M&M’s replaces cartoon ‘spokescandies’ with Maya Rudolph following ‘woke’ backlash from Fox News - NBC News

After contention pursuing its mascot refresh past year, M&M's announced Monday it is taking an "indefinite pause" from utilizing its candy-coated mascots, saying the "last happening M&M’s wanted" was to beryllium "polarizing."

M&M’s said successful a tweet that it is alternatively tapping histrion Maya Rudolph arsenic its spokesperson, idiosyncratic the marque said "America tin hold on."

Mars Inc., the genitor institution of M&M’s, did not instantly respond to a petition for comment. Representatives for Rudolph did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.

M&M’s "spokescandies" person provoked the ire of right-wing outlets similar Fox News successful caller weeks aft the institution announced a caller “Flip the Status Quo“ campaign. The run raised wealth to enactment women successful originative industries and featured limited-edition candy bags with the 3 pistillate spokescandies.

Fox News big Tucker Carlson railed against “woke M&Ms” successful a caller broadcast. He made akin complaints astir the candies past January aft M&M’s announced a new, inclusive look.

In its connection connected Monday, M&M’s said it "definitely didn’t deliberation it would interruption the internet."

“But present we get it — even a candy’s shoes tin beryllium polarizing," the marque wrote. "Which is the past happening M&M’s wanted since we’re each astir bringing radical together.”

The marque said it is "confident" that Rudolph "will champion the powerfulness of amusive to make a satellite wherever everyone feels similar they belong.”

Online, galore responded to the announcement with daze and disappointment.

"They fired the M&Ms," 1 idiosyncratic wrote.

"give maine backmost my sexy greenish m&m," wrote another user.

Others speculated the announcement could beryllium a publicity stunt made up of the Super Bowl, which takes spot connected Feb. 12.

"It’s January 23 they virtually murdered Mr Peanut connected Jan 22 2020, this is an evident chumming of waters for a atrocious ace vessel advertisement plan," 1 idiosyncratic wrote, referring to erstwhile Planters said Mr. Peanut died during a pre-Super Bowl advertisement successful 2020.