# 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:** 358
**Author:** ![Cachalot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@Cachalot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cachalot)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7147 "2026-02-14T02:03:41Z")
Sometimes the image is very low-res and pixelated, but they aren’t made up of innocuous things. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7148 "2026-02-14T14:38:28Z")
It might be that the image that is stored on the servers is high-res, and at high resolution, it looks like trees and clouds and such, and so it doesn’t trigger YouTube’s filters, but what gets served to you is lower resolution, and the images are cleverly designed to look like nudes at low resolution. This kind of thing has been done forever, but it used to take a lot of artistic skill. Nowadays, it’s fairly easy to create these trick images using computers. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7149 "2026-02-14T21:34:14Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > And yet LeafFilter would have us believe that ladder-climbing is a death sentence for older folks. Too be fair for no good reason, gutter cleaning needs many trips up and down the ladder, and your average person is going to reach too far in an effort to reduce the number of trips up and down. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7150 "2026-02-14T22:01:45Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Too be fair for no good reason, gutter cleaning needs many trips up and down the ladder, and your average person is going to reach too far in an effort to reduce the number of trips up and down. Yeah, I’d say not so good for use older Americans. Not like juggling chainsaws, true, but a good thing to pawn off on someone younger. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7151 "2026-02-17T06:25:27Z")
No! No! No! One trip up, clean them from the roof. You wouldn’t even get dirty! One trip down. It blows my mind people don’t get that! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7152 "2026-02-17T13:28:45Z")
Gutter cleaning is one of those jobs where the best tool is your checkbook. That’s the tool we’ve used for at least 15 years… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7153 "2026-02-17T13:50:00Z")
This thread has really gone into the gutter! There’s a new stupid Liberty insurance commercial getting a lot of airplay. Every Liberty commercial I’ve ever seen has been annoying and dumb, not funny at all, IMO. _Especially_ the ‘park bench with the Statue of Liberty in the background’ ones. This latest one features the actor moron from earlier commercials who pronounces the company name ‘Biberty’. He has a first date meetup at the bench with a young woman moron, and they bond over both calling the company ‘Biberty’. Then they decide to get some lasagna (pronounced with a hard ‘G’) and ‘canoolies’. It’s funny because they both have speech problems! How does that pitch meeting go? “We’ve got a great idea for the next Liberty commercial!” “Great, let’s hear it!” “We have the actor moron character we’ve used before hook up with a young woman, and they both repeatedly mispronounce the name of your company!” “Uhhhh…” ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7154 "2026-02-17T14:10:07Z")
Has it ever been explained why people selling insurance would be wearing white aprons? Or that the initial spokesperson would be an obnoxious woman with too much makeup? It’s so stupid, yet at this point nobody even notices. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7155 "2026-02-17T14:29:03Z")
I just happen to remember the very first Progressive commercial with Flo, and I believe I can answer those questions to your satisfaction! The first Flo commercial had a conceit where you bought insurance as if it were a physical product, like packages in a grocery store. And Flo worked the checkout aisle, wearing an apron, just as if she worked in a grocery store. As for the makeup, ‘Flo’ was originally this sort of out-there wacky character with Goth-y makeup. They eventually softened up both the makeup and the wackiness. Here’s the original 2008 commercial-- I guess Flo’s original look is not so much ‘Goth-y’ as ‘Amy Winehouse Lite’: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J4MYhWFUB0E/hqdefault.jpg "Progressive | Television Commercial | 2008 | Flo Extra Features") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4MYhWFUB0E) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7156 "2026-02-17T14:33:10Z")
I hate the fact that I have Progressive, so I’m subsidizing this shit. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7157 "2026-02-17T14:34:21Z")
Personally, I think the Progressive commercials are Shakespearean comedies compared to the Liberty commercials. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7158 "2026-02-17T14:36:51Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Gutter cleaning is one of those jobs where the best tool is your checkbook. That’s the tool we’ve used for at least 15 years… Hear! Effin’ hear! We pay a local roofer to take care of our gutters every couple of years. We don’t have too many trees that drop leaves on our roof. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7159 "2026-02-17T14:58:01Z")
Icky commercial for Volkswagen. Tween girls wearing school uniforms with plaid skirts, outside the school, when another tween girl comes out. She’s got all kinds of cute accessories, and is that a tattoo on her leg? She struts by with attitude, prompting one of the enviously watching girls to shake out and tousle her own hair like a swimsuit model. Cool girl gets picked up by her mom in a Volkswagen. Tag line: “for families that don’t fit in a box.” So…sexualizing little girls is where we want to go with this campaign? Here’s a link, I can watch it although I don’t have Facebook. > **[2K views · 5 comments | The Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition. For families that...](https://www.facebook.com/vwmarietta/videos/the-volkswagen-atlas-peak-edition-for-families-that-dont-fit-in-a-boxatlas-vw-vw/1704810840410595/)** > > The Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition. For families that don’t fit in a box. > > \#Atlas #VW #VWAtlas ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7160 "2026-02-17T15:04:53Z")
Who is their target demo- the Epstein class? ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7161 "2026-02-17T17:33:41Z")
> [@solost](#): > > he first Flo commercial had a conceit where you bought insurance as if it were a physical product, like packages in a grocery store. And Flo worked the checkout aisle, wearing an apron, just as if she worked in a grocery store. I remember those versions. Back then I had a small accident and the other driver’s insurance (Progressive) paid for the damage. I must say it was a smooth experience with no issues. At that time Flo was visiting repair centers around the country and there was a life sized cardboard Flo at the counter with a sign showing her schedule. I did not get to meet her, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7162 "2026-02-17T18:52:41Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Icky commercial for Volkswagen. Malvina Reynolds must be turning over in her grave. In addition to the ickiness of the commercial, there’s also the (to me) infuriating message that you can express your individuality by buying a product that many thousands of people will also own. Mass market individuality is not individuality at all. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7163 "2026-02-17T19:19:29Z")
I remember this and loved it and still love Flo and all her family and co-workers. “Wow! I say it louder.” ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7164 "2026-02-17T20:18:49Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > and co-workers. I hate Debbie Downer, but I like Jaime and how the cornfield calls to him. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7165 "2026-02-17T21:44:19Z")
> [@solost](#): > > The first Flo commercial had a conceit where you bought insurance as if it were a physical product, like packages in a grocery store. And Flo worked the checkout aisle, wearing an apron, just as if she worked in a grocery store. As for the makeup, ‘Flo’ was originally this sort of out-there wacky character with Goth-y makeup. They eventually softened up both the makeup and the wackiness. Yesbut, now the Flo staff commercials have gotten creepy and stalker-ish. > [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > , and is that a tattoo on her leg? She struts by with attitude, prompting one of the enviously watching girls to shake out and tousle her own hair like a swimsuit model. Cool girl gets picked up by her mom in a Volkswagen Not a tattoo, that is paint from art class. The other girls do that after they see the cool car that she is pic ked up in. In no way is this > [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > sexualizing little girls ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7166 "2026-02-17T21:52:50Z")
@DrDeth, you are absolutely right. But as a dumb-ass consumer, I had to pay way too much attention to that commercial to catch that! It still has a sexy vibe to it, especially with her getting all the male attention. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089.md?page=357) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089.md?page=359)