Say What?: Commercials That Made Us Scratch Our Heads

[Lola16]

So, Diet Coke produces hallucinations?

It's all the aspartame.  Truth in advertising finally!

 

 My jaw is about to unhinge itself right now. I even youtube'd it for proof that it exists. I won't post it because I don't want anyone sending me a bill for their destroyed computers. Sheesh.

Equal to the Anastasia Date commercials where it's Eastern Bloc escorts or something.

 

I can't decide if this ad annoys me or not, so I'll put it here.

The Big Lots! ads are very earwormy.  Not sure 'nailing it' is proper phraseology for Christmas but... hey... details.

Edited November 29, 2014 by Lola16

[90PercentGravity]

Apparently Target sells LSD-laced marshmallows.

[ParadoxLost]

This was based on an actual occurence at Atlanta's Lenox Square Mall.  They did, indeed, push turkeys out of a helicopter, thinking they'd fly & not plummet like giant cannonballs.

 

I believe that is a bit of urban legend.  http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2014/11/27/atlantas-wqxi-inspiration-for-famous-wkrp-in-cincinnati-turkery-drop-episode/

[DrSpaceman]

Yeah but its got to make anyone who ever ate a turkey burger wonder.

 

Not sure which alcohol commercial it is.  But it has the young guy getting home to an excited dog and he apologizes because he stayed the night instead of drinking and driving.  The ad wants you "to make plans to get home".  The implication here being that the guy screwed up.  He should have made plans to get home that night.  To which I say "I think you are muddling your messages here".  Yes, as a dog owner myself, getting home to let the pooches out is a good thing.  But to me the message is somehow that the guy not driving, not being dead, not taking out an innocent sober driver is still somehow wrong.  Because scooping up a pile of dog poop or moping up some dog piss is such a bad thing.  I don't look forward to it, but I pretty much figured out poop, piss and puke among other things come with having a dog.  As frantic as my dogs can be in those moments when I get home much later than usual, I think, not to elevate my own self worth or anything, they would much prefer me being late than never.

My interpretation of the ad is the guy made the right decision, better to leave the dog alone for a night and make it home rather than endanger himself and others trying to make it home drunk. I don't think its saying he made the wrong decision, I view it as saying he did the right thing.

[Ubiquitous]

Apparently Target sells LSD-laced marshmallows.

I think the problem is them using the worst version ever made of that song.

[Bastet]

But it has the young guy getting home to an excited dog and he apologizes because he stayed the night instead of drinking and driving.  The ad wants you "to make plans to get home".  The implication here being that the guy screwed up.  He should have made plans to get home that night.

Maybe there is more than one with the dog theme, but the one I saw didn't position the guy as wrong for leaving his dog alone overnight because he crashed at a friend’s house rather than drive home drunk, but instead praised him for sleeping it off rather than driving drunk, ensuring he’d be able to come home to his dog (rather than dying and leaving the dog without his owner).  He’s apologizing for making the dog wait for him, but explaining why it had to happen.  The plans that need to be made are to get home, period – alive – not to do something stupid in order to get home earlier.

Edited November 30, 2014 by Bastet

[merylinkid]

The guy had a plan, he just forgot to let his dog in it.   So the dog worried all night.   Geez, dude, one simple line to your dear pet "Hey, I might stay over at my friend's house if I have too much to drink, so don't worry if I am not home on time" would have saved his dog so much angst.

[90PercentGravity]

I don't think this ad is having the intended affect, because all it does it make me want to buy local. Also, why are the eggs on a boat? Are they coming from China? I don't want eggs from China.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmD8B64vSM8

[topanga]

Okay, maybe it's just me. I've always liked Peyton Manning as a football player, though I've never been attracted to him like that. But on the latest Nationwide commercial, when he sings, "Chicken parm, you taste so good", I find myself thinking, "Wow. Peyton's kinda sexy."

[90PercentGravity]

I think he looks like a penis.

[topanga]

I think he looks like a penis.

Or beaker from The Muppet Show.

[riley702]

I call him Potato Head myself

[CarpeDiem54]

I don't think this ad is having the intended affect, because all it does it make me want to buy local. Also, why are the eggs on a boat? Are they coming from China? I don't want eggs from China.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmD8B64vSM8

And look at the size of that freaking faucet! WTF!! Does she need to fill a 500 gallon cauldron?

[meep.meep]

So Gerard Butler is in a commercial.  Where he explains, in his Scots accent, something about the deets are what's important.  We're ready to turn on closed captioning.

[MichelleAK]

I don't think this ad is having the intended affect, because all it does it make me want to buy local. Also, why are the eggs on a boat? Are they coming from China? I don't want eggs from China.

 

 

I also found it confusing, but the eggs aren't on a ship. It's oil on a tanker. There are two threads to this commercial, the eggs and the energy (oil).  But yeah, my first thought upon seeing it was also that I don't want my eggs from that far away!

[peeayebee]

But you do see the eggs being shipped in a semi thru the desert (I believe). It does make me uneasy about having food shipped far distances. I get what the commercial is going for, but I think they didn't really nail it.

[Aquarius]

So Gerard Butler is in a commercial.  Where he explains, in his Scots accent, something about the deets are what's important.  We're ready to turn on closed captioning.

 

It's "deeds" that are important.

 

But yeah, for the first 10 times or so I heard "deets" too and it drove me crazy.

[Cobalt Stargazer]

I've posted about this ad before, but it just ran again, and it still confuses the hell out of me, so here it is.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5h7zWQwXpY

 

Now, beyond the question of why the fuck a burrito wrapped in aluminum foil is flying around what appears to be a major city knocking people unconscious, how is that supposed to make me want to use GrubHub? Can you get a concussion from being hit in the head with a burrito, even one that can apparently get around under its own power? Will you have to go to the hospital, which means you should have used GrubHub to avoid this happening? I am very confused.

[peeayebee]

I don't know. I think it's pretty funny.

[mmecorday]

 

The Drambuie (sp?) commercial with the tall, leggy blonde behind a drum set makes no sense to me at all. I suppose it's implying that buying and drinking Drambuie will make you glamorous, darling!

In our household, we call the blonde woman a slightly less intellectually-inclined Paris Hilton.

[90PercentGravity]

Just saw a Sensodyn commercial where doctor strange eyes says "Someone who has sensitivity, they want relief, but they also want to other things that are available in toothpaste. New Sensodyn Complete Protection is designed for sensitivity suferers, it's also delivering on the other attributes, delivering a complete package."

 

That might actually be the most vague thing I have ever heard in a commercial? What other things? Sodium Laureth Sulfate?

Edited December 3, 2014 by 90PercentGravity

[RedZoneTuba]

Can you get a concussion from being hit in the head with a burrito, even one that can apparently get around under its own power?

 

 

Paging Mythbusters...paging Mythbusters

[potatoradio]

 

I don't think this ad is having the intended affect, because all it does it make me want to buy local. Also, why are the eggs on a boat? Are they coming from China? I don't want eggs from China.

 

Yeah, that was one baffling montage. I kept thinking I was going to see 'Navy: a global force. For good.' And, speaking of having the opposite effect, the line "you don't have to think about where the energy to boil an egg comes from." First of all...the hell I don't. Do not insult my intelligence or social conscience by telling me I shouldn't have to think about the energy I use. Second...seeing that montage just put energy use in the forefront of my mind. 

 

And they can stop with the Spielberg music. They are not action heroes saving our everyday lives. They are for-profit corporations who would very much prefer we didn't have a choice in energy use. 

 

I have got to build a chicken coop now.

 

 

Now, beyond the question of why the fuck a burrito wrapped in aluminum foil is flying around what appears to be a major city knocking people unconscious, how is that supposed to make me want to use GrubHub?

 

What the hell was that? I'm as confused as you are. Amused, yes, but not eager to get in on GrubHub. I don't want to use a service that would send its flying burrito of doom after me if I chose to call ahead or, my god, stop in, to place my order.  I particularly liked the line, "you can use it for free" Um...yeah? There's no surcharge for phone orders or walk-ins, either. And, sadly, I will have to talk to a human being when I pay for my order. 

 

 

[Rinaldo]

"Shark Semen Spray"??

 

 

Oh, Shark Steam & Spray. That's better (and a lot less messy).

[Muffyn]

"Shark Semen Spray"??

 

 

Oh, Shark Steam & Spray. That's better (and a lot less messy).

That is exactly what I heard.  At least I'm not the only one.

[friendperidot]

too many categories I could fit this into. Thought I heard the kid say "I love my Delta Burke fathead", don't know what he's really saying, but I'll bet he's not really a Delta Burke fan. And Fatheads and Snuggies - is that really what kids want for Christmas? I've not seen many toy ads this year, but I can't believe any kid I've ever known would choose these. I also don't watch much programming aimed at children.

 

And then there's the Geico pig - he really should be made into pigs in a blanket. I don't like making fun of people, but he's a pig, and he's annoying everyone around him with his insurance app yapping. Kind of reminds me of the insurance guy in Groundhog Day. 

[theredhead77]

If it's the one I'm thinking of, I must've seen a longer version of that one where the guy doesn't get home at all - the dog just waits forever - because he drove drunk, in a sort of "it's a wonderful life" alternate-reality. Then it resets to the guy making the right decision. So the message is supposed to be "make plans to get home eventually instead of not at all".

Unless there's a third version (that I haven't seen), the guy came home the next morning. No reset, just a long pause for us to wonder then the reveal that he spent the night at his buddy's (or "buddy's") place.

Edited December 5, 2014 by theredhead77

[Cobalt Stargazer]

"Shark Semen Spray"??

 

 

Oh, Shark Steam & Spray. That's better (and a lot less messy).

 

*dies*

 

Great, now that's all I'll be able to hear when I see the ad.

[Aquarius]

"Shark Semen Spray"??

 

 

Oh, Shark Steam & Spray. That's better (and a lot less messy).

 

Looks better under a black light too.

I believe that is a bit of urban legend.  http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2014/11/27/atlantas-wqxi-inspiration-for-famous-wkrp-in-cincinnati-turkery-drop-episode/

 

Oh, thanks so much for that.  I've been thinking on and off about those turkeys falling out of a helicopter. 

[eurekagirl mOo]

Warning-Do not read commercials that annoy or Christmas commercial threads while at work. Will cause you to lower your head as your shaking with silent laughter so that your co workers will ask you if your all right? Are you crying? Nope just laughing my fool head off...Thanks guys..I swear your the funniest people on the internet.

[Sandman87]

"Shark Semen Spray"??

...

Oh, Shark Steam & Spray. That's better (and a lot less messy).

That's exactly what I heard last night when the commercial appeared on my TV for the first time (I almost typed "came on my TV", which would have been unfortunate). For a moment I thought it might be some sort of new fishy beauty treatment from L'Oréal, or possibly a particularly unappealing condiment. To be fair, the condiment idea still wouldn't be as disgusting as Miracle Whip.

[xls]

I think it was for a thermostat or some kind of device to operate things in the house. But, yeah, I kept wondering if that robot was really watching her like a creep. There was a shot of the dog watching the robot, so I wondered if the robot was actually looking at the dog, but… Very weird.

I found it!!!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNLQR45qIHM

 

Here's one where he barges in on the man's shower.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu6R71vhZz8

[CarpeDiem54]

I found it!!!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNLQR45qIHM

 

Here's one where he barges in on the man's shower.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu6R71vhZz8

That second one is hilarious.

[smittykins]

Just saw a Sensodyn commercial where doctor strange eyes says "Someone who has sensitivity, they want relief, but they also want to other things that are available in toothpaste. New Sensodyn Complete Protection is designed for sensitivity suferers, it's also delivering on the other attributes, delivering a complete package."

 

That might actually be the most vague thing I have ever heard in a commercial? What other things? Sodium Laureth Sulfate?

I assume cavity protection/tooth whitening/breath freshening.

 

Unless there's a third version (that I haven't seen), the guy came home the next morning. No reset, just a long pause for us to wonder then the reveal that he spent the night at his buddy's (or "buddy's") place.

Yeah, it's a fake-out thing.  The long pause(especially when the dog puts his head on his paws and whimpers)and the words "For some, the waiting never ended" is supposed to make you think his owner may have drove drunk and crashed, then "But we can change that" and the his coming home the next morning tells you everything's okay.

[xls]

I've posted about this ad before, but it just ran again, and it still confuses the hell out of me, so here it is.

 

 

Now, beyond the question of why the fuck a burrito wrapped in aluminum foil is flying around what appears to be a major city knocking people unconscious, how is that supposed to make me want to use GrubHub? Can you get a concussion from being hit in the head with a burrito, even one that can apparently get around under its own power? Will you have to go to the hospital, which means you should have used GrubHub to avoid this happening? I am very confused.

Okay, I'm just going to say it-it looks like a dildo flying around.

[90PercentGravity]

Every time I see the commercial for the Mach Wrench, I hear "Mock Wrench" and wonder why I would want a fake wrench.

[90PercentGravity]

I just saw a new version of the EXXON egg commercial where they cut out the part with the ship. Now they show a grocery store lighting up.

[peeayebee]

Maybe they got some feedback that the commercial didn't come across as planned.

[AntiBeeSpray]

This commercial never made sense to me... thank you Jublia :P.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ERlyKDvW1U

 

I always think that they're saying 'Fda approved Julia' every time I hear this. O_o XD

[Brattinella]

Did you notice that Jublia needs to be applied for 48 WEEKS?!

[Bastet]

As was discussed in another thread (or maybe even in this one), that's not surprising, given how notoriously difficult many foot fungi are to get rid of. 

[Prevailing Wind]

i think the original discussion is in the "teeny" thread.

[Shriekingeel]

That Wendy's "Buck Twenty Nine" commercial with the suspenders guy and the big-eighties-hair woman next to him: huh?

[90PercentGravity]

At the end of this Merci commercial, I keep thinking the guy is singing "You didn't have to hose us like you did, but you did."

 

[CarpeDiem54]

At the end of this Merci commercial, I keep thinking the guy is singing "You didn't have to hose us like you did, but you did."

 

http://vimeo.com/85135798

Sounds like hose to me, too. What's it supposed to be?

[Moose135]

"You didn't have to host us like you did..."

[xaxat]

This Nissan ad has a happy ending, but whenever I can't help but think that capturing a small bird, stuffing it in a shoe box, and keeping it there for days as you drive across country is something that would probably not end well in real life.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlUDk2qkV5I

[AntiBeeSpray]

At the end of this Merci commercial, I keep thinking the guy is singing "You didn't have to hose us like you did, but you did."

 

 

XD 

 

I thought it was "You didn't have to host us like you did, but you did."... along with what you mentioned.

[bilgistic]

What student has a collection of European chocolates in her bag at the ready to give to any helpful professor?

[Moose135]

This Nissan ad has a happy ending, but whenever I can't help but think that capturing a small bird, stuffing it in a shoe box, and keeping it there for days as you drive across country is something that would probably not end well in real life.

 

I don't understand that commercial at all.  They capture a small bird and hold it hostage while they flee across state lines?  Are they stopping to see if they can get any ransom payments from those people along the way?  And at the end, are all of the other birds fighting back to free their friend? As if they were organized?