.
posted by t r a c y at 8:54 AM on April 8, 2004


The response to "rebel against your corporate overlords" isn't quite what I had expected.
posted by codger at 10:01 AM on April 8, 2004


I don't think it's product placement. The gal's gotta have some furniture in her living room. Given she's desperate enough to dress up like a chicken, Ikea isn't much of a surprise.

I use the feminine, because chickens are female. Roosters/cocks are male. Though truth is, I'm pretty sure it's a guy in that getup.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:12 AM on April 8, 2004


the first time I accessed the site, he got up off the couch before facing the camera.

Afterwards, that action did not repeat.

Others?
posted by mwhybark at 10:22 AM on April 8, 2004


bong hit
turn off lights
cartwheel
smoke
pushups
get drunk (multiple things)
basketball
baseball
leave

I'm wondering if they're collecting actions that he can't currently do and will be adding them to his repertoire over the next couple of days... "macarena" definitely works now.
posted by esoterica at 10:42 AM on April 8, 2004


Given she's desperate enough to dress up like a chicken, Ikea isn't much of a surprise.

i own the ektorp sofa and chair thanks very much, hmmph. uh... come to think of it my partner often does call me miss prissy.
posted by t r a c y at 10:51 AM on April 8, 2004


try "Arnold". What other personalities can u get it to mimick.
posted by adnanbwp at 11:21 AM on April 8, 2004


Ask him to do a handstand.
posted by adampsyche at 11:24 AM on April 8, 2004


sex
Cry
Sleep
breakdance
exercise
chill
relax
spin
shoot gun
touch toes
jumping jacks
clean up
leave
Fly
watch tv
sit
die
bathroom
read
dance
light
fight
egg
air guitar
spin
shoot gun
touch toes
jumping jacks
clean up
leave
sing
turn off lights
posted by danherwig at 1:28 PM on April 8, 2004


Wow, it even did 'cry wolf' in a convincing manner. Don't know why he/she sit down before 'touching toe' though.
The costume is freaky.
posted by of strange foe at 2:40 PM on April 8, 2004


I asked it to "tell me the time" and s/he came up to the camera and showed me the lack of a watch. WTF! Also asked "Paint" and got an interesting response. Breakdance was interesting too. Too freaky, indeed.
posted by shoepal at 9:09 PM on April 8, 2004


Subservient Chicken's X-Rated Bits Exposed by Code. This is good.
posted by anathema at 10:14 PM on April 8, 2004


The BoingBoing post also links to the complete list of commands.
posted by donth at 10:30 PM on April 8, 2004


easter egg: crispin
posted by donth at 10:34 PM on April 8, 2004


The BoingBoing post also links to the complete list of commands.

here
posted by anastasiav at 11:05 PM on April 8, 2004


"Show me the money"
posted by elwoodwiles at 12:28 AM on April 9, 2004


Also does the moonwalk.
posted by tracicle at 1:37 PM on April 9, 2004


All the direct links are going to the same clip of the chicken waving his finger in my face. I'd say they fixed whatever people were using to RE the site.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:37 PM on April 9, 2004


I thought it was interesting (coming from not just any burger joint, but the Burger King) that his/her reactions were the same for "BSE", "mad cow", and "go crazy". He did, however, get angry and pace around the room the first time I mentioned "mad cow disease", as expected.
posted by quasistoic at 3:40 AM on April 11, 2004


http://www.subservientchicken.com/vids/

and/or

http://www.subservientchicken.com/clips/

are wide-open for your perusal pleasure.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:34 PM on April 15, 2004


All the clips are the same, afaict.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:56 PM on April 15, 2004


If you click on them from the boingboing list, yes. But if you click them from http://www.subservientchicken.com/vids/, no.
posted by Masi at 11:37 AM on April 18, 2004


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