Subway. I hate John Lovitz.

OOOooooh how I ate Jon Lovitz especially the way he says "Subway Eat FRESH!!!!!!" I'm with nighthawk..if that commercial doesn't grind my soul I don't know what does.

Like you ottercreek, I am disgusted with that Hallmark ad. Do they really think that image of people not singing will make us feel good. Maybe they understand something about our culture though--that less and less are people singing--alone or together. Maybe they will sell lots of singing cards.
It is one of the reasons I still value gathering in communities called church--we sing together!!! Sometimes, in the United Church, because of our new hymnbook called Voices United, we even sing really great songs/hymns.

To add to the list of annoying ads--I find all Walmark ads annoying because they always grab at my heart strings before I discover what they are advertising. It is as if WalMart is depicting itself as a community that cares--almost like church--or like church should be. I guess I find them really annoying because they remind me that most of the ciizens of our culture worship at the consumer temple called the shopping mall. These ads annoy me because they remind me of how spiritually bankrupt our culture really is and the extent to which I and my family are a part of it. These ads annoy me because they prey upon people's lack of community--their lack of initimacy, their loneliness. They annoy me because the folks who created them have touched upon a deep sadness in many homes--and then say--come and spend your money at WalMart. That will make you feel better!!!

The walmart ads really bug me - walmart itself really bugs me. There is an ad for an X Box game that plays the most beautiful song by Gary Jewels (?) called Mad World - I find myself drawn to the song but the visual is of a war game. To me the ad is really sending mixed messages.

if i have to watch that annoying old woman rant on about how you should

"STOP COOKING WITH CHEESE!!"

one more time, i'm going to shoot the tv set.
come on. wtf.

Haha! both dh and I are with you on the CHEESE comercial! And don't forget the Harvey's 'sighsnootles' burger!

All those ads for Viagra, Cialis, and the other "erectile dysfunction" drugs. Hubby looks so happy and proud - "look, honey, I've got a hard on!" Of course, it was all thanks to a little pill - nothing to do with her.

The pharmaceutical ads that tell you to ask your doctor if [some pill or other] is right for you - without ever once saying what the damn thing is actually for!

Yep, Wal-Mart ads in general, because the company is reprehensible in more ways than I can count.

"Thanta, Is that welly you?", I think its for the Brick. The little girl wakes up and finds santa.

Everyone I know loves them but I can't stand the Bell beavers.

The Fido hipster Santa and ice queen Mrs Claus one. Yeah, give a new look for the jolly old elf and the mrs but Prince William and Donatella Versaece?

Oooh, that's tough. There are so many annoying ones, but I'd have to go with "Hands In My Pocket..." for brain-infiltrating annoyance, while the beavers win for mind-numbing annoyance.

i used to hate the 'hands in my pocket' commercial too, until i saw rick mercers spoof of it...

god i love rick mercer!!!

I too used to hate the "hands in my pockets" until my husband taught my daughter (age 2) to sing it while hanging off my back pant pockets. (Like msot kids do anyway). So now when I hear it, I smile.

Has anyone seen the ad for "The Brick", recently? It shows the same seven seconds of the ad 4 times! Gah!

"This is not a mistake! Get a free panasonic widescreen TV with a purchase of a loveseat and couch for only $999!"

*Rewinds*

"This is not a mistake! Get a free panasonic widescreen TV with a purchase of a loveseat and couch for only $999!"

*Rewinds*

"This is not a mistake! Get a free panasonic widescreen TV with a purchase of a loveseat and couch for only $999!"

*Rewinds*

"This is not a mistake! Get a free panasonic widescreen TV..."

I hate The Brick...

SO many choices...

It is quite evident that from the response to my question that there are a lot of stupid marketing people out there who haven't got a clue what there ads do to people.. I would also have to ask: What kind of focus groups were shown these ads before they put the big bucks into them? And how many of these campaigns stem from the mother company based in the US who haven't a clue what resonates with Canadians?

Thirty years ago I had a friend who convinced me never to wear a watch and to bother people when I needed the time of day. She said it was a social thing for her and that asking people the time kept us slightly more conected as humans.
She was convinced that digital watches and cell phones would be the high tech driving edge that would turn people into Zombies and cacoon them into there only little worlds.
Watch kids now- a days - Sold on I-pods, headphones, Blackbury text messaging and look as the face of the idiots dtanding on your door step grinning as a Hallmark Singing Christmas Card helps them to reach out and touch someone.

sigh!!!

I hurt myself watching Rick Mercer's spoof!

ohhhh....snurful!

well, i hope that means you liked it!! like i said, you'll never see those stupid 'hand in my pocket' commercials the same way again!!!

All of them.

Whoever mentioned that "Thanta, is thaaaaaat werlly you?" ad I'm with you too. I can't believe I forgot about it. Stupid Leons... I mean the kid is too cute... Like forced cuteness..Like the parents said "Now honey just be SOOoooo cute!".

Oh, and I forgot this one... Tell me if you remember this:

Hey there kids! We work for Santa Clause!
And we're here to stay
We work (something something)
And without delay!

For every letter he gets, you know he'll always write back!
He gets a million a year, these letters by the sack!

So write to Santa! NORTH POLE! H0H, 0H0!

So write to Santa, and include your address.
And look in your mailbox, 'cause he'll send you his best!

H0H 0H0! La la la la la... la HO HO HO!!

I think thats most of it. Gah, though. Terrible ad. I don't think they play it anymore, though.

I'm with ottercreek, the Canadian Tire "Be nice to your money" ads drive me a bit nuts!

The first time I saw the one with the man I thought it was an ad for getting your prostate checked .... something that all we men should do! But, it was only an ad for a bank and a annoying one too.

how about...
Head On! Apply directly to the forehead!
Head On! Apply directly to the forehead!
Head On! Apply directly to the forehead!

Marketers aren't stupid. If they've got your attention then they've done their job, whether you like it or not. Wouldn't commercials that people like be more deserving of attention? I have a mute button on my converter and I use it.

well, i haven't a clue what that 'hand in my pocket' commercial is trying to sell. but i know that rick mercers spoof is a statement on tax time!!!

The guy who pretends to be a fussy cat, perched on the couch. I would like to see him whacked with a rolled up newspaper by the guy who got fired from the Canadian Tire ad for being wussy.

I hate them all. I usually record my TV shows and then ff through the commercials.