Have you seen Billy on the Street? You know, the comedy series on Funny or Die that features Billy Eichner running into random strangers on the streets of New York, asking them questions (very loudly) that usually results in Billy yelling and storming off?
Even if you haven't, it seems Burger King definitely has. A new 15-second ad from the fast food chain seems to invoke Eichner's comedy style by featuring a man loudly yelling at a group of strangers about how much chicken nuggets cost and sticking a microphone in their face.
Eichner isn't flattered by Burger King taking inspiration from his show, taking to Twitter to express his outrage.
Hey @BurgerKing-thanks for stealing my act for ur new commercial!! Except its not as funny & everyone knows u stole it. GET YOUR OWN IDEAS.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 13, 2014
Please tweet @BurgerKing & tell them to stop stealing from #BillyOntheStreet. Then I'm going over there & I'm gonna FLAME BROIL HIS DICK. — billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 13, 2014
Oh and @BurgerKing once you're done stealing my comedy please stop making people morbidly obese!!! Thanks so much!!! — billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 13, 2014
Since then, fans and fellow comedians have voiced their support for Eichner.
@BurgerKing who the fuck are you to rip off @billyeichner like did you not realize people would see the comparisons? so lame. so lame.. — Curtis Webster (@CurtisWebster) October 13, 2014
Yo @BurgerKing, stop stealing from the hilarious @billyeichner and stick to what you're good at: giving me diarrhea. — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) October 13, 2014
@BurgerKing - way to once again make a shitty version of someone else's great ideas! cc @billyeichner @McDonalds — Jenna Hoops (@Jlhoops) October 13, 2014
Eichner even got McDonalds involved, with the fast food giant now tweeting in support of Eichner.
@billyeichner Can’t wait to see you! Oh, and bring Elena! — McDonald's (@McDonalds) October 13, 2014
So far 14 people have died in the Billy on the Street vs Burger King War of 2014! This must end soon!!! — billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 13, 2014
And as Madonna once said, "Often imitated, Never duplicated." Love you all. Elena and I are about to enjoy some McNuggets.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 13, 2014
Mashable put together a comparison video of Eichner's act and Burger King's ad so you can compare for yourself. Check it out below. They definitely share more than a few similarities, but after all this backlash it seems safe to assume Burger King won't be trying to imitate Eichner's style again.
