# Again with the annoying commercials! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** commercials-ads\ **Created:** [June 28, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089 "2017-06-28T22:06:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 246
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4906 "2023-12-19T00:18:04Z")
But that’s the point of those commercials, kids aren’t supposed to die like that. Many years ago I saw a commercial about winter safety for pets. A camera moves around at eye level to a dog, and a puddle in a driveway is lapped up. It’s spilled anti freeze. The camera moves slower and slower and the picture gets fuzzy, and then cuts off. Keep stuff like that cleaned up so it won’t kill things! ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4907 "2023-12-19T00:44:18Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > But that’s the point of those commercials, kids aren’t supposed to die like that. Maybe so, but the underlying message of “this kid died because you didn’t give us enough money” is pretty awful. No, they don’t come right out and say that, but you _know_ it’s what they want you to think. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4908 "2023-12-19T00:44:41Z")
I also prefer the Shriners commercials over the St Jude ones, especially since St Jude seems to think they’re the only children’s hospital that matters and (as I’ve said repeatedly) they’ve already got a big fat pile of money. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4909 "2023-12-19T04:24:48Z")
Alka seltzer cold crap- take it, and you will feel good enuf to spread your cold or flu to everyone! This type of commercial needs to be banned. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4910 "2023-12-19T17:36:18Z")
Is that the one where he goes out to ski with friends after taking a couple of Alka Seltzers? Reminds me of years ago there some sinus/mucous remedy commercial where a wafer thin woman was then fit enough to go blat on her saxophone in a band. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4911 "2023-12-19T18:25:54Z")
So I thought I was pretty immune to crappy ads,not having broadcast TV or listening to commercial radio. But recently the podcasts I listen to have upped their advertising. Its super irritating (no hate for the podcasters themselves, they aren’t exactly rolling in money, and most offer paid subscriptions to get rid of the ads which I sign up for where possible). The Disappearing Spoon is particularly irritating to me ATM, its a really great science history podcast but its about 25% or more advert (and doesn’t offer an ad free version) As I am in the DC metro the adverts are often really specific political ads, aimed at beltway insiders. Like "I’m a hardworking American mother and small business owner, and I’m telling congress I oppose HR-1234 to over regulate widget production on the gulf coast. Paid for by the widget manufacturers of America " ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4912 "2023-12-19T20:44:02Z")
I haven’t been in Washington in years, but I used to go there annually on business and I was amused by ads in the Metro for warplanes! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4913 "2023-12-19T21:10:04Z")
> [@salinqmind1](#): > > Is that the one where he goes out to ski with friends after taking a couple of Alka Seltzers? Yep. and then infects them- plus everyone in the ski lodge. Nice guy, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4914 "2023-12-19T21:32:43Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > As I am in the DC metro the adverts are often really specific political ads, aimed at beltway insiders. Like "I’m a hardworking American mother and small business owner, and I’m telling congress I oppose HR-1234 to over regulate widget production on the gulf coast. Paid for by the widget manufacturers of America " Annoying commercials on DC-area radio are the primary reason I listen to streaming audio from elsewhere. Right now, I have Ireland’s [Christmas FM](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-943-s130996/) on; once in a great while they’ll play that super-glurgy “Christmas Shoes” and I’ll switch to one of their [sister](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-Classics-s212791/) [stations.](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-Classical-s277998/) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4915 "2023-12-19T21:48:47Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Annoying commercials on DC-area radio are the primary reason I listen to streaming audio from elsewhere. Right now, I have Ireland’s [Christmas FM](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-943-s130996/) on; once in a great while they’ll play that super-glurgy “Christmas Shoes” and I’ll switch to one of their [sister](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-Classics-s212791/) [stations.](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-Classical-s277998/) - [Patton Oswalt rips the sole out of “Christmas Shoes”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq10bz3PxyY). Edit: I didn’t realize it was edited. Fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4916 "2023-12-19T22:04:05Z")
Y’all realize Shriners and St Jude are in cahoots, don’t you? I don’t mind that. It’s their thing. But the dead kid ads are not good. And please please get some new ads. These are so old. All those kids are way grown up by now. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4917 "2023-12-19T22:05:03Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > on; once in a great while they’ll play that super-glurgy “Christmas Shoes” As long as that horrible song exists in a play list, people can’t complain about “All I want for Christmas is You”. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4918 "2023-12-19T22:12:13Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > And please please get some new ads. These are so old. All those kids are way grown up by now. - [Grinch] That’s what happens when you cure _all_ of 'em. [/Grinch] ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4919 "2023-12-19T22:23:09Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Annoying commercials on DC-area radio are the primary reason I listen to streaming audio from elsewhere. Right now, I have Ireland’s [Christmas FM](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-943-s130996/) on; once in a great while they’ll play that super-glurgy “Christmas Shoes” and I’ll switch to one of their [sister](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-Classics-s212791/) [stations.](https://tunein.com/radio/Christmas-FM-Classical-s277998/) Yeah I’ve never had time for US radio either on the east or west coast. I’ve always listened to British radio online, mainly BBC 6 Music. Its a gripe of mine, as when you hear people coming from the UK to the US in the 60s (like Keith Richards in his autobiography) they are amazed by the awesome US radio stations compared to the dull radio offerings in the UK, and all the different styles of music you’d hear in different radio stations as you drove across the US. Nowadays on road trips across the US you’ll hear exactly the same four classic rock songs (sandwiched between the same 30 minutes of ads) as you go from one Clear-channel owned radio stations to another ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4920 "2023-12-19T23:15:47Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > If I ever go to Omaha, I have words to call them. Loudly. > > (Don’t get me started on their mailings. Gah!!!) Their mailings? But they make over three hundred collections of daily mail from six hundred and one street collection boxes! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4921 "2023-12-19T23:43:25Z")
Excuse me. The crap they mail to my address. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4922 "2023-12-20T01:50:11Z")
[(I was channeling Stan Freberg)](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUDvhVDOquE) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4923 "2023-12-20T02:01:44Z")
Oh, ok. Didn’t know. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4924 "2023-12-20T02:44:08Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > I was amused by ads in the Metro for warplanes! I get these on social media a lot, cos of the DC metro IP address. Again, always super specific, not “yay! military industrial complex!” Instead it’s “introducing the killer death ray v1.34.9(b), 34% more megadeaths per kilowatt than the v1.34.9(a)”. Presumably only relevant (in terms of actually able to influence a decision about whether or not to fund said killer death ray) to an absolutely miniscule demographic, but the contracts are worth so much it’s worth spamming loads of people on the off chance, ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2023, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/4925 "2023-12-20T04:04:14Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > (I was channeling Stan Freberg) Wow, you really went to the dusty corner of the attic for that one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089.md?page=245) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089.md?page=247)