# Disgusting IRRESPONSIBLE Dunkin Donut commercial **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 23, 2007, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127 "2007-06-23T15:03:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/62 "2007-06-24T21:02:14Z")
When I saw the thread title I was thinking of the Rachael Ray commercials where people rush around trying to get her coffee. Giving Rachael caffeine? Now that’s irresponsible. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/63 "2007-06-24T21:09:33Z")
Lamest pit thread ever? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/64 "2007-06-24T21:46:05Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] I need some coffee and a donut… [/QUOTE] Better yet, have my ladle. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/65 "2007-06-24T21:54:37Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Lamest pit thread ever? [/QUOTE] Definitely a candidate. Sort of like pitting Paris Hilton only to find out it was Maya Angelou. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/66 "2007-06-24T22:08:37Z")
Oh, come ON. You’re going to tell me that YOU’VE never mistaken Paris Hilton for Maya Angelou? ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/67 "2007-06-24T22:43:26Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Scrappy Hero Pup] Oh, come ON. You’re going to tell me that YOU’VE never mistaken Paris Hilton for Maya Angelou? [/QUOTE] :dubious: not even if I were blind AND deaf! ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/68 "2007-06-25T00:25:26Z")
[QUOTE=shamrock227] I can imagine having to wear disguise and go through the D&D drive thru in someone else’s car at 3am just so **StarvingButStrong** didn’t catch me. 😉 [/QUOTE] Well, I did a double take there. I have six or seven windows open, and it didn’t click with me at first what thread this was, and when I saw a D&D drive-through, I wondered just what the hell kind of theme restaurants are popping up these days. ---
**Author:** ![shamrock227](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@shamrock227](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamrock227)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/69 "2007-06-25T02:46:59Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] Well, I did a double take there. I have six or seven windows open, and it didn’t click with me at first what thread this was, and when I saw a D&D drive-through, I wondered just what the hell kind of theme restaurants are popping up these days. [/QUOTE] HA! I posted that right before bed last night and until you just mentioned it I didn’t realize I put D&D. 😃 A D&D theme restaurant? That could be cool. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/70 "2007-06-25T03:04:33Z")
Well, the headstone/mattress thing is pretty obvious, but I can think of other reasons to criticize an ad campaign that basically says a combination of way too much caffeine and way, way too much sugar and an artificial dye the color of Godzilla’s stool sample confers upon the consumer great strength which can then be used in stupid, pointlessly destructive pursuits. This spot appeals to stupidity and brutishness in far too many ways. And, **Rigamarole** , don’t worry. Misinterpreting **Autolycus** is sorta like being on a country drive and failing to wave at the village idiot: it’s a minor breach of etiquette that will be unnoticed by those not nearby and immediately forgotten by those who are. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/71 "2007-06-25T03:11:02Z")
That is not dead which can eternal lie, but it’s really uncomfortable on only half a mattress. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/72 "2007-06-25T03:25:13Z")
[QUOTE=The King of Soup] Well, the headstone/mattress thing is pretty obvious, but I can think of other reasons to criticize an ad campaign that basically says a combination of way too much caffeine and way, way too much sugar and an artificial dye the color of Godzilla’s stool sample confers upon the consumer great strength which can then be used in stupid, pointlessly destructive pursuits. This spot appeals to stupidity and brutishness in far too many ways. [/QUOTE] Well, yeah. . . but that would make the OP make sense and what fun would _that_ be? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/73 "2007-06-25T05:18:01Z")
[QUOTE=Heffalump and Roo] Well, yeah. . . but that would make the OP make sense and what fun would _that_ be? 😛 [/QUOTE] There’s no need for the OP to make sense, friend **Heffalump** , but sometimes _I_ rouse myself to such an effort. Even, as it seems in this instance, when there’s little reward in sight. What if a super-energy-drink were promoted as the precursor to garbage being taken out 35 times faster, or the lawn mowed and weeded with electronic efficiency? It would lose to the beverage promising super delinquency. The latter wins big in immediate attention gathered, much as some SDMB posts possessing much more will than wit do, too. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/74 "2007-06-25T05:49:04Z")
Did a large procession wave their Torches as my head fell in the basket, And was everybody dancing on the casket? Now it’s over, I’m dead, and I haven’t done anything that I want, Or, I’m still alive and there’s nothing I want to do. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/75 "2007-06-25T14:49:26Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Scrappy Hero Pup] You’re going to tell me that YOU’VE never mistaken Paris Hilton for Maya Angelou? [/QUOTE] Only from behind, bow chicka bow bow. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/76 "2007-06-25T15:03:07Z")
[QUOTE=The King of Soup] Well, the headstone/mattress thing is pretty obvious, but I can think of other reasons to criticize an ad campaign that basically says a combination of way too much caffeine and way, way too much sugar and an artificial dye the color of Godzilla’s stool sample confers upon the consumer great strength which can then be used in stupid, pointlessly destructive pursuits. This spot appeals to stupidity and brutishness in far too many ways. [/QUOTE] Come - are some of you really mistaking this commercial’s message as being genuine rather than being a parody of x-treme style ads? You think they want us to believe that we can rip stuff in half after drinking their drink? ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/77 "2007-06-25T17:16:26Z")
[QUOTE=pizzabrat] Come - are some of you really mistaking this commercial’s message as being genuine rather than being a parody of x-treme style ads? You think they want us to believe that we can rip stuff in half after drinking their drink? [/QUOTE] No, I don’t think any of us think tearing large heavy objects in half is being offered as a literal effect of the product. But throwing the word “parody” out, as if it’s mere utterance absolves a advertisement or any other communication either from meaning something or from criticism of its message, doesn’t get us anywhere. If the ad _is_ a parody, it’s a parody _of_ a particular work or works – what or which? In a parody, an author’s words and phrases and style are mocked by applying them to inappropriate objects or in bizarre contexts. Personally, I don’t think that the general category of “x-treme style ads” is specific enough to be parodied, and even granting that, I don’t think the concept of tearing large objects in half is very well-associated with such a category, but even granting that, I don’t see the humorous conflict between the tropes of “x-treme-ness,” especially so far as they may be related to “x-treme” acts of physical strength, and the context of an _energy drink_, a category often promoted on the basis of claimed physical effects and frequently cohabiting peaceable and unironically with “x-treme” ad concepts. An actual parody might consist of some “x-treme” characters using, say, a sleeping aid, and then snoozing happily through the big bungee-jumping-while-wrestling-an-alligator event. They’d lose the contest but gain some health-enhancing Z’s. I would categorize _this_ effort not as parody but as hyperbole, which is designed not to ridicule the underlying point but to strengthen it. Even hypothesizing an effective, well-executed parody, I’ll still feel free to criticize the material part of the commercial. In this case, an oversugared and hypercaffeinated product is portrayed as facilitating great strength which the consumers of said product employ in acts of random mindless destruction. I can believe it’s not meant literally, and I can briefly suspend my disbelief and pretend there’s some artistic purpose here, but all that put together doesn’t mean it isn’t still crap. I don’t hate the ad. But it’s silly to pretend that the only way to dislike it is to fail to understand it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/78 "2007-06-25T19:46:03Z")
> [@](#): > > You’re going to tell me that YOU’VE never mistaken Paris Hilton for Maya Angelou? Hey, things get confusing in the middle of a menage a trois. ---
**Author:** ![DustyButt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc348/32.png) [@DustyButt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DustyButt)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/79 "2007-06-25T20:02:37Z")
That’s nasty. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/80 "2007-06-25T20:03:34Z")
[QUOTE=The King of Soup] Even hypothesizing an effective, well-executed parody, I’ll still feel free to criticize the material part of the commercial. In this case, an oversugared and hypercaffeinated product is portrayed as facilitating great strength which the consumers of said product employ in acts of random mindless destruction. I can believe it’s not meant literally, and I can briefly suspend my disbelief and pretend there’s some artistic purpose here, but all that put together doesn’t mean it isn’t still crap. [/QUOTE] It is as clearly parody as those mattresses are clearly not headstones. But even stipulating that, you still think that mocking the XTREME! ad genre promotes random mindless destruction? ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127/81 "2007-06-25T20:17:45Z")
[QUOTE=The King of Soup] If the ad _is_ a parody, it’s a parody _of_ a particular work or works – what or which? In a parody, an author’s words and phrases and style are mocked by applying them to inappropriate objects or in bizarre contexts. Personally, I don’t think that the general category of “x-treme style ads” is specific enough to be parodied, and even granting that, I don’t think the concept of tearing large objects in half is very well-associated with such a category, but even granting that, I don’t see the humorous conflict between the tropes of “x-treme-ness,” especially so far as they may be related to “x-treme” acts of physical strength, and the context of an _energy drink_, a category often promoted on the basis of claimed physical effects and frequently cohabiting peaceable and unironically with “x-treme” ad concepts. An actual parody might consist of some “x-treme” characters using, say, a sleeping aid, and then snoozing happily through the big bungee-jumping-while-wrestling-an-alligator event. They’d lose the contest but gain some health-enhancing Z’s. I would categorize _this_ effort not as parody but as hyperbole, which is designed not to ridicule the underlying point but to strengthen it. [/QUOTE] Guess what. That’s actually the definition of parody, not what you thought it was. [See](http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dict.asp?Word=parody). The idea of junk food giving you the drive to do crazy, destructive things, and finding those things to be cool is familiar enough now to be parodied. And having a bunch of kids screaming “rip stuff up!” while doing so is a well-executed parody of it. Ripping stuff up is crazy and destructive, but nobody really wants to do it - nobody’s going to genuinely think “Shit! They ripped those fucking mattresses in _half_! Awesome!”, and we’re supposed to recognize that and be in on the joke (unless, of course, we have some overly cynical idea of the intelligence of “the masses”). > [@](#): > > I don’t hate the ad. But it’s silly to pretend that the only way to dislike it is to fail to understand it. Of course not, but if your reason for disliking it is that it “appeals to stupidity and brutishness in far too many ways”, then you’re just wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disgusting-irresponsible-dunkin-donut-commercial/409127.md?page=5)