Anyone see that STUPID Red Robin Commercial?
 

It's a nationwide TV Commercial for the Red Robin Restaurant chain. The guy is at "Buckingham Palace" and he's trying to get the Coldstream Guard to move or say something. But the actor wearing the Palace Guard uniform is carrying an M1 Garand! And it's not even a cherry Garand (which would be the case for ANY honor guard or parade version for U.S. units).

So the sins are (a) an American iconic rifle for a British Regiment
and (b) using a beater Garand instead of a pristine one.

Ugh!

lol, im such a nerd

I enjoy eating at Red Robin, they have good food.

Don't actually have them in Winnipeg, but I used to frequent the one near the base in Edmonton during workup training. But yeah, that is kinda silly - could at least have gotten a SMLE.

The Coldstream Guards are an ACTIVE duty regiment in the Royal Army, so they would in reality have the latest issued firearm. In the movie Patriot Games, we see Coldstream Guards carrying L85A1 Bullpup rifles with the bayonets attached which is correct. I've only seen SMLEs with historical honor guard units, usually some sort of official celebratory thing. At least they should have an L1A1 SLR if they don't like having a Bullpup L85A1.

I know, we're nerds, but Any American Gun History buff will be irritated that an Iconic US rifle is being used as an honor guard weapon for a British unit and anyone who follows the British military (I do a little) would be offended that a unit of the CROWN would be shown with an American Rifle.

:D

I don't think there are any Red Robins in my area. That guard would have beat that guy to a pulp though

I find it more insulting to the royal guard that he's depicted as dumb enough to say "Yum!" to having "Red Robin" uttered in his face. If he had slipped up like that I imagine he'd be forced to beat or shoot the tourists and label them threats to the royal family. :p

I could lay money it that the Propmaster owned a Garand and just put it in to the commercial instead of using the correct weapon. Just think of the money he saved the producers.:)

Twas a stupid commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQMZ1fYZGpA

Aren't the guards at the palace allowed to actual talk? I mean, it's a misconception that they are not allowed to move right?

Actually, if you mess with them they can totally just go ahead and beat the shit out of you. But, being Brits, they are too polite to do so

Oh, I'm aware, as I am very familiar with the British military. Point is they could at least have had SOME British firearm there.

Also, the Coldstream Guards are only one of 5 Guards regiments that mount the guard at Buckingham Palace. They are, in order of precendence, the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and the Welsh Guards. For some reason it's just the Coldstreams that made it into the North American popular consciousness. The uniform in the commercial is pretty messed up but it's actually closer to a Grenadier than Coldstream .

Last night I finally had to say something about that stupid commerical. My wife thought it was funny and told me I should "go to your gun website" and complain. So here it is.

Yuuuuummmmmmmm!!!