# Favorite / most loathed advertising campaigns **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197 "2002-12-07T21:53:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/81 "2002-12-10T22:27:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Frankd6 \* > \*\*Tom Shane is in Seattle? Man, I thought he was local/regional. I knew he was in Louisville, Indianapolis and St Louis, but Seattle? \*\* I thought he was local/regional as well…but in the San Francisco Bay area. Evidently, Tom’s livin’ large. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/82 "2002-12-10T22:32:57Z")
A strange one on right now where i live shows a team of angry midgets kidnapping Santa Claus and threatening to kill him unless someone sends money. I think it advertises a loan shark business, and it looks like it cost maybe $50 to produce. But it’s so mean-spirited, so awful, that it makes me crack up whenever it comes on. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Glassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Glassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glassy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/83 "2002-12-11T03:22:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by javaman \* > \*\*I kind of like the previous Dell Interns spot, where they just look like morons generally. For example, they’re standing around kibbitzing the guy assembling a PC, and he keeps shooting them down. “Don’t touch that.” “They call you The Customizer?” “No they don’t.” I don’t know why but I enjoyed watching them go down like that. > > As for Steve the Dell Dude I don’t understand why (a) everyone hates him so much, and (b) everyone think’s he’s a stoner. Well OK, maybe a character like that could be a user, but he doesn’t fit my concept of a burnout case. \*\* I sort of liked the first few Steve the Dell Dude commercials. I don’t have an issue with Steve’s alleged recreational drug use. I am happy they’ve given him a rest, though - I was seeing way too much of him. The Dell Interns truly bother me. I cannot say why. Ooh, what about the one where they grovellingly report to the boss, “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, but these people just seem to be chatting?” Then of course they’re sternly corrected, and one of them chimes up, “That’s what I told her, sir.” They just don’t strike me as humorously incompetent; they strike me as obnoxious, brown-nosing little ferrets who, if they do get jobs at Dell, will royally screw me up if I call Dell and get one of them on the phone. I really don’t want to deal with any company that employs these horrid people. They’re not Good Advertising. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/84 "2002-12-11T12:42:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JamesCarroll \* > \*\*HATE: > The Nextel ads with Dennis Franz. > > The whole premise of the ads is that he “doesn’t do ads”. > > Well, not only does he do ads, but he does ads for the most annoying service in the world. Not only do I have to listen to one side of a discussion I have no interest in, Nextel lets me hear both sides!!! Punctuated with a loud annoying "BDA\_BLEEP!! everytime they say something I don’t care about. > ASSHOLE!!! \*\* Yeah, I can’t stand that. Every time he says “I don’t do commercials!”, I want to punch him in the head. Also, that new bowflex commercial with the 2 army guys, with red white and blue all over the place. I wouldn’t have minded it if it was just 2 army guys saying how the system helped them stay in shape, but the big american flag backgrounds, and cashing in on ‘afghanistan’, etc. annoys me. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/85 "2002-12-11T13:11:37Z")
Also, the mike’s hard commercials are okay, but I have to say they’re probably the most brilliant advertising campaign in recent memory. A lot of guys are jokingly criticized for drinking ‘girl drinks’ like Mike’s - and working to combat that view with commercials with big, strong “hardcore” guys all drinking mikes is well targetted. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/86 "2002-12-11T14:10:06Z")
I like funny commercials, as long as they don’t get played too much. I **HATED HATED HATED** the Herding Cats ad. It was stupid, and missed the point of a commercial entirely. They were cute and clever, but the other two EDS commercials I hated as well. They spent money on commercials when they had frozen raises and were firing people in droves (still are). The company has fucked up priorities, and nothing shows that more than the existance of those commercials. ---
**Author:** ![mallen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9c0ed/32.png) [@mallen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mallen)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/87 "2002-12-11T14:18:58Z")
Someone mentioned it already, one of my favourites, Kevin Bacon commercial, great sense of humour to participate I thought(yeah, I know money). The one I loathe, shampoo commercial campaign where the chick is having an orgasm, irks me something fierce. ---
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/88 "2002-12-11T17:07:04Z")
Like the Kevin Bacon commercial, I thought the **Bob Dole** version of that commercial was pretty funny too, although I can’t remember the details. What I do recall was that it was pretty cool for the old guy to make fun of not only himself, but his losing the election as well. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/89 "2002-12-11T20:54:42Z")
Hate: -The Burger King commercial that used the Spice Girls song (now tell me what ya want, what ya really really want…) -The car commercial with the techno music and the Parker Posey looking chick dancing her arms around like she’s having a seizure. -The monkey with a cold. -Tom Shane–bwahahaha!! I thought he was only in Indy. -The Wal-Mart ad with the woman breaking down in tears over the thought of the volunteer santa giving kids Christmas presents. _gag_ ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/90 "2002-12-11T22:09:23Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=149687](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=149687) ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/91 "2002-12-11T22:39:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*I liked the Joe Izusu ads. Fave line: “Gets about a hundred miles per gallon and only costs a dollar.” > > \*\* You can buy this truck for Six Bananas! ---
**Author:** ![Tertius01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e99b99/32.png) [@Tertius01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tertius01)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/92 "2002-12-11T23:00:02Z")
Likes: Volkswagon The Budweiser “True” where they yank out the phone cord. United Way during football games (has no one mentioned these? I think they are some of the most inventive around) Sportscenter Older Jack in the Box (the new ones aren’t as good, but the meaty cheesy boys…that was golden) Dislikes: Any cell phone type product Any collect call type product Capitol One (we had some extra monkey footage…better make a new commercial) Some late night insomnia medicine ad that I am pretty sure has two adverb errors in it (its late at night…my grammar is hazy) ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/93 "2002-12-12T02:16:53Z")
What’s the deal with those “grate on my nerves” **1-800-Cucumber** ads? Take that 'cumber, shove it up your bummer. I personally like the ads Bradshaw does for the NFL on Fox. I couldn’t stop laughing even after the 4th time I saw him throw a football out of a blimp, through a limo moonroof and beaning Steinbrenner in his head. And when is Miller Lite gonna bring back the _tastes great / less filling_ campaign? ---
**Author:** ![MrMyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19b73/32.png) [@MrMyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMyth)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/94 "2002-12-12T03:08:46Z")
Love - Axe Body Spray…“I **know** you not touchin’ my mannequin!!” One for some kind of home-ownership plan. Son calls his parents from his new home - “Mom, just calling to let you know I have every light in the house on right now. And tell Dad the front door’s open and I’m air-conditioning the entire neighborhood.” Hate - JCPenney ads. Where’s **your** mothers you illegitimate sumonmobeech! ---
**Author:** ![fatmac98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@fatmac98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatmac98)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/95 "2002-12-12T04:52:44Z")
The Nike football commercials with Dennis Hopper. . . Wish i had taped those. ---
**Author:** ![deb2world](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@deb2world](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deb2world)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2002, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/96 "2002-12-12T06:33:16Z")
Love: “We’re Going to Disneyland” 2002 World Series Champion Anaheim Angels – Didn’t see enough of this ad. Jack in the Box ads for the baseball antenna balls. The Angels one had this scout who says “I told the manager sign the lefty he throws like the wind [whoosh sound], but he said sign the little guy. What could I do, I like my job. At least he is hard to pitch to”. Anaheim Angels 2002 ads that incorporated a sorta retro look and had “Anaheim Angels AOK” song in it (notice a theme here 🙂 ) Hate: World Series Ads on Fox: What was up with that Voodoo Guy? He was just creepy. New Viagra commercial with that guy who is going to work and people are asking him what is new. They never tell you directly, but what is new is he got laid and has that morning after glow. I didn’t want to know. Hallmark Card commercials. Any commercial where you need a tissue afterwards has gone over the line. ---
**Author:** ![Spoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Spoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoc)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/97 "2002-12-13T07:30:29Z")
(Oops, started a similar thread without looking…) Hate the Get Out of Nebraska Shirt and all current Bass beer campaign commercials. Quite smugly full of themselves in their attempts at young, hip, disarming coolness. Also hate the Frosted Mini Wheats (?) commercials, with the two sided biscuit arguing with itself on an escalator and being charged double in a hotel room. Would be one thing if it only ran during cartoon time, but it shows up in prime time and late night as well. :rolleyes: Posted by **Lobsang:** > [@](#): > > All adverts in which people, who are supposed to be real average people, like something a little too much, Agreed - and did you ever notice how advertisers seem to perceive the real, average family: paunchy, balding, average Joe hubby (‘not that there’s anything WRONG with that!’) always paired with fairly hot wife. And yes, they like things a little too much; have to clip clothespins on the family members’ noses so they won’t get too excited over the smell of that Zest (?) soap wafting out of the shower; have to lock doors so the family won’t get any ideas about also having a cup of tea or some other mundane thing…To take that approach I think it has to be a sure-fire, virtually universal taste/weakness, such as chocolate or potato chips. Agreed on everything Ikea, from present (the reality-in-the-showroom campaign where family members are so at home that they fall into arguments about teen pregnancy, pot smoking, unfaithfulness, etc. Gold star to them for taking this chance of alienating some viewers!!) to distant past (very serious, clinically attired emergency team rushing into an O.R…which turns out to be a room with critical redecorating needs…). Even Ikea’s concise slogan is hysterical: Unboring, punctuated to at first look like a German word to us American dimwits, with the kick hitting a moment later… 🆒 And, **Interface2x** , I also love the Oh what fun, jingle jingle jingle jingle tune. It’s stuck in my head, but I don’t mind! Not a candidate for the 'Get out of my head, accursed song" thread! ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/98 "2002-12-13T10:32:53Z")
I hate GAP and Old Navy ads with a passion. ---
**Author:** ![Pythagras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/45deac/32.png) [@Pythagras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagras)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/99 "2002-12-13T11:07:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Michael Ellis \* > \*\*I hate GAP and Old Navy ads with a passion. \*\* Amen. If I find that love train Im going to take a sledgehammer to its tracks. I cant help but cringe whenever I see a striped scarf now. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197/100 "2002-12-14T05:13:15Z")
what i despise most about the wretched carl’s junior ad is the fact that they think that they are shocking people. (whoo-hooo!!! i’m so shocked!!! oh my!!! i have seen alice cooper, kiss, eraserhead, faces of death, ozzie etc… but, wow!!! are you shocking!!!give me a break) it’s just gross, not shocking. if you want shocking, have one of your manager’s clean up the store. carl’s junior grossed me out well before that ad campaign, and it just reinforced my low opinion of them. i can think of 2 good ones. one is the um…wait a minute…what is the channel with all of the old shows on it…they have dorks on there giving their opinions and then they say “take it from me…i’m a crackhead” or something like that. tv land. nickelodeon, that’s it. espn also has some good ones, where the jock hammers the mascot with his gym bag…also, the one when the guy does the bootlegger’s u turn and some other guy goes up to him and says “you’ve got a big set” and hands him some cash. they have a bunch more good ones. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-most-loathed-advertising-campaigns/141197.md?page=6)