Deconstructing the Common Commercial

[Big Dummy]

I'm going on a limb here and starting this thread because I'm not sure where else to put this observation. I've seen this commercial for a product called Levitra on tv for a while now. I just found out that it's a new stamina drug, like another Viagra. When I found that out, it caused me to look at the commercial with whole new eyes.



The beginning of the commercial is this middle-aged guy coming out of his house, spotting an old football in his garage, and deciding to try to throw it through the hole in a tire swing. He misses the first time, then the voiceover comes on talking about getting your "step" back, and suddenly the guy is hurling this football through the hole like a pro. Then his wife comes out of the house, looking puzzled, sees him hitting the hole, and starts to smile all happily like "Yeah, he got his stride back!" They hug and go into the house.



It's an obvious metaphor, once you know what the drug is about. Putting that out there. Maybe others have seen commercials that have you shaking your head? Or maybe this is a bad thread.



Take it away, folks.

[BytrSuite]

That is what that commercial is about? I had no idea. I thought it was some kind of pain medication for arthritis or something. Good gosh.

________
"Oh, good! I was hoping to add theft, endangerment and insanity to my list of things I did today."
"Ah! You, too?"
(Stitch laughs delightedly)

[Gatito Grande]

Yup, Levitra is the new Viagra competitor (because levitates something, get it? )



GG I love deconstructing commercials---great new thread! Out

[Cicca]

The one that gets me is the new one for KY "Warming Liquid". Eek! Damn commercial made me blush the first time I saw it!

“Spirit of Sappho, ... I summon you. Come fill me with your big, dykey power!” ~ Final Exam by Tommo

[maudmac]

Warming liquid? Yes, because it's always so damn cold down there. Why don't they make little blankets for it? Or like...hmm...muff muffs.



I hardly ever see commercials because it's not often that I watch something I haven't taped. Thank goodness for TiVos.



Of course, that means I probably miss some commercials I'd actually like to see. It's a risk I take happily, though, since commercials usually bug me on many levels.



I'm in love with this thread, Big Dummy. Thanks for starting it.

---

Walking in space we find the purpose of peace. The beauty of life you can no longer hide.
Our eyes are open, our eyes are open. Our eyes are open, our eyes are open wide, wide, wide. -- Walking In Space

[Big Dummy]

Cool, I'm thankful for the positive response. I think that, given the trend in advertising, we could be in for some funny (or not-so-funny) topics.



I also lol at the KY commercial. Firstly cause it's so unusual to see a KY commercial, and secondly because of the fcat that her boyfriend was sitting on the couch, reading, totally unconcerned with her until she started talking about the warming sensation it produces. Then he was all ears!

[Cicca]

Muff muffs!!!!!!!!!!!!

I nearly hurt myself laughing at that!



I miss lots of commercials too (comes with surfing during breaks) but that one just jumped right out.

I guess it fits along with the Viagra ads really. Ads that are devoted strictly to fun with sex. Goodness!





How about all those "Do you sometimes feel not so fresh?" ads. Those are awful!

At least "warming liquid" is all about fun. "Not so fresh" is just bad and unhealthy!

“Spirit of Sappho, ... I summon you. Come fill me with your big, dykey power!” ~ Final Exam by Tommo

[Gatito Grande]

Oh please, don't get me started on "not so fresh": that's misogynist BS. We've got self-cleaning ovens down there! (Now on the other hand, the bacteria on the outside, if left alone . . . )



OK, everyone here knows I'm a Big Ol' Perv, so I don't mind admitting the following, re: the KY "Warming Liquid" ad: Dammit! I made my own formula of Whiz-Bang "Joy Juice" more than a year ago . . . if I'd only gotten a patent! Mighta ended my poverty . . . but I still bet that KY's doesn't have my ingredient X!



You know, I'd be happy to deconstruct even the ads that don't* revolve around sex (both of them!).



GG BTW "warming" doesn't refer to temperature, but to increased blood-flow to relevant parts---much like the aforementioned "Levitra" does Out

[Cicca]

GG you're a useful a dirty gal to have around!!

heheheh



You made your own recipe?! I'm in awe!



Self-cleaning ovens. heheheh Yup!

“Spirit of Sappho, ... I summon you. Come fill me with your big, dykey power!” ~ Final Exam by Tommo

[maudmac]

Ah...blood-flow...okay, that makes sense. In that case, then, women have been using herbs like damiana and dong quai for that for a kabillion years now. And more recently, the amino acid L-arginine. I love it when the pharmaceutical-type folks catch on to something that's been well-established for some time and act like they've created this new revolutionary thing.

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I have often been adrift, but I have always stayed afloat.    --  David Berry,  The Whales of August

[Cicca]

I could go to the rant thread about pharmaceuticals. Calling stuff "side effects" when they're the most powerful thing about a drug? How 'bout no!!!!!





And I'm still loving the oh-so-subtle image of the guy throwing the football through the tire swing.

“Spirit of Sappho, ... I summon you. Come fill me with your big, dykey power!” ~ Final Exam by Tommo

[Gatito Grande]

OK, deconstructing and ranting about another (series of) ad(s): those margarine ads. Shedd's Crock or something?



They have that annoying banter between a man and woman, but if you've noticed the storyline, it's gotten more and more regressively "Ozzie and Harriet" over the years. They flirted, they bantered, they dated, they bantered, they married, they bantered, she got knocked up, they bantered, she's a stay at home mom, they bantered (no wait, they didn't: she just sang lullabies over the baby monitor, while he cooed "I'm home" ), finally they "moved to the country": so little mommy can't even have some hip urban grrlfriends!



OK, OK, I know I'm ratifying every feminist stereotype of bashing "traditional motherhood." But it's just that these ads have this silly veneer of "See the spirited battle of the sexes over margarine!" but the subtext just shows that nothing has changed.



GG The latest? Now she's helping *him* get in shape: bantering over sit-ups. It's vomitous! Out

[Cicca]

Oh wow. I haven't seen those ads in years. I just remember the cute banter. I think I'd likely have the same reaction if I saw those new ones.



I think I'd rather see those Taster's Choice ads!

“Spirit of Sappho, ... I summon you. Come fill me with your big, dykey power!” ~ Final Exam by Tommo

[Gatito Grande]

Well, I just saw a New Low: while watching CNN, I just saw a commercial for Pay-Per-View "Perfect 10 Model Boxing!"



GG "Hey guys, wack off to the Cat Fight Fantasy of Your (Wet) Dreams!" Out



Um, that's generic "guys" I'm referring to---the target audience for this heinous show---not male Kittens. Just to be clear!

[Repost Moderator]

Originally posted by Jennpurr

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This thread is dedicated to those LMAO, corny commercials that either make you laugh so hard you almost pee your pants or you just think they are so stupid, you can't believe they even bothered.



Hope this thread is okay.



I'll start.



Have any of you seen the newest Quiznos Subs commercial? The one with the singing hampsters or whatever they're supposed to be? OMG... that commercial is so freakin funny.



Anybody else think so?



Jen

[Gatito Grande]

Actually, I think that commercial is kind of repulsive. I mean, whatever those "critters" are? Yuk. (And the singing is even worse).



I'd forgotten about this thread. But it's good to see it, cuz, I've been thinking about mentioning . . . well, you know what a Big Ol' Perv I am, right? (I noticed I state this fact about 2 posts above! )



Anyway, there's this ad playing on my local stations. It might just be a local ad---it's for a financial institution call "Fifth-Third Bank"---but it's got an, um, "television personality" (national---U.S.), so I'm thinking the ad might be syndicated (you know, farmed out to other local institutions around the U.S., just w/ the Brand Name changed).



Anyway, it's this redhead who I think hosts Trading Spaces (I don't watch that show, obviously, or I'd know). This chick is singing about the bank (she's clearly got a professional dance background, as she can highkick somethin' fierce), and playing upon her "Trading Spaces" role (that is, singing about the bank, in relation to getting a home improvement loan). Oh, and the song is a parody of "You Make Me Feel So Young," w/ the lyrics she's singing (w/ great enthusiasm!) including "you make my space feel great!" and "will make your space sing!" (Trading Spaces, get it?).



So, to make a long story short(er), whenever I hear her singing about her "space", I can't stop myself from leering back at the tube, "Just let me get my str*p-on, honey, and I'll make 'your space' feel so great that it'll sing!"



GG Too much time on my hands---don't go there!---as usual. Out

[cattwoman98111]

Sorry Jen...

Quote:

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Actually, I think that commercial is kind of repulsive. I mean, whatever those "critters" are? Yuk. (And the singing is even worse).

---

I have to agree with GG on this one, somehow that commercial removes any desire to try the food.

Your smile got stuck in my eyes and your mouth makes me forget what i'm saying and your lips make me wonder if your taken, so tell me, are you taken?

[Jennpurr]

Yeah, I can see why you would feel that way. It just makes me laugh. To be honest, I've never even tried their food, so I can't tell you if I like it or not.



It's kind of repulsive, but yet, so ridiculous that it's hilarious.



Jen

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||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
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Maggie: I'm about to lose the person... I care about most in this world.
Bianca: You could never lose me. I promise.

[Cicca]

I want to see Paige's ad! That sounds fun. And yeah, she's cute.

I just saw a news thing that says she's going to do Chicago in june on Broadway. She'll be fantastic!



Here's Paige.



I haven't seen any Quizno hamsters but I've seen a Blockbuster hamster. That one makes me laugh.

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[Gatito Grande]

I bet it's out there somewhere on the net, Cicca.



Paige Davis, huh? And in Chicago (Velma or Roxie)? Yeah, w/ those high kicks (and passable singing voice), I can see that.



GG Man, now I've got that jingle stuck in my head. Out

[Cicca]

She's playing Roxie.

And I can't help but think she'll be way better than renee zellweger.



And speaking of animals in commercials, there's a hilarious ad for some sort of breathmints. The guy's on the couch waiting for the girl so he pops a breath mint and checks his breath. The dog comes to sniff it and starts kissing him!

So vile! And the girl comes in just as it looks very compromising. Ew! It's very funny and very gross.

And not quite doing its job if I can't remember the name!

Brisk? Or is that a drink?

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[Jennpurr]

Hee...



That commercial is hillarious!!



I can't remember what it's for either, so you're not the only one.



Jen

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||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
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Maggie: I'm about to lose the person... I care about most in this world.
Bianca: You could never lose me. I promise.

[Cicca]

Ok good!



And the image of that dog just planting a big wet one on him.... Yeesh!





Editing because I saw the ad again tonight and it's for those Frisk mints. Which I love.

Although I'll be careful not to breathe on any dogs...

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

Edited by: Cicca  at: 2/19/04 12:23 am

[SySnootles]

Uh, you can add me to the (very short) list of people who actually like those Quiznos commercials with those creepy singing things. The first time I saw them, I was annoyed and creeped out at the same time. But, they kinda started to grow on me by the seventith time I saw that commercial. Actually, I think what really turned me around for them was the commercial about the $1 off with any coupon. The "... or an oil change" lyric just made me giggle.

Catie



When I'm 130 years old, I want a pill that makes me so happy and so unself-conscious and so randy I'm willing to make love to my fuzzy bed slippers on my front lawn and yodel at the same time. -- Scott Adams from Dilbert and the way of the Weasel

[Cicca]

TrimSpa baybee!



Anyone seen that horribly pathetic ad with Anna Nicole Smith? The cheeze factor just on its own is very high, but once you add in the idea that it's Anna Nicole Smith and people are fawning all over her... Well, it's a wee bit ludicrous! And saaaaaaaaaaaaaad. Why is she famous? What did she do? Besides have very large breasts and marry an old man for his money? Er, I mean for love. I'm sure it was for love. Yeah.

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[WebWarlock]

yeah I admit it.



I like the Quizno's ads too. It is just so damn wierd.

And yet, I find myself walking around the house trying to sing like those damn little things.



Warlock

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Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, drone, time for this one to come home." - The Replacements, "Hold My Life"

[Jennpurr]

Me too, Tim.



Jen

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||My Fan Fiction and More!|| ||My Yahoo Group||
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"Got to sing. Got to dance. Got to suck face with Alyson Hannigan." - Amber Benson (Toronto Trek)


Dory: Look, here's something! *points to a door that has the word, 'escape,' on it* Es-cop-ay! I wonder what that means... it's funny. It's spelled just like the word escape. ~ "Finding Nemo"

[Cicca]

I just saw an ad for an online dating service aimed at people who want to cheat! I was shocked!

Geez, I feel like I'm from Kansas.

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[Triscuit7]

I have to admit that most commercials don't make the intended impression on me. I'm supposed to associate a particular image or thing with the advertizer. Ha. Which is why Ford is the Heartbeat of America in my mind. I'm your bona fide Madison Ave nightmare.



However, there are few exceptions to this and typically they involve animals (or weather).

1) Home Depot delivery truck heading off into a tornado ravaged area.

2) Budweiser - I love horses and draft horses in particular. It doesn't matter, those ads come on and I have to stop and watch.

3) Meow Mix and Fancy Feast - lots of kitties

and well,

4) Geico - But not because of the gecko.



Because of the smartass squirrels who cause an accident and then spend time high-fiving one another. That was genius. It actually got me to remember the auto insurer's name. Of course, since I live in NJ actually getting Geico is an impossibility. Money spent branding down the drain.



But I love that ad.



Ciao, Melissa

******************



Do something totally irrational and let the enemy think himself to death. (Pyanfar Chanur)

[Lythande]

Ok, for those of you who like the Quizno's ad, you must see this. It's where those hamster-things came from. Quizno's didn't invent them.



We Like The Moon



The first time I saw it, I thought I was going to die, I was laughing so hard.



Lythande

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I'm a bloodsucking fiend! Look at my outfit!