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JCPenney Yanks 'Hitler' Tea Kettle Billboard, Kettle Sells Out Online
JCPenney has yanked down a billboard that attracted (mostly virtual) attention for bearing a resemblance to Adolf Hitler.
The $40 Michael Graves-designed kettle unintentionally looked like a mustachioed führer raising his arm in a salute. JCPenney responded to the online tempest in a teapot by saying that if they wanted a teapot to look like anything, they would have chosen a puppy dog, kitten or snowman...in other words something a little more JCPenney.
JCPenney is taking the billboard down, ABC 7 reported. Not that the item needs the advertising at this point. It looks like the kettle is no longer available, and JCPenney confirmed, tweeting that the kettle was sold out online:
@pattonoswalt Totally unintentional. But they'll need to grab it in stores since it's sold out online. #SadHipsters
— JCPenney (@jcpenney) May 28, 2013
We expect to see many more ironic reviews for Mein Tea Kettle.