# That pony commercial! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 29, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343 "2009-11-29T17:07:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/1 "2009-11-29T17:07:13Z")
This [one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qb0vquRcys). Both of those little girls reactions look real. If they are, it seems pretty mean to me. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/2 "2009-11-29T17:14:21Z")
I’ve noticed the same thing; specifically, the chubby kid with the truck. At first I thought the kids weren’t in on the gag. But then, productions generally require mulitple takes, and remember that these kids were hired from a casting company and knew what they were getting into. Steven Spielberg famously dressed in a gorilla suit to get the look of awe in the little kid’s face in _Close Encounters_, and then took off the headpiece to get the laughter shot. I wouldn’t be surprised if the director of the commercials used some sort of subterfuge to get ‘real’ reactions from the kids. But would it work over multiple takes? Since you brought up the pony commercial specifically, one thing I noticed is that the cuter kid got the real pony. Seemed a bit mean to have the… not-so-cute… kid get the booby prize. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/3 "2009-11-29T17:16:37Z")
On watching the pony commercial again, I think the girls were unaware that a real pony would be brought out. But the ‘You didn’t say I could have a real one!’ line must have been rehearsed after the surprise. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/4 "2009-11-29T17:28:53Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > On watching the pony commercial again, I think the girls were unaware that a real pony would be brought out. But the ‘You didn’t say I could have a real one!’ line must have been rehearsed after the surprise. I don’t know. I raised two daughters, and that line seemed pretty real to me. That preference for the “pretty” one is so common that I didn’t even notice it. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/5 "2009-11-29T17:51:59Z")
I know the producer. Those are real reactions. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/6 "2009-11-29T17:56:33Z")
I love those commercials! The resulting look on the face of the girl with the plastic pony is hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/7 "2009-11-29T17:59:53Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > I know the producer. Those are real reactions. Give that producer a dirty look for me, would you. And **Tangent** , too. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/8 "2009-11-29T18:04:54Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > I know the producer. Those are real reactions. What about the dialogue after the reactions? (I looked at the Truck one again, and the whole thing looks real. Great impromptu line by the kid.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/9 "2009-11-29T18:07:01Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > I know the producer. What camera did they use? ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/10 "2009-11-29T18:09:24Z")
Huh. I posted about these commercials a few months ago assuming that they were rehearsed with the kids. If you have any idea how horse-obsessed girls can be you can see how it strikes near and dear. There’s another ad out showing a girl with her new pony, a present - then another little girl arrives at the party, stares in amazement and drops her plastic horse - it’s hilarious. Anyone recall it? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/11 "2009-11-29T18:14:39Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > I love those commercials! The resulting look on the face of the girl with the plastic pony is hilarious. “When I grow up, you are _SO_ going to regret this.” ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/12 "2009-11-29T18:23:18Z")
Give me a dirty look too, because I wish I could see both girls’ reactions when they tell the little blonde she doesn’t really get to keep the pony. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/13 "2009-11-29T19:09:43Z")
From [USA Today](http://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/adtrack/2009-08-09-adtrack-prescription-drug-ads_N.htm): "The bank, formerly GMAC Bank, did an open casting call for experienced child actors and everyday kids. … The reactions were culled from a batch of more than 20 kids, and their reactions were filmed in two different phases. In the first, they are truly tricked, and reactions are genuine. But for a second round of shooting, the kids were briefed on what the trick would be and so were more prepared to react. The final batch of ads combine both reactions." ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/14 "2009-11-29T19:16:58Z")
I love the weird noise the spokesman makes when he calls in the real pony. > [@mangeorge](#): > > Give that producer a dirty look for me, would you. > And **Tangent** , too. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/15 "2009-11-29T19:33:23Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > I love the weird noise the spokesman makes when he calls in the real pony. Weird? Why that’s a fine cliche from countless westerns. I don’t know if it actually works, though. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/16 "2009-11-29T20:02:02Z")
His is a little different from the usual tongue click. He sounds like he’s doing a dolphin noise or something. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/17 "2009-11-29T20:34:56Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > His is a little different from the usual tongue click. He sounds like he’s doing a dolphin noise or something. So what if a dolphin (land dolphin?) came out. Worth the [commercial](http://www.spike.com/video/land-shark/2802070), I promise. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/18 "2009-11-29T22:32:20Z")
I’m surprised to find out that the reaction shot was real - my daughter (and sisters) would’ve immediately broken into tears, screaming “THAT’S NOT FAIR!!!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/19 "2009-11-29T22:33:23Z")
> [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](#): > > There’s another ad out showing a girl with her new pony, a present - then another little girl arrives at the party, stares in amazement and drops her plastic horse - it’s hilarious. Anyone recall it? The video doesn’t seem to be (readily) available online anymore, but it was a Lexus commercial. Here’s a random [Blog link](http://chuckwestbrook.com/lexus-commercial-fail-the-car-for-spoiled-brats/) complaining about it. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343/20 "2009-11-30T00:37:19Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I’m surprised to find out that the reaction shot was real - my daughter (and sisters) would’ve immediately broken into tears, screaming “THAT’S NOT FAIR!!!” 😉 Some kids get used to “second best”. That’s exactly what her reaction made me think of. Watch her closely. That’s what made me believe it was real. Adults can do it to those kids without even thinking. Peer kids can do it _with_ thinking. Sorry, I’m getting all serious. I can’t help it. I’m a grampa. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-pony-commercial/519343.md?page=2)