"Santa The Hutt" is a hit. The grotesque Santa sculpture, named for the gelatinous "Star Wars" character, has been the subject of much chatter since San Francisco clothier Betabrand made him its holiday window display.
More than 1,000 families have posed with the work for a photo-op, Betabrand founder Chris Lindland told The Huffington Post. Lindland said he wanted to poke fun at the season's overindulgence.
"In the end, not even Santa Claus could resist the orgy of holiday excess!" the company wrote in a statement about the display. "For centuries the paragon of virtue, Kris Kringle has now transmogrified into a vile Yuletide leviathan known as Santa The Hutt."
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The sculptor, Cianna Valley, wrote to curious viewers on her Instagram that "he's just supposed to be gross."
But not everyone is feeling jolly about it. One writer for SF Weekly accused the retailer of a "miscarriage of mirth": "Yes, Virginia, there is a fat Santa joke on Valencia Street. And it doesn't bring good cheer."
For the complete "background" on Santa The Hutt, here are the details as sent to HuffPost:
In the end, not even Santa Claus could resist the orgy of holiday excess! For centuries the paragon of virtue, Kris Kringle has now transmogrified into a vile Yuletide leviathan known as Santa The Hutt.
After gorging himself on fruitcake and fortified wine, this slovenly mass of groaning, velvet-ensconsed blubber has relocated to the floor of the Betabrand company store in San Francisco. He now begrudgingly poses for holiday photos with Betabrand customers — if only because he's too obese to move.
Here are a few fun facts about Santa The Hutt:
--Now requires 24 reindeer to pull his sleigh.
--Sweats eggnog.
--Crushed three elves to death yesterday.
--Doesn't care if you're naughty or nice; just wants to know if you'll run across the street and get him cigarettes and a sack of chimichangas.Santa The Hutt will be appearing at Betabrand throughout the holiday season. If you get to meet him or — God forbid — sit on his vast, undulating lap, we recommend that you thoroughly disinfect afterward. Penicillin is also suggested.