SuperBowl Ads Psuedo Wrap Up

I am not doing my usual analysis of the Super Bowl commercials this year, a decision I made a while ago based on the fact that it takes me several hours to do (I can't do it live because there are kids around here), meaning I am often up until Midnight or so watching my DVR of the game, making notes and blogging my opinions.  I just didn't feel like making that kind of effort this year, plus I'm a little under the weather and in general I'm trying to get to bed at an earlier time anyway.  So I was just going to watch as a spectator.

And then of course, I SAW the commercials, and wow am I ever glad I didn't devote a ton of time to analyzing this crap.  Was it just me or was this year especially lame in terms of the commercials?  I realize that a large portion of my disappointment is most likely due to the general increase in good commercials year round - overall ads have gotten funnier and more unpredictable in an attempt to fight the ever dominant DVR system.  But apparently that means ad companies have used up all of their creativity and wit before ever getting to the Super Bowl, because this year's crop was LAME.  Nothing especially clever, nothing especially funny, and there wasn't even a classic Budweiser Clydesdale commercial to make me cry (at least, there wasn't in the first 2/3 of the game before I went to bed).  Blah de blah blah.  So I am truly grateful that I didn't waste my considerable talent (heh) on any of these poor excuses for Super Bowl ads.  Let's do better next year, ok folks*?

I hereby present you with my favorite ad of the night:




And the runner up:





*also the Bears. No losing to the Packers next year!

House Party

Have you seen this commercial?




It features people I am assuming are football players who have apparently not won a Superbowl, looking across an outdoor bar area at another cabana where various football players and coaches (ones I actually recognize, ha!) are having a WAY better time.  The end tag line is "it's good to have a ring."  Pretty funny, and I sort of get why usher is in the video because I think the song playing is one of his.  But why is House there?  Did Hugh Laurie win a Superbowl I am unaware of?  Admittedly, I'm not as educated on football as I could be.

Hand Dance This, McDonalds

You may have seen a McDonalds commercial for their coffee drinks with a couple doing some brief hand dancing intermingled with drinking whipped cream coffee concoctions.  You may also have wondered WTF? when seeing this commercial, as it is weird at best, stupid and annoying at worst.  But don't blame the hand dancers - they are simply taking advantage of their super cool viral video which, in the hands of corporate marketers, of course turns lame and stupid and annoying.  But the original video is awesome and totally mesmerizing (plus great tune!)


Check out the real thing:




ps: McDonalds, here's a tip: not everyone drinks caffeine.  How about offering some decaf versions of those foofy drinks?

How Do You Like Me Now?

I love this ad for the Kia Sorento:



I know that it is supposed to just be a daydream for the toys, but I like thinking that after we are all asleep the toys go out and live it up. Imagining some wild, seedy nightlife for the sock monkeys out there to engage in in the wee hours of the night amuses me. Which is probably sick (these are children's toys after all, shouldn't they be nurturing and wholesome?), but I find it funny.*

It's kind of how I picture all the adults who are on children's shows acting after work. They spend all day being supernaturally erky and chipper, so afterwards I always figure they hit the dirtiest bar they can find in their goth makeup and spend the next five hours cussing and drinkng and generally engaging in any no perky, non chipper debauchery they can find. Just to balance it all out you know? Otherwise don't know how they don't crack under the pressure of those false smiles.

So I'm cool with my kids' toys hitting the town after lights out - they deserve a little fun too.

*Oh, and the music is good. I like that too. (How Do You Like Me Now, by The Heavys)

Look Down, Look Up, I'm On A Horse

I really have nothing to say about this ad except that I freaking love it and have watched it about ten times already on youtube.

Superbowl Ad Wrap Up

So, I had big plans this year. A full wrap up of all the best and worst Superbowl commercials, with video links for the top contenders. But then the day approached, and you know what? I just really didn't care. Nothing was awesome. Nothing was totally atrocious (actually not true, this was horrific). But basically, nothing at the end of the day was worth my precious attention and the effort it would take to write about it. So I'll just leave you with a few impressions*:

Bud light had the usual stupid laughs (and of course the obligatory Budweiser Clydesdales ad that made me tear up - I am a pathetic sap), although Doritos gave them a run for their money. Both companies did a decent job with their spots, but I don't think the entire first quarter had ads by anyone else and it got really annoying seeing the same two things over and over. Yeah. We get it, beer and chips. wheee. Also, Budlight? Your Lost spoof ad was funny - people choosing beer over rescue, haha - but shouldn't it have aired like, 5 years ago? Right after they crashed and everyone was all still into the plane crash scenario and not in the time travel, topsy turvy we've been rescued or not or whatever final season? Yeah. I thought so.

I did like the Bridgestone commerical where three guys rush towards the ocean with a killer whale in the car, and do some fancy manuevering to fling it off end of dock. but it was also so transparently "hey The Hangover was popular, let's do an ad like that" that it took away some of the funny. And of course, did nothing to sell tires, but that isn't really the point of Superbowl ads, is it?

The Dove men ad was amusing (although it ripped off Anita Renfro), and it got my husband to say "oooh, I may have to try that." So I call that good advertising.

The Man's Last Stand commercial was also greatness. I will watch your vampire tv shows with you - haha!

The CareerBuilder.com commercial about casual fridays = funny. The Dockers "I wear no pants" ad = not funny. Unless it was a comment on the infantilizing of the country and people who never want to "wear the pants" and take responsibility for themselves. in which case it was a very witty and biting social commentary. But still, not funny.

Loved the flotv commercial injury report about "Jason" and how his girlfriend removed his spine. Change out of that skirt Jason- very amusing. Also, a live mobile television doohicky? I want.

In the WTF category I definitely have to award Carmax and their dramatically smart animals. What was going on there? As runner up I nominate the fiddling Beaver for Monster.com . Why a beaver?

As for CBS- I think their commercials were actually pretty good. The one where the "NCIS head slap" is replacing the handshake was pretty amusing (love the bride slapping granny). But the one that got my attention the most (obviously) was the ad for The Late Show featuring Oprah, David Letterman and Jay Leno all sitting on a couch together. I'm sure the intent was to show no hard feelings or grudges or whatever, but I thought it was in very bad taste for Leno to participate in that ad. Here's a tip - when you've just gotten hundreds of people FIRED so your spoiled ass can have your old job back, advertising for the competitor is pretty tacky.

My only other comment about the night (because let's face it, I didn't really watch the game at all) was the halftime performance by The Who. Because I'm pretty sure Nigel Tufnel was playing the drums. And I find this surprising not only because he was a guitarist, but you’d expect with his band's history that he’d stay away from drums.


*no, I'm not touching the whole Tim Tebow commercial controversy. To be honest, the whole ad was like "that's it? Really. This is the super controversial pro-life ad? Huh." But I guess the intial discussion and attention and controversy was enough to serve their point and get their message out there. Whatever. I don't argue with people too close minded to listen.

I'm Gonna Need My Left Handed Scissors

These people are funny in everything they do (especially Jennifer Coolidge). These ads are no exception.



ps: if you go to the video on YouTube, and read some of the comments criticizing this campaign and the whole down-with-personal-privacy idea of a census, blah diddy blah de blah, that is pretty funny too.

Just In Time For The Holidays Reebok Comes Up With A New Way To Call Your Woman Fat

Reebok Easy Tone sneakers are built to work the muscles in your legs so you get extra toning from just walking around. They are also apparently meant to be bought by men, because this commercial is like an issue of Maxim. I don't get it: these are workout shoes for women, but this commercial is so oriented to the male consumer it's not even funny (literally, it is NOT funny). So is their goal to get men to buy their girlfriends/wives these shoes? Because men aren't really into giving gifts of shoes. And frankly, as much as I love shoes of all types (and I do, oh I do), I don't want anyone else to buy them for me. I highly doubt my husband even knows what size I wear. Maybe the plan is just to get men to RECOMMEND these shoes to their wives/girlfriends? Nothing says I love you like " you should buy these shoes to tone up your flat, flabby ass." Good luck with that.

I'd Rather Have Diamonds

I'm not even sure what to say about this CBS Cares ad:



Seriously? I understand that you are trying to spread awareness or whatever, but gross. How do these guys even get through this without laughing? I know when I saw it I had a straight face, but that was in stunned shock; if I'd had to read those words and then actually SAY them, I would have wet myself in embarassment. And I actually have a pap to smear. Way to make health advocacy creepy, CBS. Note to everyone in my life: DO NOT GET ME A PAP SMEAR FOR CHRISTMAS! For real. Get me a card, or chocolates (or a Wii, wheee!), or nothing at all. Just stay away from my lady bits. Keeping your business out of my business will make for a Merry Christmas.

Jewish? Don't worry, it's a terrible Hannukah gift, too.

ps: Get a Pap Smear. Get a colonoscopy, mammogram and prostate exam, too. Do everything you can to screen for any preventable cancers. Just keep it away from the holiday festivities. Try February.

Why Do I want Their Help?

There is a commercial airing for the Mastercard Priceless Gift finder, featuring Peyton Manning and Alyson Hannigan giving people terrible gifts. Taffy to an old man with no teeth, a mouth guard to an old lady whose tackling days are most likely behind her, etc. It is very funny and I enjoy watching it each time. but I think they may have shot themselves in teh foot a bit, because at the end it says you can win a chance for one of them to help you choose your Christmas gifts. And I can't help but wonder, after seeing how lousy they are at it, why I would want their help?

Don't Take Chances. Take A Moment

There is a American Express commercial currently airing that I love. Not because it is clever, or pretty or good, but because it features Bach's Prelude from Solo Cello Suite No. 1. I love this piece of music, and every time this commercial airs I stop and listen and just have a moment of peace.

The King Gets it Right

Burger King has managed to provide and example of how cross promotion with Twilight can be done right. Their ads about Team Edward vs Team Jacob, and everyone coming together over burgers are hilarious to me. Maybe that is only because I'm totally not into the whole Twilight dealie so I don't get it, but I think they are clever. The ad adeptly advertises New Moon as well as Burger King, and it is clear in doing both. No confusion, no feeling of patronizing or pandering, just a clever ad for two products.

But What Does It Have To Do With Reading?

So, have you seen the ads for the Kindle where the girl is in stop motion video and changing outfits and backgrounds and whatnot? (that's it down there if you haven't.) Can anyone explain to me what the heck this has to do with a Kindle? Is she acting out the stories? Is it trying to demonstrate the various situations where you can bring your Kindle? It is visually interesting and all, but I really don't understand what it has to do with an electronic reading device. It certainly doesn't make me want one, although to be honest, nothing short of a $1000 bonus would really make me want one. I like books. But that is irrelevant to this discussion. Which is about how the ad is stupid. Evertime it comes on the music grabs my attention and I look up to watch (good sign). And every time I get to the end and think: "that is so stupid, what does it even have to do with a Kindle?"(bad sign). I saw it five times before I even noticed there was even a Kindle in it (really bad sign). Bad advertising for a product that is really pretty neat and convenient. Assuming of course you are a total heathen and could ever bear to give up the wonder of turning pages.

Who Carries Around A Penny? Honestly

Arby's has a new deal that I think involves a value meal of some sort, or maybe just a sandwich (Arby's is 'xspensive ya'll) or wahtever and it costs $5.01. And various people are saying oh the penny is for the cheese, or the roast beef or whatever blah ditty blah blah. It is a stupid premise and it bugs. Because it is obvious what the penny is for: to be a PAIN IN THE ASS. Seriously Arby's are you really doing us a favor by requiring that we have a SINGLE FREAKING PENNY? Just quit with the cute and make it $5, or if you have figured out that you need that penny to turn a profit or whatever go ahead and make it $5.25 or some other reasonable amount. Otherwise you can have my penny after I stick it where the sun don't shine. Um. On you. Not me. That was awkward. Whatever, you know what I meant. This whole idea is Lame (haha get it, with a capital L?). And while you're at it, lose the stupid commercial.

What I Want Out of A Wireless Company Is To Not Be Treated Like An Idiot

There is a Tmobile featuring different 'customers' saying what it is they are looking for out of a cellular plan. In general I don't mind it except for one little bit: on woman says "I want a plan that doesn't cost me one of these" and she holds up a mannequin arm and leg. I think this is kind of clever and amusing, because if you were someone who happened to be holding plastic body parts, you might do this - hold them up and make a funny pun. But then she goes on to say "an arm and a leg" and it ruins the whole thing. Because after that, instead of being vaguely witty, it is saying look, clearly we think you too stupid to get the joke, so we're going to repeat it in actualy words, taking all the wit out of it bcaue you, the veiwer have the brains of toast. And that pisses me off. If they thought we were to dumb to fill in the blanks ourselves when she just holds up the arm and leg, then she should have just said "arm and leg" as she held them up. Holding them up silently, waiting a pause (with a light eye roll indicating exasperation at a lack of understanding), and then essentially repeating herself, has no translation other than "you didn't get it the first time, so here's a replay." I hate being talked down to.

here's the ad, what do you think?



ps: I totally love the first girl's outfit

How Does That Affect Resale?

Tis the season when we begin to see all of teh ads for influenza vaccine - and this year there are understandably more than usual. I saw one the other day, and it was all about the highest risk people who should definitely be vaccinated. There were different actors "confessing" to why they are most a risk: chronic health condition, asthma, pregnant, etc. In one of the scenes, there was a family of a mom, dad and young boy. The mom said "we live with a baby under 6 months old" and it was totally weird. The three were standing together, with the baby in front of them like it was separate from the other family unit, and they way it was phrased sounded like the baby just also lived in their house. Like a roommate or special feature of their house. Not "we HAVE a baby under 6 months old", but "we LIVE WITH a baby under 6 months old." Don't you think that sounds like the baby just lives there too, even though they have nothing to do with it? And instead of being held by the mom, the baby was kind of separate from the whole family unit, further stressing the separate feeling. Very bizarre.
Man, you think you have a problem because your house has mice? Well, mine? Came with a BABY! At least you can call pest control.

Vampires Are A Niche Market

These Volvo/Twilight commericals make me want to barf. what are they advertising - cars? The New Moon movie? Stupid. Can we please leave the whole Twilight overexposure limited to things that are actuall relevant? They should really back off a bit or they are going to get a huge backlash before the final film. Plus? overexposure aside, I think this is taking product plcaement too far. i don't mind when real products are in tv or movies - having someone drinking a random "cola" can rather than Coke was always distracting to me. using real products makes it more realistic, and I find they fade into the background better than the mocked up fakes do. But doing tie ins with a movie and then bringing it into commercials that aren't even clear about what they are advertising is just annoying. And seriously? I don't care how dreamy and ethereal and shiny Robert Pattinson/Edward is. Somebody wash that jackass' hair!!!

What Makes A Good Ad Good?

Stealth planes. Dropping unidentified pods into fields around the country. Curious witnesses creeping closer for a look. Smoke, a brief glimpse of... something, and the words "drops, 11-6-9." Maybe you think this is a lame commercial (my husband does) and maybe it is. But it has me intrigued. I can't wait to see what is "dropping" today (my guess the new Google phone since the words Google and Verizon appear in the fine print). And isn't interest in the product the biggest indicator of a successful advertisement? Or is it entertainment? Obviously, the best commercials do both - entertain, make you think or laugh or go huh?, and an ad that sticks with you isn't worth it if you only remember because you hated it. There are lots of commercials I think are great, but I can't say that I've ever seen one and thought "I really want that" unless it was something I'd have bought anyway. But there have been commercials that are so awful I have decided to never buy those products (not that I can think of a single example right now, but I know there have been some). So maybe aiming for the entertainment angle is not necessarily worth it for advertisers - go big and go risky and you may just alienate more potential customers than you gain.

Look! You Can See What I'm Talking About Right Here!

So you probably haven't seen it, seeing as it is a loca commercial for our Cable service, cox cable, but it is great. take a moment to enjoy:



Now that I've had the wonderful idea to embed the ad I'm talking about in my blog, I find I have nothing else to say about it. You just watched it. Wasn't it funny? Hmm. I was thinking this was such a wonderful idea so people could refresh their memories about what I'm talking about (and I still think it is), but rewatching it right now has run me out of creative steam as far as further discussion goes. Maybe next time I'll write what I'm thinking about first, so I don't get all blanked out by the replay.

This Commercial Makes Your Brain Look Smaller

So I'm sure you have seen the Burger King commercials featuring the guy with tiny hands, and while I do think this is an amusing idea (it always makes me think of Austin powers and carnies - smell of cabbage, very small hands, haha!), I do think they got it backwards. Isn't the point of the ad that the dollar burgers at the King are so much bigger than the dollar burgers everywhere else? So shouldn't it be someone with extra large hands and his friends say don't worry, eat this burger and they will look smaller? Or is it supposed to be that the burger is so big the tiny hands can't even hold it? I'm confused. And now I want a Whopper. Great.