# Another "what were they thinking?" commercial thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 14, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983 "2012-12-14T01:28:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/21 "2012-12-14T13:11:32Z")
> [@Tess](#): > > The Civic commercial with the blonde tween. > Teen drivers are being told that if they get a Civic their bratty little sister will destroy their social lives. Parents are told if they get this car for their 16-year-old, their younger child will get brought along to unsupervised house parties. > Which group is supposed to be more excited? I agree with you. How is this supposed to improve Civic sales? Although that “Tuesday Is The Best Day Of the Week” song is pretty darn catchy … On another car-related campaign, how about Toyota and their “Jan” character? The actress has been the face and voice of Toyota commercials for quite some time now, and while she’s certainly attractive, there’s just something about her voice and phrasing that makes me not think good thoughts about Toyota vehicles. Plus, in the latest round of ads, she’s actually working at a Toyota dealership. When you recall one of the first commercials she was in featured her giving a Toyota salesman a lie-detector test (including the question, “Do you find me irresistably attractive?”), having her now work at a dealership just seems all sorts of stalker-ish. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/22 "2012-12-14T14:37:32Z")
The casino/resort commercial with the people talk-singing Bohemian Rhapsody. I have no idea what I’m supposed to take from that. In fact, the only message I’ve ever gotten from it is “You’ll be accosted by thugs in the poolside lounge” but I’m fairly confident that’s not what they pitched in the ad meeting. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/23 "2012-12-14T14:54:55Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I never thought about it, but \*I \*don’t neccessarily equate John Goodman with “All American”. It’s been too many years for a \*Roseanne \*connection, so what exactly makes you think “all American”? Intersting theory, though. For me, it’s Roseanne and the general blue collar (but classy) way in which he carries himself. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/24 "2012-12-14T14:55:41Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > I’m surprised/amused (and perhaps a little delighted) that Folgers Coffee is bringing back the [holiday incest commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOQk_pWmisA) again this year. _shrug_ It’s never seemed incesty to me. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/25 "2012-12-14T14:57:49Z")
> [@Tess](#): > > The Civic commercial with the blonde tween. > Teen drivers are being told that if they get a Civic their bratty little sister will destroy their social lives. Parents are told if they get this car for their 16-year-old, their younger child will get brought along to unsupervised house parties. > Which group is supposed to be more excited? I am pretty sure the are playing the long game for the bratty little sister demographic. As for the Folger’s comercial, my wife is convinced that the actors were banging during production. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/26 "2012-12-14T14:59:16Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I cannot figure out the appeal of the new “Southern Comfort” ad campaign, featuring a squat little fat man, probably in his late 40’s or early 50’s with a big bushy moustache and curly, but balding hair, walkimg on the beach in a speedo carrying a glass of “Southern Comfort” to the tune “i gotta be me.”. He’s even wearing the mirrored sunglasses if I remember right. > > The guy screams “skeevy pedophile looking at your 12 year old daughter. That’s why I wear these sunglasses.” > > His fat, squat, Danny Devito physique is also unpleasant to see in a speedo. I will never drink Southern Comfort because of this commercial. > > Does anyone get this? I kinda do. Southern Comfort isn’t considered good, or classy, and the commercial is basically saying they’re fine with that, just do whatever makes you feel good and ignore the haters. Even though the guy is overweight and hairy, he’s confident enough to wear a Speedo, and in his mind, he’s bad ass…and isn’t that what drinking is all about 🆒 Mine is also the State Farm ones. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there - with a hot tub - and the girls from apartment 36 B. The first time I saw this, I’m thinking, wait, they’ll give you random shit…and broads! Just like a genie? I still don’t get the connection between State Farm giving you anything you wish for (including humans), and insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/27 "2012-12-14T15:15:07Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Well shut my mouth! I would have bet the farm that that is Dolly. So now I’m thinking I can’t be the only one who thinks it sounds like her, and either way, it just strikes me as totally unsuitable. Thanks for the education. I always thought it sounded like her but just a little different. I did wonder though if it was her. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/28 "2012-12-14T15:15:54Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > I kinda do. Southern Comfort isn’t considered good, or classy, and the commercial is basically saying they’re fine with that, just do whatever makes you feel good and ignore the haters. Even though the guy is overweight and hairy, he’s confident enough to wear a Speedo, and in his mind, he’s bad ass…and isn’t that what drinking is all about 🆒 > > Mine is also the State Farm ones. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there - with a hot tub - and the girls from apartment 36 B. The first time I saw this, I’m thinking, wait, they’ll give you random shit…and broads! Just like a genie? I still don’t get the connection between State Farm giving you anything you wish for (including humans), and insurance. I liked the one with “Person with blah blah insurance come help” ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/29 "2012-12-14T15:33:28Z")
‘Six callers ahead of us Jimmy!’ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/30 "2012-12-14T16:24:36Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > I can’t imagine what the Febreze people were thinking with their awful ad campaign, where they lead blindfolded people into filthy, squalid rooms piled high with garbage. Supposedly Febreze covers the smell, but we at home can’t smell it; we can only react to the hideous visuals. All I get from the commercial is a visceral association of Febreze with repulsion and disgust. Ugh. In addition to the natural nausea most people feel with that commercial, I also have delirium-induced stress because this ad played CONSTANTLY back in January/February of this year when I was fighting sepsis and hallucinating very bad things. That and the Esurance ads with the twangy guitar music. Both of them still make my stomach knot up a little when I see or hear them. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/31 "2012-12-14T16:34:06Z")
> [@laina\_f](#): > > Progressive’s Flo creeps me out, but apparently some people find her endearing. I hate her so much that I will never buy their insurance. Have you noticed that GEICO is never on their rate comparison chart? Their new commercial [Meet the Policy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Eri57Kx38) is definitely a “what the hell?” All I can think is that their insurance must be overpriced if their top execs are living that kind of multi-billionaire lifestyle. And using the 30 Rock/Dr. Spaceman - Archer/Cyril Figgis actor probably wasn’t a good move either. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/32 "2012-12-14T16:39:18Z")
Here in the Boston area **Legal Seafood** (which now has branches elsewhere, so maybe these commercials run in other cities, too) has been running these ads that – if you think about them – are downright creepy. They want to be saying “seafood takes too long to catch yourself, come to where we’ve already caught it!”, but it actually ends up as “Come to Legal Seafood! We’re sick!” [http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;\_ylt=A2KLqILXVMtQNkMAq.j7w8QF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBvcTJzcm5xBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjEzMQ--?p=legal+seafood+commercials&vid=f239def3917ad9940a88837093a2a66c&l=00%3A17&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4533768306098262%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-IW6byvB0fk&tit=Legal+Sea+Foods+Restaurants+2012+TV+Commercial+-+Grandpa&c=1&sigr=11avgikbm&&tt=b](http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqILXVMtQNkMAq.j7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBvcTJzcm5xBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjEzMQ--?p=legal+seafood+commercials&vid=f239def3917ad9940a88837093a2a66c&l=00%3A17&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4533768306098262%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-IW6byvB0fk&tit=Legal+Sea+Foods+Restaurants+2012+TV+Commercial+-+Grandpa&c=1&sigr=11avgikbm&&tt=b) [http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;\_ylt=A2KLqILXVMtQNkMAruj7w8QF;\_ylu=X3oDMTBvcTJzcm5xBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjEzMQ--?p=legal+seafood+commercials&vid=96bdb08129aab97628d6054c5608cde5&l=&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4607787731714051%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWAKU5yE64ak&tit=Legal+Sea+Foods+Restaurants+2012+TV+Commercial+-+Water+Coming+In&c=4&sigr=11a9187hf&&tt=b](http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqILXVMtQNkMAruj7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBvcTJzcm5xBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjEzMQ--?p=legal+seafood+commercials&vid=96bdb08129aab97628d6054c5608cde5&l=&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4607787731714051%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWAKU5yE64ak&tit=Legal+Sea+Foods+Restaurants+2012+TV+Commercial+-+Water+Coming+In&c=4&sigr=11a9187hf&&tt=b) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NukNyaGMRgY) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAKU5yE64ak) ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/33 "2012-12-14T16:49:54Z")
There’s a commercial for Build-a-Bear workshop where the mom says “When my daughter truly loves something, she puts a star on it.” And we see the little girl, 4 or 5, putting star stickers on everything she owns. Does this happen? Has this child been diagnosed yet? Have the preschool administrators called in the parents for a little conference yet? Anywhelp, mom takes the kid into the stuff-yer-own place to make herself a bear, and as they emerge, kid sticks a star on the bear. Mom is beside herself with joy, sniffing “I guess I did good.” Is there some kind of distraction therapy for this issue? ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/34 "2012-12-14T17:20:23Z")
I realize that I don’t think like most people, but it seems so obvious that the customers and employees portrayed in a commercial represent the actual customers and employees of that business. If the customers are portrayed as obnoxious dolts, then my thoughts are that I don’t want to be like these people (so avoid the product) and I don’t want to be in a store full of them. If the employees are portrayed as stupid, smug, obnoxious, etc., I don’t want to encounter them. If a commercial is gross and/or unpleasant (e.g., Febreze), it creates a negative association in my mind and prejudices me against the product. A while back there was a commercial for some little known brand of yoghurt for which the big sales pitch was that it only had 80 calories. The women in the commercial were so unable to resist the yoghurt that they were tearing it open in the store and slurping it down in a disgusting frenzied manner. Thing is, anyone who will buy a yoghurt just because it has 20 fewer calories (smaller container?) than many yoghurts probably has an eating disorder and is terrified of losing control over food. The commercial has disappeared, and I suspect the product failed. **Sigmagirl** , In one version of the Build-A-Bear commercial, the kid puts star stickers on her mom. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/35 "2012-12-14T18:20:37Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > There’s a commercial for Build-a-Bear workshop where the mom says “When my daughter truly loves something, she puts a star on it.” And we see the little girl, 4 or 5, putting star stickers on everything she owns. Does this happen? Has this child been diagnosed yet? Have the preschool administrators called in the parents for a little conference yet? This is super common behavior in kids. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/36 "2012-12-14T18:25:28Z")
> [@Tess](#): > > The Civic commercial with the blonde tween. > Teen drivers are being told that if they get a Civic their bratty little sister will destroy their social lives. Parents are told if they get this car for their 16-year-old, their younger child will get brought along to unsupervised house parties. > Which group is supposed to be more excited? Agreed. That is a strangely creepy commercial. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/37 "2012-12-14T18:36:58Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > I once mentioned that there is a popular cooking show, featuring a father and his teen-aged daughter that positively screams “Incest” to me I’ve always thought this about Paula Deen and her sons, too… the way she’s so anxious to feed them, ugh. (sorry for the derail) ---
**Author:** ![romadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@romadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romadea)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/38 "2012-12-14T18:47:12Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I cannot figure out the appeal of the new “Southern Comfort” ad campaign, featuring a squat little fat man, probably in his late 40’s or early 50’s with a big bushy moustache and curly, but balding hair, walkimg on the beach in a speedo carrying a glass of “Southern Comfort” to the tune “i gotta be me.”. He’s even wearing the mirrored sunglasses if I remember right. > > The guy screams “skeevy pedophile looking at your 12 year old daughter. That’s why I wear these sunglasses.” > > His fat, squat, Danny Devito physique is also unpleasant to see in a speedo. I will never drink Southern Comfort because of this commercial. > > Does anyone get this? Haha. I think it’s supposed to be making fun of the fact that alcohol commercials almost always feature impossibly sexy people. Not that other commercials don’t, but it seems to be very prevalent in booze commercials, at least in my experience. I almost never see a commercial for alcohol without at least one bombshell. An exception would be Maker’s Mark commercials, which basically only show the bottle in a black background. I like the idea, but at the same time I can’t say I particularly enjoy seeing this commercial. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/39 "2012-12-14T18:48:24Z")
My all-time favorite (I think it was for “Cheer” detergent), from the mid-70s: **MOTHER:** (_Sorting laundry_) What are all these stains?! **TEENAGE DAUGHTER:** (_Looking at soiled party dress_) Cake … ice cream … soda … and that’s where Tommy’s hot dog dripped on me. Great party! (_Twirls_) The commercial was yanked the day after I caught that last little bit. :mad: ---
**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 14, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983/40 "2012-12-14T19:59:41Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I never thought about it, but \*I \*don’t neccessarily equate John Goodman with “All American”. It’s been too many years for a \*Roseanne \*connection, so what exactly makes you think “all American”? Intersting theory, though. The man did play Babe Ruth. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-were-they-thinking-commercial-thread/643983.md?page=3)