Aaron Paul touts petition to keep "Breaking Bad" dolls at Toys R Us
"Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston isn't the only cast member speaking out about the controversy surrounding a Florida mom's successful petition to remove the show's action figures from Toys "R" Us stores.
Cranston's co-star Aaron Paul took to Twitter Thursday to post his thoughts over the toy company's ban, with one of his posts including a fake quote from President Obama.
"Wait, so @ToysRUs pulled all of the Breaking Bad action figures from their shelves but still sells Barbie? Hmmmm...I wonder what is more damaging?," Paul wrote.
The 35-year-old actor, who won three Emmy Awards during his tenure as crystal meth producer Jesse Pinkman, then added, "'@BarackObama: Wait, are you serious about the whole @ToysRUs thing?!?" Yes I am Mr. President. Yes I am."
Paul also called attention to the fact that the toy store continues to sell violent video games and toys modeled after lethal weapons, while in another post endorsing a recent Change.org petition urging Toys "R" Us to return the "Breaking Bad" action figures to its shelves.
The new petition -- created by Manhattan Beach, California, resident Daniel Pickett -- has so far collected more than 23,400 signatures, while the initial Change.org petition that caused the dolls to be removed in the first place has only managed to gather roughly 9,300 signatures.
Fort Myers, Florida, resident Susan Myers originally called for the removal of the action figures, which come with plastic accessories designed to look like drug money and crystal meth.
"[Toys R Us'] decision to sell a 'Breaking Bad' doll, complete with a detachable sack of cash and a bag of meth, alongside children's toys is a dangerous deviation from their family friendly values," Myers wrote in her petition that ultimately sparked the toy store to remove the action figures from its shelves earlier this week.
"While the show may be compelling viewing for adults, its violent content and celebration of the drug trade make this collection unsuitable to be sold alongside Barbie dolls and Disney characters," Myers added.
Pickett's petition, meanwhile, counters that the "Breaking Bad" toys were sold in a section of Toys R Us only for mature customers.
Pickett wrote, "Toys R Us' decision to sell a line of 'Breaking Bad' action figures, complete with a detachable sack of cash and a bag of meth, in an aisle designated for adult collectors, featuring properties of a more mature nature that might appeal to older collectors, and away from the other 'kid' toys, shows that TRU understands there is more than one group of collectors that regularly come through their doors each day."
Tell us: Do you support Toys R Us' ban on the action figures? Or is Paul right and should the toys be returned to store shelves?