Ben & Jerry's New Schweddy Balls Ice Cream Flavor Already a Hit
In an ode to a "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) sketch made popular by actor Alec Baldwin, ice cream giant Ben & Jerry has announced a new "Schweddy Balls" flavor, delighting fans who took to Twitter to express their excitement.
The limited-time special flavor was announced Thursday, and features vanilla ice cream with fudge-covered rum balls and milk chocolate malt balls.
The SNL skit features Baldwin, Molly Shannon, and Ana Gasteyer on a mock NPR radio show called "Delicious Dish." Baldwin's character is named Pete Schweddy, a confectioner well known for his popcorn balls, rum balls, and Schweddy balls.
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During the comedy sketch, the radio show hosts interview Schweddy and make ironic comments on the names of his holiday treats.
Baldwin, who stars in another NBC comedy series, "30 Rock," was thrilled about Ben & Jerry’s announcement.
In a press release issued by the Vermont ice cream company, Baldwin said, "For a long time, I thought that 'Here Lies Pete Schweddy' would end up on my tombstone. Now, thanks to Ben & Jerry's, the goodness of the Schweddy family recipe won't go with me to the great beyond."
On his Twitter account Wednesday, Baldwin wrote, "Schweddy Balls Ice Cream. From the secret Schweddy Family Recipe."
Once the news of the ice cream flavor hit the social media site, Schweddy Balls became a worldwide trending topic.
“Amazing! Trending worldwide!!!! Not my balls, SCHWEDDY BALLS!” Baldwin wrote on Twitter.
Ben & Jerry’s spokesperson Sean Greenwood told Time magazine, "The name is irreverent."
The company, notorious for its cleverly titled flavors, has "always been about having some irreverence and having some fun…" explained Greenwood.
He added, "We're not trying to offend people. Our fans get the humor."
Greenwood also assured readers that the "vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum loaded with fudge covered rum balls and malt balls" is delicious.
Ben & Jerry’s Schweddy Balls will be available in about 30 percent of stores that carry the ice cream brand, and only for a limited time.
Baldwin will be hosting the 37th season premiere of SNL on Sept. 24, appearing on the live sketch comedy show for the 16th time. Perhaps Pete Schweddy will make an appearance.
