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/British 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

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>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

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>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]

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>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.

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>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

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>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

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>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.

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>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

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>chris farleydavid spadedirectvkevin farleytv adtv commercialBob SassoneWed, 28 Oct 2009 18:02:00 ESTJames Bond wants you to use the British post officehttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/28/james-bond-wants-you-to-use-the-british-post-office/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/28/james-bond-wants-you-to-use-the-british-post-office/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/28/james-bond-wants-you-to-use-the-british-post-office/#commentsFiled under: , ,

My favorite James Bond is still Sean Connery. Second is Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan is third, and Timothy Dalton and George Lazenby tie for fourth. Roger Moore? He just didn't do it for me (though a lot of that was because he was a victim of the 70s - bad clothes, way too much humor, and Bond in space because of Star Wars). Now Moore is doing ads for the British post office.

The odd thing? This is pretty much how lively Moore was in A View To A Kill.

[via Adfreak]

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>007british post officebritish postal servicejames bondroger mooretv commercialBob SassoneWed, 28 Oct 2009 16:05:00 ESTGuy takes off clothes to remind people to set their clocks backhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/guy-takes-off-clothes-to-remind-people-to-set-their-clocks-back/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/guy-takes-off-clothes-to-remind-people-to-set-their-clocks-back/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/guy-takes-off-clothes-to-remind-people-to-set-their-clocks-back/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In this British ad, a guy walks around his apartment and slowly takes his clothes off. It's all to remind people to set their clocks back one hour. Even though people in the UK did it last week, this can be your reminder do to set your clocks back here in the U.S. this Sunday morning.

That's clocks, people. I said clocks.

[via Adfreak]

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>british summertimefall backgreenwich mean timesetting clocks backtv adtv commercialukBob SassoneTue, 27 Oct 2009 19:03:00 ESTRobert Loggia to play Ray Romano's dad on new TNT showhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/robert-loggia-to-play-ray-romanos-dad-on-new-tnt-show/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/robert-loggia-to-play-ray-romanos-dad-on-new-tnt-show/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/robert-loggia-to-play-ray-romanos-dad-on-new-tnt-show/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Have you seen the new ads for the new TNT comedy-drama Men of a Certain Age? It stars Ray Romano, Scott Bakula, and Andre Braugher as husbands and dads dealing with middle age. It has been announced that Robert Loggia will play Romano's dad on the show. He's one of those actors that's great in everything he does and it's cool to have him in this show and in that recent Apple ad.

But instead of that ad I'll post this classic from the early 90s. If you say so Mr. Loggia!

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>andre braughermen of a certain ageminute maidray romanorobert loggiascott bakulatntBob SassoneTue, 27 Oct 2009 17:04:00 ESTDove and Wal-Mart's Real Beauty jingle is annoyinghttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/dove-and-wal-marts-real-beauty-jingle-is-annoying/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/dove-and-wal-marts-real-beauty-jingle-is-annoying/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/27/dove-and-wal-marts-real-beauty-jingle-is-annoying/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dove_soap_barThere's something to be said about a jingle that gets in your head and you can't forget it. "I am stuck on Band-Aids, so Band-Aid's stuck on me..." remains imprinted on my brain to this day (and did you know that Barry Manilow wrote that?). Well, there's a current commercial that has a song that's wormed it's way into my noggin, only I can't stand it.

Before I tell you more and present the video, I want to go on record saying that I like the idea of the ad. It's a collaboration between Dove and Wal-Mart, presenting real women. The thought is that there is Real Beauty in real women, not models or celebrities, but just everyday people.

Continue reading Dove and Wal-Mart's Real Beauty jingle is annoying

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>Band AidsBandAidsbarry manilowBarryManilowcommercialdo you eyes sit wideDoveDoYouEyesSitWidejinglereal beautyRealBeautyWal-martAllison WaldmanTue, 27 Oct 2009 15:04:00 ESTIf TV Squad had a 30-second ad on NCIS, it would cost $133,304http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/26/if-tv-squad-had-a-30-second-ad-on-ncis-it-would-cost-133-304/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/26/if-tv-squad-had-a-30-second-ad-on-ncis-it-would-cost-133-304/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/26/if-tv-squad-had-a-30-second-ad-on-ncis-it-would-cost-133-304/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

NCIS
So, let's say TV Squad wanted to have a 30-second ad on CBS' highest-rated show, NCIS. It would cost us $133,304. It would actually cost more, because we'd hire scantily-clad dancers, include a 35 pound bag of Doritios, fireworks in the shape of each writer, guest appearances from people like Tina Fey and JJ Abrams, and would have special effects because some of the commercial would be set in outer space for some reason, but I mean CBS would charge us $133,304.

To give you an idea of how that stacks up against other shows on CBS and shows on other networks, here's a quick list.

Continue reading If TV Squad had a 30-second ad on NCIS, it would cost $133,304

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>30 rockabcad ratesadvertisingcbscommercial ratesdancing with the starsfoxgleegreys anatomyjay leno shownbcthe cwtv adstv commercialsBob SassoneMon, 26 Oct 2009 17:03:00 ESTWorst commercial of the year nominee: Chris Farley and DirecTVhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/25/worst-commercial-of-the-year-nominee-chris-farley-and-directv/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/25/worst-commercial-of-the-year-nominee-chris-farley-and-directv/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/25/worst-commercial-of-the-year-nominee-chris-farley-and-directv/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

They use dead celebs in ads all the time and it doesn't bother me, so why does the new DirecTV commercial with David Spade and Chris Farley irritate and disgust me so much?

For one, it's badly made. Unfunny and not very clever. Plus, it might be too soon, and the way that Farley died... it's just a very strange ad. I wonder why Spade even agreed to do it. (DirecTV has done this before.)

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>chris farleydavid spadedirectvdirectv commercialtv adtv commercialBob SassoneSun, 25 Oct 2009 16:05:00 ESTGoldline.com commercial spokesman Jay Johnson dead at 66http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/22/goldline-com-commercial-spokesman-jay-johnson-dead-at-66/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/22/goldline-com-commercial-spokesman-jay-johnson-dead-at-66/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/22/goldline-com-commercial-spokesman-jay-johnson-dead-at-66/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Every single day while I'm watching Fox News or CNN I see the commercial for Goldline.com, a company that lets you invest in gold (there are a few of those ads on TV right now). The spokesman in the ad is Jay Johnson, former director of The U.S. Mint and a former Congressman.

Johnson died last weekend of a heart attack. He was 66. Here's the ad below. Stations are still running it (much like the Billy Mays ads we continue to see).

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>congressmangoldline.comjay johnsontv anchoru.s. mintBob SassoneThu, 22 Oct 2009 17:04:00 ESTSix things that annoy me about the baseball playoffshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/six-things-that-annoy-me-about-the-baseball-playoffs/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/six-things-that-annoy-me-about-the-baseball-playoffs/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/six-things-that-annoy-me-about-the-baseball-playoffs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Kate Hudson watching A-Rod at the Yankees-Angels ALCS Game 3No, this is not going to be another post about the shoddy umpiring or spittle analysis or any of the other on-field matters that have been going on in baseball since the playoffs began. No, we're on a TV blog, so I'm going to just talk about the things that have annoyed me about FOX's and TBS's coverage of the ALCS and the NLCS. In no particular order:

1. The Fidelity-sponsored Fox Trak. The pitching tracker, which shows if a pitch actually hit the strike zone or not, has been around for years. But, the flight of the ball has been to this point represented by a red streak and a dot. Now that Fidelity Investments is sponsoring the tracker, the red streak/dot combo has been replaced by a green streak/green arrow combo that mimics Fidelity's "stay on the line" series of ads. What financial guidance has to do with balls and strikes, I'll never know.

Continue reading Six things that annoy me about the baseball playoffs

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>A-RodALCSalex rodriguezAlexRodriguezamerican league championship seriesAmericanLeagueChampionshipSeriesangelsannoyingblack eyed peasBlackEyedPeasdirectvdodgersDodgers - PhilliesDodgers-Phillieskate hudsonKateHudsonnational league championship seriesNationalLeagueChampionshipSeriesNLCSphillieswill.i.amyankeesYankees - AngelsYankees-AngelsJoel KellerWed, 21 Oct 2009 18:02:00 ESTSo ... does Tony Stewart really like the Whopper?http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/so-does-tony-stewart-really-like-the-whopper/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/so-does-tony-stewart-really-like-the-whopper/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/21/so-does-tony-stewart-really-like-the-whopper/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Burger King adYou've probably seen the Burger King ads featuring race car driver Tony Stewart. One of the ads said that Stewart was going to undergo a lie-detector test to find out whether or not he really, really liked the Whopper. I have no idea how they came up with this or why a lie detector should be the final decision-maker when it comes to whether someone likes Burger King or not (everyone knows that lie detectors aren't admissible in a fast food court of law, ever since that case against the Hamburgler was thrown out).

Anyway, the results are in. Let's just say that Stewart likes Whoppers but he lies about a lot of other things.

[via Adfreak]

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>bklie detector testliesracingtony stewarttruthwhopperBob SassoneWed, 21 Oct 2009 17:04:00 ESTIs Howie Long helping or hurting Chevy with those ads?http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/20/is-howie-long-helping-or-hurting-chevy-with-those-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/20/is-howie-long-helping-or-hurting-chevy-with-those-ads/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/20/is-howie-long-helping-or-hurting-chevy-with-those-ads/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

howie_long_foxChevy must have focus groups and research that tells them that Howie Long is a good spokesperson for their products. As a Fox NFL anaylst, he's fine alongside the likes of Jimmy Johnson and Terry Bradshaw. That said, I can't stand Howie Long in his commercials.

Long is smug and arrogant in all of 60 seconds. He's supposed to be selling the advantages of Chevy products -- while dissing those of Honda in direct jabs at the Japanese company -- but he rubs me the wrong way. Perhaps it's his smile. He just acts like he has no humility. He's all confidence and self-assuredness. Those two qualities should make him an excellent pitchman. That's what Chevy is trying to project.

Continue reading Is Howie Long helping or hurting Chevy with those ads?

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>ChevyFoxHondaHowie LongHowieLongJimmy JohnsonJimmyJohnsonMalibuNFLOakland RaidersOaklandRaidersTerry BradshawTerryBradshawAllison WaldmanTue, 20 Oct 2009 15:16:00 ESTThis is one creepy Tabasco sauce commercialhttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/16/this-is-one-creepy-tabasco-sauce-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/16/this-is-one-creepy-tabasco-sauce-commercial/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/16/this-is-one-creepy-tabasco-sauce-commercial/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tell me, on what planet is this an appealing commercial? I hate ads where random bottom parts suddenly appear on food. And it's especially disturbing if the food starts talking or singing to me. This one is like Willy Wonka's Oompa-Loompas speaking from another dimension.

I was going to have pizza for dinner tonight too. Now...not so much. Or maybe I'll just skip the pepperoni.

[via Adfreak]

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>pizzasinging pizzatabasco commercialtabasco saucetv adtv commercialBob SassoneFri, 16 Oct 2009 17:07:00 ESTBilly Mays' widow contradicts chronic cocaine claimshttp://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/15/billy-mays-widow-contradicts-chronic-cocaine-claims/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/15/billy-mays-widow-contradicts-chronic-cocaine-claims/http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/15/billy-mays-widow-contradicts-chronic-cocaine-claims/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Billy MaysThe wife of the late Billy Mays once again came to the side of her late husband over allegations that a cocaine overdose killed the pitchman.

This time Billy's wife, Deborah, claims she has conclusive proof that her late husband was not a habitual drug user.

The family paid for a second review of Billy's autopsy and doesn't deny that he may have used cocaine in the days leading up to his death, but does deny that he was a "chronic" user. The latest release from the family said the independent investigation concludes cocaine use did not contribute to his untimely death.

[via TVTattle]

 

Permalink | Email this | | Comments

]]>billy maysbilly mays autopsybilly mays cocainebilly mays diesbilly mays hereBillyMaysBillyMaysAutopsyBillyMaysCocaineBillyMaysDiesBillyMaysHereDanny GallagherThu, 15 Oct 2009 19:35:00 EST