Gobbles the Crazy Eating Goat
Kenner released Gobbles The Crazy Eating Goat toy in 1978, but they soon discontinued it. There may have been concerns that children would eat the plastic bits of fake garbage (designed for Gobbles to eat) that came with the toy. But also, the toy was branded one of the worst toys of the year by the Consumer Affairs Committee of the Americans for Democratic Action organization. They objected to the "concept of paying for garbage," and also didn't think Gobbles taught kids a good message about how to treat animals.
Washington Post — Dec 8, 1979
However, the toy made an impression on filmmaker John Waters. He shared his thoughts about it in his essay "Why I Love Christmas":
For years friends have treated me to the toy annually selected by the Consumer Affairs Committee of Americans for Democratic Action as the "worst toy" to give your child at Christmastime. "Gobbles, the Garbage-Eating Goat" started my collection.
"That crazy eating goat" reads the delightful package, and in small print, "Contains: One realistic goat with head that goes up and down. Comes complete with seven pieces of pretend garbage."
This Kenner Discovery Time toy's instructions are priceless. "Gobbles loves to eat garbage when he's hungry, and he's ALWAYS hungry. (1) Hold Gobbles mouth open by the beard. Stuff a piece of pretend garbage straight into his mouth and (2) pump the tail until the garbage disappears."
It ends with an ominous warning, "Feed Gobbles only the garbage that comes with the toy," and in even smaller print "If you need additional garbage, we will, as a service, send it to you direct. For 14 pieces of garbage send $1 (check or money order; sorry, no C.O.D.) to . . . . "
I can't tell you the hours of fun I've had with Gobbles. Sometimes when I'm very bored, Gobbles and I get naked and play-play.
"That crazy eating goat" reads the delightful package, and in small print, "Contains: One realistic goat with head that goes up and down. Comes complete with seven pieces of pretend garbage."
This Kenner Discovery Time toy's instructions are priceless. "Gobbles loves to eat garbage when he's hungry, and he's ALWAYS hungry. (1) Hold Gobbles mouth open by the beard. Stuff a piece of pretend garbage straight into his mouth and (2) pump the tail until the garbage disappears."
It ends with an ominous warning, "Feed Gobbles only the garbage that comes with the toy," and in even smaller print "If you need additional garbage, we will, as a service, send it to you direct. For 14 pieces of garbage send $1 (check or money order; sorry, no C.O.D.) to . . . . "
I can't tell you the hours of fun I've had with Gobbles. Sometimes when I'm very bored, Gobbles and I get naked and play-play.
Here's some video of Gobbles doing his thing:
Comments
The kids weren't learning to rejoice when something comes out the back end. That problem has been solved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3MvNvdXSCU
Posted by Virtual on 07/23/16 at 01:22 PM
I thought the whole point of children's toys was to pay money for garbage.
Virtual, you're right.
Virtual, you're right.
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 07/23/16 at 09:04 PM
So you couldn't retrieve the old garbage from the goat after eating?
I think we would have figured that out somehow. It went together, its got to come apart.
@Virtual - We (family) bought that damn dog. It has the best results on older relatives when using brown play-doh. The youngest grandaughters had just begun spelling words on their own and came across the word poop, which became their word of the moment for a month. Of course, what better way to celebrate than to have a plastic dog with serious digestive issues poop play-doh all over the kitchen table.
I think we would have figured that out somehow. It went together, its got to come apart.
@Virtual - We (family) bought that damn dog. It has the best results on older relatives when using brown play-doh. The youngest grandaughters had just begun spelling words on their own and came across the word poop, which became their word of the moment for a month. Of course, what better way to celebrate than to have a plastic dog with serious digestive issues poop play-doh all over the kitchen table.
Posted by GFinKS on 07/25/16 at 10:37 AM
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Category: Toys