# Commercials that make you want to change the channel **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 8, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841 "2008-11-08T20:58:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/1 "2008-11-08T20:58:08Z")
We’re not just talking about bad ads, but those that make you jump for the remote and find something else to watch. My nomination: the really depressing one showing puppies at animal shelters, with Sarah McLachlan in the background: \*In the arms of an angel fly away from here From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie You’re in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here \* I lole dogs., and have two of them, including a rescue. I’m a member of the Humane Society of the United States. I can’t bear to watch the puppy beating commercial, and I flip the channel whenever I hear “In the arms of an angel”. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/2 "2008-11-08T21:17:02Z")
Any commercial containing anyone crunching anything. That pet pedicure thing where they grind the nail down “I’m cleaning the litterbox…I’m cleaning the litter box.” BILLY MAYS!!! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/3 "2008-11-08T21:18:16Z")
The XBox360 ones with the hollow heads. Those are just creepy, man! The ones that show globs of mucous as living in your body. Gross! For a decongestant whose name I can’t remember. Any one with sloppy eating noises. Like nails on a chalkboard… ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/4 "2008-11-08T21:46:08Z")
There’s a car commercial I keep seeing that advertises 0% financing. It really gets to me, because the jingle sings zero as “zeeee ro” over and over. I don’t know why it annoys me, but it’s like nails on a chalk board, and I literally do lurch for the remote whenever it comes on tv. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/5 "2008-11-08T21:46:35Z")
Mac/PC… Stupid strawmen, a pompous asshole being presented as the ‘right’ choice, while the ‘wrong’ choice is a pleasant fellow (even when they go out of their way to make PC look like an idiot and/or megalomaniac, he comes out looking better than Mac)… I either change the channel or mute the TV. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/6 "2008-11-08T21:54:00Z")
The progressive commercials with that one woman. ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/7 "2008-11-08T22:08:36Z")
I’ll second anything that starts with “HI, BILLY MAYS HERE FOR…” with his stupid 😃 face. The Quizno’s commercial where the lounge singer stuffs the $5 bill into her mouth makes me twinge, too. I’ve never liked any of Quizno’s commercials. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/8 "2008-11-08T22:16:47Z")
> [@pedescribe](#): > > The progressive commercials with that one woman. Yes, she is a bizarre looking woman. All the Gieko commercials, the cavemen, the Gecko, they’re all annoying me lately. There’s a commercial for some company that gives cash for structured settlements. It features opera. I turn the channel every time. ---
**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:** [November 9, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/9 "2008-11-09T00:06:12Z")
That smug Vonage bitch. I want to hurt her. Oh, how I want to hurt her… ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/10 "2008-11-09T00:19:59Z")
My mute button finger works autonomously now when commercials come on, so it has to be pretty bad. Mostly I just ignore them. I change the channel for the V1a6ra commercials, but not much else. ---
**Author:** ![Purgatory\_Creek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Purgatory\_Creek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purgatory_Creek)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/11 "2008-11-09T00:20:56Z")
The Sarah McLachlan one just about kills me. I’ve never watched it all the way through because just the first few frames of it make me want to vomit. I don’t only change the channel for that one–I refuse to watch the show it’s interrupting. I’m a good human with a houseful of rescued dogs, so why are they torturing me? I hate Billy Mays, the Vonage chick, and Kenley (heh) from the Progressive commercials, too, but the one that makes steam come out of my ears is the kid from one of those expensive acne treatment commercials who says something like, “I put some of that on when I go to bed, and in the morning you don’t have acne!” GAH! I didn’t have acne when you went to bed, you little dipshit! On the flip side, I kind of like the Shamwow guy. I’d like to see him quietly slap the crap out of Billy Mays. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/12 "2008-11-09T00:22:42Z")
Any with the loser guy and his loser group of friends singing for [freecreditreport.com](http://freecreditreport.com), ugh! I was hoping they’d be a one-time thing. ---
**Author:** ![atlantic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/46a35a/32.png) [@atlantic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atlantic)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/13 "2008-11-09T00:28:20Z")
I was freaked out by the Southwest Airlines commercial where the lady behind the ticket counter turns around and has another head!!! :eek: Yes, I’m easily disturbed. But I change the channel now any time I see that commercial coming on. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/14 "2008-11-09T00:30:52Z")
> [@nikonikosuru](#): > > Any with the loser guy and his loser group of friends singing for [freecreditreport.com](http://freecreditreport.com), ugh! I was hoping they’d be a one-time thing. I am right there with you on this. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/15 "2008-11-09T01:22:52Z")
> [@nikonikosuru](#): > > Any with the loser guy and his loser group of friends singing for [freecreditreport.com](http://freecreditreport.com), ugh! I was hoping they’d be a one-time thing. Nope. Now they have a rap jingle in the latest one, for all the family to enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Garula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Garula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garula)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/16 "2008-11-09T02:51:14Z")
I cannot stand the Alltel commercials. Being a geek myself, those commercials have dissuaded me from considering their services. Watching those commercials makes me annoyed enough that I want to change the channel immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/17 "2008-11-09T03:08:27Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > We’re not just talking about bad ads, but those that make you jump for the remote and find something else to watch. > > My nomination: the really depressing one showing puppies at animal shelters, with Sarah McLachlan in the background: > > \*In the arms of an angel fly away from here > From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear > You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie > You’re in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here \* > > I lole dogs., and have two of them, including a rescue. I’m a member of the Humane Society of the United States. I can’t bear to watch the puppy beating commercial, and I flip the channel whenever I hear “In the arms of an angel”. Seconded, for the same reason. It makes me misty. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/18 "2008-11-09T06:16:03Z")
> [@atlantic](#): > > I was freaked out by the Southwest Airlines commercial where the lady behind the ticket counter turns around and has another head!!! :eek: > > Yes, I’m easily disturbed. But I change the channel now any time I see that commercial coming on. I had not seen this ad, so I looked it up. [Disturbing indeed!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5W76SOwDi8) ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/19 "2008-11-09T06:30:59Z")
> [@Purgatory\_Creek](#): > > On the flip side, I kind of like the Shamwow guy. I’d like to see him quietly slap the crap out of Billy Mays. Word, sister, word. (Sorry if you’re not a girl, something made me think so) Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/20 "2008-11-09T09:44:46Z")
How about this from a UK window company :- [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XIs0oQcK0K0](http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XIs0oQcK0K0) Honestly would you buy anything from somebody who asks you to “pick up the pigging phone” ? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841.md?page=2)