Ren & Stimpy’s Log commercial and LOL Surprise?

Calling all nostalgic 90’s kids

Before we dive into the confusing title of this blog about mashing up Log and LOL Surprise dolls, we’ve gotta explain what they are.

Do you remember watching Ren & Stimpy as a kid? The show was packed with over-the-top humor and absurdity that left a lasting impression on its young audience. Ren & Stimpy originally ran from 1991 – 1996, but I probably watched the reruns aired on Nickelodeon since I don’t remember plopping myself in front of my family’s giant-by-90’s-standards 21in box television set until I was about 7, which means I couldn’t have seen episodes as they aired originally. But boy am I glad that the show endured for many years after it was first conceived. Makes me want to yell happy happy joy joy!

The frenzied animation style and off-kilter humor of Ren & Stimpy made it stand out from other cartoons of its time. From Ren’s manic outbursts to Stimpy’s dopey grin, every character was brought to life with exaggerated movements and expressions that added to the show’s manic energy. The surreal settings and oddball scenarios only added to the sense of unpredictability that kept me glued to the screens. Simultaneously delighted and disturbed by the bizarre images that played out before me, Ren & Stimpy really seeped into my subconscious.

It’s lo-og, log

The most iconic moment from the show (if you disagree, you are an EEDIOT) was a musically addicting commercial for Log, which hilariously promised the ultimate enjoyment from a simple wooden cylinder. That segment is maybe one of the most re-watched commercials of all time (not statistically, but just from my personal experience), and I remember annoying the heck out of my parents singing the jingle over and over again. It really sticks with you (get it? sticks, like from a tree? where logs also come from?(side note: there will be puns abound from here on out, so if you hate those you should leaf))!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fQGPZTECYs&ab_channel=NickRewind

I still sing this stupid little ditty today as an ‘adult’. I remix the melody to fit whatever one-syllable object I’m talking about that has any bit of desirability whatsoever. Talking to my husband about how cute my do Talia is? “She’s do-og, dog! She’s better than bad, she’s good!” Telling my sister to try out a new flavor of chips? “What’s great for a snack and fits on your back? It’s chip, chip, chip.” The song can really branch out to fit whatever topic you want.

Could Log work for kids today?

As a mom and also someone who grew up watching Ren & Stimpy in the 90s, I can’t help but wonder what a modern-day Log would look like. What would my 10 year-old daughter’s Log look like?

I remember the bright colors, crazy animation, and humor that pushed the boundaries. But today’s cartoons are more polished and sophisticated, with smooth animation, detailed characters, and meta humor that’s all about breaking the fourth wall. So what would Log look like in this new era of kid’s entertainment? Would it be all sleek and modern, with a touch-screen interface and a wood-grain pattern that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie? Or would it stick with its old-school charm, embracing the rough-hewn simplicity that made it so appealing in the first place?

Toys kids like these days

My daughter, Aleyah has been obsessed with LOL Surprise dolls for a few years now. These tiny, collectible dolls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and themes, with each box/ball/egg thingy hiding a few surprises inside. Whether it’s a new accessory, a changeable outfit, or a rare and highly sought-after limited edition doll, there’s always something new in the world of LOL dolls.

I find it most interesting that some of the dolls are color- changing. When Aleyah was 6, we got her a few LOL Surprise dolls for her birthday. She couldn’t wait to play ‘Pool’ with them in the bath, so I took her upstairs to fill the tub with a few inches of lukewarm water, she changed into a swim suit, and we commenced playing. When wetted, one of the new dolls Aleyah handed to me magically sprouted some lingerie:

Is that a j-oak?

This instance with discovering little dolls with adult-themed clothes was not the first controversy I had to lumber through as a parent. It certainly was shocking, but after I had composed myself and reflected on things I saw as a kid I was able to calm down.

Ren & Stimpy was known for its visceral grossness, violence, and sexual implications. I remember my mom having issues with some episodes, like the ones where Ren is beat up by the baby gangsters, when Stimpy and Ren find themselves taking a bath with 3 human adults, or the time Ren erotically saws a log on Stimpy’s back.

So, I had the idea to combine one of my favorite troublesome childhood memories with my daughter’s youthful traumatic toy. What would Log look like now?

Introducing LOG Surprise!

LOG Surprise has 7 layers of surprise inside! Each layer reveals a hint at which you’re going to get!

1. Secret emoji message ❓
2. Collectible stickers 😋
3. Splinters ⚰️
4. Tree bark 🌲
5. Termites🐜
6. Moss and fungus 🍄
7. LOG Surprise collectable ✨ – will you get Loger, Rich Stick, or Woody?

Wood your kids play with LOG Surprise?

All you Log or Ren & Stimpy fans- what do you think? Could you imagine your children being excited to open a package marketed like LOL Surprise dolls? How long do you think they would stay excited once the realized the final toy was a log?

This product is (hopefully) obviously fictitious, but I had a lot of fun reminiscing about the willfully inappropriate cartoon. Ren & Stimpy, a simple animated program about a psycho chihuahua threatening a dullard goof-ball cat, is rooted inside my head permanently. And I think LOL Surprise dolls will be something Aleyah and other kids who have played with the toys will remember forever.

So, this was a fun mash-up project!

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a793725/13-times-ren-stimpy-was-in-no-way-appropriate-for-children/
https://nickelodeon.fandom.com/wiki/The_Ren_%26_Stimpy_Show
https://renandstimpy.fandom.com/wiki/Log