Andrew and Vieves look at ads that use the fraught experience of being in the dentist’s chair to signify everything from the sadism of capitalistic excess to the existential crisis of incoherence. Plus, a debate about Minnesota Nice gets testy, and another Ad Councilor gets got. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Geico: “…

Andrew and Vieves consider the relative merits of boredom as a marketing strategy, with ads for everything from banks to… well, a lot of banks. Plus, one Ad Councilor wound up in a catch-and-release situation thanks to a campaign that took a nosedive.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: PNC Bank: “Brilliantly Boring”https:…

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that ask: why do it the hard way? From high protein snacks to hot dates, shortcuts are everywhere. Plus, a comedy cult favorite is the new spokesperson for a dating app, and a new segment considers ads that REALLY work.Here are links to the ads and articles we talked about on this week’s show: Cheat on chips wi…

Sneakerhead, Lakers fan, and friend of the pod Nick Jarin joins Andrew and Vieves to talk about the representation of basketball in commercials, as well as provide some much needed fact-checking for Andrew’s knowledge of Jimmy Butler.Here are the ads and articles we talked about on today's show: Larry Bird for Allstatehttps://youtu.be/nrbPVsQB3vw?s…

In a world where so much of life is utterly predictable, it makes sense that so many ad wizards would turn to surprise parties to inject a little spontaneity into their pitches. Plus Andrew discovers that one brand has been his nemesis all along, and a racecar driver has really taken to the culture.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this …

Awkward silences and uncomfortable moments at the dinner table are a staple of commercial comedy, apparently. Plus, Vieves might get to taste a celebrated chicken chain, and the real reason for the doctored photo of Princess Kate is finally revealed. Here are links to the ads and stories we talked about on this week’s show: CarMax - New Piercing ht…

Andrew quizzes Vieves on her ear for spokeschickens and non-spokeschickens. Plus, the internet is alerted to a bonkers beer campaign of days gone by, and how many cute jingles does it take to sell meat paste?Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Purdue: Jim Purdue’s Healthy Obsessionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F21Opn7L1D…

Vieves’ excessive screen time manifests in a piping hot Vieves Takeover as she lambasts the one percent for promoting stupid gimmicks and interrogates a very weird toilet ad. Plus, Andrew resurrects some classic 90s burger promotions, and the Ad Council remembers a time when Junior WAS baseball.Av Andrew Walsh & Genevieve Haas

Andrew and Vieves consider ads that rely on that awkward moment when two exes collide. Plus, Andrew thinks he might have a strong argument on appeal based on a podcast ad he heard, and the Ad Council really brings it with the jingles this week.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Little Caesars - Sorry PB&Jhttps://www.ispo…

The Ad Council weighs in on this year’s Super Bowl ads, including the expanding Dunkings universe, the relative efficacy of marketing for world religions, and a local ad for gas fireplaces that overshot considerably.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Scientology - Decide for yourself https://youtu.be/lkK-I4utC_Y?si=a-9y7…

This year’s crop of Super Bowl ads was as star-studded as ever, but this time, celebs seemed to take it on the chin a bit…even Outerspace Beyoncé. Vieves and Andrew hand out awards for the best, the worst, and the neggiest of the negs in the 4th Annual Bowlie Awards!CeraVe - Michael CeraVehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVrUDqYfRUMM&Ms - Ring of Co…

With the Super Bowl looming, Andrew and Vieves look at this year’s crop of teasers and pre-game ads in preparation for the fourth annual Bowlie Awards. Between iconic movies Andrew hasn’t seen and TikTok influencers that Vieves couldn’t pick out of a lineup of one, it promises to be a laborious project.Here are links to the ads we talked about on t…

After a gripe-filled takeover by Vieves, Andrew turns back the clock to a simpler time, when men were sailors, loggers and pilots, and women knew how to pipe down! Plus, a plumbing classic throws an Ad Councilor for a loop, and children write the best song parodies.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show:Nissan Rogue - Pup on …

Nothing says nonconformity like buying or selling a mass-produced product, so Andrew and Vieves look at ads aimed at the rebels, renegades and iconoclasts in need of SUVs, car insurance and Beanie Babies. Plus, a batch of 90s ads sows more confusion around long distance calling and floral arrangements.Here are links to the ads we talked about in th…

A roundup of new commercials leads Andrew and Vieves to contemplate the dark heart of an Xfinity campaign, new comedy gold from Dr. Rick, and whether Mr. Darcy has been forever Wamsganned. Plus, an Ad Councilor revives a diet classic.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Geico Caveman backhttps://www.ispot.tv/ad/58Zy/geico-…

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that take the battle for market share literally with ads that throw down over everything from cookies to office conduct. Plus, an Ad Councilor updates a jingle for the modern era, and it slaps! Here are links to the ads that we talked about in this week’s show: Aspercreme - Brawl https://www.ispot.tv/ad/bTwc/as…

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that ask the humble hotdog vendor to sell everything BUT hotdogs. Plus, a mattress company commercial gives up halfway through, and a quadruped takes to the skies.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Investco: Agent of Innovation: Hot Dog Vendorhttps://youtu.be/wZBiKiDtsAk?si=UeD5G9B_EPSuVZZTB…

Notorious grade-grubber Vieves is put to the literal test by Andrew’s look back at some of ATM’s most dissected ads of 2023. Plus, a fruit basket company is coming for Folgers’ most infamous crown, and one Aussie cements his iconic status.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Scott-E-vesthttps://www.ispot.tv/ad/IPF0/scottev…

Vieves is back with her trademark blend of a high concept paired with a total lack of facility with internet culture, as she and Andrew break down commercials inspired by the socials. Plus, Andrew pieces together a confusing sportsbook ad, and Arnold Schwarzenegger looms large over Muscle Beach.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week…

A tight schedule and a Christmas tree shopping trip combine to inspire a show about ads with talking trees, of which there are a surprising amount. Plus, a Detroit-area classic brings up happy memories for Andrew and Vieves.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Stubhub: Marriage Counseling https://youtu.be/MD2CZaF02lk?si=qC6…

Advertisers can rarely say no to an actor willing to reprise an iconic movie role, whether they’re shilling for Black Friday discounts or tracking a pizza delivery. Plus, an Ad Councilor tips Andrew off to his new favorite ad campaign for *checks notes* TV channels. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Walmart - Mean Girls …

Christmas comes early for Andrew and Vieves when the New York Times’ Caity Weaver profiles living legend Stephanie Courtney a.k.a. “Flo from Progressive.” Plus, long distance calling in the 90s was absolutely demented, and a Philly lotto campaign is so nice they made it twice. Here are links to the ads and articles we talked about in this week’s sh…

Andrew and Vieves get into the Thanksgiving spirit with a look at ads for Turkey Days gone awry. Plus, how sad does a grocery store’s marketing have to be before you’ll shop there? And a fast food restaurant evidently snuck one past the goalie.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Stove Top: Pilgrim-isms - Scurvy https://yo…

When a genius like Christopher Guest assembles a troupe of talented comedic actors and improvisers, it’s only a matter of time until commercial casting directors cash in. From credit cards to cable competitors, the stars of the Guestiverse have sold it all. Plus, Andrew waxes rhapsodic about Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and people are getting weird ab…

Andrew unveils another classic quiz for Vieves that pits soup against soap. Plus, a 90s product splits the difference on sexism, and an ATM all-star calls in a jingle that makes Andrew queasy.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Campbells Souphttps://youtu.be/CBc9aRfBz_k?si=OWu6EUclBY5IMKeD Campbells Soup https://www.youtu…

Genevieve and Andrew celebrate Halloween with a costume contest based on this year’s crop of trick-or-treat commercials. Andrew also tries to sneak a Terminator-inspired outfit into the mix, but Vieves isn’t having any of it.Here links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Sour Patch Kids - Fireman https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ALXG/sour-patch-…

The Ad Council takes over to share a Tubi campaign that couldn’t be more delightful, a missed connection in a Burger King campaign, and a personal tie to McDonald’s french fry hegemony.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Tubi: Abshttps://youtu.be/paA-XcMsUoU?si=iJ5LDmhRd6zxoZNr Tubi: Sitcom Laughshttps://youtu.be/kod6BK_YH…

Andrew and Vieves fumble their way through a discussion of social media as a device in TV commercials, while doing their best to keep it 100. Plus, a pair of empty nesters deserve more from life than frozen teriyaki sauce, and Little Caesars is making solid plays for our affection.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Beeche…

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that might not be directed by Wes Anderson, but they’re “quaint, pretty or sentimental” enough to fool the casual observer. Plus an airline ad celebrates our shared humanity at a moment when low-twee Andrew and Vieves really need it. Here are the commercials we talked about on this week's show: Litter-Robot: “A Robot T…

Andrew and Vieves consider ads that brag about the stuff that stuff is made of, from galvanized steel to leather cut from whole cloth. Plus, a paper towel commercial is surprisingly culturally competent, and one Ad Councilor is seeing a Midwest conspiracy afoot.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Apple iPhone 15: Titaniumh…

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that pack a lot of families into a few cars, and spoiler alert, they all include a sulky teenager wearing headphones. Plus, the cable industry makes a play for shaping the youth of America, and Travis Kelce (aka “Travis MaAuto”) is having a moment.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:To…

Andrew and Vieves review a crop of recent ads that have them feeling the full spectrum of human emotions, and predictably, there are a lot of insurance commercials in the mix. Plus, an astute Ad Councilor decodes a puzzle ad, and a TV classic has a complicated origin story.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: McCain Fries:…

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that are venturing into the new frontier of name-image-likeness licensing in college athletics. Who says you can’t shoot a commercial for Irish nachos in under an hour? And why does a classic kids toy suddenly seem so pervy?Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Dr. Pepper: “Fansville: My Family …

A late night viewing of an American TV classic with original ads proves to be a priceless snapshot of early 80s commercials that sends Andrew and Vieves on a full-blown nostalgia trip. From weird alt battery technology, to an upsetting toothpaste ad, to a battle of the nasal sprays, it really was incredible. Plus, Amazon lies about being a relation…

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that invoke the very gods themselves to sell yogurt, luxury cars and tax prep. Plus, the Ad Council provides all the gory details about the Van Damme Go Daddy campaign, and there’s always time for a long, serious discussion about atheism on a nominally comedic podcast!H&R Block: “Cupid”https://youtu.be/_FN-LDYS…

Andrew and Vieves consider commercials that rely on the dubious acting chops of professional wrestlers to sell everything from candy bars to canned pasta. Plus, a lottery commercial gets a little too grim, and everyone’s boyfriend Sam Richardson has an idea. Actually, lots of ideas.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Rand…

A clever slogan sends Andrew on a mission to see if Vieves can tell real roofing wordplay from the made-up slogans. Plus, grocery store ads from the 90s were really their own thing, and Andrew tries to blend in with the Ad Councilors.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Frederic Roofinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB6HD…

Corporate espionage takes on a whole different meaning when Andrew and Vieves look at ads that rely on the well-worn tropes of secret agents and spycraft. Plus, the future of vitamin purchasing has come and gone, and women eating dairy products gets a fun soundtrack.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Adobe Marketing Clou…

From overstaying their welcome to seeking out a surrogate parent, the neighbor’s kid is a rich vein of commercial comedy. Andrew and Vieves look at ads that rely on the boy or girl next door to make their pitch. Plus, Andrew discovers the Jingle of the Summer, and Vieves stans a Google pitchwoman.Xfinity: Tony The Neighborhttps://www.ispot.tv/ad/1x…

Using the catwalk to sell clothes might be old hat, but Vieves and Andrew look at ads that send everything from gummy vitamins to cheeseburgers down the runway in search of a sale. Plus, a drug company takes a toilet for a joyride, and an Ad Councilor defends a Midwestern pizza.Experianhttps://youtu.be/svhDzeoppvg Donate Lifehttps://www.ispot.tv/ad…

Andrew and Vieves feel the need for speed this week in a look at commercials predicated on the promise of time savings. Plus, a 90s internet company makes a bold claim, and an Ad Councilor recognizes an old friend.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:5-Hour Energy: “The Five Second Coffee”https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1udb/5-hour…

Vieves tests Andrew’s knowledge of Snoop Dogg’s wide-ranging sponsorship empire to find out just how well he really knows the Doggfather. Plus, the city of Reno was once reduced to abducting Seattlites off the streets to bolster their tourism industry, and an Ad Councilor Doctor-Doctors a hearing aid commercial.Here are links to the ads we talked a…

When the show’s 400th episode “fourtuitously” converges with the 4th of July holiday, the numerological portents are too significant for Andrew and Vieves to ignore. “Fourtunately,” one Ad Councilor is in perfect harmony with them.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Four Square - “How Convenient”https://youtu.be/7nO2Mv4aJ…

Andrew and Vieves look at ads that rely on the time-honored device of comedic misunderstandings. Plus, a Sweeps Week gambit of yesteryear is still spicy as hell, and a classic candy ad just keeps on giving.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Orkin - Get a pro (Owen Luebbers)https://www.ispot.tv/ad/bqoC/orkin-the-best-in-p…

Andrew and Vieves journey through commercial history with a creatively repurposed quiz. Plus a 90s steakhouse commercial is too scary to sell surf and turf, and the Ad Councilors continue to have problems.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Bulova Watcheshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JenAyMmZ68Chop-o-Matichttps://youtu…

Andrew and Vieves rely on their executive functions to consider commercials that are set in corporate boardrooms. Plus, Disney has some harsh words for a soulless entertainment company, and the Ad Councilors have some more Geico pitches to share.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Haribo Gold Gummy Bears - Boardroom https:…

Andrew and Vieves consider whether our brawniest celebrities also have the brains to sell milk, dog food and Mountain Dew. They also consider what it would take to get them inside a local Jack In the Box. Plus, an Ad Councilor reveals how Disney got local journalists to shill for them so effectively.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this…

Despite the mind-numbing sameness of car and truck ad copy, Andrew injects some fun into the genre with a quiz on the gravel-voiced celebrities who perform them. Plus. a vintage milk commercial sparks a clinic on lying to parents, and a pants commercial just couldn’t be worse.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:GMC Sierra …

Appropriately enough, guest producer Mike puts together an episode all about the anxiety caused by unexpected guests. Plus, Andrew and Vieves may once again be the victims of sports-face-blindness, and the Ad Council is on fire with their Geico ad proposals.Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show:Behr Paint https://youtu.be/GP…

Adventures in suburban wildlife inspire Andrew and Vieves to invent a game based on a popular commercial campaign. Plus, a cadre of 90s appliance salesmen accidentally strikes comedy gold, and poor Ted Danson goes to the woodshed yet again.Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show:Geico: “Clogging Problem”https://youtu.be/W4mRFI…