# Best and worst sellouts in commercials. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 28, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855 "2005-05-28T04:04:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/1 "2005-05-28T04:04:40Z")
By best I mean entertainers that somehow make the sell work, or make very funny. So, to start this, I do think that the best sellout in a commercial is: _ **Survivor** _ for their Starbucks Glen Commercial Parody of their song: The eye of the tiger. \*Glen! Glen, Glen, Glen! Glen, Glen, Glen! Glen, Glen, Glennnnnnnnnnnnnn…! … [sub][snipped due to SDMB rules][/sub] Glen’s the man of the hour, he’s the king of his cube! Status Quo reports have finally met their rival. Burning the candle at both ends on his way to the top, He knows one day he just could become… Supervisor!\* [http://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/adtrack/2004-10-03-track-starbucks\_x.htm](http://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/adtrack/2004-10-03-track-starbucks_x.htm) Worse: _ **Queen** _ for doing it twice or more (‘I Want to Break Free’ was used for Coke - C2, and for Ban – Deodorant!) What are your best and worse commercial sellouts? ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/2 "2005-05-28T04:20:13Z")
I still laugh every time I think about that “_Glen! Glen! Glen!_” commercial. That was great. Worst: “London Calling” in a Jaguar ad. I’ve been disgusted by these total misunderstandings so many times (“Fortunate Son” in a Tommy Hilfiger spot, etc.)that it doesn’t even make me angry anymore; it just makes me feel tired. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/3 "2005-05-28T05:14:44Z")
I feel icky watching Deniro advertising anything unless he’s on the giving end of an ass whuppin, so I’ll nominate his tame Amex (?) commercial. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/4 "2005-05-28T05:17:25Z")
The Burt Reynolds Super Bowl ad this year for Fed Ex - he was just one of a bunch of “required Super Bowl ad elements”, and I think he fought a bear, didn’t he? Anyway, if you’re going to sell out, be funny. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/5 "2005-05-28T05:33:51Z")
The link in the OP is hosed, I wonder if we are becoming like FARK? Anyhoo, here is another link: [http://www.starbucks.com/grocery/video\_popup.asp?vid=dbls](http://www.starbucks.com/grocery/video_popup.asp?vid=dbls) ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/6 "2005-05-28T06:15:24Z")
> [@jackelope](#): > > (“Fortunate Son” in a Tommy Hilfiger spot, etc.) I think the “Fortunate Son” ad was for something like JCPenney or some other mid-level brand (Wrangler?), not Tommy Hilfiger. **Zsofia** , I thought that was one of the funniest commercials during this year’s Super Bowl. Go easy on Burt, from the review I read of the new _Longest Yard_, he is happy to get a job. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/7 "2005-05-28T17:59:30Z")
> [@Dignan](#): > > I think the “Fortunate Son” ad was for something like JCPenney or some other mid-level brand (Wrangler?), not Tommy Hilfiger. We’ve discussed this before somewhere on these Boards. A Google search suggests that both Wrangler _and_ Hilfiger used the song, which seems pretty weird to me. I’m certain that the ads i remember seeing on TV were for Wrangler. > [@GIGObuster](#): > > Survivor for their Starbucks Glen Commercial Parody of their song That is fucking hilarious. I had never seen it before. When did it play? ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/8 "2005-05-28T18:50:54Z")
This looks like a job for [Japander.com](http://www.japander.com/) ! ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/9 "2005-05-28T19:33:35Z")
> [@Crandolph](#): > > This looks like a job for [Japander.com](http://www.japander.com/) ! Wow! Well done **Crandolph** san! I knew about very famous actors doing commercials in Japan and other countries because it was assumed people in America would never see the results. I was always curious to see the ads they did, Thank OG for the Internet! You all have to check the Governator Arnold heating teapots with muscle power alone! **mhendo** : the Starbucks Glen Commercial appeared around the fall last year. ---
**Author:** ![initech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/439d5e/32.png) [@initech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/initech)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/10 "2005-05-28T20:26:46Z")
One of my favorites is Randy Newman’s “This is My Country,” used to sell insurance. The actual song is a scathing piece about the breakdown of the American family, as furthered by television. He has a real knack for selling satire to people who don’t get it. More power to him… ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/11 "2005-05-28T23:07:38Z")
The best? I’ll throw in the Alice Cooper spot where he’s shopping for school supplies with his daughter at some office supply chain like Staples. The worst? There are so many… ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/12 "2005-05-29T00:50:55Z")
Has anyone seen this ? [http://rainbow.arch.scriptmania.com/rainbow\_tv\_episode.html](http://rainbow.arch.scriptmania.com/rainbow_tv_episode.html) It’s apparently a British kid’s show, and real. I do believe it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen… George ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/13 "2005-05-29T00:58:19Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Has anyone seen this ? > > [http://rainbow.arch.scriptmania.com/rainbow\_tv\_episode.html](http://rainbow.arch.scriptmania.com/rainbow_tv_episode.html) > > It’s apparently a British kid’s show, and real. I do believe it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen… > > George Yeah, i’ve seen that before. If it’s real, it really is hilarious. Actually, even if it’s not real, it’s still pretty funny. There’s a better-quality clip available [here](http://media.ebaumsworld.com/index.php?e=rainbow.wmv). ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/14 "2005-05-29T01:27:39Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Has anyone seen this ? > > [http://rainbow.arch.scriptmania.com/rainbow\_tv\_episode.html](http://rainbow.arch.scriptmania.com/rainbow_tv_episode.html) > > It’s apparently a British kid’s show, and real. I do believe it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen… > > George Very funny, but I think you were trying to post in this thread: ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/15 "2005-05-29T01:28:40Z")
Lets try again: Nice Beaver, Brandy! (Stuff they try to get away with) > **[Nice Beaver, Brandy! (Stuff they try to get away with)](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=318515)** > > So I just watched the second trailer for ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and was amused at the line ‘Don’t touch those squirrel’s nuts!’ regarding some squirrels with walnuts or somesuch. And it got me to thinking…artists and writers and such... ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/16 "2005-05-29T03:22:58Z")
Dennis Miller pitches for NetZero like a soulless automaton. There’s a look to him like he knows we are all loathing him for his complete whoredom. He makes no attempt to be funny, and the commercial doesn’t even seem to try to capitalize on who he is. I’m just jealous cuz I wish I could sell out like that. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/17 "2005-05-29T03:54:23Z")
> [@The Sonoran Lizard King](#): > > Dennis Miller pitches for NetZero like a soulless automaton. There’s a look to him like he knows we are all loathing him for his complete whoredom. I thought we loathed him for turning from the guy who sticks it to The Man into, well, The Man. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/18 "2005-05-29T04:50:13Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > I thought we loathed him for turning from the guy who sticks it to The Man into, well, The Man. The only time i’ve ever found him entertaining was when he did Monday Night Football, mainly because he made Al Michaels and John Madden shutup for a while. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/19 "2005-05-29T05:05:50Z")
> [@tripthicket](#): > > The best? I’ll throw in the Alice Cooper spot where he’s shopping for school supplies with his daughter at some office supply chain like Staples. > > The worst? There are so many… tripthicket stole mine! 😛 The worst are the ones with William Shatner where he moves in with some family. I can’t even remember what he’s advertising. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855/20 "2005-05-29T15:42:56Z")
I saw this post yesterday, and then saw that Starbucks is at it again. This time they’ve taken Rock n Roll part 2 (The HEY! Song) and replace with “Hank!” and if I recall it is also for doubleshot. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-and-worst-sellouts-in-commercials/305855.md?page=2)