I haven't seen one of those guys in years!
When I was a kid (a scant ten or fifteen years ago, maybe), we had one of the faces. Looking at the back, there were holes which I always thought were for fingers. Looking back now, though, the holes weren't big enough for any normal human.
I had no idea there was a rig that actually moved the face around. I've lost touch of the rubbery face but I'd love to find another.

Yeah, they were manufactured. Not Idol-style, but go look up Malcolm McLaren and read up on the band's early history.

I hate the flames that shoot out any time someone brings up possible flaws with their pet idols, but they were what they were. That doesn't mean they were bad, mind. Just that they took advantage of the situation just like any other band.

Lord. I'm staying well out of the political debate going on. As far as I'm concerned our choices as they look from this side of the primaries are thin... which will only get worse. I'm sure the mud-fights have yet to begin.

hemidemisemiquaver , no, you're absolutely right. They were incredibly influential and continue to be so. That still doesn't mean they're any good.
As far as "modern punk" as it's called, you're spot-on there, as well. Still, as much as they suck, they do have broader appeal than the Sex Pistols did at their height.

The Sex Pistols were manufactured in the first place. That Sid and Nancy received so much posthumous credit is, frankly, amusing. Also, there are plenty of bands that keep touring without a former member. That doesn't mean they're any good, though.

Try returning a defective laptop to them. It's not an experience I will repeat.
If this guy keeps bugging their customer service department (which is also hell to deal with) they'll eventually do the right thing. Probably.