A recent holiday advertisement from McDonald’s Netherlands has become a sensation for unexpected reasons. Unveiled on December 6, the commercial, described as “AI-generated,” showcases disordered festive scenes featuring generic performers with exaggerated gestures, characteristic of generative AI. The tagline, “The most dreadful time of the year,” was interpreted as cynical by numerous viewers, resulting in backlash. By December 9, McDonald’s Netherlands had pulled the ad. They explained that it was meant to capture holiday stress but recognized that the season brings joy to many. In a similar vein, Coca-Cola launched its own AI-generated holiday advertisement, encountering criticism but persisting with its airing. The McDonald’s spot was produced by TBWANeboko and The Sweetshop, with the latter’s CEO highlighting considerable human involvement in its creation. Despite the pushback, the integration of AI in film and advertising is on the rise, although it faces opposition from writers and actors’ unions.