… specifically, the guy at the end. Is he supposed to be someone?
My girlfriend thought maybe he was Charlie from the original Willy Wonka movie, but a quick Google search ruled that out.
Any thoughts?
I think it’s just a guy.
Incidentally, it took about 3 or 4 viewings of that commercial for me to figure out just what the heck they were trying to sell. It’s fun to watch, but not very effective advertising, IMO.
I like the little smiley face arms and legs man.
That is all.
Is this the commercial with the paper cutouts having a parade?
If you think the guy at the end looks familiar, it might be because, imho, he looks a bitt like the guy who played Boromir in the first LOTR movie.
Naahhhh – he doesn’t look that sharpe.
I did think he bore a resemblance to Bud Cort, but he’s obviously much too young.
Glad to see there aren’t a hundred replies here to the effect “You moron, if you don’t recognized so-and-so, you’re too stupid to live.”
I hate that commercial! I had to find out what that song was–it makes me gag every time! (no–I never saw “Willie Wonka”.):D. If I had AT&T, I’d cancel it!
The actor is Dean Chekvala.
Oh, that’s weird. The Facebook site apparently belongs to a fan of Mr. Chekvala. There’s another fan site for him that lists the commercial.
It’s perfect advertising. It conveys the message that AT&T wants to treat us like 5-year-olds. (Plus, for many customers, they could change it to, “Remember when you were 5 years old … and AT&T was the only phone company?”).
Barf. Gene Wilder would be turning over in his grave, if he weren’t still alive. I only hope he’s getting residuals.
Hit redial and bring a better cite…
[More info](http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:bEYD4aD9d04J:www.shootonline.com/go/index.php%3Fname%3DArticles%26op%3Daction_print%26id%3Drs-web2-5159982-1273081878-2+“Dean Chekvala”&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us) on the ad, which was created by advertising giant BBDO. Fun note: The characters were created by the production designer’s 5 year old son.
I hate that commercial. I just… don’t get it. Why do I want technology made for a five year old?
I think it’s saying that their tech is fun not that it’s designed by or for 5 year olds.
And thanks to Family Guy I hear the song as “Pure Inebriation”.
I still don’t know what they are selling. I didn’t even know it was AT&T until this thread. That’s pretty piss-poor advertising considering that I’ve heard the commercial now about a bazillion times or so.
On the other hand, I recognized the commerical immediately from the description, and now I do know it’s AT&T, and here we are discussing it… :smack:
I thought the same thing. Although I think he looks like 006 with a beard.
What interests me about that commercial is the difference between the UK and US versions. The UK ad begins with the song’s real intro, that vaguely ominous trio of xylophone-y notes, after which Gene Wilder’s voice slides in. The US version cuts those notes out and starts right at Wilder’s voice and the more orchestral, sunnier accompaniment.
A small change but kinda typical of how we Americans are supposed to view childhood. The British get an eerier, almost mystical POV; we get cheery and wondrous.
It’s “Be Nice to People Too Stupid To Live Day”. Consider yourself forwarned. 
I remember the commercial with the trio of notes playing, can’t recall if it’s at the end or the beginning however…
There’s a shorter version without the ominous notes and a longer version with them included. I’d say that’s more typical of America.
I just like the purple alien guy being chased by the bus.