Food company Planters, which recently killed off Mr. Peanut, unveiled a new mascot during the Super Bowl on Sunday known simply as “Baby Nut.”
The miniature legume appears to be some sort of reincarnation of its predecessor, minus the monocle and cane. The character rose from the grave of Mr. Peanut as everyone from Mr. Clean to the Kool-Aid Man looked on.
“Hello world, I’m happy to be back,” a tweet from the @MrPeanut account stated. “I can’t believe everyone came together for little old me!”
Hello world, I’m happy to be back! I can’t believe everyone came together for little old me! #BabyNut pic.twitter.com/8DpCFjZzX3
— Mr. Peanut (@MrPeanut) February 3, 2020
News of Baby Nut’s emergence immediately spread online, leading the hashtag #BabyNut to trend on Twitter.
And as you’d expect, the internet had opinions about the new face of Planters. Many fell in love with Baby Nut immediately.
“Everyone shut up and LOOK AT HIM,” Twitter user @dreamxboys wrote. “I think I love him more then literally anyone and anything ever.”
everyone shut up and LOOK AT HIM. I think I love him more then literally anyone and anything ever. #babynut pic.twitter.com/246OWq4okZ
— sarah 🌟 (@ssarahemily) February 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/G0G0BEBE/status/1224133490410692609?s=20
https://twitter.com/wen_beyman/status/1224133303885869057?s=20
Others accused the company of merely attempting to steal the spotlight from Baby Yoda, the breakout star from the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
“Baby Yoda watching y’all try to steal the spotlight,” Twitter user @_vmartinez53 wrote. “Not working.”
Baby Yoda watching y’all try to steal the spotlight
— A Mando has no name (@_vmartinez53) February 3, 2020
Not working. #babynut pic.twitter.com/lnit0jq8r4
Baby Yoda watching companies try to imitate his unfathomable charm and swagger. #BabyNut pic.twitter.com/wDelDVlBKv
— Dawson Bosco (@dawsonB120398) February 3, 2020
forget the #SuperBowl the only thing that matters is…
— Chaos (@Chaosxsilencer) February 3, 2020
are you
Team #BabyNut or Team #BabyYoda
RT for Nut, LIKE for Yoda pic.twitter.com/WxixZxIyG0
Many envisioned Baby Yoda plotting to destroy Baby Nut. It can be turned into peanut butter, after all.
“Baby Yoda about to use The Force on this Baby Nut charlatan trying to take his place,” Twitter user @mrjafri wrote.
Baby Yoda about to use The Force on this Baby Nut charlatan trying to take his place #babynut pic.twitter.com/uumtUySe0z
— Ziggy 🇵🇸 (@mrjafri) February 3, 2020
When Baby yoda sees #babynut is trending pic.twitter.com/Wn83JisD1C
— Zak (@AdamZak8899) February 3, 2020
Baby yoda looking at #babynut right now https://t.co/WGV7jetsfz
— John (@iam_johnw) February 3, 2020
But perhaps more than anything, Twitter users were just outright confused as to why Planters thought the name Baby Nut was a good idea. Some even felt uncomfortable typing it out.
“Whoever thought of the phrase #BabyNut should reconsider accepting their marketing degree,” Twitter user @Lanipator wrote. “I feel dirty reading it. But dirtier writing it.”
Whoever thought of the phrase #BabyNut should reconsider accepting their marketing degree. I feel dirty reading it. But dirtier writing it. pic.twitter.com/LfzPMdKMnu
— Nick Lani (@Lanipator) February 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/Olly_Cupcakes/status/1224142246414626817?s=20
https://twitter.com/wowzersbud/status/1224133530034352130?s=20
And you can say #BabyNut on tv now? Y’all 2020 is wild.
— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) February 3, 2020
Everyone is also convinced that the FBI will be breaking down doors at any moment thanks to the viral hashtag.
“Someone at the FBI having a long day adding people to lists who tweet out #babynut,” Twitter user @straightedge109 wrote.
Someone at the FBI having a long day adding people to lists who tweet out #babynut
— Tyler Wilson (@MWGaming109) February 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/george_k_miller/status/1224133304409980929?s=20
When the FBI sees #BabyNut trending pic.twitter.com/LrSl5AXdaW
— tomas – LAKERS SZN (44-33) (@_tomaserati) February 3, 2020
But the true question is whether Baby Nut will have the same staying power as Baby Yoda, who has seemingly invaded every aspect of modern society.
The world must now decide: Baby Groot, Baby Jabba the Hutt, Baby Yoda, or Baby Nut?
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