# ‘Flo’ (Progressive Insurance) Is A Bad Model **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 23, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789 "2014-04-23T17:35:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/41 "2014-04-24T15:55:59Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > To portray an old-timey friendly neighborhood grocer rather than a stuffy, high-pressure insurance agent. And because immediately after a scene ends, she goes in the back and begins butchering lambs. ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/42 "2014-04-24T16:05:50Z")
She wears a ton of makeup. Bright red lipstick. This makes her look very feminine, yet she’s portrayed as this goofy misfit. It’s meant to make her seem appealing yet non threatening I think. Unlike Esurance she’s not this sexy spy lady meant to pander to computer nerds. Flo got jealous once and murdered FloBot :eek: ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/43 "2014-04-24T16:36:11Z")
I miss Erin Esurance, she was hot ☹ ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/44 "2014-04-24T16:57:32Z")
I like the AllState commercials where Dean Winters plays a character “Mayhem” who maliciously or through negligence causes various catastrophic events. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/45 "2014-04-24T17:14:30Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I miss Erin Esurance, she was hot ☹ Supposedly she was ditched because the amount of _ahem_ “third party creative works” featuring her in _ahem_ “non-insurance related situations” was swamping the internet when you looked up Esurance. There was no fighting it and better to just let her go as a mascot. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/46 "2014-04-24T17:41:57Z")
I’m pretty sure the Old Bald Guy for Farmers doesn’t do it for anybody. If I wanted to see an Old Bald Guy, I’d just look in a mirror. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/47 "2014-04-24T17:41:58Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Why do they have her in a store, a ‘brick and mortar’ store? You can’t buy insurance like that. And the stuff on shelves is just boxes - that’s not an insurance policy. > > It all sets a bad example for people who have never bought insurance and might be misled. [Zoidberg]One “insurance,” please![/Zoidberg] ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/48 "2014-04-24T17:48:28Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > \*(I always thought those commercials were ill-advized for Apple. The guy who was supposed to tell you how cool Apples were came off as kinda smarmy, while Hodgman’s loveable nerd schtick seemed more fun and memorable.) So true-to-life Jobs vs Gates, then? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/49 "2014-04-24T17:56:20Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > I’m pretty sure the Old Bald Guy for Farmers doesn’t do it for anybody. If I wanted to see an Old Bald Guy, I’d just look in a mirror. Hey, that character finally convinced me that I can wear jeans with my tweed and vest. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/50 "2014-04-24T18:05:07Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > I’m pretty sure the Old Bald Guy for Farmers doesn’t do it for anybody. If I wanted to see an Old Bald Guy, I’d just look in a mirror. Yes, the one who just got the lead in a new, popular network comedy series, again disproving the idea that being a well known figure in a commercial series is the death knell for a “real” acting career. As to the OP, you’re overthinking this one, **Unc**. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/51 "2014-04-24T18:15:42Z")
Wait a second! he was Juno’s dad! And in a terrible sitcom that lasted about three episodes last year! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/52 "2014-04-24T18:51:26Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Supposedly she was ditched because the amount of _ahem_ “third party creative works” featuring her in _ahem_ “non-insurance related situations” was swamping the internet when you looked up Esurance. There was no fighting it and better to just let her go as a mascot. They should have taken advantage of that and used it as free advertising! ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/53 "2014-04-24T18:58:03Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Yes, the one who just got the lead in a new, popular network comedy series, again disproving the idea that being a well known figure in a commercial series is the death knell for a “real” acting career. > > As to the OP, you’re overthinking this one, **Unc**. [J.K. Simmons](http://http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0799777/) was an established actor BEFORE he started doing the Farmer’s commercials. He was Emil Skoda on the L&O franchises and Vern Schillinger on HBO’s _ **Oz** _. Hardly the same as a minor comedic actress whose biggest credit was several appearances on _ **Angel.** _ ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/54 "2014-04-24T19:01:42Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > John Hodgman (the “I’m a PC” guy)\* managed to parlay his bit as a recognizable corporate spokesman to a more successful career. So it doesn’t seem to be the career killer you imagine. > > \*(I always thought those commercials were ill-advized for Apple. The guy who was supposed to tell you how cool Apples were came off as kinda smarmy, while Hodgman’s loveable nerd schtick seemed more fun and memorable.) His [career](http://http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1894655/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1%E2%80%9D) seems to be modest, at best. Nothing more than a few guest appearances and a brief role on a series. He’s appeared more often as himself than as characters in productions. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/55 "2014-04-24T19:04:34Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > A character named Flo, dressed all in white, belongs in a Kotex ad. > > Sorry, it’s all I’ve been able to think of since the ads started. I am unfortunately married to Flo’s niece. When she tells me Aunt Flo is in town I know there will be no sex this week. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/56 "2014-04-24T19:19:43Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > I’m pretty sure the Old Bald Guy for Farmers doesn’t do it for anybody. If I wanted to see an Old Bald Guy, I’d just look in a mirror. Wasn’t he the [neo-nazi mass murderer](http://i.lv3.hbo.com/assets/images/series/oz/character/inmates/vern-schillinger-1024.jpg) in the show Oz? I guess Fascist need insurance just as much or more than “normal” people. Oops. Whooshed by post #53. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/57 "2014-04-24T19:24:59Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > Nothing more than a few guest appearances and a brief role on a series. He’s appeared more often as himself than as characters in productions. He’s a regular on The Daily Show and consistently tours and performs stand-up. Again (like Flo), most comedians should be that lucky to have his career. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/58 "2014-04-24T19:25:02Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > His [career](http://http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1894655/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1%E2%80%9D) seems to be modest, at best. > > Nothing more than a few guest appearances and a brief role on a series. He’s appeared more often as himself than as characters in productions. He’s got a better career then 99.9% of the aspiring comedians and actors out there, and a much more prominent career after the Mac commercials then before, which was my point. (plus its a little silly to discount his appearances as himself. He’s primarily a comedian, so appearing as himself is largely what he does.) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/59 "2014-04-24T19:27:46Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > They should have taken advantage of that and used it as free advertising! [Here’s an article discussing it](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/esurance-axes-erin-after-the-secret-agent-took-on-an-x-rated-life-of-her-own/) (I know you weren’t serious, I just was trying to remember the story and went looking for a credible version) ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789/60 "2014-04-24T19:32:40Z")
Flo’s O.K., but she’s no [Segata Sanshiro.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcIYDxmnKHY) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flo-progressive-insurance-is-a-bad-model/686789.md?page=4)