A few weeks ago, I posted about the Taylor Hicks commercial that I couldn’t stand. Apparently, the executives at Ford frequent my blog and mercifully decided to stop inflicting the public with his insipid “Possibilities” ad. But, never fear, there’s no shortage of ridiculous commercials littering the air waves these days. Here are the ones that make me cringe:
– The Over the Limit: Under Arrest anti-drunk-driving ads. Don’t get me wrong: I’m all in favor of discouraging drunken driving and I dare not minimize the toll of such reckless behavior on society. But why are they telling us this? Wouldn’t it be more effective to NOT advertise that you’re cracking down on drunk drivers? All you’re doing is giving the drunk drivers a heads up.
– These Dr. Z ads. They’re all over the place. I just don’t get ’em. What’s the deal? I don’t even remember what vehicle he pitches. I just know it’s extremely annoying no matter how many JD Power awards he shows me.
– Any YellaWood ad. This dude talks like he has a mouthful of cotton.
– The Verizon chocolate phone commercial. The phone’s not even brown. I don’t get it. The pitch is: Part MP3 player. Part phone. Totally sweet. I know everybody likes chocolate, but not when you dip a phone in it.
– I normally like the CitiBank Identity Theft commercials, but the Darrel P. incarnation is awful. You know the one…the dude in the wifebeater talks in the high-pitched voice of a teenage girl before breaking into a grating rendition of Toni Braxton’s Unbreak My Heart that makes fingernails on a chalkboard sound like Mozart.
– The Mattress King. I know this is a local ad, but really….lose the scepter, man. You look like a clown. If I ever need to purchase another mattress, I won’t be stopping by “The Kingdom” no matter how cheap your Posturepedic is.
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On a positive note, the commercial that makes me smile every time is the Hardee’s Milk. Shakes. ad. You know the one…with the guys dancing with the cows…yeah, that one. Makes me laugh every time.
What about you? Favorite — or least favorite — commercials?
already & not yet 
I like that commercial from Jerry Damson with the girl giving a thumbs up in front of her new Honda Odyssey Mini-van. I like the CitiBank commerical with the two old women sitting on the couch talking about buying the motorcycles in a redneck tone.But my all time favorite CitiBank is the original with the guy sitting in the recliner with the beer gut talking in the girls voice about buy a leather boustiere because it lifts and seperates.
Citibank with the wifebeater is hillarious. Favorites were the what’s up guys for bud. Frogs for them were good also. Hate the check-n-cash where the mic cuts in and out and money appears in their hands.
The all-time worse…say it with me now….Call Goldberg 800-600-6014Injured in a car accidentCall Goldberg 800-600-6014
Love the Citibank ads..especially the wife beater one. I laughed so hard the first time I saw it that I think I snorted…gross, huh? Anyway, the trick is to not WATCH SO MUCH TV. That way you don’t see commercials that often and they don’t get on your nerves;) Hardees Milkshake is pretty funny too. Another one of those completely idiotic, but pretty creative scenarios. I’m laughing (not snorting) just thinking about the commercial 🙂
I thought I’d left “the king” behind when I left hsv… now you remind me of it…
Dude, it’s 2006. Get a Tivo or some other DVR and cut the commercials.I can honestly say I haven’t seen any of these. And you know I love’s me some TV.
Jon, I like the way that girl displays the stow ‘n go seating. Very Vanna White-esque.Kenny, the check & cash commercials are pretty ghetto. But funny.Sunny, the Goldberg ads are annoying but brilliant. You may hate the commercial, but it’s impossible to forget their number.
Rebecca,I’m not sure I would’ve admitted that!
Greg, you lived in Huntsville? Did I know that? Sorry, man…the King is alive and well. Was he knocking on the camera when you were here?I know, I know…we need to get TiVo. We just got running water last week.
I love me some Hardees, but I must say that I’m actually a little disturbed every time I see those guys shaking on the cows.
yeah, he was doing the camera knock. drove me crazy…yes, I lived in Madison from 2001 until last year. I worked for Intergraph for almost 4 years, and then moved back here to LR last summer. We were at Twickenham CoC during our time there. Whether or not you knew it, I don’t recall. But, there you have it.
Yeah, yeah, I know admitting I made a nasel sound is was exposing my Reveng of the Nerds side, but it was THAT FUNNY.
Favorite commercial ever is that Sprint Phone commercial. The two guys are in the locker room talking about which phone is better. The one guy says “Mine has theft deterrant”. The other guys says “What’s that?” The first guy says “Go ahead, try to take my phone”. The second guy reaches for it, and the first guy chucks it at his head. That, is a funny commercial.
Speaking of monarchial commercials: How freaky is the Burger King ad with the dude dressed up in a king suit and a painted on smile standing outside your window, or laying in the bed next to you? Weird, I tell you!What about those Sonic spots? I can’t decide if I love them or hate them. I do love the one where one of the guys slaps the ‘tot’ out of his friends hand and says something of to the effect, “Get that tot outta here!”
Monarchial. Nice word. The BK commercials are by far the freakiest. The one with him laying in bed with that guy is just frightening.I kinda like the Sonic ads. I like the husband & wife spots sometimes. But the two dudes in the car are the funniest.Johnny, I agree the Hardees commercials are disturbing. But I still like them. What does that say about me?
Greg, we live in Madison. Moved here in ’02. Maybe I’ll record a Mattress King ad and mail it to you in LR.
I agree with all of the bad commercials. I really didn’t like the hardees commercial the first time I saw it. That is until I sit and watch my husband roll everytime he sees it. I think I just enjoy watching him laugh so hard. BK is the worst to me that is just not right. Kind of change the subject have you seen the music video Here it goes again by “OK GO”. So stupid but so funny. Jamie said this has got to be the cheapest music video made. Kent said it looked like something our interns would try. Have a great weekend. GO VOLS! We will be at the other end of the state.
Three words, “Big Buckin’ Chicken.”
Laura,I haven’t seen the OK GO video. I’m sure it’s hilarious. I’m like Kent…that Hardees commercial cracks me up every time. Go Vols.Big Buckin’ Chicken is another one that makes me laugh pretty hard. Forgot that one
Leno reminded me of another last night…Head On, apply directly to the forehead, Head On, appy directly to the forehead.Head On, appy directly to the forehead, Head On, apply directly to the forehead.
So, where do you apply it?
I probably would have tuned out the Darrel P citibank commercial or had a similar opinion about the grating singing, but it caught the eye of our three year old daughter. At first she was amused that a girl’s voice was coming from the man, then she grew to love the song. Now, the ‘Jacaus’ commercial is a favorite and time for everyone to rush to the TV.