# 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:** 364
**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:** [March 13, 2026, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7267 "2026-03-13T17:20:33Z")
“I almost made the biggest mistake of my life” intones some guy, and then come to find out he almost bought the wrong pillow. What sort of life could someone live wherein that would be their biggest mistake? ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7268 "2026-03-14T08:40:52Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Your tub’s wall is higher than your knees? No wonder you can’t get in! I’m late to the party, but the tub in my mom’s bathroom (in a house built in 2006) features a giant tub with sides that hit halfway up my thigh. I would struggle to get into the thing; I can’t imagine trying to climb in or out when it’s full of soapy water. She’s not into baths, and has seriously considered having the tub removed and replaced with something useful, but she worries about the resale value of the house. So she stores things on the tiled sides, and has a large clothes drying rack standing in the tub itself. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7269 "2026-03-14T18:38:14Z")
A buddy of mine was renovating his house to turn into an airbnb, and he put in a large, free-standing tub with walls almost to my crotch. I get that it makes for a good soak to relax in, but I struggle with how he thought getting in and out would work. Situation changed and he never did the rental thing. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7270 "2026-03-15T16:26:16Z")
Yeah, that guy seems to think every purchase he makes is avoiding some sort of calamity. I’ve heard the same narrator and pitch for knives and other products. ---
**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:** [March 16, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7271 "2026-03-16T13:42:56Z")
It seems like we’re overdue for complaining about online gambling commercials, so let me pick up the slack a bit. They seem to be about 75% of all commercials anymore. I just feel bad for all the people who have been hooked by these ads, and are probably throwing their money away while telling themselves they are having fun. FanDuel has a commercial series where people describe themselves as ‘Thrillionaires’. It occurs to me that anyone who’s a dedicated ‘_Thrillionaire_’ is probably never going to save enough money to became a _millionaire_ in retirement. Bet MGM has had several commercials featuring Jon Hamm. I feel disappointed in him for doing those. I know a lot of actors and comedians have been doing online gambling commercials, so I don’t know why it particularly bothers me that he is doing them, but it seems beneath him. He’s not exactly hurting for acting work; how much money does he _need_? I guess it’s a ‘strike while the iron’s hot’ thing, but have some standards. Shilling for say, a mobile phone company is one thing-- people actually need phone service. Nobody needs to gamble. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7272 "2026-03-16T14:26:55Z")
Tangentially, I’ve noticed a lot more prominently-placed stories about people winning big at the local casinos or the CA lottery in the Sacramento Bee. What passes for “journalism” to them has been declining steadily for at least 10 years, but I really think they should shut up about the gambling “successes.” People of average means are having a tough enough time right now without the false hope that an instant solution to their problems lies in buying a few scratchers. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7273 "2026-03-16T20:18:08Z")
> [@solost](#): > > They seem to be about 75% of all commercials anymore. We get mostly pharma ads. Having consulted at a casino, I love the fact that they show classy dressed up people, and not older people in shorts and a tshirt. No glamor. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7274 "2026-03-16T21:45:06Z")
How’r they supposed to show the stank of desperation? I agree they only show the beautiful people, at the height of their fertility and virility, and always winning! Remember the old saying “A casino wasn’t built on _winners_.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7275 "2026-03-16T23:17:16Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Remember the old saying “A casino wasn’t built on _winners_.” So true. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7276 "2026-03-16T23:24:10Z")
> [@solost](#): > > It seems like we’re overdue for complaining about online gambling commercials, so let me pick up the slack a bit. They seem to be about 75% of all commercials anymore. This is, of course, going to vary wildly by where you live (i.e., in a state where online sports gambling is legal), and what you’re watching (sports programming, and sports-adjacent programming, have a lot of it). > [@solost](#): > > I just feel bad for all the people who have been hooked by these ads, and are probably throwing their money away while telling themselves they are having fun. Absolutely. Gambling – and sports gambling, in particular – has become way too accessible, and way too easy to lose great wads of money now. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7277 "2026-03-17T01:13:45Z")
I kept seeing one before the Super Bowl that I meant to post here but didn’t get around to it. Two men are watching football and yelling at the TV. A woman appears and says something like “It’s a very emotional time of the year so what’s the best thing to do when you’re emotional? Gamble!” Uh, no. That shit really pisses me off. The apps are designed to addict you and keep you addicted. I recently read a story in The Atlantic by a writer who was given $10,000 to bet with and learn about the industry. It’s long but well worth reading. Free link. [My Year as a Degenerate Sports Gambler - The Atlantic](https://archive.ph/Z2mCH) ---
**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:** [March 17, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7278 "2026-03-17T01:35:59Z")
Yes, I read that article too. They say if you have teenage male he’s most likely online gambling. It’s a very popular activity it seems. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7279 "2026-03-17T15:47:11Z")
Yeah, my nephew was playing online poker (which is probably a bit different than the gambling apps? No?) when he was in his early 20s. He claimed he made money, but he stopped playing after a short while. Thank goodness. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7280 "2026-03-17T16:07:07Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Yeah, my nephew was playing online poker (which is probably a bit different than the gambling apps? No?) Somewhat different, but it is (or at least was) still online gambling. Online poker playing for money was [largely shut down in the U.S. in 2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Scheinberg). Both online poker and online sports wagering have largely taken advantage of people with addictive personalities, and particularly with young men, and a relatively small number of players are the ones making any significant money doing it. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7281 "2026-03-17T16:13:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Online poker playing for money was [largely shut down in the U.S. in 2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Scheinberg). Ha! No wonder he stopped playing it. Duh. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7282 "2026-03-17T16:14:45Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > He claimed he made money _Maybe_ he did — playing poker well does take some skill, after all. But casinos and gambling apps count on people losing track of how much they’ve put in. You can win often enough to trick yourself into thinking you’re coming out ahead in the long run, even though you’ve actually lost. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7283 "2026-03-17T18:52:52Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > _Maybe_ he did — playing poker well does take some skill, after all. Poker is different in that you are playing against other people, not the undefeated champion of the house percentage. The rake is of course eating at your stake, but (as a non-player) it seems less inevitable that it will take all your money (as opposed to your opponents). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7284 "2026-03-17T20:00:02Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Poker is different in that you are playing against other people, not the undefeated champion of the house percentage. The rake is of course eating at your stake, but (as a non-player) it seems less inevitable that it will take all your money (as opposed to your opponents). Yep, the laws of averages arent as against you as on other games. ---
**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:** [March 18, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7285 "2026-03-18T16:34:45Z")
One recent one is the Chase bank where the doofus is “finally updating their kitchen”. I _think_ the point is, he’s been “planning” for so long it is a joke. But they do such a bad job. He goes from clean shaven to beard to back, his wife has a child or is pregnant. It makes no damn sense! I think the scenes were shot fine, but edited into some random order. Annoying! But, I do like to say “yea-ess!” like he does. Ironically, of course. 🙂 The second is the one for the new colon cancer screening that only requires a blood test. It takes the, ahem, low road by showing people taking too long on the terlet waiting for the perfect poop that they can then slice and send the sample. The daughter is all “Dad! I need to use the bathroom!” But it doesn’t make any difference if he’s trying to get a sample, or just making a normal deposit. It’s going to take as long as it takes. No blood test is going to alter time or speed up the harvest. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089/7286 "2026-03-26T17:53:00Z")
This one is just silly, but I do feel a bit annoyed that it insults the intelligence even more than most other ads: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VlR4k6-FsVk/maxresdefault.jpg "Beanz Meanz Heinz Too Good to Leave Behind Full 60 Second Ad 📺📺#tellyads #heinz") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlR4k6-FsVk) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089.md?page=363) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/again-with-the-annoying-commercials/790089.md?page=365)