Oak Leaf, Volume 103, Number 2, 27 January 2000 — OPWfo*/ °ut or tnv mrm A COiiUAN BY JUSTIN BOATWRIGHT [ARTICLE]

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°ut or tnv mrm A COiiUAN BY JUSTIN BOATWRIGHT

With the Super Bowl fast approaching I would like to take this time to praise the art form we commonly call commercials. Commercials have indeed evolved a great deal over the years and are sometimes even more entertaining than the inane shows that the networks seem to be fond of throwing our way. The current crop of commercials is no exception with a few standouts especially worth mentioning. My personal current favorite is the Volkswagen spot where the couple is driving along the road and everything happening around them happens in sync with the beat of the music in their car. A simple idea, yes, but a very cool commercial nonetheless. It is commercials like that which make me stop flipping, if only for thirty seconds. Another commercial gem, now playing on a television near you, are the spots from pets.com with the slogan “Because pets can’t drive.” These bits feature a sock-puppet dog with a watch for a collar who goes around assisting in the delivery of the products ordered from pets.com. There are a few variations that can be seen every now and then but the best of the bunch is the first one they started showing where the dog tells the driver, “I like your shorts. You’re a good lookin’ fella.” Does it have much of anything to do with the product? Nope, but it’s damned funny stuff and that’s all that matters as far as I’m concerned. Now, I would be kidding myself and the rest of heterosexual guy-dom if I wrote an article about commercials and didn’t mention the Victoria’s Secret ads. Which

Victoria’s Secret ads you ask? Take your pick, they all belong in the commercial equivalent of Cooperstown, if such a place exists. These commercials deserve honorable mention for the mere fact that standing and walking comfortably is a difficult task after sitting through a sixty-second spot. Whether it’s the angels. Body by Victoria, or just plain lingerie, these ads have been increasing heart rates for some time now and are hopefully here to stay. As much as I would like to simply reel off all of the funny and entertaining commercials currently getting air-time, I should also mention the commercials that stink up the screen every time they show their ugly faces. Many of these atrocities are local spots like the horrendous Zummwalt-Magrini ads that play on television and radio alike. I would die happy if I never had to see or hear one of those ads ever again. “On the original!”- Shut up already. Only Helen Keller could enjoy those ridiculously idiotic commercials, although I’m sure they’d suck even in braille. It’s ads like those that have the opposite effect that they should have and make me want to never take part in what is being sold, even if they’re giving things away. A few rotten apples can’t ruin the barrel though and overall the art of the commercial is highly entertaining. They might not make me want to go run out and buy whatever it is they’re selling every time, but they keep me interested and entertained and I guess that’s all I can really ask for.