TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com/media/feedlogo.gif TV Squad http://www.tvsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/McDonald's is lovin' two guys who share one nosehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/03/mcdonalds-is-lovin-two-guys-who-share-one-nose/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/03/mcdonalds-is-lovin-two-guys-who-share-one-nose/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/03/mcdonalds-is-lovin-two-guys-who-share-one-nose/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I like seeing commercials from overseas. They aren't usually something we'll see on American television, so it's good that the web can fulfill all of our foreign advertising needs. This European McDonald's ad shows a nightmarish world where two guys share one nose. I can't imagine something that two guys could share that would be so creepy and uncomfortable.

OK, I can imagine one thing.

[via AdFreak]

 

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]]>fast foodim lovin itmcdonaldsmcdonalds admcdonalds commercialnosestwo guysBob SassoneFri, 03 Jul 2009 15:29:00 ESTWe're going to keep seeing Billy Mays in commercialshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/02/were-going-to-keep-seeing-billy-mays-in-commercials/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/02/were-going-to-keep-seeing-billy-mays-in-commercials/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/02/were-going-to-keep-seeing-billy-mays-in-commercials/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Billy MaysFirst off, everyone keeps using the word "infomercial" when describing the ads that Billy Mays did, including this piece at TampaBay.com. Actually, infomercials are longer form ads, usually 30 minutes. What Mays did were commercials (though yes, he did infomercials too). After a meeting between his widow, his son, friend Anthony Sullivan, and marketers, they have decided to resume running all of Mays' ads next week. I'm sure that's going to seem weird to some viewers.

I guess it's not completely odd, because we still watch a TV show that a celebrity has starred in after they die. But commercials are more recent, more "alive," more "of the moment" than some TV show that we all know is a repeat from one, ten, thirty years ago. And that's what's going to be odd about seeing these ads.

 

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]]>anthony sullivanbilly maysbilly mays herecommercialsoxi-cleanpitchmentv adstv commercialsBob SassoneThu, 02 Jul 2009 18:01:00 ESTHardee's wants you to compare A-holes and B-holeshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/01/hardees-wants-you-to-compare-a-holes-and-b-holes/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/01/hardees-wants-you-to-compare-a-holes-and-b-holes/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/01/hardees-wants-you-to-compare-a-holes-and-b-holes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you saw the Microsoft ad that Mike posted earlier today, you might think that the advertising business has been taken over by 12 year-olds. If you still need more convincing, here's the new Hardee's commercial that compares their new Biscuit Holes with other holes. It's juvenile, but I have to admit, also funny.

[via AdFreak]

 

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]]>a-holesb-holesbiscuit holeshardeestv adstv commercialsBob SassoneWed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:00 ESTWhat's with all the feminine hygiene ads, Lifetime?http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/30/whats-with-all-the-feminine-hygiene-ads-lifetime/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/30/whats-with-all-the-feminine-hygiene-ads-lifetime/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/30/whats-with-all-the-feminine-hygiene-ads-lifetime/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tampax Print AdMy wife was watching a Lifetime movie that I've already forgotten the title of the other day. What I can't forget, however, is that during every single commercial break of this two-hour movie there were at least two different commercials for various feminine hygiene products. I understand that the Lifetime demographic is the right audience for these ads but at the same time don't you think there's a limit to how often a woman wants to think about her most intimate area's cleanliness while watching a movie?

The women I know actually have quite a wide variety of interests beyond yeast infections and Vagisil. In fact, those things almost never come up in conversation. I don't even think Lifetime should stop airing the commercials, because I'm told it's important stuff, but let's throw some variety in there, too. If Spike TV was airing condom commercials twice a break in the middle of the day I'd think they were obsessing a little bit too. You care. That's sweet. We get it, now how about reminding me of what really matters. McDonald's has "Hugo" size drinks for a dollar!

 

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]]>feminine hygiene commercialsFeminineHygieneCommercialslifetimetampaxtamponsvagisilyeast infectionYeastInfectionJason HughesTue, 30 Jun 2009 14:04:00 ESTThe ShamWow guy...made a movie?!?http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/29/the-shamwow-guy-made-a-movie/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/29/the-shamwow-guy-made-a-movie/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/29/the-shamwow-guy-made-a-movie/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Vince If you loved the Slap-Chop guy's nuts, then chances are you'll love his movie.

Vince "ShamWow guy" Offer (we soon learned his real last name is Shlomi, thanks to his arrest record for fighting a prostitute) was one of the minds behind the infamous Underground Comedy Movie, a lame attempt at a Kentucky Fried Movie-style film that will live in infamy for reasons other than its attempt at comedy.

You might remember the film (or you may not want to) from the late night infomercials and commercials that aired for it back in the late '90s and early '00s. The film has a long and sordid history full of more litigation and despair than an E! True Hollywood Story, assuming that Vince Offer has not yet become the focus of an E! True Hollywood Story.

Continue reading The ShamWow guy...made a movie?!?

 

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]]>anna nicoleanna nicole smithAnnaNicoleAnnaNicoleSmithgina lee nolinGinaLeeNolinjoey buttafucojoey buttafuocoJoeyButtafucoJoeyButtafuocosham-wowshamwowshamwow guyshamwowguyslap chopSlapChopunderground comedy movieUndergroundComedyMovievince offerVinceOfferDanny GallagherMon, 29 Jun 2009 13:10:00 ESTToday is "Wear Blue for Billy" dayhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/29/today-is-wear-blue-for-billy-day/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/29/today-is-wear-blue-for-billy-day/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/29/today-is-wear-blue-for-billy-day/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Billy Mays - Wear Blue for Billy DayNews of someone's death always implants a little sadness in my brain, whether its the passing of a major celebrity or some innocent bystander who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Part of it is completely selfish. Someone's passing always reminds me of the frailty of human life and lets me know I'm always one less beer away from reaching the end of my time.

The other part is the projection of my own pain. We've all lost someone close to us and know what that pain feels like when our brain is scrambling to catch up with the reality of that loss. There is someone out there who has to deal with that same pain, whether the person who died was worthy of Catholic sainthood or the Bastard of the Year Award.

Continue reading Today is "Wear Blue for Billy" day

 

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]]>adsanthony sullivanAnthonySullivanbilly maysbilly mays hereBillyMaysBillyMaysHereinfomercialsoxi-cleanoxicleanpitchmentv commercialsTvCommercialsDanny GallagherMon, 29 Jun 2009 09:08:00 ESTBilly Mays dead at 50http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/28/billy-mays-dead-at-50/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/28/billy-mays-dead-at-50/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/28/billy-mays-dead-at-50/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Billy MaysFamous (and loud) TV pitchman Billy Mays was found dead in his Florida home today. He was 50.

There's no cause of death yet (an autopsy will be performed tomorrow), but Mays was one of the passengers on a US Airways flight that had a bumpy landing in Tampa, FL yesterday.

I think most people would agree that this been a remarkably strange week for celebrity deaths. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, then Michael Jackson. We thought those three celebs would be enough for one week (and celebrity deaths often come in threes, as the common wisdom goes). And now we have a guy who is still on our TVs all the time. It's not like he was old or he had retired or he wasn't doing much in public anymore. Commercials with May run all day long, every day. I saw several last night. He also has a weekly show with Anthony Sullivan on Discovery called Pitchmen. The pair were also on Conan's show last week. Video of that appearance is after the jump.

Continue reading Billy Mays dead at 50

 

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]]>anthony sullivanbilly maysbilly mays hereespnorangegloorder nowoxi-cleanpitchmentv adstv commercialsBob SassoneSun, 28 Jun 2009 12:50:00 ESTHere's the commercial where Michael Jackson's hair caught on firehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/26/heres-the-commercial-where-michael-jacksons-hair-caught-on-fir/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/26/heres-the-commercial-where-michael-jacksons-hair-caught-on-fir/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/26/heres-the-commercial-where-michael-jacksons-hair-caught-on-fir/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Back in 1984, Michael Jackson was filming a TV commercial for Pepsi and got severely injured when his hair caught fire from a special effects explosion. I'm assuming that the finished commercial has a body double during that scene, though Michael can be seen in other parts of the commercial with his brothers. Some people close to Jackson say that he started taking painkillers after this incident. (Here's footage of Jackson after it happened.)

 

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]]>death of michael jacksonfireinjurymichael jacksonpepsipepsi generationtv adtv commercialBob SassoneFri, 26 Jun 2009 17:22:00 ESTFarrah slathers Joe Namath (and other early ads)http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/26/farrah-slathers-joe-namath-and-other-early-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/26/farrah-slathers-joe-namath-and-other-early-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/26/farrah-slathers-joe-namath-and-other-early-ads/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With all the Michael Jackson news, let's not forget that another huge star, Farrah Fawcett, also passed away yesterday. All of the obits I've seen of Farrah pretty much start her professional biography with her breakout role in Charlie's Angels. But Farrah was almost 30 when she landed the role as Jill Munroe. A quick look at her IMDb profile shows that Farrah had a number of guest-starring roles well before Aaron Spelling made her a megastar.



Farrah also starred in a ton of commercials in the early '70s, including this famous spot with Joe Namath. Here, the Jets QB is advertising Noxema shaving cream, and Farrah lustily covers his face in the stuff.

More ads after the jump.

Continue reading Farrah slathers Joe Namath (and other early ads)

 

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]]>adscommercialsFarrah Fawcettfarrahfawcetthead and shouldersHeadAndShouldersjoe namathJoeNamathmercury cougarMercuryCougarnoxemapenny marshallPennyMarshallultrabriteJoel KellerFri, 26 Jun 2009 16:28:00 ESTComcast changes ending to FIOS commercial (but it's easy to understand why)http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/25/comcast-changes-ending-to-fios-commercial-but-its-easy-to-unde/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/25/comcast-changes-ending-to-fios-commercial-but-its-easy-to-unde/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/25/comcast-changes-ending-to-fios-commercial-but-its-easy-to-unde/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

You've seen the commercial below. It's a Comcast ad that takes on Verizon FIOS by saying that FIOS costs more, doesn't have as much HD as Comcast, and is filled with too many lame videos.

Last night I watched the commercial again (for the 4000th time) and I noticed that they've changed the ending. The FIOS guy used to say "I'm going to write down your credit card number which I memorized when I was looking..." I always thought that was an odd line, pretty much insinuating that a Verizon rep would take someone's credit card number like that. But they've now taken that line out and replaced it with something else (though the new line escapes me at the moment - anyone?). I wonder if Verizon complained?

 

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]]>cable tvcomcastcomcast commercialcommericalsfioshdverizonBob SassoneThu, 25 Jun 2009 15:43:00 ESTVisa commercial teaches bad parentinghttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/24/visa-commercial-teaches-bad-parenting/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/24/visa-commercial-teaches-bad-parenting/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/24/visa-commercial-teaches-bad-parenting/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I watched that damn aquarium Visa commercial for months now and it finally dawned upon me what ticked me off about it. It's not the fact that the little girl has the freakiest of eyes, it's the fact that the father pulled his daughter out of school to go to the aquarium. Since I'm not a parent, I often forget that kids don't make their own schedules and are stuck in school from around eight to three.

Continue reading Visa commercial teaches bad parenting

 

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]]>aquariumcommercialcommercialsvisaMichael PascuaWed, 24 Jun 2009 15:02:00 ESTWe need more commercials for breast-supporting deviceshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/24/we-need-more-commercials-for-breast-supporting-devices/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/24/we-need-more-commercials-for-breast-supporting-devices/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/24/we-need-more-commercials-for-breast-supporting-devices/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I saw this on Jimmy Kimmel Live and went online to see if it was real. It looks like an SNL parody (though so did that toilet paper stick, and that was real), but it does indeed exist. Here's the web site.

Women, would you use something like this?

 

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]]>breast supportjimmy kimmel livekushkush commercialkush supporttv adtv commercialBob SassoneWed, 24 Jun 2009 14:36:00 ESTBuy Wilkins Coffee or we'll shoot this Muppethttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/19/buy-wilkins-coffee-or-well-shoot-this-muppet/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/19/buy-wilkins-coffee-or-well-shoot-this-muppet/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/19/buy-wilkins-coffee-or-well-shoot-this-muppet/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jim Henson's Muppets doing a commercial for Wilkins Coffee

Everybody in television has to start at the bottom, even the Muppets.

Jim Henson's Muppets got their big break in the 1950s as two spokesmuppets for the Wilkins Coffee Company in a series of eight-second commercials featuring the most ballsy commercial concept of all time: buy Wilkins Coffee or we will shoot you in the face.

I'd like to see Billy Mays take on that concept.

Continue reading Buy Wilkins Coffee or we'll shoot this Muppet

 

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]]>commercials that will shoot you if you dont buy their productCommercialsThatWillShootYouIfYouDontBuyTheirProductjim hensonjim henson companyjim henson studiosjim hensons creature shopJimHensonJimHensonCompanyJimHensonsCreatureShopJimHensonStudiosmuppetsmuppets tonightmuppetshowMuppetsTonightwilkins coffeeWilkinsCoffeeDanny GallagherFri, 19 Jun 2009 09:02:00 ESTFinally, someone has made using toilet paper a lot ... easier?http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/15/finally-someone-has-made-using-toilet-paper-a-lot-easier/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/15/finally-someone-has-made-using-toilet-paper-a-lot-easier/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/15/finally-someone-has-made-using-toilet-paper-a-lot-easier/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This looks like something from an SNL sketch, but it looks real. It's the Comfort Wipe! You place toilet paper on the end of the stick and...well, you know the rest. I don't know about you, but I don't think this would work for me. It's too long. Besides, I don't want to use something that looks like a toilet bowl cleaning wand. (Also, what are we supposed to do away from home, carry on our belts like a cell phone or in a purse?)

[via AdFreak]

 

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]]>bathroomcall nowcomfort wipetoilet papertv adtv commercialBob SassoneMon, 15 Jun 2009 15:29:00 ESTEverybody knows what this commercial is talking abouthttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/11/everybody-knows-what-this-commercial-is-talking-about/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/11/everybody-knows-what-this-commercial-is-talking-about/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/11/everybody-knows-what-this-commercial-is-talking-about/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This is one of my favorite recent ads. It's from the UK and it's for Heinz ketchup. Notice that they don't even show the bottle (until the very end) or mention it. Ketchup bottles are such an ordinary part of our lives that just a few hand motions and a shot of where most people keep it in the fridge is all it needs to sell it. I also love the bit with the knife. We've all been there.

Hunt's, it's your move.

[via AdFreak]

 

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]]>heinz ketchupinvisible ketchupketchup bottletv adstv commercialsBob SassoneThu, 11 Jun 2009 14:29:00 ESTMicrosoft corrects error in Bing commercialhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/10/microsoft-corrects-error-in-bing-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/10/microsoft-corrects-error-in-bing-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/10/microsoft-corrects-error-in-bing-commercial/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you were a fan of the movie The Breakfast Club, you might have caught the error in Microsoft's Bing ad (below) when it debuted recently. The ads says the movie came out in 1986, but it actually came out in 1985 (a funny error for a commercial advertising a search engine!). But I saw the commercial again last night and Microsoft has changed it! Now when the woman says the line about the movie, the camera cuts away to the other woman and there's a new voiceover.

 

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]]>bingcommercialmicrosoftsearch enginethe breakfast clubtv adtv commercialBob SassoneWed, 10 Jun 2009 14:36:00 ESTIt's not breakfast, it's brokefast!http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/09/its-not-breakfast-its-brokefast/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/09/its-not-breakfast-its-brokefast/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/09/its-not-breakfast-its-brokefast/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You know what's strange about Dunkin Donuts' new commercial for their Wake-Up Wrap? It's not the guy who has tightened his belt so much he now looks like an action figure, it's the woman. She's riding the elevator to her office and just holding her wrap and her coffee drink. It's not in a bag and she hasn't taken a bite out of the wrap yet. She's just standing their holding both of them so they look good for the camera. Necessary I guess, just odd.

 

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]]>99 centsbreakfastcoffeedunkin donutsrecessiontight beltwake-up wrapBob SassoneTue, 09 Jun 2009 20:11:00 ESTU.S. Rep calls for cold showers on male enhancement adshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/09/u-s-rep-calls-for-cold-showers-on-male-enhancement-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/09/u-s-rep-calls-for-cold-showers-on-male-enhancement-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/09/u-s-rep-calls-for-cold-showers-on-male-enhancement-ads/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Smilin' Bob for EnzyteIt's good to know that in times of economic uncertainty and the impending collapse of our infrastructure that our leaders are taking the time to combat the true faces of evil in our world -- penis pill ads.

U.S. Rep Jim Moran of Virginia recently sent letters to three major drug manufacturing companies (Pfizer, Eli Lily, and GlaxoSmithKline) asking them to "tone down" the nature and material of their erectile dysfunction ads on TV.

Moran's beef (ahem) with the companies are how they affect the children, stating, "Parents should be able to watch a football game with their kids without having to either mute the television or explain the side effects of a life enhancement drug." The issue seems to be a personal one for the representative. I mean with the television ads, not ED, although I can't say that with any certainty, or maybe I just don't want to.

Continue reading U.S. Rep calls for cold showers on male enhancement ads

 

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]]>cialisEDeli lillyeli lilyEliLillyEliLilyenzyteerectileerectile dysfunctionerectile dysfunction adserectile-dysfunctionerectiledysfunctionErectileDysfunctionAdserectionglaxoglaxo smithkleinGlaxoSmithkleinglaxosmithklineglaxospublicrelationsmachinejim moranJimMoranpfizersmilin bobSmilinBobsmiling bobSmilingBobviagraDanny GallagherTue, 09 Jun 2009 17:03:00 ESTSpike TV + Dunkin Donuts = a really weird commercialhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/05/spike-tv-dunkin-donuts-a-really-weird-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/05/spike-tv-dunkin-donuts-a-really-weird-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/05/spike-tv-dunkin-donuts-a-really-weird-commercial/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This is how effective this commercial is: I have no idea who Barry Switzer is (Joel tells me he's a coach that won several big games) but I still laugh every time I see it. It's a joint ad from Spike TV and Dunkin Donuts. Switzer is a crazy old man who jumps out from behind a tree and talks to two guys about taking care of footballs like a baby. Not sure if it sells Dunkin Donuts at all but it makes me remember Spike TV.

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>adsbabybarry switzercommercialsdunkin donutsfootballspike tvtv commercialBob SassoneFri, 05 Jun 2009 19:07:00 ESTMichael Westen welcomes the Royal Pains guyhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/04/michael-westen-welcomes-the-royal-pains-guy/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/04/michael-westen-welcomes-the-royal-pains-guy/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/06/04/michael-westen-welcomes-the-royal-pains-guy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In case you've forgotten, the new season of Burn Notice starts tonight at 9 (new time, and USA is having an all-day marathon of the past season today). But there's also a new show on USA Network debuting at 10 tonight called Royal Pains, about a doctor (Mark Fuerstein) getting involved in various cases in the Hamptons. Wouldn't it be great to see Michael Westen welcome the doctor to the USA family? Here you go.

 

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]]>burn noticemiamimichael westenpromoroyal painsthe hamptonsusa networkBob SassoneThu, 04 Jun 2009 13:25:00 EST