When this post first came out, I was in the middle of switching this blog to a new host. I had also lost my job only a few days before (hard to believe that's been almost two years). I had no idea how it became as popular as it did, since I didn't know much about tracking at the time, and I was pretty busy besides. But it makes sense. We love these little adorable advertising icons... for a little while. With much repetition, they become annoying. It works for the advertiser. After all, we all know what company the Pillsbury Doughboy pushes, even if we forget his name is Poppin'Fresh. Like all cutesie characters, he's so much more fun when he gets embarrassed, punished, or put in situations you wouldn't expect. Republishing this post will probably cause it to lose its prominent position in Google search, but some of this stuff is funny enough to take another look. Especially since most folks who come here now weren't around two years ago.

Who’s to Blame?

I was shocked to find that the Pillsbury Doughboy was kidnapped! Luckily, the story has a happy ending. But this is not the first time it has happened!

Pillsbury Doughboy kidnapped

By John Breneman

In a brazen act of culinary-political terrorism, masked intruders armed with razor-sharp butter knives kidnapped the Pillsbury Doughboy from the heavily guarded Pop "n" Fresh compound in Crescent City, California.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the Doughboy, the cherubic, flour-white baking industry icon who is the sole heir to the vast Pillsbury fortune. But a ransom note scrawled in chocolate frosting at the scene demanded that four dozen unmarked fudge brownies and $50 million be deposited in a Danish bank account.

The FBI reportedly is investigating several leads -- including whether Pillsbury archrival Duncan Hines is in any way involved. A source close to the Doughboy said he was in possession of a new secret recipe for a no-calorie bundt cake at the time he was snatched.

According to an anonymous FBI informant known only as John Dough, other possible suspects include Betty Crocker, a Pillsbury subsidiary whose own line of mouth-watering baked goods was often overshadowed by the ubiquitious Doughboy. Federal investigators are also looking into a possible connection between the Pillsbury kidnapping and the nearby heist of an armored Brink's truck filled with dough.

The only witness to the abduction was one of the Doughboy's bodyguards, who reportedly saw a dark, late-model sedan racing away from the Pillsbury compound and thought he heard plaintive, high-pitched squeals of "Hoo, hoo!" coming from inside the vehicle.

Poke the the Pillsbury Doughboy.

Its even more fun to poke him here.

The Dancing Doughboy.

Make your own Doughboy Dance and sent it to your friends.

Sue Seibel sells anything and everything to do with the Pillsbury Doughboy!

His fan club.

When you are a big star, there are always outtakes circulating. And more here.

There was that one really embarassing moment caught on tape.

OBITUARY

(Thanks, Eva!)

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and described Doughboy lovingly as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he was still a crusty old man and was considered a roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He also is survived by his elderly dad, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Thought for today: Nothing says lovin like somethin from the oven.

This post originally appeared on May 10, 2006.