# Yet more puzzling commercials **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 15, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709 "2010-11-15T05:58:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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 16, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/61 "2010-11-16T16:14:44Z")
Those swiffer commercials irritate the shit out of me for the simple fact that the product does _not_ work better than a mop and broom. And it brings back a lot of cheese-assed songs that should be forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/62 "2010-11-16T17:22:43Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > It is so wrong that there is a commercial that makes me want to smack a child. This one does. > > The other one with the kid that looks like he is being bullied (Parker?) I am embarrassed to say that I want to smack him too. I cannot figure the Parker one out at all? He looks like he is being threatened, acts scared, but the ‘bullies’ don’t really seem all that interested in him. Then he dives into a random car that just happens to have his Mom driving and they drive off for home while the ‘bullies’ sit on the grass and watch Parker stick his tongue out at them. WTF is going on?! ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/63 "2010-11-16T17:27:56Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Those swiffer commercials irritate the shit out of me for the simple fact that the product does _not_ work better than a mop and broom. > > And it brings back a lot of cheese-assed songs that should be forgotten. I’ll agree with you on the song, but for certain things, a Swiffer is worlds better than a broom. Bathroom floors, in particular. Using a regular broom just does not work…all the hair, the wetness, etc… just make a mess that sticks to the broom, then sticks in the corners, etc…with a Swiffer pad, it’s _meant_ to stick, so it works out nicely. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/64 "2010-11-16T17:32:48Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > And while that Windows Mobile 7 commercial is puzzling, we can all agree on one thing: > The cougar wife in the black nightie is _hot as fuck._ And the guy ignoring her to play on his phone is _dumb as fuck._ Really! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/65 "2010-11-16T18:19:35Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > There’s a DirectTV commercial that puzzles me. > > A projectionist is in a room when a man silently enters. The projectionist bends over just in time to avoid the blowdart that was aimed at his throat. Puzzled at the sudden appearance of a dart, the projectionist turns, only to be hit by another blowdart, causing the poor projectionist to pass out. The man then steals a few reels of film. (IIRC, there’s a shot of Russell Crowe in this commercial as well). > > Apparently the point they’re trying to make is that DirectTv has first-run movies earlier than Netflix, but I can’t really get there from here. Does DirectTv steal movies? Attack projectionists? Really like Russell Crowe? The point is that if you had DirecTV, you wouldn’t need to engage in such behavior to satisfy your overpowering movie addiction. It’s a cautionary tale, if you will. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/66 "2010-11-16T18:35:58Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > I cannot figure the Parker one out at all? He looks like he is being threatened, acts scared, but the ‘bullies’ don’t really seem all that interested in him. Then he dives into a random car that just happens to have his Mom driving and they drive off for home while the ‘bullies’ sit on the grass and watch Parker stick his tongue out at them. > > WTF is going on?! This is exactly my thought process about that commercial. And the Toyota Highlander kid needs smackin’. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/67 "2010-11-16T19:15:13Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > I cannot figure the Parker one out at all? He looks like he is being threatened, acts scared, but the ‘bullies’ don’t really seem all that interested in him. Then he dives into a random car that just happens to have his Mom driving and they drive off for home while the ‘bullies’ sit on the grass and watch Parker stick his tongue out at them. > > WTF is going on?! My guess is that they were initially going for a explicit “kid being chased by bullies” narrative, but then halfway through the creative process, someone thought that people were going to be offended by it, so they reshot some scenes to turn it into a “race you home!” story that makes absolutely no sense. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/68 "2010-11-16T19:25:01Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Progressive’s Flo saying “Go big money.” What does that mean? Was I the only one who got this? “Go big money, big money, no whammies, STOP!” ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/69 "2010-11-16T19:28:27Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Dude, those woodchucks are clearly chucking wood, so it’s obviously true. 😛 Yup…I have to say…those woodchucks were really chucking that wood. ---
**Author:** ![Tess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@Tess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tess)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/70 "2010-11-16T19:32:23Z")
The Netflix radio commercials where game show contestants answer bizarre, nonsensical questions (Q. If a rhombus has four sides, what is the inverse of blue? A. Purple), then one factual question about Netflix services. I can’t wrap my head around it. Is Netflix so obscure the only way you’ll know about it is if you know this other stuff? Does having Netflix give you knowledge of all things? No idea ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/71 "2010-11-16T19:42:00Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Was I the only one who got this? > > “Go big money, big money, no whammies, STOP!” Except that the “Press Your Luck” chant was just “Big money,” not “Go big money.” Whoever explained it up thread got it right, IMHO. It’s a “Go **Duke** , it’s your birthday” thing. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/72 "2010-11-16T19:48:57Z")
> [@Tess](#): > > The Netflix radio commercials where game show contestants answer bizarre, nonsensical questions (Q. If a rhombus has four sides, what is the inverse of blue? A. Purple), then one factual question about Netflix services. > I can’t wrap my head around it. Is Netflix so obscure the only way you’ll know about it is if you know this other stuff? Does having Netflix give you knowledge of all things? > No idea I’m hip to your jive: > [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > There’s a series of ads for Netflix I hear on the radio all the time, and I just don’t get what they’re going for. > > The ads are presented as a game-show with an announcer asking, in hushed tones with a little tick-tock sound effect, absolutely inane questions. The ‘contestant’ answers with completely unrelated and equally inane responses, to which the announcer tells him, “Correct.” > > For example (made up, not actually in the ad, because I can’t remember specifics, but trust me … it’s something like this): > > “Fred has a red shirt and Babs has three apples. What time is it in Singapore?” > “Belgravia?” > “Correct.” > > And the last question is something like, “Name a way that Netflix delivers movies to your home.” > And the answer is the hook, “Netflix streaming! Yay!” Cue the big win music and the disclaimers. > > But I don’t get it. What the eff do the inane questions and answers have to do with … well, fucking anything? The ad seems to be saying that getting Netflix Streaming is about as probable as Bab’s apples. By the way … I still don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/73 "2010-11-16T20:01:45Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > But I don’t get it. What the eff do the inane questions and answers have to do with … well, fucking anything? The ad seems to be saying that getting Netflix Streaming is about as probable as Bab’s apples. That, at least, appears to be truth in advertising. Though I am still puzzled by the commercial. I think there’s possibly a school of marketing that says if you confuse your audience, they’ll remember you better. I don’t understand why you’d want to be associated with incoherence. I also can’t stand any commercial that uses marketing or production terms inside the commercial (e.g. the bulldog one). It suggests that you couldn’t come up with anything related to the product, or you’re filled with self-loathing for being in advertising. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/74 "2010-11-16T20:18:21Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > I cannot figure the Parker one out at all? He looks like he is being threatened, acts scared, but the ‘bullies’ don’t really seem all that interested in him. Then he dives into a random car that just happens to have his Mom driving and they drive off for home while the ‘bullies’ sit on the grass and watch Parker stick his tongue out at them. > > WTF is going on?! They did a bad ADR job on the original commercial. The group of kids, plainly bullies, originally said “let’s get him” instead of challenging him to a race. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/75 "2010-11-16T20:31:23Z")
The (presumably astronomical) amount of money and airtime being blown these days on halfassed, nonsensical TV advertising suggests that the media culture has become so blasé and oversaturated that _no one is really paying attention_ - not the viewers, not the clients, not even the account people - and moreover, that the creatives _know_ this. It’s probably supposed to just be background anymore. Semi-subliminal. If it makes you look or listen enough that you might possibly retain the company name and what they do, that is all they are shooting for. I’m sure the industry would love to get the full and undivided public attention back, but the ways to do this are running out. Progressive Flo’s crisp white smock would surely start malfunctioning in certain late-night slots, that is if the FCC and various parents’ councils didn’t get in a wad about it. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/76 "2010-11-16T21:25:04Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > I just want to know what’s up with all the ads where the product being advertised destroys your house. Off the top of my head, there’s Cialis and the iPad, and I’ve seen a couple more with this theme. Consumer sitting around at home begins using product, house collapses around him (or disappears entirely) leaving him sitting in the middle of the woods/rainforest/grassy field/what-have-you. He always looks pretty happy about it, too. > > But…I don’t want products that destroy my house. I _like_ my house. I have no interest in a product that does this, metaphorically or otherwise. WTF? I liken these to those commercials where the product immediately causes halucinations. Like Sprite - drinking sprite will drive you insane - on the first drink - forever. Really good way to up your market share - sure, you’ll sell a bunch of your flavorless bubble water one time - but there will be no repeat business - 1) tastes like crap 2) doesn’t deliver the promised hallucinations. At least cialis users have the hope of getting lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/77 "2010-11-16T21:25:12Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > Microsoft is advertising their new Windows Phone 7 as an operating system that will let you get the important stuff done on your phone and get back to your life. Which indicates that they Just Don’t Get It. People aren’t spending their time checking Twitter, answering text messages , and emailing because it’s a painful necessity that’s dragging them away from the current social situation. They’re doing it because the phone, for better or worse, \* is \* their life. Thanks for bringing this up. It’s wrong headed. “Hey smartphone users, here’s a smart phone that you won’t want to use so you can get back to life.” The time spent checking out Facebook and Twitter are spent because the person doesn’t have the ability to shut off their phone and interact with real people, they _want_ to be glued in their phone. They’re the people texting the person next to them to have a conversation. That is not a result of the phone they are using. > [@movingfinger](#): > > And doesn’t he know that a good way to crack your engine block is to pour cold water into it without keeping the engine running or shutting it down and letting it cool off for an hour or so? Didn’t he ever take auto shop in high school? I didn’t know that until I did crack my engine block. > [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Microsoft has always aimed at the mass market, and this is no different; they aren’t going after the early-adopter tech-lover who loves the tech itself, but the guy who doesn’t care about the tech and just wants to get things done and get off the phone. The non-tech adapters aren’t shopping for smart phones. They don’t want twitter and Facebook at their beck and call. They just want a phone. Or don’t even want to carry a cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/78 "2010-11-16T22:17:58Z")
There’s a new [commercial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX5rwqgIcAo) for the Nissan Juke where the businessman has to get donuts for the meeting. He jumps through the donut store window, drives recklessly towards the office, etc. It all makes a certain amount of sense, except that he’s inexplicably wearing what looks like orange women’s shoes with no socks with his suit. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/79 "2010-11-16T23:05:59Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > That child was a horrible, horrible mistake. And his parents should tell him so. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709/80 "2010-11-17T00:46:26Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > And while that Windows Mobile 7 commercial is puzzling, we can all agree on one thing: > The cougar wife in the black nightie is _hot as fuck._ And the guy ignoring her to play on his phone is _dumb as fuck._ Having made use of the pause function on youtube, I concur. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-more-puzzling-commercials/560709.md?page=5)