Florida Mom Wants Toys 'R' Us to Stop Selling Meth-Toting 'Breaking Bad' Dolls
Fans of the award-winning television show Breaking Bad mourned the series’ end last year, but those looking for a dose of Walter White—Bryan Cranston’s high school chemistry teacher turned narcotics kingpin—can get one courtesy of Toys “R” Us. Breaking Bad action figures sold at the family-friendly retailer come complete with guns, cash, and blue rocks of crystal meth. Now, one Florida parent has launched a campaign to get the store to ditch the drug dealer–style toys.
“Toys 'R' Us is well known around the world for their vast selection of toys for children of all ages,” wrote Fort Myers, Fla., resident Susan Schrivjer on her Change.org petition. “However their decision to sell a Breaking Bad doll, complete with a detachable sack of cash and a bag of meth, alongside children’s toys is a dangerous deviation from their family friendly values.”
According to Schrivjer, the retailer teamed up with Sony Pictures Television, the producer of the show, to distribute the line of six-inch dolls. One of the figurines comes with a gun, money, and drugs. Two others in the line wear hazmat suits, which are needed to protect would-be crystal meth cookers. Schrivjer’s petition asks that supporters contact the toy store and demand that it stop selling the Breaking Bad figures online and in the brick-and-mortar stores.
“While the show may be compelling viewing for adults, its violent content and celebration of the drug trade make this collection unsuitable to be sold alongside Barbie dolls and Disney characters,” wrote Schrivjer.
The Toys “R” Us Facebook page is being bombarded with supporters on both sides.
“Corporations who affect the lives of children should have the moral integrity to lead our children in responsible and productive ways,” wrote Facebook user Anna Langeberg. “I will no longer shop at your stores or online, unless the corporation chooses to make a public apology for glorifying illicit crystal meth lifestyles with their marketing ploys for more profits.”
Other commenters have pointed out that not all Toys “R” Us customers are children. Indeed, any visit to a Comic Con convention proves that plenty of adults collect action figures. Besides, wrote another Facebook user named Jeremy Salisbury, “If [kids] are asking for those toys then the problem is not with Toys 'R' Us.”
So far Schrivjer’s petition has more than 7,000 signatures. The pressure on the retailer to stop selling the figurines seems to be working. Although the company hasn’t made an official statement about the controversy, a search for Breaking Bad action figures on the Toys “R” Us website comes up with zero results. Stores in Tampa, Fla., are also reportedly pulling the toys off the shelves.
As for Cranston, he has some choice words about the controversy. “I'm so mad, I'm burning my Florida Mom action figure in protest,” the actor tweeted on Monday.
Related stories on TakePart:
• CVS Fears Real-Life ‘Breaking Bad’ Scenario, Briefly Requires I.D. to Buy Nail Polish Remover
• Can Sex Toys, Guns, and Grenades Deter Plastic Bag Use?
• Can You Tell Who’s the Soda Addict and Who’s the Meth Addict?
Original article from TakePart
