Domino’s pizza, but only the crust? How about an ice-cold smoothie blended with salty ikan bilis and spicy sambal?
Trickery runs rampant on April 1, making it the only day in the year where you can get off scot free with all manner of cheesy jokes.
The only exception was 2020 when the pandemic hit and pulling pranks took a backseat.
However, prior to the pandemic, even businesses like Google routinely let their hair down on April 1 and tricked people into believing outlandish ideas like how you could talk to your tulips. The video below says it all…
Many companies in Malaysia have also had their fair share of fun on April 1, pulling pranks on loyal customers who fell for their trickery hook, line and sinker.
1. Domino’s crust-only pizza
Ding-dong… it’s the Domino delivery man! You rush to the door, eager to sink your teeth into the glistening disc of oozing cheese and warm toppings – but instead, you’re met with the dismal sight of a ring of pizza crust with no gooey centre.
Needless to say, Domino’s April’s Fools’ Day advertisement of their limited edition, crust-only pizza in 2019 garnered mixed reactions from customers.
Missing its gooey centre – each pizza box would contain only a single ring of pizza crust, they proudly announced.
Still, some users said they were open to ordering it while others were more amused at the free salted egg candle thrown in.
Facebook user, Jay Jamil commented on Domino’s Facebook page exclaiming, “This is not a pizza. It’s a super ring!”
2. Maxis’s one screen lick away to delicious food
Maxis called out foodies six years ago with a video announcing an innovative feature on their phone that would enable them to “taste” the dishes they spent so long taking photos of at restaurants before tucking in.
The video was about a screen protector called the “Screen Savour” that scientists from Maxis claimed had the ability to take on any food profile that was on one’s screen.
So how many were duped into licking their screens?
In the video’s comment section, a user said, “Imagine if it was real. Craving some burgers but you’re on a diet? No problem! Just lick your phone and not gain any weight.”
Although, licking a phone screen today at the height of the pandemic is dangerous, back in 2015, many said they were hopeful the invention would someday be a reality. Others believed Maxis was actually working on it.
“I can’t wait for 2020-2025 when this actually becomes a real thing!” commented a YouTube commenter.
3. Durex spices up bedroom fun with a spicy Mala kick
With the rise of Hai Di Lao and hot pot places in Malaysia, Durex jumped at the chance to turn up the heat during bedtime activities, with a joke that was most definitely a hot-take.
On April 1, 2019 Durex posted a photo on Facebook announcing that their new Mala hot pot-inspired flavour would soon be available at stores.
They teased that their newest creation would not only be drenched in real and fragrant Mala oil, but would be specially made from handpicked fish skin.
Needless to say, the post’s comment section fired up as Facebook users went into overdrive with heated discussions about Durex’s new flavour, with some even suggesting flavours like milk tea and tom yam.
4. Ikea’s playground becomes every parents’ worst nightmare
“We’re about to transform Småland from a playground into a ‘press-play-ground’!” announced Ikea Malaysia on their Facebook page in 2017, featuring photos of little humans sitting in pods, glued to their tablets.
Ikea proposed that they were “replacing the magical forest with a haven of sitting pods with tablets—recreating the way your kids play.”
Although Ikea’s April Fool’s prank had its staff chuckling, the internet was ablaze with comments from dismayed parents.
“My daughter actually loves visiting Småland because she gets to play with others and colour with peers her age. This is sad. Don’t turn them into zombies!” exclaimed Reza Jailani, on Ikea Malaysia’s Facebook post.
Another user referenced Pixar and wrote “Oh my god Ikea! Hasn’t your management watched Wall-E?!”
5. La Juiceria’s nasi lemak smoothie
Done with your workout and craving a protein fix? Well, La Juiceria Superfoods has just the right muscle-boosting, icy treat that’s flavourful to boot.
Featuring a green smoothie on their Facebook page in 2019, La Juiceria Superfoods called this concoction the ‘Super Nasi Lemak Smoothie’.
This icy green treat was not only topped with rice, red sambal, crispy ikan bilis and toasted peanuts, it was even crowned with a runny-yolk egg.
Whether drool-worthy or plain disgusting, La Juiceria Superfoods’ ended the announcement with a warm reminder that it was all in good fun for April Fools’ Day.