Fans of Fox’s Arrested Development know better than to expect subtlety from its writers. A current gag, after all, pivots around brother Buster (Tony Hale), a hook-handed mama’s boy whose fist was bitten off by a carnivorous seal. So when Burger King made a ham-fisted appearance on last night’s episode, ad watchers like myself had a good guffaw. Not content to have a central character chow down on a Spicy TenderCrisp Chicken Sandwich, the writers included a scene where psychiatrist-turned-actor Tobias (David Cross) meets his mentor, Predator’s Carl Weathers, at the restaurant. In the ensuing conversation, Weathers spells out the concept: “I’m trying to get them to underwrite the TV project I’m working on. Get some money in exchange for setting a scene here.” Tobias answers: “As long as you don’t draw attention to it.” Weathers then goes on to explain how refills of any soft drink are free at BK, before Tobias exclaims, “It’s a wonderful restaurant!” Yes, it sure is. Letting the audience in on the gag spoils the placement not a fire-grilled ounce. The irreverent nod to product placement works both for the show and for BK, whose lead ad agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, created the chain’s Self-Consciously Quirky Brand of Humor in ads featuring the King and, inexplicably, Hootie himself, Darius Rucker.

—Posted by Deanna Zammit

Credit: Fox