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Don't touch that dial: Test Pattern tunes into television, movie, music and pop culture links, as well as gossip and idle chat from around the Web.

Every week, msnbc.com entertainment producers Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, Denise Hazlick, Paige Newman, Kurt Schlosser and Anna Chan weigh in on topics ranging from TV commercials to movie hype to the latest celebrity blunder. We're not ashamed to admit our love for bad TV or reveal what's on our iPods, and invite you to join the conversation via your comments.



Watch some of the worst commercials on-air

Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2007 12:05 PM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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On Tuesday, I offered up links to a batch of your favorite TV commercials (couldn't get to them all, but tried to find the most frequently mentioned ads). Now it's time to let the really bad ads have their due. Consider yourself warned: Watch these commercials at your own risk.

These aren't the only ads in contention, so feel free to mention other ads, or comment on these, in the comments. And then give thanks for TiVo and the blessed fast-forward button.

Sour Skittles: Joe from "Rhoda" gets milked. Ugh...

Viva Viagra: Doesn't every group of male friends sit around and sing this? Thankfully, no.

Pepto-Bismol:  Diarrhea danceline. The Rockettes have nothing to worry about.

Starburst: Little Lad who loves berries and cream. First Sour Skittles and now this -- didn't candy ads used to be fun? This is kind of the extended remix version. I'm sure there was an enormous call for it.

Wendy's: Kicking trees apparently has something to do with eating hamburgers. No one is really sure what.

Burger King: SpongeBob NoPants. Or, as we like to call it, SpongeBob NoBrain.

Cingular:  IDK, my BFF Jill? This commercial is equally loved and hated, it seems -- it also made our "best commercial video" list.

Sony Handycam: Parents bathe grown son in the sink. This one was mentioned frequently when we discussed uber-creepy ads.

Travelers Insurance:  Rabbits get lucky rabbits' feet reattached. Those feet weren't too lucky for the rabbits, now were they?

Orville Redenbacher: But...he's been dead SINCE 1995!

Viva paper towels: Kid sprays mom with orange soda, mom retaliates. I agree, the kid probably didn't mean to spray his mom in the first place, but this ad still bugs.

Stanley Steemer: Toby the dog does the butt-scooting boogie. It's pretty disgusting, yes, but then Mom screams like someone just skinned her alive.

I tried to find that Vagisil ad featuring porcupines and skunks (you kind of have to see it to believe it), but the YouTube videos I found have been removed.

And finally, this is NOT a real commercial, but it cracked me up. The Mucinex phlegm guy and Digger the dermatophyte move in together. Warning: Contains that horrible scene of a toenail opening like a door which makes me cover my eyes every time.

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Comments

I really, really have Activia commercials... especially the newest one.
"Sometime I feel irregular... bloated."  That's not so bad, but after speaking for a minute about how "regular" Activia will make you, they show to very attractive women walking down the beach from behind, and all I can think about is how "regular" these girls must be!
Shame on Activia for cramping my chauvanist style!

Pretty Boy Floyd, Oklahoma City (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:13 AM)

Commericals today leave nothing to the imagination like the Viagra and Cialis commericals, and the worst offenders KY Jelly, skunk odor (you know the one I mean), and happy period.  I am quite sure that anyone with a problem can see his/her doctor or pharmacist, for information, and keep these offensive commercials off the air.  I am no prude, but enough is enough.  I am embarrassed by them, especially when viewing them with my grown children.  Kudos to any product that uses talking animals in their commericals.  Animals rule and people are just stupid!

My favorites are Bush Baked Beans, any flea or tick commercial especially the Yellow Lab puppy at summer camp, any commercial featuring the little black and white Boston Terrior, Aflac, Geico, and Scoop Away. What are these ad agencies thinking anyway?  And the networks who show these offensive commercials are just as bad if not worse.

AliceM in CT (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:14 AM)

There's a new one for All Bran cereal.  It shows a construction guy talking about how better he feels now that he's tried All Bran for a week, while in the background, all kind of things are "dumping".  I must be smart, as I got the simile the first time I saw it.  My husband had to watch it twice to get the references.

Mary, Fort Worth, TX (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:16 AM)

The Viagra ad has got to be one of the worst ever, not to mention all the weird thoughts it makes you wonder about these guys as you watch it.  If they were trying to really be PC about the casting where is the Asian guy?  Is the dog laughing at them?  Are they, ahem, really singing about girls (my gaydar is off the chart on this ad, not that there's anything wrong with that!)  The "this old toad" guy is really creepy......

Mike Horton, Greenville, NC (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:16 AM)

I agree with the BK (sponge bob) commercial being on the list.  

The guy is taking a bath with the door open and small children (girl and boy) running in and out of the bathroom.  Then he stands up.  What a pervert.  What madison avenue pedophile thought this one up?  

Loretta, Lake Park, IA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:18 AM)

Are you kidding? That Travelers Insurance ad with the white rabbits getting dyed rabbit's feet reattached is the funniest thing I have ever seen on TV! I crack up every time I see it.

Totally agree on the Viva Viagra, though. I make everyone around me stop what they're doing when this commercial comes on because I know they would never believe me if I tried to explain it to them.

Dee (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:20 AM)

There's a new commercial out for a bran cereal -- can't remember which one, so it's already failing as a commercial.  But it features a construction worker talking about taking a 10-day challenge from the cereal to "change his life."  OK, that's fine.  Maybe it will lower his cholestorol or something?  I don't think that's the kind of change that the cereal is marketing.  All throughout the commercial, the worker is shot in front of various construction-type devices and activities, and all of them (I swear) show items being "pushed out" of something -- a long beam being pushed out of a small opening, a series of barrells being dropped out of something, and finally a ton of bricks being "dumped."  I honest-to-goodness think it's imagery designed to promote, uh, regularity.  The first time I saw it, I couldn't figure out why the contruction images were so prominently displayed.  Then I saw the dump truck, and got it.  Now, everytime I see it, I can only think about how this poor construction dude needs help "going #2," which I really find annoying.  More annoying than a commercial that is blatently about fiber or whatever.  Watch for the commercial and see if you don't see the same thing.

Anne, Tupelo, MS (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:22 AM)

If I see that d***ed Pepsi Max commercial with the yawners one more time...I think I'm gonna throw a brick through the screen!!!

Barbara, Charlotte (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:24 AM)

just because a commercial gets your attention doesn't mean it's bad, some of these are kind of funny. I think the Traveler's one is hilarious. Viva Paper Towels was cute because the mom played with him instead of getting mad, and we know he didn't mean to do it, which is probably why she was light-hearted about it.

David, Akron, Ohio (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:27 AM)

My favorite "oh no, not that!" ad is the one for the bone-saving product Boniva in which Sally Field says "My friend told me she has to set aside time every week to take her prescription." Gee, imagine having to set aside 30 seconds once a week while you're brushing your teeth.

Tom, Scottsville, Va. (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:28 AM)

What about those ads for a product called Maxoderm, which features some middle-aged picking up young women, and what we're not supposed to notice is that they are obviously in a local cathouse, where anyone with the right amount of money can score?  HILARIOUS!

JG, Fort Wayne, IN (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:30 AM)

How about the All Bran construction guy with all the "dumps" going on in the background.  It cracks my whole family up every time we see it.

Kathy Thomas, Stillwater, Ok (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:33 AM)

I agree with the sour skittles man-milking one; completely disgusting! Also with Vagisil, although I didn't see porcupines, it was a puffed up blowfish regarding itching and a lobster talking about odor. Now that one is truly offensive!

Diana Musto, Orlando, FL (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:35 AM)

What about the Visa check card commercial when they play the theme from the movie Brazil? We cringe every time we see this commercial. The others were bad enough with the way they discourage individualism. If you've ever seen Brazil I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

Maureen Pennsylvania (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:36 AM)

while I agree with most of your observations, My Wife & I thought the re-attached rabbit foot and the Viva Viagra we very cute or funny ans we also liked the my bff Jill. I am over 60 and don't need a pill, thank heaven and my Wife and I work for another Ins company so there is no loyalty to the Rabbits. Just cute stuff with so many ads aimed at grunts or dim.

Joe, Spokane. WA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:39 AM)

Doesn't anyone think the Geico cavemen are creepy?

Paula, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:42 AM)

How could you possibly have the rabbit's foot commercial on the "worst" list?  My wife and I both laughed so hard at that we cried!

Mike (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:49 AM)

The Cialis and Levitra ads make me nauseated. I turn the TV on mute everytime they come on. The people in them looking at each other and sitting in a bathtub in the woods are disgusting. As a matter of fact, there are very few ads I don't mute so I don't have to listen to them. Thank goodness for remote controls.

Pat, Louisiana (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:51 AM)

I will never listen to "Viva Las Vegas" again.  Do these men get together just to sing the one song?  I also think the dog should be removed.  Would you want your pet around men that get together and sing Viva Viagra?  Not me.  Worst commercial.

Isabelle Miller, Parkersburg, WV (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 10:53 AM)

Update (or sequel?) to the Wendy's tree kicking. There's now one out there where people are sitting around what looks like a hospital or asylum with their mouths digitally painted out. One person writes on a slate with chalk "Why did you lose your mouth priveledges?" Another writes "Bad fast food" or something similar. Then you see the guard (or attendant?) wearing a Wendy's wig, eating Wendy's, and laughing at the people w/o mouths. Always creeps me out!

Meg, Hampton, VA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:09 AM)

The Wendy's commercial where the crowd is screaming, and there are men's faces like masks.  Its's for the baconator burger or some such nonsense.  Wendy's commercials have become so stupid, I don't even want to eat there anymore.

Brenda Mathes, Richland, MO (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:14 AM)

As multiple pet owners my husband and I find the Stanley Steemer ad hilarious.  We will actually rewind our DVR to watch it more than once.  How can you not find humor in an innocent, natural act that the animal loves so much and yet inspires so much horror in us?

Terri Hecht (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:21 AM)

OK. This is awful, but I find the Sour Skittles and Starbursts commercials disturbingly intriguing.

But the Viva Viagra commercial ... please, please, please find the people responsible for it and beat them senseless. Wait. They're already senseless. Please, please, please just beat them mercilessly. Them, and the people who came up with the Pepto danceline. Both of these ads are just plain offensive.

At least Rhoda's Joe and the Little Lad make you stop and take notice. And then hide your eyes and cringe. But still.

Ohio Betty (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:25 AM)

Does anyone remember the Milk of Magnesia commercial where all you see is a roll of toilet paper for several days,then suddenly it rolls furiously--implying that the M.O.M. kicked in "big time"? That one always grossed me out!

Elizabeth (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:27 AM)

have you ever checked out some of the idea ads? Or the Italian time ad.
funny

sian zylstra, gallup, NM (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:29 AM)

There's a KY Jelly commercial out now that advertises the product's long-lastingness, and shows a couple doing it all day long, all over their house, apartment, or hotel room.  I am embarrassed to see that commercial when I'm alone in my own house!

Agnes Gooch (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:30 AM)

I think that Kellog's All Bran commercials are by far the worst. With a hard hatted construction guy eating a bowl of "All Bran" with background shots of barrels tumbling out of a dump truck so it looks like he's taking a dump himself!!! Other not so subliminal images of a steel girder being pulled out of concrete. It's such bad imaging, it's laughable. It's something that Ed Wood may have done if he was given the project. A commercial desperately suggesting that you'll have great bowel movements within 10 days of eating All Bran. Dumb!!

Seth Darvick, Providence, RI (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:34 AM)

Have they forgotten about the Burger King commercials where that guy wakes up to find some dude in a creepy king costume watching him sleep?? YIKES!!!

Sleepless in Seattle (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:35 AM)

Um,

What about the Herbal Essense commercial with the biker?  That cracks me up everytime I see it, too funny!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIs7OJ9FfGE

Bunnymuffin, Seattle WA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:38 AM)

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  The worst commercials of all time are for local car dealerships.  It's obvious most of these are made by 3 guys with a kodak digital camera.  The people who work at the dealership either put their ugly children on the commercial (and you can't understand what they say) or the owner of the dealership is in some stupid costume (we have one around here called "Dodgezilla").  Plus, even if there's no costumes and no ugly kids, they ALWAYS shout or sing some stupid song about how NO ONE is turned down for financing.  TOTAL CREDIT FORGIVENESS!  A really loud voice will say the dealer won't allow us to say it if it's not true, but these cars are DEAD COST.  Ugh.  They just bug the crap out of me.

Jason, Columbia SC (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:40 AM)

There have been a few of those Skittles ads that have been nausea-inducing.  There was one not too long ago featuring a creepy man with a very long beard doing an interview.  The beard moved of its own accord and fed a skittle to the horrified (female) interviewer sitting across from him.  It was almost sexually suggestive, and left me feeling violated.  My wife very nearly vomited the first time she saw it.  Unfortunately, once you've seen it, as soon as the commercial starts you immediately recall the entire thing, so fast-forwarding or changing the channel doesn't help once it's started.  I'm also looking at you, creepy Burger King ads, and the newest Wendy's ads, too (Dave Thomas must be rolling over in his grave to see what's become of his Wendy's character.)  I have to think these ads are aimed exclusively at today's "hip and cynical youth". I don't eat at BK or Wendy's anymore, and the thought of eating a Sour Skittle turns my stomach (and I use to like Skittles).  Congrats, ad execs!  Job well done.        

Bill Foley, Abington, Massachusetts (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:43 AM)

Apparently the Wendy's commercial only makes sense to viewers under the unfluence of really powerful narcotics.

Gina Weisenborn, Colorado Springs, CO (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:56 AM)

The best all time commercial that makes my cry so hard each and every time i see it, Yogi and the Aflac commercial. "and they give you cash which is just as good as money" catch the poor duck at the end.

Chris, Lyndhurst, New Jersey (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 11:58 AM)

In the Wendy's add the tree kicking is a simple metaphore for conformity. The conformity of the timid masses who never question why there fast food burger isn't hot and juicy.  That is until one man's sudden insight changes everything.  I'm hungry...

Kyle, Madison (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:05 PM)

Again... I saw this one commercial before a movie for Scion and it was bout the "little Deviants" and it just creeped me out.  They had these little sheep looking people walking around also.  Very VERY odd.  I haven't seen it more than once or twice

Emily, Williamsburg Virginia (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:07 PM)

After all the posts about the sour skittles ad, I finally saw it a couple weeks ago.  That is the most disgusting ad ever!  What were they thinking?   Ughhh...  While the Viva Viagra commercial may be really, really stupid, it's not stomach-turning.

Julie, Nashville, TN (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:14 PM)

The comcast digital voice commercial with the tiger-tatooed guy. Worst.

John Doe, Seattle, WA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:36 PM)

Thank you, Carol, I agree, the Clear Blue Easy commercial is HORRIBLE.

Kate, Virginia (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:37 PM)

The Wendy's kicking trees commercial is bad, but not as the Wendy's face overlay ad (quite probably one of the ugliest ads I have ever seen).  In fact all of the Wendy's ads featuring the "Pippy Longstockings" man are unpleasant.  I have boycotted Wendy's since the face overlay one came out. Screaming mobs are just not funny!

Barbara, Front Royal VA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:37 PM)

My teenage daughter and I find the Heineken robot girl ad especially creepy.  The idea that soulless, metallic female automatons might successfully sell beer to young males? Depressing.    

Erasmo, Northern CA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:53 PM)

How about the one where the woman pulls a sanitary pad out of her purse and catches the water leaking from a water tower nearby?  She then runs her finger over the pad and says, "Gee, it's still dry" or something of the sort.  Totally gross

Elaine, Upstate NY (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:54 PM)

Kicking trees - they are the opposite of tree huggers (vegetarians)

lana, gilbert, az (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 12:55 PM)

"Dogs Love Trucks!"  That commercial for Nissan (I think) was great.  In the background War's tune, "Lowrider" plays, while the lovable pooches jump on board for a bit of benevolent mischief!

Cool Joe (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:05 PM)

I hate the "have a happy period" ads from Always. That campaign had to come from men, because I can't for the life of me seeing women endorse it at all! I mean really....they are as bad as the Clear Blue Easy and Vagisil commercials. Have a happy period, indeed!!

Sheila S., Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:17 PM)

Guys seem to be so happy to have Viagra available for ED.  Now the experts say Viagra also leads to feelings of love (something in Viagra for women to sing about).  How many med are so commitment phobic that Viagra will stop advertising so constantly about ability and prowess?

Arlene, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:20 PM)

The Stanley Steemer doesn't belong on this list.  I thought it was pretty funny.

Sam, Austin, Texas (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:26 PM)

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?  Advertisers must think we are stupid, deaf and dumb.  Funny is good but obnoxious destroys trust in their products and services. The worst for me are Capital One, Geico (prehistoric men) and Comcast.  I would never do business with these companies.

Carol, Hallandale Beach, FL (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:27 PM)

What about the Bran commercial which shows construction site implied defication in the background while someone talks about the benefits of Bran cereal. That's my vote for tastless.

Larry Wasserman, Lake Forest, CA (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:33 PM)

HeadOn, ah yes, how to market something that is 99% wax and claim it does wonders as long as you APPLY IT DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD. . . APPLY IT DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD. . . APPLY IT DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD

Ronald Stepp, Enterprise, Alabama (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:36 PM)

I'm just tired of every commercial break talking about crotches. Between all the E.D ones, genital warts/herpies, vagisil and flomax, I can't help but get AD Nausious.
By the way RLS ads, if there really was restless leg syndrome, and I actually had it...would I be sitting in front of the t.v. watching your ad late at night?

ben minneapolis (Sent Friday, August 24, 2007 1:41 PM)



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