Since neither hide nor hair of the stocky blue jeans-wearing fire warden bear had been seen for years, I assumed he’d been killed by a hunter or arsonist or something. But no, he’s back! Sort of. The Ad Council, in a campaign unfortunately tagged “Get Your Smokey On,” has transformed him from a lovable cartoon character into a scary CGI beast that can assume the shape and voice of any human. After you watch the spots you’ll understand. That’s Sam Eliot voicing the familiar “Only you can prevent wildfires” line. (See the other scare-bear spot, “Diner,” by choosing it in the frighteningly small video player’s drop-down menu).
-Copyranter