I had a Stretch Armstrong toy when I was a kid. Like most boys I tried to find some way to break it. Sure, the ads said you could stretch and stretch and stretch the guy, but could you really stretch him really far and not snap off an arm or a leg? If I remember correctly he was pretty resilient. We'll see what they do on the big screen, because they're making a movie out of the toy (and I'm sure they'll be a toy for the movie, so it all comes full circle), and Taylor Lautner is going to play Stretch.
In this ad, the kids each take an end of Stretch Armstrong and stretch him practically across the room. I know that Lautner is not a doll he's a grown human being, but I think it would be funny if they included a scene like this in the movie. Sort of a wink and a nod to parents in the audience who remember the toy.
'Twilight' Guy to Play Stretch Armstrong on the Big Screen
The Super Bowl Commercials: The Worst
It has become a cliche to say "I watch the Super Bowl just for the ads," but I really do. I have no interest in football at all (even less this year because the Patriots aren't in it - the only reason I would have to even be a little interested in the game is if the team from my area was in it), so I really do look forward to seeing and reviewing the ads. Too bad the Super Bowl ads aren't what they used to be (except for that Letterman/Leno/Oprah ad ... wow).This year I'm picking the seven worst ads, while Kona is handling the seven best. Two rules for my worst: no movie ads (they're in a category all by themselves and shouldn't be judged with the other ads), and I tried not to pick any commercials that aired before today.
Continue reading The Super Bowl Commercials: The Worst
TV Squad Ten: Most/Least Sexy Super Bowl Ads of All Time
Will Rogers once said, "Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don't have for something they don't need." And how do you that? That's easy. Just sprinkle in some sex! It's nature's negotiator.
Of course, it's not as simple as it sounds. These days, people are easier to offend than Catholic nuns and the FCC has made it nearly impossible to advertise products the way God intended (i.e. naked girls with abnormally large boobs writhing and moaning over the awesomeness of Flonase). So an even subtler art of using sex to get your money lies within this deeply layered process. Here are the best of the best and the worst of the worst.
Continue reading TV Squad Ten: Most/Least Sexy Super Bowl Ads of All Time
Drew Brees Has One Commercial That's Better Than Peyton Manning's
With the Super Bowl just a couple of days away, there's been tons of attention paid to both the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts players. And it's all justifiable. After all, they've made it to the ultimate NFL game. But when it comes to commercials, the king is most likely Peyton Manning. Whether it's "Cut that meat" or Sony TVs or licking the inside of Oreo cookies with his brother Eli, Peyton has the upper hand on the entire NFL in ads.But wait, there is another quarterback in the Super Bowl, Drew Brees, and he has at least one commercial that ranks right up there with the funniest stuff either Manning has done. It was a 'This is SportsCenter' promotion for ESPN.
Continue reading Drew Brees Has One Commercial That's Better Than Peyton Manning's
HuffPo compiles the best banned Super Bowl ads
Even though CBS has hacked and slashed an abnormally large number of Super Bowl ads, they aren't the first and they sure as hell won't be the last.
The Huffington Post has compiled a list of some of the more outrageous banned Super Bowl ads including the steamy PETA "veggie sex" ad and this ad for Smartbeep that has been floating around the Internet for years but didn't know until now that it was supposed to air during the Super Bowl. Thank you, Internet. You're the teacher that none of my teachers could ever be.
The Huffington Post has compiled a list of some of the more outrageous banned Super Bowl ads including the steamy PETA "veggie sex" ad and this ad for Smartbeep that has been floating around the Internet for years but didn't know until now that it was supposed to air during the Super Bowl. Thank you, Internet. You're the teacher that none of my teachers could ever be.
Is Apple's '1984' the Best Super Bowl Commercial Ever?
Every year around this time, everyone talks about the best Super Bowl commercials of all-time. In fact, CBS has a special tonight at 8pm, 'Greatest Super Bowl Commercials of All-Time.' Apple's '1984' ad, which introduced the Mac, is often cited as the best Super Bowl ad ever. Is it? I love it and it's certainly in the running and iconic. Some people say this is the best ad ever, period.
Here's the commercial. After the jump, take our poll.
Here's the commercial. After the jump, take our poll.
Continue reading Is Apple's '1984' the Best Super Bowl Commercial Ever?
CBS Cuts Another Ad Down to Size, Literally
Either CBS' advertising department is run by the biggest whiny fusspot since 'Frasier's' Niles Crane last visited his neighborhood Sizzler or these tough economic times have forced them to take Eric Cartman's "you can't come" business model to heart.
CBS has rejected yet another ad for their Super Bowl broadcast. This time, it's for the upcoming hack 'n slash adventure video game 'Dante's Inferno'. Unlike other controversial ads for GoDaddy.com and ManCrunch.com, this time they only had a problem with the commercial's tagline, "Go to Hell." Instead the ad will air with the tagline "Hell Awaits," which is way more creepy and disturbing since it implies that "Hell" is waiting to come to me instead of vice versa.
Don't watch the following ad if you're disturbed by having to read the word "Hell."
CBS has rejected yet another ad for their Super Bowl broadcast. This time, it's for the upcoming hack 'n slash adventure video game 'Dante's Inferno'. Unlike other controversial ads for GoDaddy.com and ManCrunch.com, this time they only had a problem with the commercial's tagline, "Go to Hell." Instead the ad will air with the tagline "Hell Awaits," which is way more creepy and disturbing since it implies that "Hell" is waiting to come to me instead of vice versa.
Don't watch the following ad if you're disturbed by having to read the word "Hell."
Megachurch May Crunch Competition in Doritos' Super Bowl Ad Contest
It's good to know that while CBS is turning down ads for the Super Bowl left and right over nimbly fears over people having to see a flamboyantly gay man dressing underwear models or two dudes making out that an interesting one will make the cut...for now. Mosiac, a Los Angeles based megachurch, is one of the six finalists in a Doritos contest to win some free air time during Super Bowl XLIV. Their proposed ad titled "Casket" spoofs the resurrection with the awesome power of Doritos and currently holds the top spot in the contest's online poll.
And if I were a betting man, I'd say it's going to stay there unless Jesus produced the "guy wears dog shock collar" ad.
[via TV Week]
New truTV Show Hyped with Troy Polamalu Super Bowl Ad
Now that the NFL has moved the Pro Bowl to the week before the big game, the Super Bowl will be the last TV event on the football schedule for the year. During Sunday's game, truTV will hype a new show, called 'NFL Full Contact,' with an ad starring Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, or, as he is known in the ad, Punxsutawney Polamalu. In the ad, a mini version of Polamalu (by the magic of green screen, played by Polamalu and wrestler Steve Richardson, a.k.a. Puppet the Psycho Dwarf) gets pulled out of a tree stump and sees his shadow. Thus, six more weeks of football. Meaning, of course, six weeks of 'NFL Full Contact.'
Continue reading New truTV Show Hyped with Troy Polamalu Super Bowl Ad
Coca-Cola gives us a sneak peak at their Simpsons Super Bowl ad
Since I started writing for this site, I've had the pleasure of seeing episodes of shows like Dexter and Leverage before anyone else. I've had the pleasure of conversing with some of the industry's most interesting characters. But now I know I've truly made it: I got to watch a Super Bowl ad before the rest of the world. Who wants to touch me?
This year's Super Bowl will, of course, feature new commercials for Coca-Cola including a rather interesting one featuring that mecca of brand advertising, The Simpsons.
It actually takes quite an interesting turn from what you might expect. It's not all that silly. It's actually quite sad and even sullen, compared to ads featuring the show's characters in campaigns for Butterfinger and KFC. Watch it for during the game, even if you're like me and you actually watch the Super Bowl for the actual Super Bowl.
CBS also punts GoDaddy's Super Bowl ad
CBS may have opened their hearts, minds and bank accounts to advocacy groups for airtime during the Super Bowl, but it has also rejected two ads that contain themes that don't meet the network's "Standards and Practices department" requirements. Not only did they reject an ad for the gay dating website ManCrunch.com, but they have also kicked off an ad from the hotbed of notorious advertising that is GoDaddy.com, which has a similar, how you say, je ne sais quoi.
Check out the GoDaddy ad that you won't be seeing during the Super Bowl below. Warning: the following video contains a sensuous looking woman in a very revealing outfit, so those of you who were expecting the usual amount of big breasted women taking their tops off in a GoDaddy commercial might be more than a little disappointed.
Check out the GoDaddy ad that you won't be seeing during the Super Bowl below. Warning: the following video contains a sensuous looking woman in a very revealing outfit, so those of you who were expecting the usual amount of big breasted women taking their tops off in a GoDaddy commercial might be more than a little disappointed.
Watch for the Griswolds during the Super Bowl
Apparently we're in the midst of a Chevy Chase revival. Not only is the former Saturday Night Live star, the first to become a breakout movie star, currently making good on the NBC sitcom Community, he's getting commercial work, too. Not just the MyTouch one that's been around for a while -- with other SNL'ers Darrell Hammond, Dana Carvey and Molly Shannon -- but now he's going to star in a Super Bowl ad.
Actually co-star. In a spot for HomeAway.com, Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo will be the Griswolds again, reprising their National Lampoon Vacation characters.
Continue reading Watch for the Griswolds during the Super Bowl
Here's the Super Bowl ad that CBS rejected
Danny told you about a bunch of advocacy ads that will run during this year's Super Bowl. But CBS has rejected an ad too, from the dating site ManCrunch.com. But thanks to the internet we can still see it. Here it is. It's wicked gay.
[via Mashable]
Sneak Peek: Bridgestone's Super Bowl ad
The Super Bowl is coming up on February 7, and as usual TV Squad will have analysis of the game as well as predictions on whether Peyton Manning can handle the Saints' defense. Just kidding. Actually, we'll have analysis of the ads, including this one from Bridgestone titled "Whale of a Tale." Three guys and a whale in a truck.
Question: does this ad make you want to see the rest during the Super Bowl or will you completely forget about it and maybe just happen to see it because you're going to watch the Super Bowl anyway? Do these things work (and I guess I'm asking if the other kind of ad works, the TV commercial that tells you to go to a web site to see the conclusion of the ad. I hate those.)
Question: does this ad make you want to see the rest during the Super Bowl or will you completely forget about it and maybe just happen to see it because you're going to watch the Super Bowl anyway? Do these things work (and I guess I'm asking if the other kind of ad works, the TV commercial that tells you to go to a web site to see the conclusion of the ad. I hate those.)
[via Adfreak]
Terrifying clown commercials
Clowns are scary. I've known people who wouldn't flinch to kill a man with their bare hands who would run screaming at the first site of one of Bozo's children. Their faces are painted in permanent smiles, their hair is never a natural color, and they are always wearing a one-piece suit, which is mysterious. How'd they get in there? The fear is immediate, which is what makes clowns so effective in commercials. Just have a few seconds to communicate something scary? Send in the clowns. Here are a few currently or recently in circulation.
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The Super Bowl Commercials: The Best
