Commercials That Annoy, Irritate or Outright Enrage

[janie jones]

He may or may not be an asshole, but I wish I could yell "fancy prance" at a horse and they'd do it.

 

So I don't know what car company this is an ad for, but they show this cop passing the guy in the advertised car in order to check it out.  They show the cop passing on the left (or at least the driver is in the right lane on a two-lane road, so one deduces that the cop passes on the left).  Then they show the cop looking at the car, but he's looking at it through the driver's side window, which would have to mean he's passing on the right.  So...is the cop passing on the shoulder?  WTF?  I'm pretty sure they show the cop getting back over in the proper lane from having passed on the left.

 

Also, this woman seems like a jerk.

Edited February 18, 2016 by janie jones

[RCharter]

OMG you guys, I just heard the exciting and joyous news and I had to tell you all immediately.....Macy's is having a one day sale!  

 

Suits $99.99! luggage 25% off! Necklace set $67.99!

 

You can thank me later, because you never know when such a special opportunity will come around again!

Edited February 18, 2016 by RCharter

[Cobalt Stargazer]

Also, this woman seems like a jerk.

 

"The guy who came into my store last week has had Thus and Such for thirty years. I looked at him and said, 'Are you kidding? I've been here for fourteen, where have you been?' "

 

Firstly, what the hell kind of thing is that to say to someone? Regardless of how long she's been there, the guy is clearly in some kind of pain and has been for a while. Isn't her job to help him solve the problem, not question his logic that it's taken him so long? Maybe he'd never heard of the Good Feet store. I'd never heard of the Good Feet store, so maybe a lot of other people haven't either. Jerk.

 

Also, I notice that the ad calls her an "arch support specialist". Which is something I've also never heard of. Is everyone in commercials going to be a specialist of some kind? Or at least the people who do the work instead of just shilling for a product? So many questions.

[LoneHaranguer]

 

Oprah bought a huge stake in Weight Watchers, so is she doing the commercials for free? Or does she draw a salary for these ad spots from the very company she partly owns? That sounds kind of shady. Invest millions into WW then get the money back in ad spots while still maintaining the same stake.

Why is that shady? It's pretty normal for top execs to earn money working for their company while owning a big piece of it. In terms of ones who've appeared on TV, well known examples include Hugh Hefner, Lee Iacocca, Col Sanders, Dave Thomas and his daughter, Wendy. There was also a fellow who had an ad saying he liked a shaver so much, he bought the company (and put himself in the ads).

[mmecorday]

Wow, this really takes me back:

[iMonrey]

 

It's pretty normal for top execs to earn money working for their company while owning a big piece of it. In terms of ones who've appeared on TV, well known examples include Hugh Hefner, Lee Iacocca, Col Sanders, Dave Thomas and his daughter, Wendy. There was also a fellow who had an ad saying he liked a shaver so much, he bought the company (and put himself in the ads).

 

Everyone knows that Hefner, Iacocca, Col Sanders and Dave Thomas are the owners/presidents of Playboy, Chrysler, KFC and Wendys. Oprah owning Weight Watchers? I'm not sure how well known that is. She didn't create the brand and has only recently been associated with it. I guess if she said something in her ad spots like "This is why I bought a huge stake in this company" it wouldn't seem a bit shady to me.

[Amethyst]

Major ugh to the University of Phoenix commercial.  In addition to the shady practices of the "school" and the awful twee singing mentioned here, I can't stand the last bit when the girl holds up her hand to the security guard when it's time to leave.  He's only doing his job, and he's ready to go home like everyone else, so pack up your crap and get out.  

 

Already a bad commercial, but that's a major pet peeve of mine.

[Prevailing Wind]

Y'know, those Liberty Mutual ads - depending on the angle of our view of the Statue, those idiots live either in Brooklyn or New Jersey.  I think I'll stay the hell away from there.

[Jamoche]

But is it the most sensuous of the cured meat products?

That would be the "girthy" sausages.

[Watcher0363]

But is it the most sensuous of the cured meat products?

 

 

No, that's pastrami.

 

 

For me it's hotdogs.

 

 

That would be the "girthy" sausages.

Every Foodie knows it's the Schweddy Balls that are the most sensual.

[Aquarius]

Also, this woman seems like a jerk.

 

And then some.  It's a good thing we're not sitting in an actual room together, because I'd smack that smug right off her face.

[RCharter]

Major ugh to the University of Phoenix commercial.  In addition to the shady practices of the "school" and the awful twee singing mentioned here, I can't stand the last bit when the girl holds up her hand to the security guard when it's time to leave.  He's only doing his job, and he's ready to go home like everyone else, so pack up your crap and get out.  

 

Already a bad commercial, but that's a major pet peeve of mine.

OMG, totally agree with you!  It's not okay to make the condescending finger gesture to anyone no matter what school you are going to, but bitch, you are going to the fucking University of Phoenix, so you have no cause to be condescending to anyone, ever in your entire life.  If I were that security guard I would have locked her silly ass in the building and shut off the lights.  Oh really?  You want to be condescending, well you can sleep here, good luck with that.  I don't care if you're in the Harvard library, you don't do that to people who are working the facility.  If you need a few extra minutes you turn around and use your words, like one human being talking to another human being.  I know you're you feel like your leaps and bounds above him because of your illustrious studies at a school most have called a degree mill, but he is still a human being and deserves a little respect.

[meep.meep]

Every Foodie knows it's the Schweddy Balls that are the most sensual.

I'm afraid not....

Vivian: You...very knowledgeable.

George: Well, I'm also an architect. Is that pastrami?

Vivian: Yes it is. I find the pastrami to be the most sensual of all the salted cured meats. Hungry?

George: Very.

[They kiss and fall down to the floor.]

 

Shweddy Balls only appeal to people who really like NPR.

[Ubiquitous]

Toyota has another installment in their "Enjoy the Go!" ad campaign (or whatever it is) with those bank robbers using a Pius as their escape car in which the cops fight fire with fire by getting a Pius police car so they can capture them. Um, yeah.

[Prevailing Wind]

I thought "Enjoy the Go" was a toilet paper ad.  Prius = asswipe. Works for me.

[Sandman87]

Given the way that guy is driving, maybe his passengers are "enjoying the go" in the same way as that one bank robber did in the opening scene of The Transporter.

[SmithW6079]

Allright...general question to the board. What do you all think of the Amazon Alexa commercials with Alec Baldwin/Jason Schwartzman (sp)?

I think I hate them, but I feel like I shouldn't because I really loved Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock. Please, fellow snarkers, show me the way....

Basically, they're saying Alexa is used by asshole Hollywood douchebags, and if you want to be one too, get Alexa. And Alec is especially douchey because he's more concerned about his pretentious socks than his friend in prison. At least that what they say to me.

[RCharter]

Basically, they're saying Alexa is used by asshole Hollywood douchebags, and if you want to be one too, get Alexa. And Alec is especially douchey because he's more concerned about his pretentious socks than his friend in prison. At least that what they say to me.

This is my knee jerk reaction to the commercial too.  But, I don't know who wants to be like the people they are portraying in the commercials.  It's sad, I loved Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock, and every commercial he does is a riff on that character....but this one has got to be the very worst.  I'm not going to feel like buying an Alexa if you use it to order cashmere socks after you throw your shoes....how is this suppose to appeal to normal people?

 

Thank you for the confirmation, I've decided its okay for me to hate it.  :)

[BW Manilowe]

I think Alexa's just the name they chose to give to the female voice on the Amazon device--like Siri on Apple devices & Cortana on Windows devices. The Amazon thing is actually called Amazon Echo.

[mmecorday]

Maybe it's the fact that "The Birds" traumatized me when I saw it as a young child, but I don't think this commercial is funny at all:

 

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/AZPt/farmers-insurance-turkey-jerks-featuring-jk-simmons

[CarpeDiem54]

I think Alexa's just the name they chose to give to the female voice on the Amazon device--like Siri on Apple devices & Cortana on Windows devices. The Amazon thing is actually called Amazon Echo.

The Amazon Echo has three "wake up" names you can use - Alexa, Amazon or Echo. I love mine.

[CarpeDiem54]

I hate these lying liers at Laser Spine Institute. I have spinal stenosis and there's no way these douchebags can fix it with a 1 inch incision and you waltz out and go back to work the next day. I have it in my neck. It's a horrendous procedure (they have to go in from the front of your neck) and you're laid up and in a very restrictive neck brace for about three months. I even asked my doctor about these clowns. He said if I'd like to be paralyzed from the neck down, they'd be the way to go.

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7FCy/laser-spine-institute-dont-put-it-off

[LoneHaranguer]

 

Oprah owning Weight Watchers? I'm not sure how well known that is. She didn't create the brand and has only recently been associated with it. I guess if she said something in her ad spots like "This is why I bought a huge stake in this company" it wouldn't seem a bit shady to me.

What difference does it make if they're paying a random celebrity to be in an ad or one that has some other financial connection also? They're not mentioning her stake because it has nothing to do with the pitch they're making.

[Sandman87]

Tukol the phlegm ejector.  No, seriously.  Ugh.

 

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/AZSQ/tukol-the-phlegm-ejector

One of Marvel's least popular super-villains. "Tremble, you fools! Tremble before the congested might of Tukol the Phlegm Ejector!"

[Aquarius]

Maybe it's the fact that "The Birds" traumatized me when I saw it as a young child, but I don't think this commercial is funny at all:

 

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/AZPt/farmers-insurance-turkey-jerks-featuring-jk-simmons

 

I hate it because "turkey jerks."  Is a "turkey jerk" even a thing?  Do I even want to know?

[Jamoche]

Turkeys, apparently, can actually be jerks: 

[Brattinella]

I LOVE this video!  That poor man, every single day. He has the patience of a saint.

[LuciaMia]

Glad somebody mentioned that aggravating Horse Whisperer ad.  Just what we need, another white guy trying to act all street thug.

[brickthru the tv]

Y'know, those Liberty Mutual ads - depending on the angle of our view of the Statue, those idiots live either in Brooklyn or New Jersey.  I think I'll stay the hell away from there.

I'd like to be rich enough to buy that park or whatever they stand across from the statue and then the commercials would go away

[NikSac]

I hate these lying liers at Laser Spine Institute. I have spinal stenosis and there's no way these douchebags can fix it with a 1 inch incision and you waltz out and go back to work the next day. I have it in my neck. It's a horrendous procedure (they have to go in from the front of your neck) and you're laid up and in a very restrictive neck brace for about three months. I even asked my doctor about these clowns. He said if I'd like to be paralyzed from the neck down, they'd be the way to go.

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7FCy/laser-spine-institute-dont-put-it-off

Darn it! I really wanted to believe that one. I didn't, but I wanted to. Thanks for sharing what your doc said.

[NikSac]

I hate it because "turkey jerks." Is a "turkey jerk" even a thing? Do I even want to know?

I dunno if it's a thing beyond this but my mom used to say it years ago (as in 25+ years ago). It was just a phrase to describe a person who was acting like a jerk and turkey snuck its way in there somehow. She used it sort of the way people sometimes use douchebag to describe some people in more recent years.

[Cobalt Stargazer]

I hate it because "turkey jerks."  Is a "turkey jerk" even a thing?  Do I even want to know?

 

I'm just glad he actually said "turkey jerks" instead of "circle jerks", which is what I heard the first time around and was all O.O about it.

[iMonrey]

I can't believe Steve Harvey is cashing in on what should have been a career-ending flub. I mean - good on him for owning it I guess, but - it annoys me that he's actually getting more work out of this by poking fun at himself. I bet Miss Columbia doesn't think his commercial is very funny.

 

 

What difference does it make if they're paying a random celebrity to be in an ad or one that has some other financial connection also? They're not mentioning her stake because it has nothing to do with the pitch they're making.

 

Doesn't it? There's a difference between someone saying "This weight loss program works for me, you should try it!' and someone saying "I own a huge stake in this company . . . so buy my crap." Oprah isn't just pushing WW because she thinks their program works. She never endorsed them before she owned a piece of the pie, so to speak. Does she really believe it works or is she just pushing it to make more money?

Edited February 19, 2016 by iMonrey

[RCharter]

One of Marvel's least popular super-villains. "Tremble, you fools! Tremble before the congested might of Tukol the Phlegm Ejector!"

I keep thinking Tukol should be a mascot of some sort, but all it is is the word "PHLEGM" written in scary green font.  Given the name of the product they are really missing an opportunity to have a mascot.

 

Although, I thought of you all the other day when I was in Target and saw some Tukol on the shelf.

I can't believe Steve Harvey is cashing in on what should have been a career-ending flub. I mean - good on him for owning it I guess, but - it annoys me that he's actually getting more work out of this by poking fun at himself. I bet Miss Columbia doesn't think his commercial is very funny.

 

 

Doesn't it? There's a difference between someone saying "This weight loss program works for me, you should try it!' and someone saying "I own a huge stake in this company . . . so buy my crap." Oprah isn't just pushing WW because she thinks their program works. She never endorsed them before she owned a piece of the pie, so to speak. Does she really believe it works or is she just pushing it to make more money?

I see your point, but her ownership stake in WW was such big news that I think anyone who has a concern about her sincerity in the product because of it is on notice to stay away.  Many corporate officers own stock in their company, and speak on behalf of the company, just not in advertisements.  But a CEO at a company ostensibly will own stock and will be the one talking to CNBC or Bloomberg publicly about company performance.  Which can also be a conflict of interest, an even greater one since they are normally reporting on projected company performance (it'll be great!) because they want people to buy their stock (I believe the head of Sunbeam got in trouble for that, he projected huge earnings publicly and it was a bunch of accounting magic).

[3pwood]

Aren't all celebrity endorsements paid for?  I honestly don't know, but we hear about sports figures having endorsement contracts with Nike, etc. -- isn't it the same for other celebrities?  I always assumed that Angela Lansbury was paid to tout Bufferin, which I assume she wouldn't have done if she thought it was useless or bad, but also wouldn't have done unless she was hired to do the job.

[90PercentGravity]

Turkey jerk sounds like a Caribbean diet dish from WW.

[MaryPatShelby]

Toyota has another installment in their "Enjoy the Go!" ad campaign (or whatever it is) with those bank robbers using a Pius as their escape car in which the cops fight fire with fire by getting a Pius police car so they can capture them. Um, yeah.

If we're talking about the same commercial, those bank robbers were Frank, Nick, and Ziggy Sabotka (Sobotka?) from season 2 of The Wire.  I don't care if it's dumb; I love it!

Edited February 20, 2016 by MaryPatShelby

[BW Manilowe]

I can't believe Steve Harvey is cashing in on what should have been a career-ending flub. I mean - good on him for owning it I guess, but - it annoys me that he's actually getting more work out of this by poking fun at himself. I bet Miss Columbia doesn't think his commercial is very funny.

Doesn't it? There's a difference between someone saying "This weight loss program works for me, you should try it!' and someone saying "I own a huge stake in this company . . . so buy my crap." Oprah isn't just pushing WW because she thinks their program works. She never endorsed them before she owned a piece of the pie, so to speak. Does she really believe it works or is she just pushing it to make more money?

Responding to the bolded. Probably neither does Miss Colombia, with an O instead of a U, who actually got screwed by the Miss Universe mistake. Just saying.

[RCharter]

Responding to the bolded. Probably neither does Miss Colombia, with an O instead of a U, who actually got screwed by the Miss Universe mistake. Just saying.

Its great to have the spelling police on the scene.  Do you drive a Prius?

[TattleTeeny]

Its great to have the spelling police on the scene.  Do you drive a Prius?

I am actually a paid spelling police in real life, but this made me laugh anyway.

[Ohwell]

Responding to the bolded. Probably neither does Miss Colombia, with an O instead of a U, who actually got screwed by the Miss Universe mistake. Just saying.

Honestly, we really don't need the spelling police.  Please?  We all are gonna make mistakes typing stuff. 

[Cobalt Stargazer]

Man. Jeff Goldblum should not ever sing. Ever.

[TattleTeeny]

But did Miss Colombia get screwed, really? She didn't have the title before she walked into the contest and didn't have it after either. So, while it definitely sucks that she thought she won, her life wasn't any worse than it was before.

Edited February 20, 2016 by TattleTeeny

[TattleTeeny]

...Unless of course, she has some maniac family with a "win or it's the dungeon for you" philosophy.

[Demented Daisy]

I was recently pulled over by the spelling police (same officer).  I decided not to embarrass the officer by refraining from pointing out the glaring error he/she made in his/her post when pointing out my typo.  Maybe I should have; I might have had a better chance of fighting the ticket in spelling court.

 

Hmm.  Probably a good idea.  The officer might have transferred you to a member of the grammar police.  That officer would point out that what you probably mean is, "I decided not to embarrass the officer, so I refrained from pointing out...."

[SmithW6079]

I LOVE this video! That poor man, every single day. He has the patience of a saint.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Nor, apparently, turkeys.

[90PercentGravity]

No one would have spent 5 minutes talking about ms Colombia if he hadn't flubbed.

[NewDigs]

Ay yi yi.

Spelling and grammar and geography police, oh my!

Turkey jerk? Sounds like a dance.

And I would think that Miss Colombia has had more attention because of that mistake.

FWIW I had already forgotten Steve Harvey was the culprit. Guess I missed his cashing in.

Yay!

[SoSueMe]

One of my previous cats used to love getting on the table and licking the butter.  She loved it.

 

Also, she would eat raw lettuce whenever I let her do it!  (I even have a pic!)

Ha! Our shepherd/husky mix (RIP Bear) used to go into the garden and pick himself a head of lettuce occasionally.

[photo fox]

Okay, the real police are here - see my shield? - asking everyone to let the grammar/spelling thing go. Thanks.