After spending the holidays with my family, I was driving back home early this morning when an odd billboard along the interstate caught my eye. It was Gary Sinise doing his best to strike a manly pose and convince me that the best way to spend my holiday money was by purchasing a ridiculously expensive Baume & Mercier watch. I then began to laugh as I glanced down at my beat up Timex and pushed the Indiglo button. Still gets me every time. It's like a firefly on my wrist.
Anywho, I just thought it was amusing. I always get a kick out of what items celebrities choose to lend their name and image to. Remember how much fun I had when I found out that Evangeline Lilly was endorsing a new line of carpet?
So I decided to look into this odd pairing (Gary Sinise isn't exactly synonymous with watch connoisseur) and if you're still interested, read on for my life-altering realization.
I'm a presumptuous ass! I just figured that Sinise was hocking these watches in exchange for vast amounts of cash and of course... free watches. But that doesn't make sense since we've already established that he's definitely not the person who would convince me to buy a watch. I'm not sure who is, but I'll know when I see him. That... and I'll have bought a watch.
I checked out the Baume & Mercier website and it turns out that Sinise, along with Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Basinger, and Meg Ryan, are all part of a national effort to raise money for the environment, children's education, and cancer research. Actually, Basinger doesn't list cancer research as one of her goals. She listed animals... seriously.
So I guess next time you see an ad with a random celebrity and an equally random item (think Steven Segal and scented hand creams), don't jump to conclusions like I did. They might actually be contributing to something worthwhile. I bet Sinise is getting free watches though. But does it have Indiglo Gary? Huh, does it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-29-2006 @ 8:36AM
Dwacon said...
Well, so many people buy products based upon the recommendation of a celebrity... and I would find Gary Sinese a more serious spokesperson than, say, Paris Hilton. Nothing against Paris... but I would feel more manly saying, "Hey baby, look at this Gary Sinese watch I paid $45,000 for."
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dwacon
http://dwacon.blogspot.com
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12-29-2006 @ 11:31AM
scott said...
I always remember Alec Baldwin in "Glengarry Glen Ross" ,as far as watches go:"that watch cost more than your car."
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12-29-2006 @ 3:00PM
Michelle said...
It's like a firefly on my wrist! (lol) Mine is 10 years old and still makes me laugh, too. My kids think it is lame.
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1-13-2007 @ 1:39PM
Mary Jane Elmer said...
Umm, I just read this and I want to know something. Why is it that idiots like you see an ad for something frivolous and decide that the celebrity pictured is getting a lot of money and/or products for free? Gary Sinise, along with quite a few other celebrities, is very dedicated to various charitable works that benefit children, handicapped or not. Other celebrities have done the same throughout time. And how do you know that Sinise was EVEN consulted before his picture in the ad appeared? It's not beneath some advertisers to use a picture or celebrity endorsement to sell something without that celebrity knowing about it until it appears. Don't you ever read the newspapers? When Carol Burnett sued the National Enquirer over twenty years ago, she donated the money towards college journalism courses, mainly because she believes in responsible journalism (me too!). So, before jumping to comclusions about this, read the fine print. I'm sure that you'll find that most celebrities aren't being paid directly for these advertisements, but are donating any money toward worthy causes.
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1-13-2007 @ 1:44PM
Jonathan Toomey said...
Mary Jane --
I appreciate your comments but before you bash my opinion next time, I'd suggest reading the entire post. I looked into the ad and found out that Sinise was indeed supporting a charitable cause and I talked about that. I even said that it was wrong of me to assume otherwise. As you said, "read the fine print." I did.
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1-18-2007 @ 8:25PM
Jeannine said...
Jonathan- I too, saw the ad and just shook my head. There are SO many poor people, or people just getting by, and yet celebrities still endorse such expensive items, regardless who they give their money to. 9 out of 10, it isn't to the homeless, the single parents struggling to get by, the thousands of American orphaned children. I like that some DO give to Cancer research, and other diseases. But the US Gov't gives grants for these researches, celebrities give for a tax exemption. But still, to endorse a product that only a handful of people can afford is SO totally ridiculous! I still have my Timex Indiglo watch given to me in 2000. Actual price on this one then, $30.00!!
And I STILL get compliments on it, as it's 2 toned, slender & dainty. ; ) I like Gary Sinise & he seems sensible enough, and trustworthy, as he is still married to the same woman for over 19 yrs., tells ya (sorta) the kind of man he is. I just wish these celebrities would put more of there $$ where it's really needed-right here in the USA- but for the poor people and children. It irks me when I read how much they spend on clothes, shoes and jewelry. Celebrities are way overpaid, along w/Baseball, Basketball & Football players. And their priorities are way out of whack. Alot of celebrities could learn quite a bit from Oprah. She's about the only one that will open her check book to any needy family, and I respect that!
Celebrities should never forget that old saying;"What goes around; Comes around". Just a suggestion. ; )
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1-31-2007 @ 9:09PM
K said...
Yeah, I saw that billboard last time I was out in LA. He's not even wearing the watch! When I saw him staring down at me like that, the only thing I could figure was that Gary Sinise would eat my soul if I didn't buy the watch.
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