Disney World removes beloved character from park after 50 ye

[shellee]

This is my first time posting from my phone so bear with me!
I find this to be ridiculous! The offense police are going too damn far.


Disney World removes beloved character from park after 50 years over fears it could offend alcoholics.
Disney World has removed a beloved character that has been a staple at the amusement park for over 50 years as the character was deemed “insensitive and outdated” — and could offend alcoholics.

Liver Lips McGrowl, one of the 18 animatronic bears of the “Country Bear Jamboree” at Magic Kingdom, will not be making his grand return alongside the other robotic mammals when the attraction reopens Wednesday after a seven-month hiatus.

The term “liver lips,” which is considered derogatory and offensive, is associated with alcohol abuse and the damage it does to liver, Disney blog Inside the Magic said.
The term is also seen as a derogatory and offensive stereotype used against black Americans to describe the shape of their lips as sickly or unhealthy, according to the Street.com.
Instead, McGrowl will be replaced by Romeo McGrowl, a bear with the same last name and a similar facial appearance as Liver Lips but with a James Dean-esque coif.

[Sarzy]

I've never heard of that character. I wonder if anyone ever actually complained about the name or they just decided to be offended on others behalf?

[shellee]

That’s what I was wondering sarzy. I just can’t see some alcoholic complaining about this character. Liver lips has nothing to do with an actual liver. I don’t understand this at all.

[czb]

i've never heard of this character. maybe they are dumping it because no one else has heard of it, either?

[shellee]

They specifically said they dumped it because it was offensive to alcoholics. I find this ludicrous. They changed his name to Romeo which is also stupid in my opinion.

[sputnik]

i don't even remember the ride, much less the character.
i don't understand disney even making an announcement. would anyone even have noticed if they'd just removed him after the overhaul?
though i guess all the disney freaks who know the parks inside and out and complain if there are any changes, probably would have.

[Pixie]

Aside from the fact that this is a bit ridiculous, it's equally ridiculous to claim it's a "beloved character" when no one has any fucking idea who this character is. It's not like they're removing Goofy or something.

[czb]

Jul 20, 2024 23:10:59 GMT shellee said:

They specifically said they dumped it because it was offensive to alcoholics. I find this ludicrous. They changed his name to Romeo which is also stupid in my opinion.

yeah, i realize that's the reason they gave. but i'm saying they may have just said that to justify removing a character. there are probably enough disney zealots out there who would realize the character is missing (even if none of us know who it is).

[brookie]

We used to call each other "Liver Lips" as kids, and NOT because we had a drinking problem. It was just funny.

[sputnik]

^^^

whens the last time you saw it anywhere though? I know of the expression “liver lips” but I’ve never actually heard anyone use it. I think also it’s maybe just fallen out of use and since Disney is mostly for kids what’s the point of a character with a name that kids won’t even understand? That would be a more plausible reason for removing the character than any possible offensiveness.

[no1novice]

I think that this (bolded) is more accurate)

The bear has been replaced by Romeo McGrowl, who looks identical to his predecessor – including his protruding lips – but sports a sky-blue jumpsuit and blonde quiff.

“The decision to remove Liver Lips McGrowl was driven by concerns over the character’s name. The term “liver lips” is considered derogatory and offensive,” it reported.

“The term ... is associated with excessive alcohol consumption and the resulting liver damage. The phrase is deemed to be insensitive and outdated, prompting Disney’s decision to modify the character.”

Others have suggested that the corporation may have been squeamish about the term because “liver lips” has been used as a racial slur against African Americans

Now...




And the poster...

[sputnik]

lol

[holly]

This is one of the stupidest things I’ve heard about in a while.

And that’s saying a LOT.

[lindsaywhit]

With all the real issues, positive or negative, the world faces, somewhere some committee spent actual time and trouble to choose, debate, and then hand down this gloriously ridiculous decision. It boggles the mind.

[mrsfawlty]

]
And now he looks like Meg Ryan or any of those awful 'Real Housewives'!