Adweek blogger: BARBARA LIPPERT

• Barbara Lippert is Adweek’s advertising columnist and editor at large.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE NEWEST CONTENT

Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, 6 p.m.
   Either Katie Couric has gotten a hip new haircut, or the rain and humidity in Miami has undone the restrained, 1980s era anchortron aesthetic that CBS afflicted her with in an attempt to convey gravitas. I say, break free, Katie, and let the highlights fly likel buttresses. And I gots to say I’m enjoying the pregame spots, except for the Taco Bell one with the lions on the velt who speak like surfer dudes. What’s up with giving every speaker in commercials -- from babies to wild animals -- that same slacker voice and affect? That’s what’s so great about the Geico cavemen -- every tiny detail pisses them off. Love the new spot with the cavemen at the bar “can you give us a minute??” Although its not new, I also like the Peyton Manning commercial for Sprint in which he tries to hide his identity with Burt Reynolds-style moustache and wig. Later, in a promo for the NFL, they asked him “If you win, is there any way it’s humanly possible to do more commercials?” Good question. Although I think the black pencil moustache is the way to go for future bookings. And I like the look of the GMC spot, but the lyrics are a bit unfortunate: “I’ll stop the world and melt with you.” When selling sheet metal, do you really want to think about melting?

6:54 p.m.
   Can't believe the $12.79 Doritos commercial won the contest! The 21 year old kid who made it said it would really have cost $15.00 if he included the bag of Doritos he ate for lunch. If it looks kinda shakey it was -- The dolly shot was done on roller blades-- the filmmakers couldn't afford a  dolly. The woman who smashes into the car is the guy's wife.  I guess it's the most democratic kind of user generated story-- $12 dollar spot in a $2.6 million slot.  Sure, the winners are kids who are dying (almost literally, from whatthe spot looks like) to work in the business.. Ironically, this can't be good for agencies!

7:17 p.m.
   Letterman and Oprah-- my dream spot! I’ve got to say that the Fed Ex commercial didn’t stick-- not as good as last year’s office cavemen. But the first couple of spots all celebrated the beauty of beating someone up-- in the beginning, it looked like we had a “bang your head, writhe in pain” theme, with Bud and Doritos both going for the hurt joke. But the shock came with the Snickers spot Snickers has really made Superbowl advertising history --first spot ever to suggest fellatio. I t hought that when the two men jumped apart, one would say, “I just can’t quit you!’ Instead, they were embarrassed about their ”kiss“-- (that’s not the part that was embarrassing) and started pulling off their chest hair.(number one source ofl male humor these days-- manscaping..) The Carlos Mencia spot for Bud-- kinda racist?

7:51 p.m.
   So what’s going on with Doritos? They just ran a second finalist--checkout clerk. Are they going to run all five??
   The Chevy spot created by the student, with menin the streets taking off their shirts and desperately stroking the HHR is funny. I watched the Project Greenlight-like documenting of every moment in the contest, and the girl who created it is the youngest, shyest college kid I’ve ever seen. They even recorded her at the big opening dinner ordering a Shirley Temple. It’s like the librarian who finally lets down her hair....
   More men hitting for bud light. what’s going on?
   The robot committing suicide? So far the bud spots are all about men beating the crap out of each other. har-har! makes you wistful for some good old cleavage!

10:12 p.m.
   But anyway, was that depressing, or what? Men dealing with failure, humiliation, and ruin. You think the robot is cute and then he wants to jump off a bridge. Wven the heart -- the ultimate symbol humanity -- gets flogged publicly in the street by high cholesterol and then bangs himself into a wall.
   Robert Goulet has gone full Shatner, but the spot was funny. I resent the Nationwide spot because it actually shows that Kevin Federline has a modicum of talent and the ability to make fun of himself. Am I supposed to actually like him now?
   I’d say the Bud showing was particuarly bad.

February 4, 2007 | Permalink