BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To celebrate the talented writers, crew and actors behind arguably television’s funniest television program, today, Ben & Jerry’s launched its newest limited-batch flavor, Schweddy Balls. The flavor is an ode to the classic “Saturday Night Live” sketch [viewable at www.benjerry.com] starring Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon, as hosts of the “Delicious Dish,” a National Public Radio program parody, along with Alec Baldwin as Pete Schweddy, the fictional owner of Season’s Eatings Bakery.
The legendary actor, comedian, and perennial favorite SNL host appreciates keeping the laughs going. “For a long time, I thought that ‘Here Lies Pete Schweddy’ would end up on my tombstone,” said Baldwin. “Now, thanks to Ben & Jerry's, the goodness of the Schweddy family recipe won't go with me to the great beyond.” The flavor, available nationwide, features Fair Trade vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum and is loaded with fudge covered rum balls and milk chocolate malt balls. The combination is a melding whose time has come, deadpanned Baldwin, “It is immortalized here, right now, and it's an ice cream. Ben & Jerry's and Schweddy. Two great names in American dessert, together at last.”
Fan favorite SNL cast member Ana Gasteyer shared a cup of cheer at the announcement of Ben & Jerry’s latest flavor as well: "The Schweddy Balls sketch was a personal favorite from my SNL run, so I am pleased as holiday punch that Ben and Jerry's has taken it upon themselves to share the Schweddy Family recipe with the world. As a person and a performer, I am a sucker for holiday balls. And I have no doubt this ice cream will cause many to scream 'Good Times,'" said Gasteyer.
While the actors poked fun at the joint effort, the ice cream makers spoke openly about their affinity of the show and of how honored they are to work together. “We’re HUGE ‘Saturday Night Live’ fans here at Ben & Jerry’s and admire the writers, the crew and the players for their unparalleled ability to bring levity and laughter to America for decades,” said Jostein Solheim, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s. “No other show has made such an impact on our culture, poking fun at our accomplishments, our failures, and our history: the good, the bad and the ugly. Since 1975, ‘Saturday Night Live’ has allowed us to laugh at ourselves and for that we say thanks.”
The newest Ben & Jerry’s limited-batch flavor not only borrows its name from the SNL sketch but also used the holiday theme as inspiration for the flavor itself. The resulting concoction is currently available at participating Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops across the country and at supermarkets nationwide while supplies last. Schweddy Balls is the perfect “Delicious Dish” to enjoy while tuning in to another year of laughs, surprises and great performances on NBC’s 37th season of “Saturday Night Live” on Saturday evenings at 11:30 pm ET.
For information about “Saturday Night Live” visit www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live and don’t forget to tune in on September 24th at 11:30 pm ET for the 37th season premiere hosted by Alec Baldwin. For more information on Ben & Jerry’s or to find your local Scoop Shop, visit www.benjerry.com.
About Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and ice cream novelties, using high-quality ingredients including milk and cream from family farmers who do not treat their cows with the synthetic hormone rBGH. The company states its position on rBGH* on its labels. Ben and Jerry’s products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry’s, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Contributions made via the employee-led Ben & Jerry’s Foundation in 2010 totaled over $1.8 million. Additionally, the company makes significant product donations to community groups and nonprofits both in Vermont and across the nation. The purpose of Ben & Jerry’s philanthropy is to support the founding values of the company: economic and social justice, environmental restoration and peace through understanding, and to support our Vermont communities. For the full scoop on all Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop locations and fabulous flavors, visit www.benjerry.com.
* The FDA has said no significant difference has been shown and no test can now distinguish between milk from rBGH treated cows and untreated cows. Not all the suppliers of our other ingredients can promise that the milk they use comes from untreated cows.
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