Earlier this week we reported on the third-degree burn tweeted by Bryan Cranston in response to the news that a Florida mother had petitioned retailer Toys'R'Us to stop stocking Breaking Bad action figures in its stores.
Well, despite Cranston's cranky comment, Toys'R'Us decided to pull the toys from its stores on Tuesday, a spokesperson saying: “Let’s just say, the action figures have taken an indefinite sabbatical.”
Re: BB "Let's just say, the action figures have taken an 'indefinite sabbatical.'"
— ToysRUs (@ToysRUs) October 21, 2014
The decision was prompted by the 9,300 names added to Susan Schrivjer's Change.org petition to ban the four action figures based on meth-cooking character Walter White.
The collectible toys had been sold in limited quantities in the adult section of Toys'R'Us, and the petition argues that some of them had ended up into the kids' sections. Though Susan Schrivjer described herself as a fan of the show, she said that because the figures came with detachable bags of meth and cash, they were age inappropriate for a toy shop and represented a "dangerous deviation from their family-friendly values."
Now, actor Arron Paul has joined the debate, even attempting to draw US-president Barack Obama into the fold. The actor attacked Toys'R'Us, accusing the company of hypocrisy for pulling the Breaking Bad figures but continuing to profit from sales of violent video games and Barbie dolls.
Wait, so @ToysRUs pulled all of the Breaking Bad figures from their shelves and still sells Barbie? Hmmmm...I wonder what is more damaging?
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) October 23, 2014
“@BarackObama: Wait, are you serious about the whole @ToysRUs thing?!?” Yes I am Mr. President. Yes I am.
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) October 23, 2014
And what about all of the violent video games you sell @ToysRUs ? Do you still sell those? Florida mom really messed it up for everyone.
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) October 23, 2014
The Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner then also redirected his fans to another petition, this time calling for Toys'R'Us to keep toys like the Breaking Bad collectibles on its shelves.
Here's the petition to sign to keep the toys on the shelves! This would be so fun to show the Florida mom. YeahBitch https://t.co/8iEFsLBCIn
”” Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) October 24, 2014
Here's the petition to sign to keep the toys on the shelves! This would be so fun to show the Florida mom. YeahBitch https://t.co/8iEFsLBCIn
— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) October 24, 2014
The petition has now received almost 17,000 signatures.
