Say What?: Commercials That Made Us Scratch Our Heads

[Crashcourse]

I don't understand why the wife won't just buy her own stash of Old Spice.

[MagicEyes]

On 8/22/2023 at 11:44 AM, chessiegal said:

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

I still want those Cuckoo Crusties!

3 hours ago, Crashcourse said:

I don't understand why the wife won't just buy her own stash of Old Spice.

I’ve thought that, too. It’s cheap, and they’re rich. They can buy Costco-sized tubs of every flavor of Old Spice.

[Kimboweena]

Amazon commercial, guy buys a laser hair-removal device.  He removes his chest hair to take a "polar plunge."  The voiceover says, "Less hair, more air."  I get that, but why do it for a one-time thing?  I could see if he is a competitive swimmer but didn't seem to be the case.

[Gharlane]

8 hours ago, Kimboweena said:

Amazon commercial, guy buys a laser hair-removal device.  He removes his chest hair to take a "polar plunge."  The voiceover says, "Less hair, more air."  I get that, but why do it for a one-time thing?  I could see if he is a competitive swimmer but didn't seem to be the case.

Ohh, that was a hair removal device? I saw it once and was half-listening when I saw him holding it. I thought it was some kind of cold-water codpiece!

[proserpina65]

On 10/12/2023 at 3:13 PM, Gharlane said:

Ha ha, no, it's not lavender. Our tour guide in Jamaica gave us some crushed leaves from a tree to smell and we all immediately recognized it. I forgot the name, but it wasn't lavender.

Jasmine, maybe?

Am I really suppose to care about a phone having a titanium strip around it?  Cause I don't.

[InDueTime]

I'm wondering why Babbel felt the need to have both a live-action and an animated version of the same ad.

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1Qah/babbel-hotel-pierre-55-off

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1QJG/babbel-hotel-pierre-mary-anne-55-off

 

[Tom Holmberg]

10 hours ago, InDueTime said:

I'm wondering why Babbel felt the need to have both a live-action and an animated version of the same ad.

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1Qah/babbel-hotel-pierre-55-off

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1QJG/babbel-hotel-pierre-mary-anne-55-off

 

For the kids.

[Gharlane]

On 10/17/2023 at 1:30 PM, proserpina65 said:

Am I really suppose to care about a phone having a titanium strip around it?  Cause I don't.

Because it's from outer space?

[Tom Holmberg]

On 10/17/2023 at 12:30 PM, proserpina65 said:

Am I really suppose to care about a phone having a titanium strip around it?  Cause I don't.

But it'll match your Microtouch Titanium Head Shaver!

[mmecorday]

Quote

Am I really suppose to care about a phone having a titanium strip around it?  Cause I don't.

But maybe it's titanium recycled from one of Lt. Dan's magic legs!

Quote

I'm wondering why Babbel felt the need to have both a live-action and an animated version of the same ad.

And Marianne's French is horrible in both versions. 

[chessiegal]

From my experience the 2 times we were in Paris, once you say "bon jour" they know you're an American and they start speaking English. 

[proserpina65]

6 minutes ago, chessiegal said:

From my experience the 2 times we were in Paris, once you say "bon jour" they know you're an American and they start speaking English. 

I actually got complemented on my accent when I was last in Paris.  (Thanks, college French Literature professor who was from Paris.)  Did my best to carry on conversations in French and found that most locals were willing to work with me.  Probably couldn't do it now because I've forgotten a lot of vocabulary.

2 hours ago, Gharlane said:

Because it's from outer space?

Okay, well that's a reason to spend a couple of thousand bucks, I guess. 🥴

[Gharlane]

I keep hearing this commercial on the radio but am sure it's based on a TV one in which a female narrator tells us "My best friends threw me a surprise party. I was not expecting it!". 

 

That's why they call it a "surprise party", dearie. 

 

[Tom Holmberg]

1 hour ago, mmecorday said:

But maybe it's titanium recycled from one of Lt. Dan's magic legs!

And Marianne's French is horrible in both versions. 

But that's probably more realistic than if she spoke French like a native.

[chessiegal]

48 minutes ago, proserpina65 said:

I actually got complemented on my accent when I was last in Paris.  (Thanks, college French Literature professor who was from Paris.)  Did my best to carry on conversations in French and found that most locals were willing to work with me.  Probably couldn't do it now because I've forgotten a lot of vocabulary.

50+ years after 2 years of high school French, the best I can do is Bon Jour and Merci. Especially since the second year was taught by a woman who barely spoke English, except fpr waving her finger at the class yelling "I flunkie, flunkie, flunkie all of you!". Once she got fired, it was too late.

[Tom Holmberg]

1 minute ago, chessiegal said:

50+ years after 2 years of high school French, the best I can do is Bon Jour and Merci.

I took two years of high school Latin, so I'm all set if I ever visit Latin America.

[peacheslatour]

1 hour ago, chessiegal said:

From my experience the 2 times we were in Paris, once you say "bon jour" they know you're an American and they start speaking English. 

My son and I speak a decent amount of French, we both had years of it in school but my poor husband doesn't know any. He got really good at saying " je suis desole, je ne parle pas Francais."

Edited October 24, 2023 by peacheslatour

[Red Bridey]

I don't understand what is going on in the Dolce & Gabbana (?) perfume ad with Katy Perry. It appears to me that the hot guy throws something at her that she catches in her cleavage.  If so, what is it? Money?

[Tom Holmberg]

11 hours ago, Red Bridey said:

I don't understand what is going on in the Dolce & Gabbana (?) perfume ad with Katy Perry. It appears to me that the hot guy throws something at her that she catches in her cleavage.  If so, what is it? Money?

The basic motif of ALL perfume ads is beautiful people doing inexplicable things.

Edited October 25, 2023 by Tom Holmberg

[peacheslatour]

15 hours ago, Red Bridey said:

I don't understand what is going on in the Dolce & Gabbana (?) perfume ad with Katy Perry. It appears to me that the hot guy throws something at her that she catches in her cleavage.  If so, what is it? Money?

It's weird. She's having a great time with a bunch of people and then she looks over at him, glowering at her from the corner and thinks "Uh oh, I'm in trouble now." So she goes and finds him, probably thinking she's going to get what? Yelled at? Hit? Instead, he throws some invisible thing at her and she looks at her cleavage. WHY?

[chessiegal]

Nutrisystem thinks their customers are so stupid they have to color code breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks? Okie dokie then.

[proserpina65]

On 10/25/2023 at 8:58 AM, Tom Holmberg said:

The basic motif of ALL perfume ads is beautiful people doing inexplicable things.

Except for those Johnny Depp Sauvage commercials, which feature a gross, unwashed, smelly-looking person doing inexplicable things.

 

[Tom Holmberg]

2 hours ago, proserpina65 said:

Except for those Johnny Depp Sauvage commercials, which feature a gross, unwashed, smelly-looking person doing inexplicable things.

 

Or formerly beautiful people...

[dleighg]

14 hours ago, Tom Holmberg said:

Or formerly beautiful people...

I still think he's kinda sexy in those ads despite .... everything. I was just in Spain and he's advertising that product in *huge* signs along the streets. I am still attracted. (duck)

[Haleth]

I've said it before that the first time I saw that ad I thought it was a parody.  It's just so over the top weird.

[Red Bridey]

I know I've only seen the truncated versions lately, but I am confused by the new Nespresso commercials with my completely real and totally not made up boyfriend George Clooney. He has failed to explain to me what the heck is going on at that wedding and why he is there with Julia whatshername and that other gorgeous brunette. Are we supposed to know who she is (cuz I don't) and is Julia bisexual because she comes with George and leaves with Gorgeous Brunette? Either way, lucky Julia!

Edited October 27, 2023 by Red Bridey
Clarification

[proserpina65]

7 hours ago, Haleth said:

I've said it before that the first time I saw that ad I thought it was a parody.  It's just so over the top weird.

I initially thought the first one was a parody of that weird-ass Matthew McConaughey Lincoln commercial with the buffalo (or was it a bull?).  The second one with him playing a concert in the desert for wolves was even more bat-shit crazy.

[Bastet]

On 10/27/2023 at 9:27 AM, Red Bridey said:

I know I've only seen the truncated versions lately, but I am confused by the new Nespresso commercials with my completely real and totally not made up boyfriend George Clooney. He has failed to explain to me what the heck is going on at that wedding and why he is there with Julia whatshername and that other gorgeous brunette. Are we supposed to know who she is (cuz I don't) and is Julia bisexual because she comes with George and leaves with Gorgeous Brunette? Either way, lucky Julia!

I just looked it up and I don't know who anyone is other than Clooney, but Nespresso says they're Julia Garner and Simone Ashley.  Here's the one-minute version I found; he and Garner bet on how people drink their Nespresso and because he loses on Ashley's drink, he has to take Garner's little scooter and she gets his car, and when the two women walk out together, he realizes they set him up:

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by Bastet

[Haleth]

Julie Garner was on Ozark. She is a terrific actress and won at least one Emmy for her performance. I don’t know who the other woman is. 

[Red Bridey]

Julia Garner, thank you very much! She had a small but unforgettable role in The Americans, but I could only think of Julia Fox, who...is NOT her. And thanks for posting the full ad; I tend to mute commercials and fast forward so I rarely get the concept right away.

[jcbrown]

On 10/24/2023 at 11:58 AM, Tom Holmberg said:

I took two years of high school Latin, so I'm all set if I ever visit Latin America.

My French tutor's husband once got lost in Vatican City but did not speak Italian. He asked a priest for directions in Latin and was quite successful. So there's another destination for you!

[sempervivum]

Why do so many of the many, many 'medicine' commercials include a voiceover warning potential users that they should tell their doctors if they have diabetes. or heart disease, or are pregnant, or whatever. What kind of doctor's office/clinic doesn't have you fill out a lengthy questionnaire before you even get to an examining room? And what kind of doctor would prescribe a medication without doing blood work, etc.?

[chessiegal]

45 minutes ago, sempervivum said:

Why do so many of the many, many 'medicine' commercials include a voiceover warning potential users that they should tell their doctors if they have diabetes. or heart disease, or are pregnant, or whatever. What kind of doctor's office/clinic doesn't have you fill out a lengthy questionnaire before you even get to an examining room? And what kind of doctor would prescribe a medication without doing blood work, etc.?

Lawyers and, more importantly, the FDA. The disclaimers are required.

[sempervivum]

18 minutes ago, chessiegal said:

Lawyers and, more importantly, the FDA. The disclaimers are required.

While we're on this topic, I wonder what happens with those online outfits that will send you prescription meds without an actual doctor's visit, like HIMS, Musely, Friday Plans, etc.? If some guy tells the online doc that he doesn't have heart disease and then dies after taking the generic Viagra, who has liability? I'm sure the customer/patient signs a waiver or something, but since this business model is easily gamed, I'm amazed that there haven't been lawsuits. 

[Tom Holmberg]

2 minutes ago, sempervivum said:

'm sure the customer/patient signs a waiver or something, but since this business model is easily gamed, I'm amazed that there haven't been lawsuits. 

We can all wait for the lawyer ads suing over $0.83 Viagra.

[Shrek]

WTF is Dolly doing schilling for Cracker Barrel ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[chessiegal]

13 minutes ago, Shrek said:

WTF is Dolly doing schilling for Cracker Barrel ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Making easy money. Dolly strikes me as the someone who would enjoy eating at Cracker Barrell. I have a stepdaughter whose idea of heaven is eating at Cracker Barrell.

[Haleth]

18 hours ago, chessiegal said:

Making easy money

Then probably giving it all away to good causes.  Bless her heart.

[lh25]

On 10/31/2023 at 10:48 AM, sempervivum said:

Why do so many of the many, many 'medicine' commercials include a voiceover warning potential users that they should tell their doctors if they have diabetes. or heart disease, or are pregnant, or whatever. What kind of doctor's office/clinic doesn't have you fill out a lengthy questionnaire before you even get to an examining room? And what kind of doctor would prescribe a medication without doing blood work, etc.?

I love the "don't take XYZ med if you are allergic to it".  Well duh!

[CrystalBlue]

8 hours ago, Haleth said:

Then probably giving it all away to good causes.  Bless her heart.

I haven't seen Dolly's Cracker Barrel commercial, but I think she likes to support down home country stuff, so that makes sense.  She probably did it as a hoot, or as a favor to someone, and yes, giving the proceeds to charity.

[Moose135]

On 10/24/2023 at 1:54 PM, chessiegal said:

once you say "bon jour" they know you're an American and they start speaking English. 

Makes me think of this old classic:

 

[mbluecpa]

These have been on for some time for various products: the “Brand Power” commercials with a spokesperson in front of shelves full of the same product, currently some variety of Dawn. Are they trying to make it look like some sort of Consumer Reports-type reporting vs an ad? At first I thought that Brand Power was a consolidator of sorts to offer smaller advertisers bulk prices, but don’t think Procter & Gamble benefit from that.  

[CrystalBlue]

3 hours ago, mbluecpa said:

These have been on for some time for various products: the “Brand Power” commercials with a spokesperson in front of shelves full of the same product, currently some variety of Dawn. Are they trying to make it look like some sort of Consumer Reports-type reporting vs an ad? At first I thought that Brand Power was a consolidator of sorts to offer smaller advertisers bulk prices, but don’t think Procter & Gamble benefit from that.  

The spokesperson is a blonde woman?  I think it's like an ad within an ad type of thing where they're pretending to recommend the best brand.  I think because it's called Brand Power that they are trying to counteract the consumers' purchases of the store brand or competitors.  Like, don't buy just any old dish soap, buy Dawn!  So it's really a commercial for Proctor and Gamble's Dawn dishwashing soap.

Edited November 9, 2023 by CrystalBlue

[peacheslatour]

35 minutes ago, CrystalBlue said:

The spokesperson is a blonde woman?  I think it's like an ad within an ad type of thing where they're pretending to recommend the best brand.  I think because it's called Brand Power that they are trying to counteract the consumers' purchases of the store brand or competitors.  Like, don't buy just any old dish soap, buy Dawn!  So it's really a commercial for Proctor and Gamble's Dawn dishwashing soap.

I used to think it was some kind of co-op advertising but yeah, it's just P&G.

[Gharlane]

5 hours ago, mbluecpa said:

These have been on for some time for various products: the “Brand Power” commercials with a spokesperson in front of shelves full of the same product, currently some variety of Dawn. Are they trying to make it look like some sort of Consumer Reports-type reporting vs an ad? At first I thought that Brand Power was a consolidator of sorts to offer smaller advertisers bulk prices, but don’t think Procter & Gamble benefit from that.  

Yeah, the commercial is sppsd to appear to be form some sort of consumer advocacy 

[Ancaster]

On 11/2/2023 at 2:04 PM, Moose135 said:

Makes me think of this old classic:

 

Wow, I'd never seen this before and it actually made me laugh!  And it was an ad for insurance of all things, usually an immediate remote lunge trigger. 

[Ancaster]

Dear God, why is it so hard to navigate to the Commercials part of this site?

Anyway, back on topic:

For whatever reason, I'm being bombarded by ads for Botox for normal people who just want to look a bit younger/lose the frown lines etc.  In the first one, which played a few times and was pretty innocuous, the person did actually look a bit younger while still looking normal.  Now though they're playing lots of different ads with people who are looking more and more fake, and there's one where for some reason the woman's totally smooth forehead just makes me focus on her unattractive gummy smile, probably not the desired effect.  Or do some people find gummy smiles and plastic foreheads attractive?

Just me?

[chessiegal]

The first time my husband saw a Botox Cosmetic ad, he said - are people really that vain?

[dleighg]

17 hours ago, chessiegal said:

The first time my husband saw a Botox Cosmetic ad, he said - are people really that vain?

I know. Somehow these people are scrutinizing their "forehead lines" in the mirror (or more likely, photos) than I am ever likely to do, or care about.

[PrincessPurrsALot]

8 hours ago, dleighg said:

I know. Somehow these people are scrutinizing their "forehead lines" in the mirror (or more likely, photos) than I am ever likely to do, or care about.

We all perceive more supposed flaws in our faces than others see.  It would help if they chose people who appear to have any lines.  The woman with the six thousand kids (or so it seems) started with no lines at all.  If her forehead was an ice skating rink, they wouldn't need a zamboni.  It's hard to say Botox works when the person has no  lines to soften.