A commercial classic inspires Andrew to try his hand at musical scoring, and a host of newly dubbed ads is a reminder that the 90s were a weird time. Plus, a UK soccer legend is hellbent on getting potato chips.
Vieves and Andrew are visited by the ghosts of holiday disasters past (and possibly present) as they consider ads that put the mess in Christmess. Plus, it’s a nostalgia-soaked BT-Dubs, and TikTok makes its first incursion into ATM territory.
Andrew and Vieves consider the depiction of female friendship in commercials that are selling everything from beer to baseball tickets, posing the question: if two women never talk to each other, do they pass the Bechdel test? Plus, they get outsmarted by a pizza commercial, and an SNL parody addresses an uncomfortable truth about fast food.
Vieves delivers on her promise to test Andrew’s knowledge of Buick models through the ages. Plus, Andrew unleashes a flood of new BT-Dubs and reflects on a time when “everything had to be a flashdance.”
What is it about a man in a cockpit? Andrew and Vieves look at ads featuring pilots who are selling everything from pancakes to perfume dispensers. Plus, the Ad Council reveals some dazzling deets about commercial mobsters, and Clint Eastwood joins forces with Paul Allen to redefine "books."
A surprising discovery about a vintage TV show inspires Andrew and Vieves to look at commercials that are well-connected…TO THE MAFIA! Plus, a cool kid goes to the dentist. And could a Geico actor be ready for her star turn?
In celebration of what may be the nation’s last free and fair election, Andrew and Vieves look at brands that invite customers to cast their vote, mostly in service of creating bizarre flavor profiles. Plus, Steven Weber is the human embodiment of the 90s, and even in retirement, Gronk is still MVP.
A current ad that leans on the inherent comedy of the mullet inspires Vieves and Andrew to interrogate whether the hairstyle can still be considered shorthand for dirtbag. Plus, an electronics superstore of yesteryear has Andrew looking into time travel, and a motel chain gets its hooks in an Ad Councilor.
Andrew and Vieves take a sugar-fueled trip down memory lane as they recall the Halloween candies of their youth and the commercials that made them so irresistible. Plus, an up-and-comer makes a car commercial, and Arnold does Japan.
Andrew and Vieves look at ads that rely on the easily-understood trope of the sports team clubhouse. From the pep-talking coach to the post-game interview, these ad wizards use every part of the locker room. Plus, it takes a village to operate a turkeysaurus, and Steven Bochco gets scatalogical.
Andrew and Vieves consider ads that rely on the trope of island castaways, leading to a remedial lesson in the Tom Hanks classic "Cast Away" for Andrew and some predictable pearl clutching for Genevieve. Plus, empty nesters get museum-quality horny, and sasquatch abuse goes too far.
Andrew and Vieves are falling all over themselves this week as they look at commercials featuring stumbles, tumbles and dives. Plus, a Camaro ad from the vault creates confusion, and a furniture store might be trolling us with pronunciation.
A commercial featuring a millennial Leonardo da Vinci inspires Vieves to take Andrew on an anachronistic tour of history’s greatest pitchmen and women. Plus, the Ad Council steps up to help name Andrew’s new hobbyhorse of a segment, and a dating app isn’t beating around the bush in its veggie-filled commercial.
Inspired by a new ad featuring Lizzo, Andrew and Vieves discover that bathtubs have been used to sell everything from dairy products to discount travel. Plus, Andrew's digital ad archiving turns up a paleofuture gem, and State Farm absolutely crosses a line.
Andrew has hidden clues inside a collection of commercials to see if Genevieve can decipher a sports-related secret message. Plus a listener reveals that a major soda jingle is actually a Brazilian classic.
Andrew ranks the scariest home invader commercials aimed at selling security systems (so you know some white homeowners are going to get menaced.) Plus, a travel website goes for a second bite of the conspiracy theorist apple, and an institution of higher learning should learn how to draw a map.
Andrew and Vieves unpack commercials based on house calls by skilled tradespeople this week, from homeowners who are too invested in their relationships with their plumbers to housemates in denial about the redemptive power of electricians. Plus, a listener ignites a sonic branding sound off, and an extended warranty commercial makes a big play for the Fox news crowd.
Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that feature some stand-up comedy greats and are left asking: why are so many of these ads not funny? Plus, an Ad Councilor makes the definitive case for the loathsomeness of mimes and the great comedian impressions continue.
Mimes, lowly and reviled, are nevertheless a rich vein of commercial comedy, selling everything from renter's insurance to hotdogs. Plus, the ghost of Mitch Hedberg rides again, and an Ad Councilor shares relevant Max Headroom information.
Some recent commercials with flawed logic are driving Vieves up the wall, while Andrew reports on a new marketing gambit by Panera Bread. Plus, one talented Ad Councilor embodies the spirit of a comedy legend.
OG digital pitchman Max Headroom sends Andrew on a trip through the cola wars of 1985. Plus, an insurance company borrows a premise from a stand-up great.
Vieves takes over today's episode to highlight a collection of ads that appeal to people's basest needs: for food, for sex, for home insurance. Plus, an amazingly dumb product sends Andrew and Vieves down a late-90s rabbit hole involving an almost-dancing robot.
Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that wink and nod at the careers of their famous spokespeople. Plus, Andrew declares that he is funnier than Seth McFarland, and an erstwhile toy seems like a recipe for disaster.
Andrew falls down a nostalgia hole of ads from the summers of his youth. Plus, Baker Mayfield may have a new quarterback gig, but he's down one insurance campaign. And a listener's ears are deceiving her when it comes to ATM.
The Ad Council takes over this week with a new stunt from Arby's, a storied Portland pitchman, and a whole lot of peanut butter. Plus, an Arby's competitor tried to market what may be the worst sandwich ever invented.
A Top Gun product tie-in that threatens Vieves' safe space inspires a show about incongruous movie licensing deals. Plus, a vintage air freshener commercial ignites a debate, and a cookie commercial finds common ground with a pest control outfit.
"Who is your daddy, and what does he sell?" Andrew and Vieves are most definitely NOT doing a show about Father Day's as they look at daddy-forward ads. Plus, Vieves wins an eBay auction, and a Chicago hospital takes a big swing.
Andrew and Vieves are pleased to discover that game nights provide a rich vein of commercial comedy. Plus, Vieves tries to promote some fake news, Smokey Bear is a prince of lies, and two Ad Councilors respond to a jingle challenge with absolute aplomb.
In these days of rampant inflation, Andrew and Vieves revisit the bargains of yesteryear with a quiz that underscores the deranged value Americans once placed on talking dolls. Plus, a Jingle duet for the ages, and a vintage K Mart ad that inspires Vieves to issue a challenge.
Andrew and Vieves look at virtual products being metaphorically sold in a physical space, while also falling in love with a couple doing online banking and Jon Hamm (again). Plus, the thrilling conclusion to the Mr. Craggles saga.
