"Ain't no vitamins in that..."

Ahh, my last one for the semester.

Dave Chappelle is a genius. He picks up on those little details in life people often overlook, then makes them into hilarious jokes. First, watch this Sunny D commercial that is so eighties.



Pretty standard. Kids want to quench their thirst with some juice... Now watch Chappelle's stand up act. *caution, language*



I think he's right. The boy's eyes do look like they're attracted to the purple stuff. It's amazing how Chappelle picked up on that.

I bought grape drink the other day. It was really cheap incidentally. Like a dollar for half a gallon or something. By comparison, the superhealthy Naked juice I'm drinking at the moment is only 15.2 ounces yet totals $3.65. I haven't tried the grape drink yet. It sounds terrible. Sugar, water, purple.

Does Chappelle make fun of stereotypes? Yes. That's part of the reason he disappeared to Africa instead of making a third season of his show. But I don't think he should be ashamed. He doesn't further stereotypes, people do. When he talked about studying white people he made fun of both sides. "Get away from my cart, these are vegetables," he said. He mocked black people for not eating enough vegetables, but then he said it in an exaggerated annunciated tone that made fun of white people. So lose/lose? No. Latinos win that one.

Anyway, we don't see many commercials like this anymore. Advertising vitamins is not a priority. Now we want funny, shocking, out-there ads that make the product stick out. What will happen when nothing shocks us anymore? Psychology calls it desensitization. It's up to the ad gurus to stop it.

Supermarket Shocker

I described the following ad to someone last week and she responded, "That's awful!" I thought it was pretty clever, but hey, art (of TV commercials) is subjective.



Children. If I every have any, I hope they're not the loud, obnoxious type. I want my kids to be quiet, private and grow up to be creative geniuses who think up the new Google or YouTube and make a bajillion dollars at age 20 and buy my nice things.

Yeahhhhhhh. So, uhm condoms?

I thought this spot was smart. You go, "What are they advertising?" or "This is awkward." Then you get it. It's the consequence of not using a rubber! Of course!

I can see how this can be offensive though. Especially to those parents who have children like that. I mean, if you want to have kids, but then they turn out like that, it doesn't mean that you should have used contraceptives. No wonder it was a banned commercial.

Oh Camera Phones

Remember the world before camera phones? It was a much more private place then. Nowadays picture texts cause drama in high schools throughout the world. I guess without camera phones, we wouldn't have the show "Gossip Girl." Hmm dilemma.



The concept was good, but this one took a little long. A minute thirty for that? The set-up could have been shorter. If this were a news story, the lead would be way too long. Get to what people want to know, a teacher once told me...

I think it's odd that the girl gets ashamed and not outraged. If you woke up to a complete stranger about to kiss you, wouldn't you get mad? It was smooth how he turned the situation on her, but really is that realistic? I don't think so.

In conclusion, Vodafone had a good idea. It was amusing, it told a story (though not quick enough) and it incorporated their new technology (the commercial was in 2005) - the camera phone, setting up the start of a new generation of creepers everywhere.

Indeed!

Is this funny or not? I can't tell.



During my Spanish studying, I had this weird urge to watch a funny Indian commercial. Of course, YouTube comes to the rescue.

For some odd reason, the "She's hot!", "Indeed!" part is making me smile uncontrollably here in the library. I have to cover my mouth so people don't think I'm crazy. Just the thought of it makes me smile. Maybe I am going crazy.

I think it's my stereotype of the Indian accent being so proper and formal. When I hear that voice saying something so unprofessional and in a very loud voice, I think it's funny.

I mostly posted the ad for that one exchange. The other parts were OK and couldn't even understand some of it. Apparently the part with the families is before an arranged marriage, and the groom is saying, "I like the younger one better."

The next time I'm in an elevator, I will probably think of this commercial and laugh.

Another Nike Spot

Okay, regarding my last post - my intro was supposed to be sarcastic, which was a bad idea because sarcasm is hard to detect over the Internet. Elizabeth is seriously pretty cool. Her family has a county in Ireland named after them. She bakes good cookies. She gave me a spot to study for finals in the library. I'm actually sitting across from her right now. She's focused studying Animal Phys while I just gave up on Gen Bio to write another blog.

This one is also from the Swoosh company. It puts you in the point of view as if you're rising up in the European football (soccer) ranks. Guy Ritchie, Madonna's ex, directed.



Nike creates an adrenaline rush with this one. The camera work is amazing; it feels as if you're really playing soccer. It's like you get the experience without doing all the training.

There are some really high profile cameos in this commercial too. You get called up by Wegner, Arsenal's coach and then you're scored on by Christiano Ronaldo, the 'World's Best Footballer. My favorite cameo is from Zlatan Ibrahimović, star striker for Inter Milan - my favorite soccer team. He's in the blue and black striped uniform around 1:03. He scores.

I love the attention to detail Ritchie paid. You start at a division two soccer club, where you make the penalty kick to win the game. You're team is overjoyed, but there are only people standing on the sidelines to witness the shot. After being promoted to a better club, running up stairs and getting the girl, you're in the European championships. You throw up because you're so nervous. Confetti greets your entrance to the ginormous stadium. You're presented with another free kick to win the game. Do you make it? Only Nike knows.

Animated Water Boy

My non-blogger friend Elizabeth describes herself as a "commercial junkie." She diligently checks the Epica Awards' (the best of commercials in Europe) website to see which ads received the latest prestige. I personally think that's a little too much, and sort of lame, but whatever. That's Elizabeth for you.

Anyway, she gave me my latest tip on a commercial. So if you think this one is kind of dull, remember - I didn't choose it. It was Elizabeth.



Yeah. Apparently that won an award. An 'Epica' as they call it. I guess it was cute. They let a kid or some guy with a high voice sing over "We Will Rock You." They made an animation of this water "boy" who walks around and stomps out fires.

I'm pretty apathetic towards this one. There was nothing too groundbreaking about this commercial. The water boy finds a water girl and they have water babies. What's the point Evian? That's why more people drink Dasani and Aquafina. That's also why Fiji water is cooler than you.

The ad was pretty long too. 2:39 of him walking around and eradicating fires? We get it. That's what water does.

The animation was cute. But it wasn't near as good as the Thai lizard animation. Aquafina needs to take a lesson from Shera Flexiboard if they want to step their game up.

Nike's Lifelong Journey

I like commercials that tell stories. This next fantastic one by Nike tells the story of how two NFL players, LaDainian Tomlinson and Troy Polamalu, got to where they're at today.



This is really a brilliant spot. The vision had a really good concept. It showed their lives from conception to the game where they ultimately collide. This was definitely one of the year's best.

I especially like one scene. The one where young Polamalu jumps on the coffee table and it breaks is one that sticks out to me. I remember being that age, jumping around the living room. I would try to make it across the whole room without touching the carpet. I never broke a coffee table with my weight, but then again, I'm no NFL defensive safety.

The music is appropriate. Most athletic commercials have some sort of inspiring, dramatic music making the game more important than it really is. This song is a sample of The Ecstacy of Gold from the soundtrack of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly"

The commercial has a good feeling of suspense and culmination. We are shown these toddlers not knowing exactly what to think, but it all comes to fruition when we see the hit.

Christmas wishes

Remember when you were young and there was something you really wanted for Christmas? You would daydream during class about it. You would pray that you would unwrap it come Christmas morning?

Well for this kid, it's the Nintendo 64. BMW used some funny (and sort of scary) Christmas Day home footage for their holiday commercial.



Just look at the expression on his face. The screaming, the hands in the air, the elation of finally getting what you wanted I wish I was half as excited as he is about anything. Oh that childish innocence.

BMW cleverly tries to bring back those wishes with its 'Holiday Wish Event'. Adults too can have their wishes fulfilled if they buy the new 328i sedan.

It's a nice comparison. Who doesn't want those childhood presents back? Presents meant so much back then. Maybe a new BMW will fill that void.

But of course, it's just not the same as the eye-bulging kid opening his new N64.

"This is really a commercial"

My good friend Laura suggested this commercial to me so if you think it's too inappropriate, blame her.

You know those jars where you have to put a quarter in every time you swear? Well for my first beer commercial review, Bud Light takes this concept to the office.



My first reaction was, "Is that for real?" Laura responded, "Yes! This is really a commercial!"

I'll admit. I laughed. Does that make me a bad person? I hope not.

I think beer commercials can be cutting-edge. They always have clever ideas for their spots during the Super Bowl. This one is definitely on the more liberal side with 16 bleeped out words in a one minute ad.

Bud Light approved this spot because it brings the laughs. I don't think they thought their reputation would be tarnished. In the end, this commercial entertained and showed the lengths people would go to get a case of Bud Light.

Wait, what?

So a couple minutes ago I was watching TV. Well I wasn't actually watching, I was on my laptop and the TV was on in the background. Anyway, a commercial came on that made me go, "Wait, what?"

I just saw the end of it where 'Hotels.com' is displayed, but my roommate was laughing so I looked it up online. Fortunately, I found it to share with you all.



"It's workin. It's working! Ah they got me! Ahh it's workin!"

I love commercials like this. Why make sense when you can be hilarious? I applaud you Hotels.com for this short and sweet spot.

It has a focus - user reviews on the Web site. It has an odd couple (one straight character, one out there character), which is a classic formula for comedy. And it has branding - Hotels.com at the end.

I'm glad commercials like this are approved by the companies being advertised. Sometimes short and sweet is the most effective way to people remembering your product.

Haunting Shoe Dreams

The best dreams are ones that don't make sense. I don't really remember my dreams, but I think the more fantasical they are, the more fun they would be. The same is true for commercials.

This next commercial is from a while ago but it's one I remembered because of the direction of Spike Jonze and a sweet soundtrack from Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Squeak E. Clean.



This guy wakes up and his shoes come put themselves on. A spotlight reveals a door. What does the guy do? He runs with his new Adidas.

He runs down the street. He runs past trees. He runs away from bears and jumps at 45 degree angles.

There's probably some symbolism here, but to me the commercial's visuals are enough. The black area is saying, "What will you reveal? Anything is possible (with these Adidas)." Or should I say "Impossible is nothing."

It was very Ann Ryndish with the guy being illuminated in a sea of black and running in a tunnel. At first he is afraid when he wakes up, but after running he finds courage.

The music fit perfectly with the concept also. Right as Karen O sings "Whenever I wake up..." guess what happens. The mood also seemed to speed up with the tempo of the song. Overall this commercial was executed brilliantly.