15 June,2011 07:30 AM IST | | Agencies
Merchandisers cash in on US Congressman's sexting scandal, rush to make a censored and uncensored version of the doll
A G-rated action figure of cybersex addict Anthony Weiner went on sale yesterday for $39.95 (Rs 1,800) but buyers are ponying up an extra $10 (Rs 500) for a more anatomically explicit version.
HeroBuilders.com, an Oxford-based doll maker, is peddling figurines of the lewd lawmaker clad in a gym shirt and a pair of shorts that read "Tweet This."
After the scandal, several firms have come out with new products including T-shirts and dolls inspired by Anthony Weiner
The cheaper model sports a smooth stealth body, for those who have already seen enough of Weiner's privates.
But there's also a Weiner Weiner Doll that is billed "for adults only" for $49.95 (Rs 2,240) and it includes a representation of the now-infamous manhood.
Since the dolls went on sale online yesterday morning, some 250 were sold all of them the enhanced edition, company officials said.
"Everyone wants a Weiner," said HeroBuilder President and Chief Dollmaker Emil Vicale.
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"No one wants the regular one." Vicale said one out of every 100 customers who browsed the firm's Web site yesterday ended up buying the anatomically correct one.
The company offers other dolls, including US President Obama as a Navy SEAL, Hillary Clinton as a hillbilly politician, and various incarnations of Sarah Palin and President George W Bush as well as Anna Chapman.
Another online firm is selling Weiner T-shirts that say Junk Mail and 'Don't be a Weiner.'
'I'd quit'
US President Barack Obama said that if he were in disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner's place, he would resign over the sending of lewd photos to women in online exchanges. "I can tell you that if it was me, I would resign," Obama said.
