# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Anne\_Elk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Anne\_Elk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Elk)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/61 "2008-11-10T21:18:47Z")
Five,Five Dollar,Footloooooongs, damn you , Subway, damn you! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/62 "2008-11-10T21:27:32Z")
> [@labtrash](#): > > The toilet paper commercial with the animated bears that addresses the “anti-klingon” properties of their TP. Yeah, even if the bears don’t have paper bits clinging to their asses, these ads are disgusting. Any ad which attempts to profit from using popular songs, particularly but not exclusively rock songs I liked, gets muted. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/63 "2008-11-10T21:34:27Z")
The VW commercials with Brooke Shields. You know, the ones where she starts talking about women who have babies simply to enjoy German engineering. Urgh. What numb-nut authorized financing those pieces o’ crap? Oh, and those damn Granny 8 commercials by Homestead Financial. I want to sit on that granny and crush her. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/64 "2008-11-10T21:42:50Z")
> [@maladroit](#): > > the one that starts with the words “male enhancement” (smiling bob I can take, it’s the other one) A capsule that can make a man larger? _SMIRKS GROTESQUELY_ Those fake “man on the street” interviews really piss me off as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/65 "2008-11-10T22:41:29Z")
I hate any Nextel ad that plays the chirping sound those damn phones make. Most of their ads (such as the “what if firefighters ruled the earth?” one) play it continuously. The electric chair is too good for the asshole who invented those things. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/66 "2008-11-10T23:36:49Z")
My general feeling is that when an ad campaign becomes more about the ad campaign than the product itself, I can no longer tolerate it. Examples: Alltel Capital One GEICO E-surance ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/67 "2008-11-10T23:50:54Z")
I hate that fucking Billy Mays. His voice is a loud, grating chainsaw that’ll cut through anything. I’d gladly gouge out his eyes for all the times I’ve had to stop what I was doing and mute the TV because that damn voice was annoying the hell out of me again. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/68 "2008-11-11T10:13:03Z")
> [@Anne\_Elk](#): > > Five,Five Dollar,Footloooooongs, damn you , Subway, damn you! Heh, that is catchy. I do love however, for some reason, the one where they have the hula girls dancing to the song, with the hand motions indicating the key phrases. I also am not fond of the pepto bismo commercials in general, but do love the one where giant monsters are acting out the song. On the other hand, while I suspect 99% of humans are genetically created to loathe the old Quiznos sub commercials with mutant hamsters, I find them and their “I luv deez subs!” songs to be delightfully bizarre. There’s not enough bizarre commercials these days. There was a string of them starting during the Superbowl the same year that the first season of Survivor came out, and me and my friends used to joke that the ad agencies had crack in their water supplies, but the weirdness levels have steadily declined since then. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/69 "2008-11-11T11:03:12Z")
> [@nikonikosuru](#): > > Just wanted to add that I also hate the Sonic’s commercials. They’re uncomfortably corny at best and at worst I feel dirty if I watch the whole thing. What kind of people think that watching two guys play horribly bad puns on the food they just bought is good advertising for their fast food chain? It might be tolerable if the guys would spill out of the car and start duking it out or something. But there is one Sonic commercial I like: the one with the smokin’ hot young brunette sitting in the driver’s seat, making lame jokes with another girl. I have no idea what’s being said in the commercial, but even muted, I have to watch. Yummy. (The brunette, I mean. I haven’t been to Sonic for 30 years.) ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/70 "2008-11-12T19:56:40Z")
“ARE YOU FOLLOWIN’ ME CAMERA GUY!?” He’s oddly compelling to watch. I have no idea why. This commercial is currently driving me bonkers. Sinupret for kids. It’s both annoying AND creepy: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHeIOVN-7zY](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHeIOVN-7zY) “I love you more.” “NO. I love YOU more.” And this. Oh, God this. It’s an abomination unto feet and Skittles. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsEYqFQZoQA](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsEYqFQZoQA) :eek::eek::eek::eek: ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/71 "2008-11-13T01:21:17Z")
God, I hate that “if firefighters made laws” crap. Laws are detailed for a reason, people. Yeah, let’s pass a law that just “requires clean water.” Good plan. How clean? Who pays for it? Who provides it? What happens when it rains? What happens if you don’t get clean water? Stop appealing to idiots who don’t understand why government is actually a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![mshar253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/72 "2008-11-13T01:37:08Z")
> [@3acresandatruck](#): > > It might be tolerable if the guys would spill out of the car and start duking it out or something. But there is one Sonic commercial I like: the one with the smokin’ hot young brunette sitting in the driver’s seat, making lame jokes with another girl. I have no idea what’s being said in the commercial, but even muted, I have to watch. Yummy. (The brunette, I mean. I haven’t been to Sonic for 30 years.) Do you think you can dig up a youtube link for that? I’ve never seen that one. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/73 "2008-11-13T03:08:53Z")
> [@mshar253](#): > > Do you think you can dig up a youtube link for that? I’ve never seen that one. Here ya go: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GLdgyHVBa0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GLdgyHVBa0) ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/74 "2008-11-13T03:37:53Z")
> [@3acresandatruck](#): > > Here ya go: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GLdgyHVBa0](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GLdgyHVBa0) [Here’s another one with the same two girls.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzx4CTDj_kI) ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/75 "2008-11-13T11:35:46Z")
The most disturbing ad I’ve seen in a while. The half man, half horse in the shower (i think it’s old spice), and who appears with a babe at the end, implying, 1. he’s hung like a horse (d’uh) 2. his wife/girlfriend is into beastiality (gross) Freaks me out and is a channel changer. I’ve only seen this one on ESPN and sporting events. I don’t get it, ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/76 "2008-11-13T12:00:07Z")
I started a thread recently about [gruesome road safety ads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=489138) but no-one replied. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/77 "2008-11-13T14:03:12Z")
Oxyclean Guy. Why does he have to SHOUT EVERYTHING? ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/78 "2008-11-13T14:07:51Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > God, I hate that “if firefighters made laws” crap. Laws are detailed for a reason, people. Yeah, let’s pass a law that just “requires clean water.” Good plan. How clean? Who pays for it? Who provides it? What happens when it rains? What happens if you don’t get clean water? > > Stop appealing to idiots who don’t understand why government is actually a good thing. I especially hate that the firefighters are all men! Nary a lady in the room, AFAICT. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Superhero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Superhero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Superhero)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/79 "2008-11-13T19:27:07Z")
It seems to have run its course - hopefully - but I simply couldn’t stand the Honda (?) commercial that was running over the summer with a raccoon singing Donovan’s “First There is a Mountain.” Holy fleurking schnitt, that was annoying. Anytime I saw that thing, the song (one of the three or four worst songs ever recorded, methinks, beautifully skewered by Steven King in “On Writing”) would be running through my head for days. And as soon as I finally, finally purged it, I would, of course, see the damn commercial again. I’m also really, really glad that the Jerry Seinfeld/Bill Gates MicroSoft commercials died the quick death they deserved. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/80 "2008-11-13T19:40:31Z")
99-plus percent off all commercials make me want to change the channel. Usually I settle for muting them, for obvious reasons. But the ones that piss me off the most these days are the ones for the Radio City Christmas show, and the Budweiser ads about “drinkability.” I’ve been frothing about this term since they invented it a few years ago, and now it’s the focus of their ads. It’s one of the worst bullshit marketing terms I’ve ever heard. If you want to talk about the flavor or texture of your beer, go for it, but apparently all they want to tell you is that it’s a FUCKING LIQUID! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841.md?page=5)