# Most pointless commercial you've seen **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 19, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097 "2018-02-19T03:21:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/1 "2018-02-19T03:21:47Z")
I was looking up a Frank Zappa album on YouTube when the album stopped midway… …for a four second YouTube commercial. What really annoyed me about this commercial it didn’t advertise a new feature or some big event on YouTube. It was just the logo for 4 seconds, and the logo is in the corner of the site anyway. Have you ever seen a commercial that seemed as pointless? ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/2 "2018-02-19T05:32:58Z")
I’ve seen TV commercials suggesting that I should buy tickets to a sporting event that has already taken place (e.g. watching a commercial at 11 p.m. for a game that finished at 7 p.m.). ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/3 "2018-02-19T16:45:46Z")
> [@installLSC](#): > > I was looking up a Frank Zappa album on YouTube when the album stopped midway… > …for a four second YouTube commercial. > What really annoyed me about this commercial it didn’t advertise a new feature or some big event on YouTube. It was just the logo for 4 seconds, and the logo is in the corner of the site anyway. Have you ever seen a commercial that seemed as pointless? It was probably a way to discourage people from copying the album. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/4 "2018-02-19T16:54:58Z")
Those stupid Subaru car commercial where the dogs are driving. That does not make me want one. In fact it decidedly makes me NOT want one. Stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/5 "2018-02-19T17:51:50Z")
With due respect, dogs driving cars is cute. Much better than [well-endowed](https://youtu.be/BNYzrmdzktk?t=17) [hamsters.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ssp1pdvT-A) Am I going to buy a Kia or Subaru? Nope. But those commercials aren’t what the OP is really going for. Commercials for events that have passed are bad, but commercials to watch a show that you are _currently watching_ are probable the epitome. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/6 "2018-02-19T18:48:08Z")
I like the Boeing ads. Next time I’m in the market for a jet airplane, I’m going to get me a Boeing. Airbus never advertises around here. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/7 "2018-02-19T19:12:26Z")
Oh well, commercials for Holiday events when the holiday is over. Hate that. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/8 "2018-02-19T19:57:48Z")
Ads for stuff like chemotherapy drugs. Yeah, if I had cancer, I’m really gonna insist on advising my doctor on what chemo drugs to give me. And if I found out that my doctor was giving me chemo drugs based on a TV ad he or she saw, I’d look for another doctor. All those commercials do is jack up the price. ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/9 "2018-02-19T20:15:19Z")
Any commercial that I see umpteen times an hour strangely does not make me want to buy the product. At least, they’ll make me think, “Meh.” At most, “Grrr!” Of the two, I try to adopt the “Meh” stance whenever possible, but I never feel a building urge to go out and buy whatever it is they’re selling. I know they do studies that show things such as repetitive commercials do sell more product but something else just occurred to me: perhaps Company X will buy so much airtime just to keep Company Y from advertising too. Particularly during prime time. At any rate, meh. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/10 "2018-02-19T20:18:04Z")
> [@Hopeful\_Crow](#): > > Any commercial that I see umpteen times an hour strangely does not make me want to buy the product. At least, they’ll make me think, “Meh.” At most, “Grrr!” Of the two, I try to adopt the “Meh” stance whenever possible, but I never feel a building urge to go out and buy whatever it is they’re selling. > > I know they do studies that show things such as repetitive commercials do sell more product but something else just occurred to me: perhaps Company X will buy so much airtime just to keep Company Y from advertising too. Particularly during prime time. > > At any rate, meh. If I was ever inclined to buy GEICO insurance, the saturation of their advertisements would dissuade me. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/11 "2018-02-19T21:12:34Z")
Any perfume commercial. A series of non-connected, stream-of-consciousness scenes does not make me wish to take on a different scent. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/12 "2018-02-19T21:18:39Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Commercials for events that have passed are bad, but commercials to watch a show that you are _currently watching_ are probable the epitome. These I just don’t understand. I’m already watching Doctor Who. You don’t need to spoiler a future scene just so I keep watching it. Part of me suspects they’re using it to stop DVR users from fast-forwarding through commercials. You see a scene, stop because you think the commercials are over, and then end up sitting through a couple more. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/13 "2018-02-19T21:23:03Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > With due respect, dogs driving cars is cute. Yeah, I’m a fan of ads with dogs driving cars: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CHoSuTLHfE8/hqdefault.jpg "Carfax (Man lets his dog drive) commercial from 2000") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHoSuTLHfE8) ---
**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:** [February 19, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/14 "2018-02-19T21:31:27Z")
> [@installLSC](#): > > What really annoyed me about this commercial it didn’t advertise a new feature or some big event on YouTube. It was just the logo for 4 seconds, and the logo is in the corner of the site anyway. Have you ever seen a commercial that seemed as pointless? Ah, that is an encoded Deep State Society message marker. If you don’t understand, just disregard it and you will shortly receive your little treat for pressing the bar like a good mouse. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/15 "2018-02-19T21:48:09Z")
> [@B-Rad](#): > > Ah, that is an encoded Deep State Society message marker. If you don’t understand, just disregard it and you will shortly receive your little treat for pressing the bar like a good mouse. you are not meant to understand it - only see it. if you understand it, or question it, then you will be sent for retraining. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2018, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/16 "2018-02-19T22:05:24Z")
> [@simster](#): > > you are not meant to understand it - only see it. > > if you understand it, or question it, then you will be sent for retraining. Brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/17 "2018-02-19T22:50:20Z")
Ads for hospitals. Unless it’s an emergency my insurance dictates where I can go and be covered. And if it’s an emergency my first thought isn’t “hey! I saw a great commercial for the Robert Wood Johnson hospital! Let’s not go three miles to our local ER; let’s take a 30-mile drive to RWJ – I probably won’t bleed to death on the way.” Who is the target market for hospital ads? ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/18 "2018-02-19T23:09:18Z")
_Mad_ magazine (possibly in its _Mad TV Hate Book_) pointed out back in the 1960’s that ads for color TV’s which purported to show the quality of their sets’ colors were pointless because, “you can’t tell if you _don’t_ have a color TV, and, it’s a waste of time if you already do!” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/19 "2018-02-19T23:41:45Z")
Ads for a tv show that I’m about to watch, particularly if they contain spoilers for the episode that starts _immediately after the ad_. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097/20 "2018-02-20T01:14:59Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Ads for hospitals. Unless it’s an emergency my insurance dictates where I can go and be covered. > > And if it’s an emergency my first thought isn’t “hey! I saw a great commercial for the Robert Wood Johnson hospital! Let’s not go three miles to our local ER; let’s take a 30-mile drive to RWJ – I probably won’t bleed to death on the way.” > > Who is the target market for hospital ads? Places where two hospitals are so close that their parking lots or extra clinic building may seem to be for either one. Like in my city of Topeka. When I lived in East Lansing Michigan for three years there were two hospitals really close to each other, Sparrow General and St. Lawrence. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-pointless-commercial-youve-seen/809097.md?page=2)