Over the years, Hot Ones has featured countless guests who answer ‘hot questions with even hotter wings.’ Hosted by Sean Evans, the First We Feast show has almost become a rite of passage for any celebrity promoting anything.
However, most previous guests were not animated characters (give or take a Puss in Boots).
Why are people upset about the Donald Duck Hot Ones?
For the most recent Hot Ones, the guest was none other than animated icon and 90-year-old birthday boy Donald Duck, star of such classic Disney shorts as “Der Fuehrer’s Face,” with the show collaborating with Disney on a live-action-animated hybrid episode.
Now, if you’re like everyone online, you’ve made the joke, “Wait, isn’t that cannibalism??” but calm down, Paula Poundstone, because Donald’s sampling sauces via cauliflower wings here. The sauces are even fictional, Disney-themed ones.
Take a look, but be warned: Sean Evans acts.
It’s a charming little 8-minute episode, with the duck losing his sh*t exactly how you’d hope and expect. The mouse himself even makes an appearance, which feels like a get.
Hot Ones gives no credit to the animators, causing an online uproar
Once it’s over, you might find yourself wondering “hey, I wonder who animated all that animation?” Then you’d naturally check the video description, I assume (I don’t know you that well, to be fair).
Unfortunately, all you’ll find in that video description is a literal video description and some links to buy Hot Ones merch. You can’t find an animator’s name anywhere.
The video itself also features zero credits, so there is no help there.
Yeah, this didn’t go over well with folks online.
This comes at an especially poor time, as the Animation Guild is currently fighting for better treatment during a period when A.I. is thoroughly devaluing and threatening animation. We should cherish our animators. Come on, Hot Ones.
Who worked on the Donald Duck Hot Ones animation?
Thankfully, some enterprising users dug up the actual names of who worked on the episode’s animation, so at least the info is now out there.
Most notably, animation legend Eric Goldberg, known for animating Robin Williams’ Genie in 1992’s Aladdin, wrote, directed, and co-animated the piece.”
Good work to all involved, except for Hot Ones. Do better, Hot Ones.
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