# cop in auto insurance ad **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 24, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445 "2011-09-24T10:13:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/1 "2011-09-24T10:13:26Z")
There’s been a ubiquitous ad for cheap auto insurance showing up here on the SDMB lately with a picture of a cop aiming a radar gun. Is it just me or does the cop look like he’s straight out of one of the Police Academy movies? You know, the one who was big but kind of clueless and always seemed to have way more firepower than needed? Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![67java89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/aeb1de/32.png) [@67java89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/67java89)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/2 "2011-09-24T10:23:55Z")
> [@Bri2k](#): > > There’s been a ubiquitous ad for cheap auto insurance showing up here on the SDMB lately with a picture of a cop aiming a radar gun. Is it just me or does the cop look like he’s straight out of one of the Police Academy movies? You know, the one who was big but kind of clueless and always seemed to have way more firepower than needed? > > Bri2k Link please? 🙂 ---
**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:** [September 24, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/3 "2011-09-24T16:39:43Z")
There wouldn’t be a link. It’s just a big picture ad that shows up on SDMB pages for those who aren’t paid members or don’t use adblocking software. I see it frequently, too. ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/4 "2011-09-24T18:16:26Z")
Wow this is kinda creepy, but I haven’t seen that ad again since I opened this thread. cue Twilight Zone theme music… Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/5 "2011-09-24T19:33:14Z")
I think the character you’re thinking of is Tackleberry, who was played by the late [David Graf](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0333701/). Trivia note: Graf, who had a very successful run as a celebrity on the mid-80s versions of _Pyramid_, was actually a contestant on the game when he first moved to Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/6 "2011-09-26T12:13:43Z")
Well the ad finally showed up again: [Auto Insurance Ad Cop](http://server2.mediajmp.com/ads/insurance/auto-254x131-ver3ani.gif) Thanks, **KneadToKnow**! Tackleberry was the character I was reminded of. Hard to recall names sometimes after 20-plus years. Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/7 "2011-09-26T12:32:56Z")
> [@Bri2k](#): > > Well the ad finally showed up again: > > [Auto Insurance Ad Cop](http://server2.mediajmp.com/ads/insurance/auto-254x131-ver3ani.gif) Why’s he pointing a timing light at traffic? ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/8 "2011-09-26T12:38:59Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Why’s he pointing a timing light at traffic? I think its a [Talon II laser-aimed radar gun](http://www.ehow.com/how_2156456_use-speed-radar-gun.html). Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-in-auto-insurance-ad/597445/9 "2011-09-26T19:07:07Z")
Nah, I think it’s a timing light. Radar guns don’t flash like that. In fact, I bet that’s not even a real cop, just some guy who lives in his mom’s basement and likes to dress up and spook drivers for a lark.