Dumb Starbucks explained on Comedy Central show
By Associated Press
Jul 23, 2014 8:39 AM CDT
FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2014 file photo, Canadian comedian Nathan Fielder of the Comedy Central show "Nathan For You" comes forward as the brainchild of "Dumb Starbucks," a parody store that resembles a Starbucks with a green awning and mermaid logo, but with the word "Dumb" attached above the Starbucks...   (Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dumb Starbucks is coming back, but only on TV.

The comic who came up with the fake-store concept will discuss its origins and aftermath on next Tuesday's episode of Comedy Central's "Nathan for You."

Star Nathan Fielder opened the Dumb Starbucks coffee shop in a Los Angeles strip mall in February. It quickly drew lines of curious residents, national media attention and legal scrutiny by the real Starbucks. The city's health department closed Dumb Starbucks after three days for not having the proper permits.

So far, Fielder, Comedy Central and parent company Viacom Inc. have escaped legal action. But Dumb Starbucks is done.

Fielder said the shop was a parody about the power of corporate branding that exceeded his expectations and ended up provoking discussion about how people consume art.