This clip of St. Louis news anchor April Simpson being referred to as "the Hamburglar" on air went viral last week, partly due to comedian Kevin Hart sharing it on Facebook.
Simpson reads the news for Fox 2 News. Simpson's co-anchor, Tim Ezell, likened her to the McDonald's character because of her black and white striped shirt.
The quip inspired a few memes passed around on social media, which the station's website also posted.
The station, seeking to keep the viral momentum going, had someone dressed as The Hamburglar "surprise" Simpson on air Monday.
To make things even more awkward, they threw hamburgers at her.
They physically threw hamburgers at her.
Fox 2 sure thought it was funny.
Check that out!!! @foxonfox & #TheHamburglar on FOX 2!!!
Look who's about to make an appearance on Fox two news @FOX2morning 9:00 to scare you know who @McDSTL
Hey look .. It's me and April! @foxonfox @FoxTrafficDiva @FOX2now @mcdstl #mcdstl @tvmargie @RandiNaughton @PERTZFOX
A local McDonald's even got in on the act.
Who wore it best on @Fox2now this morning? @foxonfox or #Hamburglar?
But to many on social media, the gag seemed harassing, inappropriate, and disrespectful.
@FOX2now so not one person at the studio sees how mean and unprofessional this is? C'mon.
@McDSTL @FOX2now @foxonfox why did you have to throw hamburgers @ April? That's so disrespectful. The joke went 2 far in the wrong direction
@FOX2now @KevinHart4real this is so low and disgusting. I hope she's preparing for a good old fashioned workplace harassment lawsuit.
@FOX2now @KevinHart4real @FOX2now @KevinHart4real getting another WOC to participate in harassment at WORK? Ridiculous! @NAACP @ACLU