Burger King is handing out 3″-high talking dolls with its Kids Meals as part of the Simpsons movie promo. Of course the Apu doll — not Chief Wiggum, not Mr. Burns, not Krusty the Clown — is the only one to say anything off-color: ‘Please! Please! I’m gouging as fast as I can.’ The Japanese Mr. Sparkle detergent in his hand is witty though (thanks, Blue):

A reader points out that the promo could be misconstrued because alleged gouging by immigrant shopkeepers was a factor in the ‘92 Los Angeles riots:

When I first heard it I thought that “gouging” was “going” - then I checked the handy packing note that explained that, yes, he is saying “gouging”. I was horrified.

To teach kids to associate immigrant shopkeepers with gouging seems deeply irresponsible (not to mention offensive on any other number of levels). Have people forgotten the LA riots or so many other scenes of violence targeting minority shopkeepers? I couldn’t believe it. I explained to my kids why I thought they should throw their Apu toys away and they seemed to understand. [Email]

Stores owned by Korean and other Asian immigrants were widely targeted, although stores owned by whites and blacks were also targeted. [Link]

Here’s a well-done ad that’s part of this campaign. As one online commenter points out, it’s easily funnier than the movie itself: