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French fry flashback! Willard Scott was Ronald McDonald in 1963

Iconic clown Ronald McDonald is getting a hip new look for the first time in nine years, and it's quite a departure from his first outfit, a food-tray hat and cup nose, worn by TODAY's Willard Scott in 1963. Donning a red-and-white striped suit and larger-than-life smile, Willard starred as the hamburger-happy clown in a series of early commercials.Now the Twitter-embracing character is styled i
McDonald's
McDonald's

Iconic clown Ronald McDonald is getting a hip new look for the first time in nine years, and it's quite a departure from his first outfit, a food-tray hat and cup nose, worn by TODAY's Willard Scott in 1963. 

Black & white photo of Willard Scott as the first Ronald McDonald.
Today

Donning a red-and-white striped suit and larger-than-life smile, Willard starred as the hamburger-happy clown in a series of early commercials.


Now the Twitter-embracing character is styled in a snazzy red jacket and slim fit cargo pants.

Many TODAY viewers are thumbs-down on the wardrobe upgrade, with 38 percent #LovinIt and 62 percent #NotLovinIt. Here's what a few of them had to say, both pro and con:

#lovinit+Ronald+McDonald+is+looking+sharp+in+his+blazer+but+I+could+do+without+the+cargo+pants+and+vest!

—+Lindsey+Phillips+(@lms567)+April+25,+2014+


The+new+"hip"+Ronald+McDonald?+I+don't+think+so.+#notlovinit

—+Kelly+Dixon+(@kdixon13)+April+25,+2014+


@TODAYshow+@jyangnbc+#lovinit+I+absolutely+love+McDonald's+&+like+that+Ronald+is+getting+as+hip+as+a+clown+can+get+;-)+Go+Micky+D

—+Anastasia+Sweetpea+(@boojie_girl)+April+25,+2014+


Didn't+know+#RonaldMcDonald+could+look+less+modern+than+the+jumper.+#NotLovinIt

—+Hannah+Scruggs+(@imperfekshun)+April+25,+2014+


We're+liking+the+new+formal+look+for+#RonaldMcDonald+we+say+get+rid+of+the+casual+look+&+just+go+with+the+blazer+@McDonalds+#LovinIt

—+Mod+City+Magazine+(@TheModCity)+April+25,+2014+

Follow TODAY digital dude Kyle Michael Miller on Twitter