May 30, 2009

Introducing LOLTimes

A friend and I have a running commentary on trend articles in the NY Times where despite the flimsy premise and ridiculous subject matter, a story is written in breathless Times style and has you laughing as you reach the conclusion. Sometimes it’s just a story that goes off the rails with a quote (Something moved her to apologize to the black woman for slavery. “For two strangers riding a train to Oakland to have that conversation about race, it wouldn’t have been possible if Obama hadn’t been elected,” she said. “I always felt open with my colleagues, but to say to a stranger on the train, ‘Hey, I’m sorry about slavery,’ that just doesn’t happen.” ) and others you chuckle from the opening lines. I’ve decided to start keeping track since I shake my head at these as often as the dumb commercials I watch. I almost think of this as a special section that I’ve christened LOLTimes because it’s almost impossible to believe that not one editor thought there was something inherently stupid about these articles along the way. They’ve obviously got to be throwing them out there to keep people entertained.

This week, we’ve had: hugging, that strange epidemic overtaking teenagers nowadays, and a new miniature golf course where you can putt around in a bodega or car door maze. LOLTimes, you’re so cute!

This commercial hits every level of being disturbing: the idea of a pig as a strip club dancer, complete with being soaked in BBQ sauce and them actually trying to sell that anything coming out of White Castle would remotely look that good.

April 9, 2009

In the best of circumstances, the Burger King is creepy as hell and him dancing around to a modified “Baby Got Back” had me staring at the screen dumbfounded.

March 1, 2009

I should’ve gotten around to this one a while ago, but a 4am tv binge reminded me of it. Everything about it adds up to major WTF: the fact she’s flirting with a pile of money with googly eyes, her somewhat oblivious date/partner, and the borderline offensive waiter. All fail.

February 19, 2009

I’m of two minds about this commercial.

We have on the side of Fail: 1) It’s so budget. It reminds me of 8th grade drama class where we got to make our own fake commercials. 2) Where the hell are they? A beauty salon? Airport? The background is weird and distracting. 3) I think that old lady endorsing a product would make me that much less likely to get it.

But on the Win side: in a world where vibrators are still referred to as “back massagers” in some catalogs and sex toys are illegal in some states, this is a commercial for getting yourself off on prime time. That’s actually progress! And imagine how awesome it’ll be the first time you see an ad for a cock ring on TV!

February 4, 2009

My fault for watching The N, but this commercial for an online degree was interesting. Kids nowadays apparently can’t understand anything unless it’s presented like a faux-pop song.

February 1, 2009
An interesting targeted ad on Facebook for government grants. (How did they know I was broke?) Everyone’s using Obama’s name in vain. It was amusing on the Super Bowl to see the owner of the Steelers thank him for their win.

An interesting targeted ad on Facebook for government grants. (How did they know I was broke?) Everyone’s using Obama’s name in vain. It was amusing on the Super Bowl to see the owner of the Steelers thank him for their win.

January 31, 2009

Bizarre Diesel jeans commercial with shades of Jodorowsky

January 30, 2009
Today in head scratchers: the online game version of the crash landing of the US Air flight in the Hudson that was burning up the news the other week. (Found via NY Daily News)

Today in head scratchers: the online game version of the crash landing of the US Air flight in the Hudson that was burning up the news the other week. (Found via NY Daily News)

January 25, 2009

The inappropriateness of this office holiday party is an HR nightmare waiting to happen.