# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![SharkB8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@SharkB8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SharkB8)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/101 "2008-11-17T16:31:04Z")
[Clipo, Cliop, CLIPO!!!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD9jSSOVdng) For the love of God, STFU!!! ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/102 "2008-11-19T16:18:59Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > The new Geico caveman commercial which I saw for the first time last night. Usually, I get a bang out of the caveman and his attitude, but somehow, this one just pissed me off: The caveman and his girlfriend are walking down the beach with a metal detector (he must have gotten over his snit from last time). They find something and dig it up…a set of keys on a Geico keychain! The caveman just drops his stuff and starts to walk away, leaving his girlfriend to pick it all up and rush after him. > > If I’d been her, I’d have bounced the damn keys off the back of his head. I don’t generally like the caveman commercials. When I saw that one I questioned whether the caveman could get a woman who was that attractive. Then I realized that she was probably so easy that even a caveman… ---
**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 19, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/103 "2008-11-19T23:25:25Z")
> [@Anne\_Elk](#): > > Five,Five Dollar,Footloooooongs, damn you , Subway, damn you! I used to hate those, until the hula girls arrived. That cute little belly button mesmerizes me. And [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZE1zfVaJR0) it is! ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/104 "2008-11-20T01:35:07Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > 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 Gawd yes. I’ve loved Brooke Shield for 30 years, but I cannot stand those ads. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/105 "2008-11-20T02:07:08Z")
I like the Brooke Shields ads. I just saw last night that talking fingernail/thumbnails ad–that is creepy as hell and very off putting. I would not buy whatever product is being sold (and cannot recall the product at all–just those two faces where thumbs should be). Any Sarah Silverman promo will make me either mute or change channels–even for those 15 seconds. I can’t stand her or her “comedy”. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/106 "2008-11-20T03:14:40Z")
I hate the Cheers detergent commercial with the Irish washerwoman. I’m not Irish, so I’m not particularly offended, but it insults my intelligence that they would go with such a lame, corny stereotype to sell their detergent. It certainly doesn’t make me want to rush out and buy any. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/107 "2008-11-20T15:57:56Z")
Whatever those commercials are that look like they took video and colored over it. Looks like the guy is talking about finances or insurance or something. All I can think is “Why would you just _trace_ over actual video? Either draw something original or just use video.” ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/108 "2008-11-20T17:13:35Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Whatever those commercials are that look like they took video and colored over it. Looks like the guy is talking about finances or insurance or something. All I can think is “Why would you just _trace_ over actual video? Either draw something original or just use video.” Oh my fucking god, yes. The guy is a giant smarmy douchebag and the stupid video effect only manages to enhance what a colossal tool he is. I genuinely do have to change the channel when those come on. ---
**Author:** ![mshar253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/109 "2008-11-20T17:13:40Z")
The most recent string of “Hi, I’m so-and-so’s phone…” have really upped the ante. While before there was only the possibility that you could miss a concert or not see your favorite athlete when he was in town, now, if you don’t have AT&T, the following things will happen to you: \*your house will burn down, \*you will be blown to smithereens, \*you will be hauled off to jail, with the possibility of being raped by the other inmates. :rolleyes: times a trillion ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/110 "2008-11-26T21:37:01Z")
> [@SharkB8](#): > > [Clipo, Cliop, CLIPO!!!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD9jSSOVdng) For the love of God, STFU!!! CLIPO WANTS YOUR CHILD’S SOUL. \*\*\*FEAR CLIPO. \*\*\* Dell/Windows Vista ad. Megadork employees in an office singing _Deck the halls with…_ (various compu-things, none of which rhyme). All fall silent for some reason. Rat faced fat woman says, “Let’s go carol with Carol.” _OH HO HO HA HA HAAA HA HA HEE HEE SOOOO FUCKIN FUNNY_ :rolleyes: I just want to take all these people to Wal-Mart, drown them in the restroom toilets, and place a cake of bowl cleaner in each of their lifeless mouths. _ **HATE HATE HAAATE.** _ ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/111 "2008-11-26T21:49:56Z")
> [@Purgatory\_Creek](#): > > 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! Hell, if I had to list every commercial with grammatical errors…is it so hard to write a parallel series, people? And yeah, the empty heads on Xbox 360: :eek: ---
**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 26, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/112 "2008-11-26T22:32:24Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I hate the Cheers detergent commercial with the Irish washerwoman. I’m not Irish, so I’m not particularly offended, but it insults my intelligence that they would go with such a lame, corny stereotype to sell their detergent. It certainly doesn’t make me want to rush out and buy any. Not Irish, I don’t think. My ear says Cockney-ish. I kind of like the actor who plays the shlub she’s talking to. “U-underpants?” Allow me to second and third the dizguzting commercial with the faces where thumbs ought to be. I think it’s for some phone that supposedly makes texting easier. This creeps me out so bad I have to look away (I won’t change the channel because, hey, my program’s gonna be back on in a minute). And, oh yes, I watch far too much tv. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/113 "2008-11-26T22:39:19Z")
I don’t know the name of the company, but it’s the commercial where they pay you to send them your “scrap gold”. The commercial has this dear, little, old woman with a handful of bills saying “I got six hundred dollars for my gold”. I don’t know how to explain it really but something in her voice or the way she says it breaks my heart and for reasons I really can’t explain reminds me of the poor mom from ‘Requiem for a Dream’. I also just have a reeeaaallly hard time believing she got the full, fair value. Nor would I trust one’s gold to always, you know, actually get there. Now maybe I’m being unfair to the company, who knows, but it just seems like such a predatory commercial targeted towards the elderly. The fact that I only ever see it on Faux(a lot!) and maybe sometimes on the other cable news channels, only reinforces that opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/114 "2008-11-26T22:55:12Z")
The Trident commercial where the squirrel crawls up the dentist’s pants leg. Not the least bit amusing and if I chewed Trident I would stop doing so. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/115 "2008-11-26T23:26:25Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Not Irish, I don’t think. My ear says Cockney-ish. I kind of like the actor who plays the shlub she’s talking to. “U-underpants?” Is that the one where the shlub covers his nipples when the washerwoman bounds into the room? ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/116 "2008-11-27T00:05:40Z")
Right now the commercial that sends me rushing to the mute button is the one with the two guys in kiddie strollers who suddenly starts bawling like babies. Drives me up the wall!!! And I have no idea what they’re selling with that commercial. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/117 "2008-11-27T16:38:43Z")
Oooo, that Betty Crocker cookie commercial where the dad eats the Santa cookies and then has to make more because the little brat wanders into the room yelling “HE’S GONNA LEAVE HE’S GONNA LEAVE HE’S GONNA LEAVE!!!” :mad: ---
**Author:** ![FalconFinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@FalconFinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FalconFinder)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/118 "2009-05-03T04:57:05Z")
The older 5 Dollar Footlog Subway commercials have already been mentioned, but I really, really, _ **REALLY** _, hate the new ones where they have untalented morons singing the 5 dollar footlong song off key, etc. I can’t find the remote fast enough to mute the sound! There are two of these stupid things and I’m really starting to think about boycotting them based on these ads!! ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/119 "2009-05-03T16:36:09Z")
I automatically mute ALL commercials, TV & radio, but the one that sticks in my mind as the most vomit-inducing of all time is from way back during the election night when Kennedy beat Nixon. It seemed like every two or three minutes during the election news broadcasts this asshole from Mennen’s would come on and intone, in a voice that sounded like it was bubbling up throught hot melted oleo, “Men, do you shave under your arms? Then you don’t want to use a women’s deodorent etcetcetc…”. I have a _loooong_ memory, and have never bought one item from Mennen in all the years since. ---
**Author:** ![dujo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e56c9b/32.png) [@dujo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dujo)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841/120 "2009-05-03T16:53:49Z")
I don’t watch a lot of commercials but the ones that I absolutely _can’t_ watch are the “male enhancement” ads and the Optimum/Cablevision ads, that guy has a smugness that I just can’t stand. A lot of the other ads you’re talking about I actually like, “saved by zero” is awful enough to be kind of compelling and I’m always at least curious to hear the new check-your-credit-online jingle. I think the asswipe bears are interesting, the ads are kind of gross and cringe-inducing but they’re trying to solve a very tough problem; the “klingon” issue is among my top toilet paper concerns and it’s damned hard to address in a TV spot. It’s better than rubbing TP on one’s face or squeezing the roll, in a sense anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercials-that-make-you-want-to-change-the-channel/471841.md?page=7)