After the tragic revelation at the end of the most recent episode of This Is Us, many fans were ready to throw away their Crock-Pots for good.
But now, Milo Ventimiglia, whose character’s demise has apparently been brought about thanks to a faulty slow-cooker, is standing up for the brand and even offering his forgiveness in a new tongue-in-cheek ad for the Super Bowl.
‘The big game is fast approaching and for many of us, this day brings us an opportunity to gather with friends and family, loved ones we don’t get to see all that often,’ Milo, who plays Jack Pearson on the show, explains.
Offered up: Milo Ventimiglia ‘forgives’ Crock-Pot in a new tongue-in-cheek Super Bowl ad
All good: The ad sees Milo explaining the difficulties of getting together with friends and family, stressing the importance of forgiveness, and then scooping chili from a Crock-Pot
‘But in 2018, gathering friends and family, well, it’s not as easy as what it used to be. The country is divided. Sometimes that can make it tough to find common ground, but this year… this year, I think we should all take a deep breath, find the ability to forgive, and remind ourselves there is no difference so great that we can’t overcome it,’ he says.
The video then takes a bit of a comical turn as it ends with Milo ladling some chili out of a Crock-Pot before the screen fades to black and the hashtag #CrockPotisInnocent is displayed.
The cheeky commercial comes shortly after the brand had to go into damage control after the product led to the death of character Jack Pearson – the details of which will be revealed in tonight’s episode after the Super Bowl.
The last installment, which aired late last month, finally showed fans how Jack Pearson, played by Milo Ventimiglia, met his tragic end: in a fire sparked by a faulty Crock-Pot in the kitchen.
Jack and his wife Rebecca, played by Mandy Moore, were given the popular appliance by their neighbor George, who explained to the couple how the switch was faulty and had to be fiddled with.
Unsuspecting: Crock-Pot was forced to defend its products after a fictional version caused a devastating fire on popular TV show This Is Us
Big problem: The gadget in the show had been given to the Pearson family 17 years earlier by a neighbor, who noted it had a faulty switch
Flash point: A sneak peek of the February 4 episode of This Is Us, is expected to show the death of Jack Pearson (played by Milo Ventimiglia)
Lit up: Tuesday’s episode ended with the Crock-Pot turning on and igniting a dish towel
After a Super Bowl party at their home 17 years later, Jack switched off the Crock-Pot before going to bed. However, the gadget somehow turned back on and set a dish towel alight in the process.
The fire ripped through the home and without batteries in the smoke detector, it was clear that terrible events with tragic consequences were unfolding.
The follow-up to the episode, which according to NBC will provide the moment ‘all of your questions will be answered’ about the character’s death, will air directly after the Super Bowl. A preview of the episode shows Jack frantically fighting through the blaze to save his family.
Immediately after the episode aired, fans took to social media with a new found mortal fear of their own Crock-Pots.
‘Annnnnnd everyone in America throws out their Crock-Pots tonight…’ wrote one user, while another responded:
A classic: The episode has led many fans of the Crock-Pot to grow concerned over the safety of their beloved gadgets
The end: The fire quickly ripped through the home, revealing that tragedy was on its way
Brave: Jack is seen in a preview for the next episode running through the ablaze family home in the preview
Hearts aflutter: Members of the young Pearson family are shown in peril in the sequence
The story hit especially close to home for one Facebook user, who revealed: ‘We have had a faulty one for years just because it’s been in the family for freakin’ ever. Not anymore.
‘I’m tossing it tonight once I dry this puddle of tears I’m sitting in from watching the end of tonight’s episode.’
Other users took to Crock-Pot’s page to ask for the brand’s response to the episode – and the suggestion that its products could lead to deadly fires.
The company quickly responded to the comments, saying: ‘Jack Pearson was our Valentine so we equally understand your pain with his loss. We love him and we love you too.
‘Don’t further add to our heartbreak by no longer using Crock-Pot Slow Cookers, rest assured our products have been generationally tested by your family and friends.’
This response wasn’t quite enough for some fans, who pressed Crock-Pot further on the worries owners of the products were now experiencing.
A plea: After the episode, Crock-Pot released a statement on its Facebook page asking people to refrain from throwing their appliances away
Questions: Crock-Pot was forced to answer questions from many concerned viewers who took to Facebook to share their fears over possible fire hazards
Crock-Pot responded: ‘We’re heartbroken over last night’s episode too!… [W]e’re innocent until proven guilty.’
The brand later went on to release a more formal statement, explaining that ‘it is important that our consumers understand and have confidence that all Crock-Pot slow cookers exceed all internal testing protocols and all applicable industry safety standards and regulations as verified by independent third-party testing labs.’
The statement also cited that in 50 years and over 100 million in sales, the company has never had ‘consumer complaints similar to the fictional events portrayed in last night’s episode,’ adding that the scenario was ‘nearly impossible.’
The low wattage of the appliances and the absence of voltage near the switches – not to mention the flame resistant material it is made of – means that the idea of a Crock-Pot starting an inferno is simply not plausible.
‘Just like many fans, we will be watching next week’s episode to see how Jack’s story progresses and, regardless of the outcome, we want consumers first and foremost to know they are safe when using their Crock-Pot,’ the statement ended.
In addition to the various statements, Crock-Pot created a Twitter handle, @CrockPotCares, to specifically address fans voicing their concerns about the products as a result of the episode.
Heartbreak: Multiple users shared their new-found fear of Crock-Pots, while others were prompted to run and check their own appliances
In defense: This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman also rushed to the defense of the brand
Support! Some people shared kind words for the brand, and promised to stick by it
The creator of the series, Dan Fogelman, also stepped into the furor, defending Crock-Pot with a statement on Twitter.
‘Taking a moment to remind everyone that it was a 20-year-old fictional Crock-Pot with an already funky switch?’ he wrote. ‘Let’s not just lump all those lovely hardworking CrockPots together.’
It isn’t the first time that depictions of products in movies and television has caused customers to hurl their purchases into the trash or give them a pass in the store.
In the 2004 movie Sideways, Paul Giamatti’s wine enthusiast character repeatedly expressed his dislike for Merlot – and in turn caused a dip in sales of the wine in the year after the film’s release.
Another instance was Coca-Cola bottles in 2001’s Pearl Harbor being used as receptacles for blood in an early hospital scene, but later showing characters enjoying refreshing sips of Pepsi. It was a conflicting image that stayed with moviegoers and is now viewed as one of the worst product placements Coke has ever involved itself with.