# Favorite commercials (and why) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 1, 2008, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568 "2008-05-01T04:40:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ShermanAter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/61 "2008-05-03T01:42:12Z")
[QUOTE=Dolores Reborn] Discovery Channel’s [Boomdiada.](http://youtube.com/watch?v=hhk1EF18akQ) [/QUOTE] I love this commercial!!! ---
**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:** [May 3, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/62 "2008-05-03T04:10:34Z")
> [@](#): > > A commercial for Denny’s featured Tony Sirico’s character Paulie ‘Walnuts’ Gualtieri, of Sopranos fame. This [Staples commercial](http://youtube.com/watch?v=ClG8iyBuWxU) is another funny mobster-based ad. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/63 "2008-05-03T04:17:19Z")
[QUOTE=Gulo gulo] I haven’t had tv in years so I’m probably missing out on some cool ones but I will throw in another that popped into my head: [Staples commercial with Alice Cooper](http://youtube.com/watch?v=OqI4xfsdv7Y) [/QUOTE] See, I don’t like that commercial, because _it lies_. In the song, he DOES say “school’s out forever.” His daughter was right, and he was (partially) wrong. It’s always annoyed me. ---
**Author:** ![LucyInDisguise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucyindisguise/32/18064_2.png) [@LucyInDisguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyInDisguise)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/64 "2008-05-03T20:08:12Z")
[There are no contenders.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxxix0QQdU) Can’t exactly put my finger on why this one moves me the way it does … Lucy Edited to add: [A very close 2nd place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTrMe76kes&NR=1) ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/65 "2008-05-03T20:21:07Z")
[QUOTE=bouv] See, I don’t like that commercial, because _it lies_. In the song, he DOES say “school’s out forever.” His daughter was right, and he was (partially) wrong. [/QUOTE] Yeah, well, parents do that sometimes. I always figured that was intentional. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/66 "2008-05-03T21:33:47Z")
There are two Dutch companies that have been issuing series of award winning commercials for several years now. One is an insurance company, Centraal Beheer (Central Care) located in the town of Apeldoorn. Their commercials depict situations going spectacularly, horrendously wrong, and the tagline always is: “Even Apeldoorn bellen” (“Gotta make a phonecall to Apeldoorn”.) The best of these commercials are either in English, with Dutch subtitles, or without spoken text at all. New prison [warden](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grB2nA09NPM&feature=related) [Lions](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTZGz59ufss) Sluice [operator](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibNTOlLjh5A&feature=related). [Cleaning ladies.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tffXZoRdhZc&feature=related) The second is (don’t laugh) our _army_. They have released a series of very understated commercials. The commercials show guys of around 17 years old, who behave a certain way, and then in the upper left corner one of two boxes is checked: “geschikt” (will do) and “ongeschikt”(won’t do). Then a short clip is shown of how these qualities are needed in the Dutch army. Again, the best of these commercials hardly need any spoken text in Dutch. [Banana](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-qyjkj7Vj0) [Sit! (down boy!)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFpYUwA8fyE) [The jar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ1RgPphR1w&feature=related) [Line at the butchers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnh2I_yQ7tM&feature=related). Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/67 "2008-05-03T21:47:24Z")
Oh, Lordy! The lion one just cracks me up! ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/68 "2008-05-03T23:07:13Z")
WOW I found the video to the Xerox Commercial. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_IgH2M02xek/hqdefault.jpg "Xerox Monk Ad") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IgH2M02xek) ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/69 "2008-05-04T01:23:20Z")
I don’t \*want \*to like it, but the [Subway “$5 foot-long” ad](http://youtube.com/watch?v=WHIo4VruGZY) has been stuck in my head for weeks. I have strange urges to do the hand gestures too. Help me! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/70 "2008-05-04T02:31:06Z")
I’ve always liked the coffee commercial (Nescafe) song by Rodolfo y su Tipica. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsRcrZ4AwCk) Here is the commercial in French. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7RUBF7WRmg) ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/71 "2008-05-04T10:25:07Z")
[Mean Joe Green Coke Commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xffOCZYX6F8) It brings back good memories. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Perro\_Fumando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e9c0ed/32.png) [@El\_Perro\_Fumando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Perro_Fumando)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/72 "2008-05-04T12:31:53Z")
I love the whole “Real American Heroes”/“Real Men of Genius” Series from Bud Light. [Here’s a sample of the TV ads](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETrWZsYYJOQ), but the radio ones are gold too. ---
**Author:** ![LucyInDisguise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucyindisguise/32/18064_2.png) [@LucyInDisguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyInDisguise)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/73 "2008-05-04T13:21:01Z")
A couple more featuring the ponies: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq2DOq6RzxE) [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY-SCzaqxVo) This one so cracked me up because I’ve watched my horses do some pretty silly stuff whilst playing with each other … [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43Bh_JFT_EI) And in the “Not Necessarily Favorites” category: This one kinda makes you wonder how they ever made enough money to open the second store … [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXP_TUZqsk) And wouldn’t we all like to try to forget these unforgettable classics: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/XKR1ScQUpcA/hqdefault.jpg "McDonalds Television Ad - c. 1970's") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKR1ScQUpcA) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/6mOEU87SBTU/hqdefault.jpg "Coke Coca Cola Original I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mOEU87SBTU) ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/74 "2008-05-04T18:11:45Z")
Somebody mentioned the Ikea lamp commercial upthread, so [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I07xDdFMdgw) it is. My personal favorite is another Spike Jonze commercial, the Sprite [Sun Fizz](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtRHrZaW10w) spot. It shows how a real family would react to one of those animated characters shilling for some product. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/75 "2008-05-04T18:42:01Z")
[QUOTE=Rachael Rage] I don’t \*want \*to like it, but the [Subway “$5 foot-long” ad](http://youtube.com/watch?v=WHIo4VruGZY) has been stuck in my head for weeks. I have strange urges to do the hand gestures too. Help me! [/QUOTE] I sympathize. ---
**Author:** ![Agnostic\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/76 "2008-05-04T20:52:34Z")
I love the M&Ms commercial mentioned above. This one has always been on of my favorites - Levi’s [Elevator Fantasy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfE3zlP_xo). It works perfectly with the song. I really like the series of T-Mobile commercials with Charles Barkley and Dwyane Wade. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/77 "2008-05-05T01:51:43Z")
[QUOTE=Agnostic Pagan] This one has always been on of my favorites - Levi’s [Elevator Fantasy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfE3zlP_xo). It works perfectly with the song. [/QUOTE] Speaking of Levi’s commercials, [this one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHjBRBSfxLs) is teh sex. And I’d like to add that it wasn’t until I saw it again just now that I realized every time they take a layer of clothing off, they are “advancing” 10-15 years. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/78 "2008-05-07T00:21:58Z")
The current VW commercial with the astronaut is funny [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB-4xTxDFDg) “Vee haf more engineers than NASA” “No way!” “Yes, vay!” ---
**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:** [May 7, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/79 "2008-05-07T00:38:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Speaking of Levi’s commercials, this one is teh sex. Another sexy Levis [ad](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdUZy4YJPVM). ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568/80 "2008-05-07T15:02:06Z")
[QUOTE=LucyInDisguise] [There are no contenders.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxxix0QQdU) Can’t exactly put my finger on why this one moves me the way it does … Lucy Edited to add: [A very close 2nd place.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTrMe76kes&NR=1) [/QUOTE] Thanks, Lucy - I’m crying now. Oh - favorite commercials - [This Budweiser one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NXlv28HYOA&feature=related) It always puts a big smile on my face. 😃 I love the Bud commercials though - just about every single one of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-commercials-and-why/447568.md?page=5)