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/And now, a commercial you won't forget (no matter how hard you try)http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/04/and-now-a-commercial-you-wont-forget-no-matter-how-hard-you-t/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/04/and-now-a-commercial-you-wont-forget-no-matter-how-hard-you-t/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/04/and-now-a-commercial-you-wont-forget-no-matter-how-hard-you-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

First off, I want to apologize for posting this commercial, because once you see it, you won't forget it. And I don't mean in a good way.

It's from Science World in Canada, and it shows grandmothers in a way you never, ever want to see a grandmother. Enjoy!

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>canadacommercialgrandmasgrandmothersice creamscience worldBob SassoneFri, 04 Dec 2009 15:39:00 ESTThis CBS holiday promo from 1966 would never be done todayhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/02/this-cbs-holiday-promo-from-1966-would-never-be-done-today/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/02/this-cbs-holiday-promo-from-1966-would-never-be-done-today/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/02/this-cbs-holiday-promo-from-1966-would-never-be-done-today/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Here's a subtle, beautiful "Season's Greetings" promo from CBS in 1966. This would never happen in 2009, of course. It's not loud or wacky enough. But wouldn't it be a nice breather in between people getting killed on Criminal Minds and people getting killed on CSI: NY? And can you imagine what sort of good will CBS would generate if they showed something like this again? TV fans would love it.



[via Scrubbles]

 

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]]>1966cbscbs promochristmasholidayseasons greetingsBob SassoneWed, 02 Dec 2009 18:02:00 ESTJames Lipton wants you to think before you texthttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/02/james-lipton-wants-you-to-think-before-you-text/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/02/james-lipton-wants-you-to-think-before-you-text/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/12/02/james-lipton-wants-you-to-think-before-you-text/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I'm not sure the host of Inside The Actors Studio is the best person to get kids to stop texting naughty words and/or pictures, though I guess this ad is as much for parents as it is kids. But is it really successful?

I mean, "give it a ponder?" Do kids really talk like that today? Maybe British kids. (Though it is interesting to see Lipton without a beard.)

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>give it a pondergiveitaponder.cominside the actors studiojames liptontextingtv commercialBob SassoneWed, 02 Dec 2009 11:00:00 ESTThis winter, make sure you have the right car battery (or just take the bus)http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/30/this-winter-make-sure-you-have-the-right-car-battery-or-just-t/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/30/this-winter-make-sure-you-have-the-right-car-battery-or-just-t/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/30/this-winter-make-sure-you-have-the-right-car-battery-or-just-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This commercial shows the ultimate nightmare that we all have when it comes to parking our cars on icy streets: some goofball coming down a hill and hitting a bunch of cars. It's a well-done ad, from the two guys watching the car from the balcony to the scenes of the guy running down the stairs to get to his car. There's even something really believable about the apartment building and the lobby.

Will our hero get to his car in time?

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>carcar batteryicy roadinterstate batteriesinterstate battery adtv adtv commercialBob SassoneMon, 30 Nov 2009 13:29:00 ESTJim Gaffigan's Christmas ads for eBay are workinghttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/30/jim-gaffigans-christmas-ads-for-ebay-are-working/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/30/jim-gaffigans-christmas-ads-for-ebay-are-working/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/30/jim-gaffigans-christmas-ads-for-ebay-are-working/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

jim_gaffigan_tbsIn TV Squad's continued efforts to share the best and worst of TV commercials with you, here's one that's currently airing that's just terrific. Jim Gaffigan for eBay. Think harder. That's his advice for people who are trying to figure out what to buy him for Christmas.

Gaffigan is hilarious with that dry sense of humor and the furrowed brow. How much you want to bet he's been there when it comes to getting crappy gifts. You know, like a coffee mug that looks like it must have been re-gifted from an office birthday party. Or the jewelry box that's too ugly to be put on your dresser. Or a Chatty Cathy doll you received when your parents knew you weren't interested in playing with dolls.

Oops, that last one was a personal one of mine.

Continue reading Jim Gaffigan's Christmas ads for eBay are working

 

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]]>adschatty cathyChattyCathyChristmascommercialseBayJim GaffiganJimGaffigantry harderTryHarderAllison WaldmanMon, 30 Nov 2009 11:02:00 ESTArms are the only things moving in these Schweppes Christmas commercialshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/27/arms-are-the-only-things-moving-in-these-schweppes-christmas-com/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/27/arms-are-the-only-things-moving-in-these-schweppes-christmas-com/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/27/arms-are-the-only-things-moving-in-these-schweppes-christmas-com/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I'm a big fan of illustrations of the 1950s so I might find these British Schweppes ads more amusing than some people. But I like how it's just a few arms in the illustrations that are moving in the ads. Clever idea.

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>britainchristmas adchristmas commercialchristmas entertainment sponsored by schweppespartyschweppesschweppes tonic watertv adtv commercialBob SassoneFri, 27 Nov 2009 13:30:00 ESTMaria Bamford plays a demented shopper in new Target adshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/24/maria-bamford-plays-a-demented-shopper-in-new-target-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/24/maria-bamford-plays-a-demented-shopper-in-new-target-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/24/maria-bamford-plays-a-demented-shopper-in-new-target-ads/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The new Target holiday ads are out, and if you've been scratching your head, trying to figure out who that vaguely familiar-looking woman is who's playing that competitive and slightly demented Black Friday shopper, scratch no longer.

It's Maria Bamford, the cute but decidedly off-kilter stand-up comedian who is probably best known for participating in the Comedians of Comedy tour with Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis, and Brian Posehn.

Most of the ads show Bamford playing the competitive shopper, pulling full Target carts uphill and sleeplessly decorating a gingerbread village in preparation for the store's big Black Friday sale. But in some of the spots, Bamford also plays the woman's more "normal" sister, who doesn't need to be there as soon as the doors open. Problem is, she also puts her wreath up using a staple gun. So how normal can she be? One of the ads is below, and a couple of more are after the jump:

Continue reading Maria Bamford plays a demented shopper in new Target ads

 

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]]>adsblack fridayBlackFridaycomedians of comedyComediansOfComedycommercialsmaria bamfordMariaBamfordtargettwo day saleTwoDaySaleJoel KellerTue, 24 Nov 2009 13:06:00 ESTJane Lynch can do everything, even Xbox 360 commercialshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/23/jane-lynch-can-do-everything-even-xbox-360-commercials/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/23/jane-lynch-can-do-everything-even-xbox-360-commercials/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/23/jane-lynch-can-do-everything-even-xbox-360-commercials/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

glee_jane_lynchIs there anything that Jane Lynch can't do? The comic actress -- who some people are already declaring is a shoo-in for the Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama series for Glee -- has veered into a new venue.

In addition to her television characters, Jane's brilliant performance as Sue Sylvester, her semi-regular shrink role, Dr. Freeman, on Two and a Half Men, Constance on Party Down, she's now doing commercials.

Yes, the latest triumph for La Lynch is a set of XBox 360 commercials that are all about fun.

Continue reading Jane Lynch can do everything, even Xbox 360 commercials

 

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]]>commericalsfoxgleeJane LynchMidasParty DownPartyDownSue SylvesterSueSylvesterTwo and Half MenTwoAndHalfMenXbox 360Xbox360Allison WaldmanMon, 23 Nov 2009 19:30:00 ESTThis commercial proves that scrubbing bubbles are just dirtyhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/23/this-commercial-proves-that-scrubbing-bubbles-are-just-dirty/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/23/this-commercial-proves-that-scrubbing-bubbles-are-just-dirty/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/23/this-commercial-proves-that-scrubbing-bubbles-are-just-dirty/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You ever wonder what happens to those little talking scrubbing bubbles that people spray into their showers and bathtubs to get them really clean? The ones that scrub "so you don't have to?" Apparently they stick around a lot longer than you think and get to see you nekkid.

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>bathroombathtubmethodmethod commercialscrubbing bubblesshowertv commercialBob SassoneMon, 23 Nov 2009 17:31:00 ESTThat's why I recognize Brick from The Middle!http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/21/thats-why-i-recognize-brick-from-the-middle/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/21/thats-why-i-recognize-brick-from-the-middle/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/21/thats-why-i-recognize-brick-from-the-middle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

atticus_shaffer_brickYou know how sometimes you see an actor or actress and they look so familiar, but you can't remember where you saw him or her, or what the TV show was? That's how I've been with the little boy who plays Brick on The Middle. His name is Atticus Shaffer, and since the ABC sitcom began this fall, I've been scratching my head over him. Where did I see him before?

Turns out that it was on a commercial for AIG. Yes, AIG, that huge insurance company that was a big part of the economic collapse. The company that was too big for America to let fail.

Continue reading That's why I recognize Brick from The Middle!

 

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]]>AIGAtticus ShafferAtticusShafferbailoutBrickcommercialeconomic collapseEconomicCollapseinsuranceliabilitymiddle of the nightMiddleOfTheNightThe MiddleTheMiddleAllison WaldmanSat, 21 Nov 2009 14:09:00 ESTTry to guess what this commercial is all abouthttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/20/try-to-guess-what-this-commercial-is-all-about/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/20/try-to-guess-what-this-commercial-is-all-about/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/20/try-to-guess-what-this-commercial-is-all-about/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The commercial is 38 seconds long. Try to figure out what it's about before it's revealed around the 25 second mark. It's filmed like an investigative news report or maybe an old cop show. Are those hookers? Who jumps out of the van? What's with the gross blob guy?

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>grow a moustachemovemberprostate cancerpsathats what Im talking abouttv adtv commercialBob SassoneFri, 20 Nov 2009 15:32:00 ESTWho's the imposter in that new Folgers coffee commercial?http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/16/whos-the-imposter-in-that-new-folgers-coffee-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/16/whos-the-imposter-in-that-new-folgers-coffee-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/16/whos-the-imposter-in-that-new-folgers-coffee-commercial/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We all remember and love the Folgers TV commercial from the early 80's that featured Peter coming home from college (or maybe prison or being stranded on an island, it's never really explained). I don't know why Folgers doesn't just run this ad every year people love it so much, but they don't. In fact, this morning I saw a new Folgers Christmas commercial that is very similar to the Peter ad: guy gets dropped off at his home, his sister is up first, and then the parents smell the coffee and get out of bed and come down to greet him. It's just not the same though.

Here's the old ad (and here's an interview with Greg Wrangler, who played Peter). Can't find the new one online yet but I'll post it when I can.

 

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]]>christmas adchristmas commercialfolgers christmas commercialfolgers coffeefolgers commercialgreg wranglerpeterBob SassoneMon, 16 Nov 2009 14:30:00 ESTBritish comic claims TV ad ripped him offhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/12/british-comic-claims-tv-ad-ripped-him-off/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/12/british-comic-claims-tv-ad-ripped-him-off/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/12/british-comic-claims-tv-ad-ripped-him-off/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If Mad Men is any indication of what its like to work in the real advertising world, then the writing process alone must cause more migraines than swimming in radioactive sewage.

That's still no excuse for stealing material, if that is in fact the case with this British ad. UK comic Micky Flanagan claims an ad agency stole a joke from his act for a phone service commercial and is a stone's throw away from filing a lawsuit. Punchline Magazine posted videos of the joke and the ad. Is this just a coincidence or is the ad pulling a Carlos Mencia?

First, listen to Flanagan's joke...



And now, watch the ad, which is after the jump.

Continue reading British comic claims TV ad ripped him off

 

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]]>118advertisementadvertisementsbritish televisionbritish TVBritishTelevisionBritishTvcarlos menciaCarlosMenciacommercialsjoke stealingJokeStealingmad menMadMenmicky flanaganMickyFlanaganDanny GallagherThu, 12 Nov 2009 19:02:00 ESTTV Squad Ten: Cartoon women who should have Playboy centerfoldshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/10/tv-squad-ten-cartoon-women-who-should-have-playboy-centerfolds/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/10/tv-squad-ten-cartoon-women-who-should-have-playboy-centerfolds/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/10/tv-squad-ten-cartoon-women-who-should-have-playboy-centerfolds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Marge Simpson in PlayboyMarge Simpson's spread in Playboy was a groundbreaking moment for cartoon women everywhere. Her sensual skin pics paved new ground for the "feminine-animated."

She told the world that the women of animation aren't just vehicles for humor or straight characters to set up punchlines for the males on the paper. She helped us realize they have thoughts, feelings, emotions and yes, even urges that make them unique, infinitely interesting and utterly fascinating. They are, as Dr. Frasier Crane so eloquently put it, "like a fine wine: always intoxicated, ever surprising and only getting better with age."

And so, for the cause of gender equality and female empowerment, here are the ten cartoon chicks who should pose naked because it would be righteously awesome.

Continue reading TV Squad Ten: Cartoon women who should have Playboy centerfolds

 

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]]>animaniacsapril oneilAprilOneilbetty rubbleBettyRubblecaptain ncaptain n the game masterCaptainNCaptainNTheGameMastercartoon babescartoon chickscartoon girlscartoon womenCartoonBabesCartoonChicksCartoonGirlsCartoonWomencheetaradaphne blakeDaphneBlakefeaturedflintstonesfuturamahello nurseHelloNursemarge simpsonmarge simpson coverMarge Simpson nudemarge simpson playboyMargeSimpsonMargeSimpsonCoverMargeSimpsonNudeMargeSimpsonPlayboyprincess lanaPrincessLanaScoobyscooby dooscooby-dooScoobyDoosmurfetteSmurfsstories that will prevent me from ever getting a date againStoriesThatWillPreventMeFromEverGettingADateAgainstripperellateenage mutant ninja turlteteenage mutant ninja turtlesteenage mutant ninja...TeenageMutantNinja...TeenageMutantNinjaTurlteTeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesthundercatsturanga leelaTurangaLeelaDanny GallagherTue, 10 Nov 2009 11:05:00 ESTHere's George Clooney getting crushed by a pianohttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/09/heres-george-clooney-getting-crushed-by-a-piano/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/09/heres-george-clooney-getting-crushed-by-a-piano/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/09/heres-george-clooney-getting-crushed-by-a-piano/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You don't see George Clooney doing commercials in the U.S. (except for some voice overs) but like a lot of celebrities he does them overseas. Like this ad for Nestle Nespresso.

It's never explained, however, why John Malkovich is greeting him in heaven. Unless it's not supposed to be Malkovich and is just a character he's playing.

[via Adfreak]

 

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]]>commercialgeorge clooneyheavenjohn malkovichnespressonespresso adnespresso commercialnestlepianotv commercialBob SassoneMon, 09 Nov 2009 15:27:00 ESTWeezer Snuggie is no jokehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/03/weezer-snuggie-is-no-joke/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/03/weezer-snuggie-is-no-joke/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/03/weezer-snuggie-is-no-joke/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're a fan of the band Weezer and the laziness empowerment blanket the Snuggie and have been hoping for a way to combine the two, you're in luck.

Weezer fans might have been curious to know why the band was wearing the popular blanket during last Friday's Late Show with David Letterman performance. The band has not only released a new line of the sleeved blanket, but they also have their own legitimate infomercial that tells you how you can buy the band's new CD Raditude and your own "Weezer Snuggie." WARNING: After watching this video, the phrase "Weezer Snuggie" will not leave your brain for at least the next three hours. Viewer discretion is advised.

 

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]]>infomercialinfomercial productsInfomercialProductsinfomercialslate show with david lettermanLateShowWithDavidLettermansnuggiesnuggiesweezerweezer raditudeweezer snuggieWeezerRaditudeWeezerSnuggieDanny GallagherTue, 03 Nov 2009 19:20:00 ESTDo you love commercials or are you just lazy?http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/02/do-you-love-commercials-or-are-you-just-lazy/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/02/do-you-love-commercials-or-are-you-just-lazy/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/11/02/do-you-love-commercials-or-are-you-just-lazy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

freecreditreport.com band
Here's an interesting factoid: 46% of people who record TV shows don't fast forward through the commercials.

Now, I'm a natural skeptic when it comes to studies like this. I always wonder how the question was asked, the specifics, is the respondent lying or over/understating something, etc, but I often find myself not fast forwarding through ads because I'm doing something else at the time (writing an episode review, for example). How about you?

View Poll

 

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]]>dvrsfast forwardrecording tv showstivotv adstv commercialsBob SassoneMon, 02 Nov 2009 18:31:00 ESTAnother bizarre Quiznos commercialhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/31/another-bizarre-quiznos-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/31/another-bizarre-quiznos-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/31/another-bizarre-quiznos-commercial/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

quiznos_logoHave you seen the strange Quiznos commercial that shows two people in a "hillbilly hot tub"? It's one of the weirdest ads I've seen in a long time, especially since they're showing a most unappetizing image in an effort to make a hot steak sandwich with melted cheese look good. What is this supposed to be, then, aversion therapy?

The voice over suggest that this vision is so "hot" that it's tantalizing. He says, "That hillbilly hot tub looks dangerous -- and hot. But not as hot as the new double cheese cheesesteak."

Continue reading Another bizarre Quiznos commercial

 

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]]>commercialhillbilly hottubHillbillyHottubhomoeroticput me in scottPutMeInScottquiznossteak sandwichSteakSandwichAllison WaldmanSat, 31 Oct 2009 22:31:00 ESTThe Shake Weight is either the most erotic or hilarious exercise ad everhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/29/the-shake-weight-is-either-the-most-erotic-or-hilarious-exercise/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/29/the-shake-weight-is-either-the-most-erotic-or-hilarious-exercise/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/29/the-shake-weight-is-either-the-most-erotic-or-hilarious-exercise/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tuesday's Daily Show with Jon Stewart brought a pressing and shocking concern to my eyes, something the American people as a whole have largely ignored: the ridiculous ad for the Shake Weight.

Most exercise infomercials are already crazy and unintentionally hilarious in and of themselves, but this ad deserves the Mark Twain Prize.

 

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]]>commercialsexercise commercialsExerciseCommercialsinfomercialsshake weightShakeWeightthe daily showthe daily show with ...The Daily Show with Jon Stewartthe shake weightTheDailyShowTheDailyShowWith...TheDailyShowWithJonStewartTheShakeWeightDanny GallagherThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:30:00 ESTUpdate: David Spade and Kevin Farley respond to DirecTV ad criticismhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/28/update-david-spade-and-kevin-farley-respond-to-directv-ad-criti/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/28/update-david-spade-and-kevin-farley-respond-to-directv-ad-criti/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/28/update-david-spade-and-kevin-farley-respond-to-directv-ad-criti/#commentsFiled under: , ,

FarleyThe other day I posted the DirecTV ad featuring footage of Chris Farley and new footage of David Spade, and I opined that it was a "worst commercial of the year" nominee. I also mentioned that it might be "too soon."

To clarify, when I said "too soon" I didn't mean that it was too soon after Farley's death (he died 12 years ago). I meant that it's odd seeing a young, contemporary celebrity in an ad (which DirecTV also did with Heather O'Rourke - that was worse), especially one where he is interacting with a costar who is doing the scene in the present day. My other point was "how the hell is this going to sell DirecTV to anyone?" (and "boy is this ad unfunny").

I'm not the only one who finds the DirecTV ad odd. Now Spade and Farley's brother Kevin have responded to the criticism.

Continue reading Update: David Spade and Kevin Farley respond to DirecTV ad criticism

 

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]]>chris farleydavid spadedirectvkevin farleytv adtv commercialBob SassoneWed, 28 Oct 2009 18:02:00 EST