Mia Patel
KFC released a series of commercials promoting its limited-time menu item, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles, featuring Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth, the mascot of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. The commercials spoof famous love songs and dance scenes from films, with the Colonel portrayed by actor Craig Fleming. One commercial recreates the iconic dance scene from Dirty Dancing, while another features the song The Power of Love by Celine Dion. The campaign, created by Wieden & Kennedy Portland, continues KFC's quirky marketing strategy of animating condiments and using celebrity Colonels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the commercial | KFC Chicken & Waffles TV Spot |
| Year | 2018 |
| Actor playing Colonel Sanders | Craig Fleming |
| Spoofs | Dirty Dancing |
| Song | "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" |
| Product | Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles |
| Price | $5.49 |
| Availability | November 12, 2018, through December 31, 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
KFC's Colonel Sanders and Mrs Butterworth
KFC has released a series of commercials promoting its limited-time menu item, Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles, featuring Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth. The commercials have garnered attention for their creative and quirky approach, with the iconic Colonel Sanders taking centre stage alongside Mrs. Butterworth, the mascot of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup.
In one memorable commercial, Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth recreate the famous dance scene from the classic film "Dirty Dancing." The roles of Johnny and Baby are portrayed by the Colonel and the syrup bottle, with actor Craig Fleming stepping into the role of the Colonel. The ad offers a playful twist by having a bottle of syrup as a dance partner, and while the dance moves may not be as sleek as the original, the concept is undeniably charming.
In another commercial, KFC takes a more romantic approach. In this ad, Colonel Sanders is seen turning from a bunch of red roses and moving in to kiss Mrs. Butterworth, the syrup bottle shaped like a woman. The iconic song "The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush plays in the background, adding a touch of nostalgia to the scene. This commercial emphasizes the ""delicious union"" of KFC's Chicken & Waffles with Mrs. Butterworth's syrup.
The choice to feature Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth in these commercials is a strategic one. KFC has a history of using the Colonel as its brand mascot, and bringing him back has been a successful move, resonating well with consumers. Additionally, the use of a non-celebrity actor, Craig Fleming, to portray the Colonel in these particular commercials is a departure from their recent campaigns, which featured well-known celebrities.
The commercials have effectively combined humour and nostalgia to promote KFC's Chicken & Waffles. The use of a well-known dance scene and a popular love song from the past creates a sense of familiarity and evokes a feeling of warmth and amusement among viewers. By partnering with Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, KFC has also found a creative way to enhance the appeal of its limited-time menu item.
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'Dirty Dancing' spoof
KFC released a commercial in 2018 promoting its Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles, featuring Colonel Sanders and Mrs Butterworth of Mrs Butterworth's Syrup. The commercial spoofs the famous final dance scene from the classic film *Dirty Dancing*, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.
In the KFC advert, the roles of Johnny and Baby are portrayed by Colonel Sanders and Mrs Butterworth. The pair dance together, recreating the iconic lift from the film. However, the dance moves aren't as impressive as the original, due to the fact that Mrs Butterworth is a bottle of syrup without legs!
The Colonel is played by actor Craig Fleming, who is not a well-known celebrity, marking a departure from KFC's previous campaigns. The voiceover in the advert describes the limited-time pairing of chicken and waffles as "the most delicious union of all time".
Scene 1:
The Colonel (played by Craig Fleming) enters a diner, dressed in his iconic white suit. He spots Mrs Butterworth, a bottle of syrup, on the counter and is immediately smitten. He approaches her and they introduce themselves, with a playful back-and-forth reminiscent of Johnny and Baby's first meeting in *Dirty Dancing*. The Colonel could even try to impress Mrs Butterworth with some smooth dance moves, showing off his fancy footwork.
Scene 2:
The Colonel and Mrs Butterworth decide to team up and enter a dance-off against other couples. They perform a series of dances, each one more elaborate and humorous than the last, eventually leading up to the iconic lift. The other diners react with awe and applause as the Colonel effortlessly lifts Mrs Butterworth above his head.
Scene 3:
The Colonel and Mrs Butterworth, now a dynamic duo, hit the road in the Colonel's vintage car. They stop at various locations, performing their signature dance and amazing onlookers with their unique partnership. The twist comes when they encounter another pair of iconic dancers—perhaps a reference to other famous dance scenes from films like *Grease* or *Pulp Fiction*. A friendly rivalry ensues, with the two couples competing to outdance each other.
Scene 4:
The Colonel and Mrs Butterworth arrive at a grand ballroom, where a glamorous dance competition is taking place. They take to the stage and perform their unique and comedic routine, combining elements of ballroom, disco, and even breakdancing. The judges are stunned, and the audience goes wild, cheering for the unlikely pair. In the end, they are declared the winners, proving that their partnership is a match made in culinary heaven.
Scene 5:
The final scene shows the Colonel and Mrs Butterworth enjoying a romantic moment, perhaps sharing a plate of chicken and waffles by candlelight. They reflect on their journey together and how they made it work despite their differences. The voiceover from the original KFC commercial could be used here, with a twist: "The most delicious union of all time? Why settle for just one?"
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Non-celebrity Colonel actor
KFC has featured many celebrities in its commercials, including Rob Lowe, Christopher Boyer, Reba McEntire, George Hamilton, Darrell Hammond, Randy Quaid, Dolph Ziggler, and Jason Alexander. However, in a departure from these celebrity-endorsed campaigns, the actor Craig Randall Fleming portrayed Colonel Sanders in the 2018 KFC commercial promoting Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles.
Fleming's commercial spoofs the famous dance scene from the film "Dirty Dancing." In the ad, he dances with a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, portrayed by Mrs. Butterworth. The spot also features a voiceover that declares the limited-time pairing of chicken and waffles "the most delicious union of all time."
Fleming is a California-born actor, writer, and educator. Before pursuing acting, he held various jobs, including working as a Disney character walk-around and a seance medium at a private magic club. He later developed games and scripts for Alchemy II and spent several years in Paris contributing to the creation of Euro Disneyland.
Fleming's portrayal of Colonel Sanders is notable as it marks a return to the founder Harland Sanders' original intention of using his Colonel persona as a low-cost marketing tool. This strategy was employed by KFC in 2017 with the introduction of the "Value Colonel," portrayed by Christopher Boyer, who explicitly stated, "No celebrities!" in one commercial.
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Belgian Liege-style waffles
KFC's Colonel Sanders has been portrayed by many famous actors in the past. However, in its latest commercials, the fast-food chain chose a lesser-known actor, Craig Fleming, to play the iconic role. The KFC Chicken & Waffles ad campaign features Fleming as Colonel Sanders dancing and bonding with a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. The ad spoofs the famous dance scene from the film "Dirty Dancing," with the bottle of syrup taking on the role of Baby, originally played by Jennifer Grey.
The choice of Belgian Liege-style waffles for the KFC Chicken & Waffles campaign was a deliberate one. Liege waffles are a variety of waffle that originated in the Wallonia region of Belgium. They differ from the more commonly known Brussels waffle or Belgian waffle in several ways. Firstly, they are smaller in size. Secondly, they are made with a dense and heavy brioche dough, rather than a liquid batter. This dough is mixed with pearl sugar, which caramelizes during grilling, giving the waffle a crunchier, chewier, and stickier texture. Liege waffles also have deeper divots and a rounded shape, compared to the rectangular Brussels waffle.
The process of making Belgian Liege-style waffles involves using a yeast-raised dough, which gives the waffles their characteristic puffy and chewy texture. Milk is the main source of moisture in the dough, while butter adds richness and keeps the inside of the waffles soft. Eggs create tenderness and additional richness. Flour provides structure, and yeast is used as a leavening agent to make the waffles puffy and add flavor.
The pearl sugar used in Liege waffles is crucial to their unique taste and texture. It caramelizes on the outside of the waffle, creating a sweet and crunchy coating. While traditional Liege waffles are eaten plain, toppings can also be added. Some popular options include cinnamon-sugar, whipped cream, Nutella, fresh berries, or powdered sugar.
KFC chose Belgian Liege-style waffles for their Chicken & Waffles menu item after trying out 15 different variations. The sweeter and doughier texture of the Liege waffle, created by the yeast-raised dough and pearl sugar, likely contributed to its selection. The combination of crispy, chewy, and tender textures in the waffle, paired with KFC's fried chicken and Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, offers a unique and indulgent dining experience.
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Love song parodies
KFC's 2018 TV commercial promoting its Kentucky Fried Chicken & Waffles offering features Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. The commercial spoofs the famous dance scene from the film "Dirty Dancing", with the pair dancing to a song by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Actor Craig Fleming, dressed as the Colonel, portrays the role without the usual celebrity association.
In television, the show "Big Mouth" features comedic songs about love, with one example being a song from season one, "Why is Josh In a Bad Mood?", where Rebecca (Rachel Bloom) sings about the helplessness of falling for someone against her better judgment. This includes raunchy and creative lyrics, adding a unique twist to the typical love song.
Parodies can also be found in films, such as "Love Songs (The Damned Parody)", which takes a humorous approach to the theme of love. Additionally, songs like "Business Time" by Flight of the Conchords offer a novel and funny perspective on how sex can become mundane in a long-term relationship. These examples showcase the diverse range of love song parodies, from television and film to music, each bringing a unique twist to the traditional love song.
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Frequently asked questions
The KFC chicken and waffles Colonel is portrayed by actor Craig Fleming.
The female co-star is Mrs. Butterworth, the mascot of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup, owned by Conagra Brands.
The KFC chicken and waffles commercial is about the limited-time pairing of KFC's Nashville Hot Chicken & Waffles with Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. The commercial spoofs the famous dance scene from the film "Dirty Dancing".
