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=qC67-H266xGnFhK7 Stubhub: Screaming https://www.adforum.com/creative-work/ad/player/34481236/screaming-tree/stubhub Geico: Falling Trees Do Make A Soun...
Dec 13, 2023•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Black Friday https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5jIZ/walmart-tv-black-friday-deals-spot-jingle-bell-rockin-feat-linday-lohan-amanda-seyfried Honda CR-V - Ferris...
Dec 06, 2023•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 show: NYT: Everybody Knows Flo from Progressive. Who is Stephanie Courtney? https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/25/magazine/progressive-insurance-flo-stepha...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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://youtu.be/d_ZbN8jAN70?si=ef6AW6O9I4wObvVd Stove Top: Pilgrim-isms - Grace https://youtu.be/jefyEQaFwGw?si=K2sjvutcA11Yh6Tz Oscar Meyer - Anyday Thanksgi...
Nov 22, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 about siblings. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: SportsCenter - David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean - 1995) https://www.dail...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Soup https://youtu.be/CBc9aRfBz_k?si=OWu6EUclBY5IMKeD Campbells Soup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czWWlB-D7ds Campbells Soup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfmaqetauMc Coast soap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn9AOC_I2sI Campbel...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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-kids-trick-r-treat-fireman Geico - Rivalries https://www.ispot.tv/ad/o8r4/geico-trick-or-treat Nissan Heisman house - trick or treat https://youtu.be...
Oct 31, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Abs https://youtu.be/paA-XcMsUoU?si=iJ5LDmhRd6zxoZNr Tubi: Sitcom Laughs https://youtu.be/kod6BK_YH_4?si=lKln1tUSXWVDipBj Tubi: Musicals https://youtu.be/reL_s5Gl4Ds?si=Ifk1jiDA_WTJIFQY Tubi: Speedboat https://youtu.be/SVSIq4_XifY?si=O_kKT5fWZN7...
Oct 25, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Beecher's - Life changing https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5qH9/beechers-handmade-cheese-real-comments-life-changing Beecher’s - Makes me cry https://www.ispot.tv/...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 That Eats Your Cat’s Poop” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_K4nqqrtG4 Stella Artois (Dir. By Wes Anderson and Roman Copolla) https://www.youtube.com/w...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Titanium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_JEezynhrc iPhone 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rayRgPVWL_A American Motors (AMC) Concord https://youtu.be/gjH...
Oct 04, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Toyota Grand Highlander - “Back to the lake” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5o3q/toyota-grand-highlander-back-to-the-lake-song-by-the-5678s-t1 Toyota Grand H...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: “Barb from Stranger Things” https://youtu.be/ZMVAJ8iTvW8?si=4s81ulxmjBF7tf1X Progressive: “Replay: School Bus” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/5ovY/progress...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Now” ft Bryce Young https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2Lr7/dr-pepper-fanville-theyre-my-family-now-ft-bryce-young AT&T: “He’s Short” https://www.youtube.com/w...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 relationship-fixer. Here are links to the That’s Incredible! episode and the ads we talked about on this week’s show: That’s Incredible! October 12, 1981 FULL...
Sep 05, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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-LDYSLSg?si=QdGKPGrGw9w01BGK Subway: “Cupid” https://youtu.be/m7ajTgVmmZY?si=vvGOBhQrSh8I9OCC Oikos Greek Yogurt: “Meet Ares” https://youtu.be/6ZL8gksPFy...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Randy Savage - Slim Jims light store https://youtu.be/Lxp_3000h_U Randy Savage - Slim Jims dance https://youtu.be/UV17XYCzkWU Randy Savage - Slim Jims Ro...
Aug 23, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Roofing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB6HDsohZ0Q Philip Camerer Roofing https://www.adjingles.com/roofing-jingles/ Ad Jingles.com https://www.adjingles.com/ MHI Roofing https://www.ispot.tv/...
Aug 16, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Cloud - Secret Agent https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A_Zc/adobe-marketing-cloud-secret-agent Barbie Spy Squad https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A2PG/barbie-spy-squad-spy-s...
Aug 09, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Neighbor https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1x02/xfinity-tony-the-neighbor Daisy Cottage Cheese: Neighbor Kid https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7ANr/daisy-best-all-week-neighbor-kid Quaker Oats: Neighbor ...
Aug 02, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Experian https://youtu.be/svhDzeoppvg Donate Life https://www.ispot.tv/ad/oUf5/donate-life-america-fashion-show Eyeglass World - Mr. World https://www.ispot.tv/ad/dyxJ/eyeglass-world-introducing-mr-world-fashion-show Vit...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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-energy-the-five-second-coffee Minute Rice (ft. Ann B. Davis) (1980) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq8tpNhJlKY Minute Rice: “Easy Days” (1960s?) ...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 about in this week’s show - spoiler alert, these will give away the answers to the quiz: Petco https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1FAN/petco-the-ultimate-dog-fea...
Jul 11, 2023•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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/7nO2Mv4aJKM Four Square - “Square Deal” (1986) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNEvSKV9iA0 Four Seasons Hotels - “Monogram” https://www.adforum.com/creative-...
Jul 04, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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-pets-ants Orkin - Get a pro (Rianna Valdes) https://www.ispot.tv/ad/bCCP/orkin-the-best-in-pests-mosquitos-red-cross-featuring-rianna-valdes Orkin - ...
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Watches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JenAyMmZ68 Chop-o-Matic https://youtu.be/FGo7W_mbWCE Tootsie Pops https://youtu.be/pvFzOgK-V9E Paul Frees - The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show https://youtu.be/hTzuO24i-YA?t=91 Winston Cig...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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://youtu.be/EAnwmmPFYgU IHOP - Child Executive Officer https://www.ispot.tv/ad/Z8mQ/ihop-cereal-pancakes-board-meeting Shriners Hospitals https://www...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 week’s show: Netflix - Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chris Hemsworth https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1sUu/netflix-nobody-hits-like-netflix-elevator-ft-arnold-sc...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Heavy Duty - “Power” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1RqN/2023-gmc-sierra-heavy-duty-pulling-power-t2 Ford - “What’s In A Name?” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/tPJ...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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_R0_BUrP8 Oxo Soup https://youtu.be/S8HGDSwkDC0 Super Star Car Wash https://youtu.be/LeiUlOvzUIg Buick https://ispot.tv/a/nR0N IKEA Korea https://yo...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
