Say What?: Commercials That Made Us Scratch Our Heads

[Tom Holmberg]

32 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

Haha, I haven't seen that commercial, but among folks I know, "uphill both ways" is definitely shorthand for "shut up, whippersnapper, you don't know how easy you have it" (or "shut up dad, we 'know' how 'hard' you had it").  Someone else will probably chip in "in the snow!"

But obviously that phrase isn't as well known as I (or the ad makers) thought!  For the record, I'm in the Mid-Atlantic/Appalachian/Southern US.

Maybe you have to be of a certain age to know that.  I'm not sure we boomers use that cliche (unless we are quoting or parodying our parents) with our kids.  We probably say something like, we had to use an actual book, or add that up in our heads, or use a card catalog, or whatever.

[SoMuchTV]

1 minute ago, Tom Holmberg said:

Maybe you have to be of a certain age to know that.  I'm not sure we boomers use that cliche (unless we are quoting or parodying our parents) with our kids.  We probably say something like, we had to use an actual book, or add that up in our heads, or use a card catalog, or whatever.

If I were to say I had to use an actual card catalog, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if one of my (millennial) offspring chimed in, uphill both ways!  But then, I suspect some families are just better (meaning worse) at driving a joke into the ground. 

[chessiegal]

I think the walking up hill to school both ways in the snow is well enough known that people don't need an expanded explanation.

I've only eaten at Golden Corral once. While it's cheap and all you can eat, my memory is that most of it was mediocre to awful. It's like the good news it's all you can eat. The bad news is that it's all you can eat.

[Bastet]

2 minutes ago, chessiegal said:

I think the walking up hill to school both ways in the snow is well enough known that people don't need an expanded explanation.

Yeah, I don't need the whole thing; you can quote any part of it, and I'll get the reference.

[Tom Holmberg]

45 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

If I were to say I had to use an actual card catalog, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if one of my (millennial) offspring chimed in, uphill both ways!  But then, I suspect some families are just better (meaning worse) at driving a joke into the ground. 

But we had to use the card catalog barefoot in the snow!!!

[Browncoat]

1 hour ago, chessiegal said:

I've only eaten at Golden Corral once.

I got food poisoning the one and only time I ate at a Golden Corral.  

[peacheslatour]

5 hours ago, millennium said:

The new Golden Corral commercial with the Latino grandparents and their grandchildren  (I can't find it online).

The grandfather is telling his grandchildren how he didn't have Golden Corral's new menu items (the Garlic Parmesan chicken or whatever) when he was a kid.   And then in what seems like a total non-sequitur, the grandmother says "And he had to walk uphill both ways."  And the grandfather says,  "And it was snowing."

Huh?  Either grandma didn't take her Prevagen, or the part where she should have said, "He had to walk to school every day, and it was uphill both ways"  wound up on the cutting room floor.   If you're not familiar with the old cliche and you come upon this spot cold,  the grandparents must sound loco.

That one drives me nuts. They totally fucked it up.

[proserpina65]

20 hours ago, millennium said:

The new Golden Corral commercial with the Latino grandparents and their grandchildren  (I can't find it online).

The grandfather is telling his grandchildren how he didn't have Golden Corral's new menu items (the Garlic Parmesan chicken or whatever) when he was a kid.   And then in what seems like a total non-sequitur, the grandmother says "And he had to walk uphill both ways."  And the grandfather says,  "And it was snowing."

Huh?  Either grandma didn't take her Prevagen, or the part where she should have said, "He had to walk to school every day, and it was uphill both ways"  wound up on the cutting room floor.   If you're not familiar with the old cliche and you come upon this spot cold,  the grandparents must sound loco.

I assumed he was walking uphill to and from Golden Corral.

On 8/9/2023 at 7:17 PM, PrincessPurrsALot said:

The commercial features a non-binary character named Morgan who uses they/them pronouns.  The story being relayed is solely about Morgan. 

I didn't realize Morgan was non-binary, but then I haven't paid that much attention to the commercial the few times I've seen it.

19 hours ago, Tom Holmberg said:

Maybe you have to be of a certain age to know that.  I'm not sure we boomers use that cliche (unless we are quoting or parodying our parents) with our kids.  We probably say something like, we had to use an actual book, or add that up in our heads, or use a card catalog, or whatever.

Maybe it's because I heard it from my father, but I can verify that this Gen X person has used that cliche.  Of course, I also say that I had to walk all the way across the room to change the channel on the tv when I was a kid.

[Tom Holmberg]

3 hours ago, proserpina65 said:

Of course, I also say that I had to walk all the way across the room to change the channel on the tv when I was a kid.

On a 19-inch B&W Philco TV.

Edited August 11, 2023 by Tom Holmberg

[chessiegal]

2 minutes ago, Tom Holmberg said:

On a 19-inch B&W TV.

And there were 3 channels.

[proserpina65]

29 minutes ago, chessiegal said:

And there were 3 channels.

4, if the PBS channel was cooperating.

[Tom Holmberg]

2 hours ago, proserpina65 said:

4, if the PBS channel was cooperating.

Back then PBS was basically "educational TV", though they did have a show I really liked that showed actual medical operations (unfortunately in B&W).  We also had a Spanish-language channel that showed bullfighting, which I watched, and a lot of Canttinflas, which I didn't

Edited August 11, 2023 by Tom Holmberg

[peacheslatour]

2 hours ago, Tom Holmberg said:

Back then PBS was basically "educational TV", though they did have a show I really liked that showed actual medical operations (unfortunately in B&W).  We also had a Spanish-language channel that showed bullfighting, which I watched, and a lot of Canttinflas, which I didn't

When PBS came out with Masterpiece in 1971 I was enthralled. I watched The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth, Elizabeth R, Upstairs, Downstairs and The Duchess of Duke Street. And later Sherlock and Prime Suspect.  I had a huge crush on Allistair Cooke.

[Tom Holmberg]

On 8/11/2023 at 3:49 PM, peacheslatour said:

When PBS came out with Masterpiece in 1971 I was enthralled. I watched The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth, Elizabeth R, Upstairs, Downstairs and The Duchess of Duke Street. And later Sherlock and Prime Suspect.  I had a huge crush on Allistair Cooke.

Yes, IMO, today's Masterpiece Theatre is a far cry from those days.  Also the shows that they played in Mystery were also better: Lord Peter Wimsey, Sgt Cribb, etc. Cooke's "America" was great.  As was Jean Shepherd's "America"

[peacheslatour]

3 minutes ago, Tom Holmberg said:

Yes, IMO, today's Masterpiece Theatre is a far cry from those days.  Also the shows that they played in Mystery were also better: Lord Peter Wimsey, Sgt Cribb, etc. Cooke's "America" was great.  As was Jean Shepherd's "America"

My dad raced cars so he used to subscribe to all those "car guy" magazines. Jean Shepherd had a monthly column. I used to read it every month. A Christmas Story is based on his stories and he did the narration for the movie. He was great.

[mojoween]

HOW does Subway afford all of these athletes?  Rafa Nadal is now schilling for sandwiches?

[Bastet]

37 minutes ago, mojoween said:

HOW does Subway afford all of these athletes?

It's a huge chain worth about ten billion dollars.

[Gharlane]

In the Dominos commercial with the flying deliverymen, why is one's shoes on fire? 

[Haleth]

16 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

My dad raced cars so he used to subscribe to all those "car guy" magazines. Jean Shepherd had a monthly column. I used to read it every month. A Christmas Story is based on his stories and he did the narration for the movie. He was great.

When I was a kid he had a nightly syndicated radio show where he just talked for an hour, mostly about his childhood.  His Christmas and 4th of July stories were the best.

It seems lately there have been a few commercials where the characters are so mealy mouthed I can't understand what they are saying, like in the phone one with the kids at camp.  There's another for a mattress with the concept that better sleep helps solve problems.  I have no idea what the guy in the bed is saying.

Edited August 14, 2023 by Haleth

[peacheslatour]

4 hours ago, Gharlane said:

In the Dominos commercial with the flying deliverymen, why is one's shoes on fire? 

And then those idiots sit there and laugh at his burning feet. This is what passes for humor these days?

[Tom Holmberg]

22 hours ago, mojoween said:

HOW does Subway afford all of these athletes?  Rafa Nadal is now schilling for sandwiches?

They are all personal friends of Jared.

8 hours ago, Haleth said:

When I was a kid he had a nightly syndicated radio show where he just talked for an hour, mostly about his childhood.  His Christmas and 4th of July stories were the best.

It seems lately there have been a few commercials where the characters are so mealy mouthed I can't understand what they are saying, like in the phone one with the kids at camp.  There's another for a mattress with the concept that better sleep helps solve problems.  I have no idea what the guy in the bed is saying.

I like "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories" where Ralphie goes to the prom.

[iMonrey]

Has anyone seen the Old Navy commercials with Natasha Lyonne? WTF happened to her? The first time I saw it I thought "wow she sounds exactly like Natasha Lyonne and even has a superficial resemblance to her but it's not her." But . . . it is. Is it just different makeup or did she do something really weird to her face?

[Gharlane]

11 hours ago, Tom Holmberg said:

They are all personal friends of Jared.

 

[Gharlane]

What happened to this poor man's face? I guess I'm supposed to know who he is? 

 

[Bastet]

4 hours ago, Gharlane said:

I guess I'm supposed to know who he is? 

The actor who played Phil on Modern Family.  I only watched it occasionally in syndication, so was off to look up his name, when I played the video and saw they included it (but they don't identify him as an actor, just spokesperson and small business owner) -- Ty Burrell.

Edited August 16, 2023 by Bastet

[chessiegal]

Dial Body Wash Gel - woman on what looks like a subway car and gets licked on the arm by a small dog in a purse. I'm so distracted by a pet dog on a subway that I'm wondering what subway system allows pet dogs. I've never been on a subway that allowed pets. Am I overthinking this?

[CrazyInAlabama]

The subway in NYC allows dogs, but they have to be in a tote or bag.  This lead to some dogs in huge tote bags.  I saw a photo of a man carrying his full grown Husky in a big tote bag. 

[peacheslatour]

1 hour ago, chessiegal said:

Dial Body Wash Gel - woman on what looks like a subway car and gets licked on the arm by a small dog in a purse. I'm so distracted by a pet dog on a subway that I'm wondering what subway system allows pet dogs. I've never been on a subway that allowed pets. Am I overthinking this?

And she gets upset that a purebred Pomeranian licked her elbow. I wish she could see the kind of weirdos that have played with my hair, sat way too close or stuck their hands down their pants and stared at me on public transit that I've been on. I'd take the Pomeranian any day.

[chessiegal]

I've been on NYC subways a few times. I had no idea dogs were allowed. The cars I were on were so jammed packed I was just trying to survive and get off at the correct stop. Okay Dial.

[Ohiopirate02]

On 8/14/2023 at 10:58 PM, iMonrey said:

Has anyone seen the Old Navy commercials with Natasha Lyonne? WTF happened to her? The first time I saw it I thought "wow she sounds exactly like Natasha Lyonne and even has a superficial resemblance to her but it's not her." But . . . it is. Is it just different makeup or did she do something really weird to her face?

I think it's her hair color here.  She's never been that orange naturally, so it's either a bad dye job or a bad wig.

[meep.meep]

On 8/10/2023 at 1:37 PM, Tom Holmberg said:

Maybe you have to be of a certain age to know that.  I'm not sure we boomers use that cliche (unless we are quoting or parodying our parents) with our kids.  We probably say something like, we had to use an actual book, or add that up in our heads, or use a card catalog, or whatever.

This boomer and my family used that exact cliche to make fun of my father - his house growing up was literally next door to the school.

[chessiegal]

The first time I heard the Nutrisystem ad for their Partner Plan, I thought they said Parker plan. I thought WTH is a Parker plan? Maybe I need one of those hearing aids that are advertised. 😅

[Tom Holmberg]

17 hours ago, chessiegal said:

The first time I heard the Nutrisystem ad for their Partner Plan, I thought they said Parker plan. I thought WTH is a Parker plan? Maybe I need one of those hearing aids that are advertised. 😅

Maybe Parker from State Farm is working there now.

[chessiegal]

2 hours ago, Tom Holmberg said:

Maybe Parker from State Farm is working there now.

That might be a dream diet for those that like their pizza drowning in ranch dressing.😄

[mmecorday]

Girl in the Lumify eyedrops commercial: I can't stop looking at my eyes!

Me: Really? Not even when you're driving? 

[dleighg]

25 minutes ago, mmecorday said:

Girl in the Lumify eyedrops commercial: I can't stop looking at my eyes!

I hate that ad. And I guess I'm kind of freaked out at putting something in my precious eyes that would make them so "luminous."

[peacheslatour]

37 minutes ago, dleighg said:

I hate that ad. And I guess I'm kind of freaked out at putting something in my precious eyes that would make them so "luminous."

I like Lumify but it turns the whites of my eyes blue.

[Ghost of TWOP Past]

7 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

I like Lumify but it turns the whites of my eyes blue.

The brimonidine tartrate must flow! 

[peacheslatour]

12 hours ago, Ghost of TWOP Past said:

The brimonidine tartrate must flow! 

I almost posted a Dune meme with my comment! 😅

[Tom Holmberg]

21 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

I like Lumify but it turns the whites of my eyes blue.

"Don't it make your brown eyes blue" new theme song for Lumify

[meep.meep]

I often wonder why the people chosen to perform in a commercial cannot pronounce the words correctly.  Case in point:  I'm lounging around and a Hershey's commercial comes on.  The tag line appears to be:

"Hershey's wants to heart worm the world"

and my immediate reaction is No Thanks!

[Gharlane]

This commercial makes no sense and makes me think I need to see my ophthalmologist! How are his thighs bigger than his head? 😮

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Gharlane

[PrincessPurrsALot]

23 hours ago, meep.meep said:

I often wonder why the people chosen to perform in a commercial cannot pronounce the words correctly.  Case in point:  I'm lounging around and a Hershey's commercial comes on.  The tag line appears to be:

"Hershey's wants to heart worm the world"

and my immediate reaction is No Thanks!

Do they make heartworm medicine for humans?  I ate some Hershey's and now I'm concerned.  😁

[meep.meep]

See, my interpretation was first that they wanted to give them to me, followed by that they wanted to give me the medicine.  Curse that rampant verbing!

On the flipside, what does "heart warm the world" even mean?

Stay away from Hershey's!

[Red Bridey]

I don't understand why the girl in the summer camp ad for those Galaxy (?) folding phones has an English accent when no one else does. And I don't understand the premise of the ad that the phone is so mesmerizing that you get sucked into it. What phone doesn't nowadays? 

[Crashcourse]

I don't understand the closeup shot of her giant forehead.

[Ancaster]

Judging by these and previous comments I don't think anyone understands anything about the Galaxy ad, not least why we should buy one.

[chessiegal]

Grainger - I've never heard of this company and from their commercials I have no idea what they sell. Hardware?

[dleighg]

Grainger -- I think it is "stuff for businesses" but more mechanical than say, Staples or Office Max

[Browncoat]

1 hour ago, chessiegal said:

Grainger - I've never heard of this company and from their commercials I have no idea what they sell. Hardware?

I love Grainger!  I buy from them a lot for work.  I would categorize them as hardware/construction -- they have everything from screws to shelving to scaffolding, plus a lot of safety-type things (hard hats, flashlights, etc.).