What's happened to our traditional Macy's Parade?

The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving parade — once all about friendly big balloons of cartoon animals — is on your TV this week. But this year’s lineup throws in two things that should be midnight horror characters: Labubu AND KPop Demon Hunters. Balloons floating above Manhattan’s streets of characters who hunt demons and toys that look like viruses with personality.

Whatever happened to the good ol’ days when the parade meant Big Bird and Elmo? 

Somewhere along the line our Thanksgiving skies got invaded by foam demon-boys doing K-pop synchro-jabs. For bros who remember snuggly puppets and a parade you watched with your grandma in your pajamas, this is a little terrifying. Because it signals something: We’re trading “family friendly” for “extreme pop spectacle with demon content.”

And part of me wonders: The parade is still the same route, same turkey balloon, same tradition, but the vibe is different. It’s like your childhood feast got juiced with a triple-espresso and sent to a rave.

Thanksgiving meaning safe for kids, warm for hearts — is getting a little reheated. Because when demon-hunting balloons join the line-up, you wonder if you’re still watching a kids’ special or if you accidentally flipped into a dark-fantasy.

If you're like me and find yourself missing the simpler days — the days when your biggest worry was staying awake for Santa’s float and not keeping a demon-girl-group’s choreography burned into your brain — you’re not alone.

Raise your turkey leg, bro. Let’s toast to the parade of yesterday. Or just change the channel till the National Dog Show comes on.

-TBob