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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.



Best and worst commercials of the year

Posted: Monday, August 11, 2008 4:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
Filed Under:



We all have times in life when the little things threaten to swallow us up. Someone in our family is sick, the car needs repairs, work is getting complicated. It's easy to say "don't sweat the small stuff," but I can attest to the fact that enough small stuff can get you down, and keep you there.

Favorite ad: Discovery Channel's "Boom-di-ada!"
That's part of the reason, I think, why the winner of this summer's TV commercial contest strikes such a chord with me. It reminds me that I'm not alone, that this planet is a giant carnival, full of great white sharks, and arachnids, of Egyptian kings, and giant squids. And that in the end, it's full of people, human, imperfect people who can sometimes come together and sing.

That's a lot to get out of a TV commercial, but as was obvious from the minute we started discussing it, the Discovery Channel's promo ad, where Discovery stars sing new words to an old camp song, is not just any old commercial. I've been running this contest since 2004 and it's definitely my favorite winning ad. It may be the only one I keep bookmarked and go back and occasionally watch again. (Craving still more? You can watch a slightly different, three-minute-long live version online here.)

You could argue that it's not really a commercial, since it's promoting a channel's offerings, not trying to get you to buy anything, but you know what? Don't care. It's a winner, and for a few minutes while you're watching it, it makes you love the whole world. It's such a brilliant place. Boom-di-ada, boom-di-ada, boom-di-ada, boom-di-ada.

Least favorite ad: Anything with Billy Mays
AND THAT BRINGS US TO OUR OTHER WINNER. I MEAN, LOSER. I MEAN, LEAST FAVORITE AD. I MEAN, SPOKESMAN. AND I AM INTENTIONALLY TYPING IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE BILLY MAYS TALKS IN ALL CAPS, AND YOU GET THE FEELING HE WOULD DO SO EVEN IF HE'S PUTTING A BABY TO SLEEP OR STUDYING IN A LIBRARY.

OK, I'll stop with the all-caps now, but you get the idea. Yelling! Billy Mays loves yelling! He is a throwback to the old pitchmen of the county and state fair days, selling Ginsu knives and apple slicers and caramel apples and tickets to freak shows.

Readers agree: They don't like being yelled at. They don't, then, like Billy Mays' commercials. But you know what? Someone is buying his products. He has enough of 'em. Although I have to say, I know Billy's name, but I can't name any of the items he sells. There's ... a cleaning product? And ... something for washing your car? Maybe a veggie chopper? And ... more cleaning products?

I know Billy's successful, but I'm just not the right audience for his carnival-style sales. AND I JUST WISH HE'D STOP YELLING ALREADY.

Thanks to all of you who followed along and shared your comments in this year's commercial contest. You're such a brilliant bunch. Boom-di-ada, boom-di-ada.

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Comments

I am an animal lover.  Love them.  Am a supporter of animal charities, actually. But when that the ASPCA commercial comes on with Sarah McLaughlin whining that sappy song in the background, I have to mute it. Grr. And, is that the longest commercial ever!?

Gee, South Pasadena, CA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 4:39 PM)

Worst commercial: Quiznos $5. After I've watched the folks with the bad teeth gnawing on $bills and coins, I don't even want to think about eating (and I especially don't want to think about eating at Quiznos).

Favorite: I love the Snickers road trip "Feast" commercials. I play in a reenactment group and I swear I know each one of these guys, and have been in, more or less, those situations.  The one where they all start singing Greensleeves in the car is priceless (makes me giggle every time).

Grumpus, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 4:48 PM)

I'm obviously in the minority, because I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE the boom-di-a-da commercials.  I couldn't stand that song when we were forced to sing it at summer camp (always in a round, so the boom-di-a-da echoed four or five times at the end) and I can't stand it now.
I was at a bar a couple of months ago and there was a soccer game on one of the Spanish-speaking channels, but with the sound turned off.  A Billy Mays commercial came on and I'm still wondering if Billy was yelling in English, yelling in Spanish or if there was someone dubbing Billy in Spanish...

Rachel, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 4:59 PM)

I am sick to death of the Nutri-system Ads. Very condescending!

suju (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:00 PM)

Actually, I think there's a benefit to the Sham-Wow Ad.  Every time I see it, it's like I've been to the state fair without spending any money, even for the gas.

Mike, North Carolina (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:03 PM)

It's Boom-de-Yada. Not Boom-di-ada.

geesh

PAtrick, Hollywood, CA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:06 PM)

how come everytime the winner of the best ad is some cutesy fruity ad about love or singing puppies or laughing babies?  Are we really that cheesy?

E (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:09 PM)

The cheerios ad is great.... if only because we have all been there; said the wrong thing at the wrong time when we thought we were being Mr Nice guy and your wife just keeps allowing you to dig yourself deeper. They are a great couple, who know how to mess with each other and still get along great.... I'll bet they go and have spectacular sex right after they finish breakfast.

Jim Pace, Lancaster , CA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:22 PM)

I LOVE the Discovery Channel ad, but also adore the Advantage ad with the little yellow labrador puppy singing.  HATE the Baskin Robbins soccer mom ad, along with Progressive, and Vonage.

Betty, WA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:26 PM)

What about "can you here me now?"

-Or-

That creepy guy on the Enzyte commercial?

Random, Bowling Green, KY (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:27 PM)

To switch gears from humerous to serious, I can't remember a commercial so effective at getting a message across as the ASPCA/Sarah MacLachlan commercial.  Beautifully done.  Favorite humerous commercials?  Currently the AT&T ads with French toast, techno twins, etc.

Ann, Palo Alto, CA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:27 PM)

Okay, I know that this is a local commerical, but the newest Cox cable commercial is hilarious!  It starts out with two men sitting and one tells the other about the services that Cox cable has.  The one guy then says "whoa, I wonder what else I might not know?", and the second guy, who is grossly offended by the guy's breath says to him "are you aware that you have a chronic case of halitosis?".  The first guy then says to the second "Halitosis?  What's that?".  The second guy is turning away as the guy holding the mic falls into the camera shot - HYSTERICAL!!

Oh yeah, and Vinny the Sham-WOW guy looks like he also has some up-skirts videos he's trying to hawk too!  Very slimy that guy is...

Lynna, Centerville VA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:41 PM)

Love the Discovery Channel, the can Boom di ada all day long.

Like the British girl pitching the gum, 'Dirty Mouth?'

Hate Billy Mays. I remember a while back he was pitching a cell phone accessory, however, it struck me, why does this man need a phone? he probably could just open the window and yell..

Hate the credit report guy. Hate Flo from Progressive and her really cool tricked out name tag.

HATE all the new Hillshire Farms commercials 'Go Meat!' I would like to tell the ad exec who green lighted that where to go.

And there are some local ads which make my skin crawl, hopefully you will start up that discussion sometime soon.

Sean in Denver (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 5:48 PM)

The Boom-di-ada commercial is by far one of the best ones I've seen in years!  In fact at the moment the song in the commercial is my ringtone!

Angela, Edmond, OK (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 6:04 PM)

Funny thing about "Shut up, Steve"... Here in Canada, the couple have British accents (think Hugh Grant for "Steve") and in the States, they sound as American as Apple Pie.... What's up with that?  Does some Madison Avenue Mad Man think that Americans won't buy the product if they think Brits are endorsing it? Any Brits in the 'States reading this, what do you think?

Islander forever in Canada (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 6:06 PM)

Oh the ASPCA commercial with Angel by Sarah McLachlan gets muted at my house every time...one image in the commercial is some little tiny pitiful wet-eyed kitten and I just burst into tears every time.  It's best I ignore it...my cat kinda hates having to get snuggled to death every time it airs with me baby talking, "Nobody's gonna hurt my widdle boy!"

Jane, Cincinnati (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 6:15 PM)

They say a man should always dress for the job he wants, so why am I dressed up like a pirate in this restaurant? It's all because some slacker stole my identity so I'm out here every evening serving chowder and iced tea.  Should've gone to Freeee Credit Report dot com.  I could've seen it coming at me like an atom bomb. They monitor your credit and send you email alerts, so you don't end up serving fish to tourists in t-shirts.

J. G. Wentworth (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 6:40 PM)

Billy Mays is DA MAN, even if he does have a voice like a chainsaw...

Bob, Bailey's Crossroads, VA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 6:43 PM)

Excellent Choice!!!!! It's very rare when anything (especially a commercial) can give me that warm fuzzy feeling about our world. BOOM DI ADA!!!!!

Lisa k, tehachapi, Ca (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 6:44 PM)

I told a friend about this contest, and she sent me a link to a web comic she reads, which is clearly written by a Boom Di Yadda fan - <a href="http://www.xkcd.com/442/">www.xkcd.com/442/</a>

Lisa Holm, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 6:52 PM)

I agree about the ASPCA commercial being crap.  WAY too long to be effective.  I don't just mute the television when it comes on; I change the channel.  And whoever said that they refuse to buy California cheese obviously likes bland and processed cheeses.  I hate to break it to you, Bub, but Wisconsin cheeses stink in the wrong way.

Steven, San Luis Obispo, CA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 7:12 PM)

What about those drug ads? shows all the joys and happyness you will experience, then at the end?
my cause:
excessive flattulence
blindness in 1 eye
trouble reading
trouble sleeping
trouble urinating
sexual disfuntion
ahhhh but you can breathe easier!!  LOL

Garth Peterson, Calgary, Alberta (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 7:26 PM)

Can't stand the Qwest, "since I got into the loop" since they always have such screechy voices and I also know the company doesn't provide the value they like to promote.

My fave is Swiffer when the song "Baby come back" plays and the broom sends the lady flowers or candy. Funny and good!

An Gel, Flagstaff, Ariz (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 7:35 PM)

Love the Discovery ad.  Makes me smile every time I see it.  It is really uplifting.  Thanks Discovery...Boom-di-ada!

Debra R, Springfield MO (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 7:41 PM)

Ooh, there's one that annoys the crap out of me...it's for some medicine and it's animated but instead of lines, it's all words moving.  I can't think of what it's for, but it makes me want to shoot my TV.  Thankfully, I have a DVR so I can pause it and fast forward through it.  

LiLa (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 7:57 PM)

The worst commercial has to be that investment commercial where the older couple is sitting on the couch and the guy is trying to tell the wife about their investments.  She keeps interrupting him to say "I don't care about any of this; I am not interested at all."  She is completely sour and the husband looks very uncomfortable.  Watching her belittle him makes for a very bad commercial.

Mimi, Columbia, MO (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 8:09 PM)

I had not seen the Discovery Channel one 'til now.  It's witty and brilliant.

Thankfully they didn't use Billy Mays in the ad or he would have screamed BOOM-DI-YADA and ruined it.

bjth, Culver City, California (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 8:09 PM)

You obviously haven't noticed the Kaiser ad with the little kid who "neglected his relationships.

TJ, Los Angeles (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 8:16 PM)

Jane in Cincinnati -- instead of muting the ASPCA commercial, why not donate money to the cause and they won't have to show the commercial so often and offend your sensibilites.

Amy, CA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 8:25 PM)

best new one is the 877 cash now with the opera singers

joe doe florida (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 8:38 PM)

The Discovery ad is great.  I love XKCD's take on it.  It's obviously meant for nerds, but so is Discovery.  :D

Agatha Mystery (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 8:56 PM)

Discovery Channel is the best commercial ever!  It's catchy.  A sure award winner!

Walt, Laguna Niguel (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:05 PM)

I hate the Ditech commercials (I think that is how you spell it, I cringe each time they come on). You know, "It's my money and I need it NOW!" Aargh!

M. Fulk (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:06 PM)

Gee - agree with you on the ASPCA commercial.  Rates right up there with the "feed a child on a dollar a day" commercials.  There's a new one one with Laurie Metcalf - the sister from "Roseanne".  Good grief, she got old.

Shamwow guy - agree.  But the Discovery channel ad is annoying.  WAAYYY too cutesy.  I've never been to camp and I have never heard that song before.

Hate all Bowflex and NutraSystem commercials.  Also, the condescending woman pitching Comcast (may be only running in Michigan, not sure) - "...and AT&T customers?  Probably feeling a strong desire to make a change..."

Yeah - the channel to get away from YOU!

MI Chick (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:34 PM)

Love Discover Channel song, like Progressive's Flo, HATE the Vonage lady and the whole ad, hate the barfing baby, I agree with the rest of the world that BILLY MAYS NEEDS TO STOP YELLING!!!!!!!!!!

Cheryl, Tacoma, WA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:35 PM)

the cherrios one....  i could totally tell from Watch One that this commercial was english accented folks being dubbed over in an american english accent.  SO condescending... like we are unable to appreciate or relate to british folk, or need it tailored to our accent in some way?  come on!

erica, seattle, WA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:39 PM)

Garth Peterson, Calgary, Alberta (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 7:26 PM)

Jeff Foxworthy has a fantastic bit about that in the last Blue Collar Comedy Tour movie.  He goes over the "side effects" so fast, I can't repeat all of them, but he's spot on!

As for the Shamwow!  It's name because of the chamois cloth it's made out of (pronounced "sham-ee"), not because it's a scam - which it may be...aren't most "as seen on TV" items?

L - MI (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:40 PM)

I was just talking about how much I hated the Billy Mays commercials when I saw this.

I agree on both of the commercial choices. I just love the Discovery Channel Promo ad. It makes me smile.

I think next-up in least favorites would either be JG Wentworth or TitleMax.

Claire F, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:48 PM)

The first time I saw Isaac Hayes was in Nanuet NY in the early 70's. It was his first performance on
the east coast.   As a long time fan, this was the first time I had seen him in person.  Through the good graces of several people at the theater and one person who worked with Isaac Hayes, I got to meet him after his performance.  We sat in his limo and talked one on one.  I had an opportunity to tell him how I enjoyed his music and how much it meant to me.  It was an amazing experience.  Years later he was appearing at the Beacon Theater in New York City.  Through his generosity, again I got to meet and talk with him.  More years pass and my wife and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary.  Coincientally Isaac Hayes is appearing nearby but seats are hard to come by.  I spoke with his personal assistant, told her my story, she said she would speak to Isaac and get back to me.  She did and not only did we see him, we had seats right up front.  Here is  a man who was not only talented in so many areas but a kind, thoughtful and generous person as well.  I am now 66 years old and his music still turns me on.  He will be greatly missed.

Chuck B Guilford CT (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 9:52 PM)

What about Wilford Brimley? Di-ya-beatus. And those mean, evil eyes. He gives me the creeps and I live in Salem.

Mike, Salem, MA (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 10:04 PM)

T. Hanson, thank you.  I thought I was the only one who can't stand that smarmy Bowflex guy who looks like a chipmunk on steroids.  "My wife gives me that little wink........."  Yeah, whatever, dude, she's probably winking at the dog or the cat or the nerdy guy from across the street who doesn't stare at himself in the mirror all day after working out for 3 hours and is actually good in bed  :)) ...........Yuck.  My other least favorite is the public service annoucement featuring Smokey Bear, and the child singing "The bear went over the mountain........."  I always finish it by singing something about the bear going over the mountain and eating annoying children singing unbelievably repetitive songs.  Makes me want to start a fire..........

M. J., Georgetown, KY (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 10:13 PM)

I totally agree with every word! Finally someone writing a column with some common sense!

Tina Waycross, Ga (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 10:23 PM)

Love the Discovery commercial...HATE HATE HATE the Sham-Wow guy (really with the ear piece!)

Mary Ann (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 10:29 PM)

I hate that stupid Mederma woman who wants to protect her scar from the sun.  She sounds like an idiot as she gingerly rubs Mederma onto her facial scar and then throws her sunhat off as she crows about having her moment in the sun.  Lady, just use regular Mederma if you must and put SPF 30 sunscreen over the scar when you go out.

Hate Billy Mays too.

The Boom-de-ada doesn't do that much for me.  I guess I just have a heart of stone!

K, Texas (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 10:39 PM)

I have to agree on the Billy Mays and the Scam-Wow guy...clearly two people who shouldn't be allowed on television. I don't know if you're subjected to these down in the States, but up here in Canada we have the most annoying series of Special K cereal and Pedigree Healthy Vitality dog food commercials. Please, please, please don't anybody buy these products and let the companies know this and why you're not buying. You have other choices.

Dave, Milton, Ontario (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 11:11 PM)

I still like the unibrow, hairy mole hottie, adored by the men because she dabs the Planter's Nuts scent like perfume.  The final bit where she is walking while trying to pull her riding-up undies/skirt out of her .... well, you know.... never fails to make me laugh.

Almost as good is the Bridgestone Tire ad with the squirrel in the road.  Car comes, squirrel screams, deer screams, racoon screams, grasshopper screams, etc. is hilarious.

Worst ad EVER?.....ShamWow...nothing else even comes close.

JMack, Austin, TX (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 11:28 PM)

I really like that Discovery Promo, I don't own a TV, but watch the internet and when I'm at friends I absorb the ads.

What Camp Song are they reinterpreting?

As for Billy Mays, it is too bad his name rhymes with Willie Mays, one's a winner, and the other a loser.

michaelinsantabarbara (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 11:36 PM)

I cannot stand Verizon Wireless' "who's my cuddle bear?" commercial. If I had a needy and annoying girlfriend who called me every ten seconds to ask me "who's my cuddle bear?", I think I would have my cell phone service disconnected.  Not to mention the woman's voice is.... argh!!!  Have I mentioned I hate this commercial?

Jamie (Sent Monday, August 11, 2008 11:51 PM)

What does Isaac Hayes have to do with commercials?

Best: Kaiser commercial with little boy.
Worst: I think Head On is still the winner -- or loser.

Clara Los Angeles (Sent Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:13 AM)

Hate the Subway sandwich commercial. When I get a Subway sandwich it never looks like the one on television. How do they get away with that?

John Scully Denver Co. (Sent Tuesday, August 12, 2008 3:41 AM)



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