• by Tanya Gazdik , Yesterday

A musical comedian is demanding answers: Is PetSmart pronounced Pet Smart or Pet’s Mart?

Ben Lapidus, the millennial version of Weird Al Yankovic, first posted a short video on social media in 2022 questioning the pronunciation. 

“PetSmart responded at the time, but the mystery lingered. He later expanded the bit into a full song on his debut album, 'Deeper and Dumber,' which will be released on April 1, blending sincerity with humor,’ according to Newsweek. “The track quickly took off, racking up millions of views across his social media accounts, including TikTok @benlapidus."

The new video begins with Lapidus getting a job at PetSmart, “and then immediately launching into a cement-cracking mosh-out where the new nine-to-fiver dissects the many conflicting ways the company presents its name — from color-coded text to the fun lil’ bouncing ball in the logo that may double as an apostrophe,” according to Revolver. “Notably, Lapidus’ ‘PETSMART’ is all-capped, perhaps as a meta nod to the way many modern heavy bands present everything in capital fashion…but also as a way to avoid the easy answers on PetSmart. Either way, it’s a sick lil bit of corporate satire.”

PetSmart attempted to join the moment with a post mimicking his high-intensity vocals. But in that video, the retailer effectively shut down the renewed debate over its name, declaring: “It’s Pet Smart. Case closed.”

“The move swiftly drew criticism across TikTok, where users argued the brand had missed an opportunity to lean into the joke and amplify Lapidus’ video into a viral brand moment,” according to Ad Age. “PetSmart’s hiccup highlights a familiar challenge for marketers: viral creator moments are often less about controlling the narrative and more about knowing how—and when—to play along.”

But Lapidus isn’t done. 

The comedian organized a weekend rally outside the Sherman Oaks, California PetSmart that drew an unexpected celebrity appearance from John Legend and Chrissy Teigen.

Addressing the crowd, Lapidus spoke and sang as fans held handmade signs alongside their pets and cheered for answers, according to Newsweek.  He then introduced Teigen, who also spoke at the rally. 

"The couple's dog food company, Kismet, shared a video of Teigen's remarks on Instagram, in which she urged PetSmart to choose. Speaking directly to the company's CEO, she said: 'We will not give you one precious bite of kibble until we have answers!'"