Not your grandfather's Colonel Sanders

[Jenise]

"Colonel Sanders no longer wants to be a lowly fast-food mascot to be grouped with the likes of the Hamburglar and Burger King's creepy king. No, these days the dapper old gent is striving to be more like James Bond or Doctor Who, with a constantly revolving cast of actors to play him. Saturday Night Live alums Darrel Hammond and Norm MacDonald are out, and KFC's next celebrity mascot will be revealed in a TV spot set to air during the Super Bowl pregame."

Harland Sanders is rolling over in his grave.

[Robin Garr]

Living in KFC's mother node, I've seen them deteriorate as they've gone from one corporate master to another, becoming a little more profit-driven and a lot less quality-driven with each iteration. Yum brands is about as low as it can go, I think, and I honestly wouldn't expect anything out of them but hype.

[Jenise]

Is Burger King theirs? I don't recall...oh wait, it went away with Tim Horton's, didn't it. But BK is the lowest--judging strictly by their commercials, that is, I'm not a customer.

But so right about quality. Not that KFC didn't go down the same tank they all did with increased mechanization and central supply chains. Gosh, I remember when the Taco Bell in my hometown had a sweet little mamasita making the refried beans from scratch right there on the premesis.

[Robin Garr]

Is Burger King theirs? I don't recall...oh wait, it went away with Tim Horton's, didn't it. But BK is the lowest--judging strictly by their commercials, that is, I'm not a customer.

They've moved some stuff around, but Yum's big three, I believe, are still KFC, Taco Hell and Pizza Hut, all of which have gone from bad to worse on their watch.

I'm pretty sure they've had A&W and a couple of other smaller properties, but I'm not sure that they still do.

Over 40 years ago I briefly met Harlan Sanders. He was on a yacht in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Looked just like himself, even in a bathing suit. Seemed to have done quite well thank you.

A shame about his franchise. We have some very good fried chicken places here in Florida but KFC ain't one of them.

[Jenise]

A shame about his franchise. We have some very good fried chicken places here in Florida but KFC ain't one of them.

Yes, a shame. I loved KFC when I was a kid. The chicken was amazing and the gravy they made at our franchise for the mashed potatoes--bright yellow, thick, full of the shedding of chicken coating--was amazing. Certainly nothing like that now.

[Robin Garr]

Over 40 years ago I briefly met Harlan Sanders. He was on a yacht in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Looked just like himself, even in a bathing suit. Seemed to have done quite well thank you.

He was quite a figure around Louisville and, yes, the original trade image was based on the real guy. He used to drive around town in a big Rolls-Royce with his face painted on the doors, and would invariably roll up on Sundays to dine like a king at a rather downscale mall cafeteria that served his chicken.

For the record, it's "Harland" with a "d", and his grave site in Louisville's classic old Cave Hill cemetary looks just about like what you'd expect.

[Robin Garr]

Gifts of fried chicken are often left there anonymously by night ...

Gifts of fried chicken are often left there anonymously by night ...

OK, that's funny.

I did chase him down via Find-A-Grave.

I've also downloaded his unpublished autobiography from an obscure KFC website.

....his grave site in Louisville's classic old Cave Hill cemetery looks just about like what you'd expect.

Since I'd expect it to be a large bucket with a disembodied boot kicking it, I'm curious if I'm right.

BTW, just on a side note, I tried for YEARS to duplicate KFC's original recipe when I was younger. Of course we all know (now) that it's the method - pressure frying - not the "blend of secret herbs and spices" that makes the difference. But back when I was a kid I was trying every spin on conventional frying I could think in an attempt to get that combo of super crispy exterior and unbelievably juicy interior, to no avail.

That is, until I read an article about the history of the franchise and how the chicken was made. Shortly after I found a used old WearEver Chicken Bucket on sale, and....BINGO. KFC! It's amazing how easy it is once you have the right equiment. I make a batch probably once a month - thighs for me, and white meat strips for wifey.

[Jenise]

BTW, just on a side note, I tried for YEARS to duplicate KFC's original recipe when I was younger. Of course we all know (now) that it's the method - pressure frying - not the "blend of secret herbs and spices" that makes the difference. But back when I was a kid I was trying every spin on conventional frying I could think in an attempt to get that combo of super crispy exterior and unbelievably juicy interior, to no avail.

That is, until I read an article about the history of the franchise and how the chicken was made. Shortly after I found a used old WearEver Chicken Bucket on sale, and....BINGO. KFC! It's amazing how easy it is once you have the right equiment. I make a batch probably once a month - thighs for me, and white meat strips for wifey.

I'll swing by next month. Get it ready!

BTW, just on a side note, I tried for YEARS to duplicate KFC's original recipe when I was younger. Of course we all know (now) that it's the method - pressure frying - not the "blend of secret herbs and spices" that makes the difference. But back when I was a kid I was trying every spin on conventional frying I could think in an attempt to get that combo of super crispy exterior and unbelievably juicy interior, to no avail.

That is, until I read an article about the history of the franchise and how the chicken was made. Shortly after I found a used old WearEver Chicken Bucket on sale, and....BINGO. KFC! It's amazing how easy it is once you have the right equiment. I make a batch probably once a month - thighs for me, and white meat strips for wifey.

I'll swing by next month. Get it ready!

Dang. Me, too!

I'll swing by next month. Get it ready!

You're on!

Dang. Me, too!

Don't forget your spork!

Dang. Me, too!

Don't forget your spork!

Never mind the spork, I'll bring champagne.

Never mind the spork, I'll bring champagne.

Now there's a classic fried chicken pairing!

[Jenise]

So who is the new celebrity mascot? I watched the game but missed, apparently, this commercial.

So who is the new celebrity mascot? I watched the game but missed, apparently, this commercial.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan:
http://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/movies/2016/02/06/kfc-taps-jim-gaffigan-portray-colonel-sanders-super-bowl-50-commercial/79948996/