2, lay your finger on those Butterfingers.
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America's Favorite Non-prehistoric Cartoon Family - The Simpsons Thread
- Thread starter Johnny Unusual
- Start date
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
The Commercials
Vol. 1: The Outliers
These reviews will be less about "was it funny", because no, it will never be. Sorry. I'm more interested is if in selling out it does so in an interesting (or cringe-inducing) way, where are we in the state of the series, does it do the product a service, does ANY of the show's famous subversiveness come through, etc.
The obvious place to start with Simpsons commercials are where they really made their bones; the long-running Butterfingers commercials. But I won't. I'm actually going to save them for last because they are the most interesting. So instead, my starting point is the outliers, the ones where they weren't part of a commercial series but rather one offs. But in this respect we will be starting chronologically with...
Bart Vs. The Space Mutants
The product: Bart Vs, the Space Mutants, the video game. The first video game based on the Simpsons, Bart Vs. The Space Mutants mostly isn't well though-of (same goes for most Simpsons video games, though there are some genuinely great ones such as the 2007 game and, of course, the arcade beat-em-up. The first level of this game, though, is more interesting, a sort of platformer with graphic adventure type puzzle solving, Despite the title, the Space Mutants aren't the ones from the movie within the show, just some regular aliens. You know, like how Bart is always fighting in the series.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
I mean yes, but this section is about Does it capture what the show is "at this time", It certainly isn't a betrayal, I guess. Except for the music that sounds like the very first part of the Owner of a Lonely Heart orchestra sting.
But SUPERFICIALLY, sure. Bart does indeed like video games and Homer yells at him. Yeah, no trademark wit or even a catchphrase (unless you count Homer yelling Bart's name) (EDIT: I missed he said "Aye Carumba." That's on me.), but because there's such little "character", no one is acting out of character.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
The Simpsons is trying to sell their game on how engaging it is by having Bart be SO into that game, he's tossing and turning so that he's tangled in his own blanket. It's an interesting time because I feel like filmmakers wanted to show how people played games by having them be MORE animated than they would in real life and though this isn't parody, it is taken to a ridiculous extreme. In real life, people tend to be pretty sedate. Even movement games like Dance Dance Revolution... often, when you see people playing it's impressive but almost zombie-like to avoid wasted movement and get those points. Oh, there are probably videos online of someone putting some stank on it but that's not the average gamer.
It's trying to make the game look SO intense when it isn't that kind of game (and also shots of the actual game look rather slow compared to how Bart reacts to it). I feel like this might have made more sense for the arcade game (which never got a good home release outside of an unplayable looking computer game adaptation) but it's weird for the game where you need to get a quarter to call Moe so a purple thing appears.
Overall
It's a pretty unmemorable commercial because it never actually swings at a joke. The game, for it's many faults, is actually memorable for it's choices and while it wasn't well reviewed, it feels like Friday the 13th for NES as a mocked game that actually tries to design an interesting game when "platformer" would have been sufficient. But the commercial is a big old nothing.
Vol. 1: The Outliers
These reviews will be less about "was it funny", because no, it will never be. Sorry. I'm more interested is if in selling out it does so in an interesting (or cringe-inducing) way, where are we in the state of the series, does it do the product a service, does ANY of the show's famous subversiveness come through, etc.
The obvious place to start with Simpsons commercials are where they really made their bones; the long-running Butterfingers commercials. But I won't. I'm actually going to save them for last because they are the most interesting. So instead, my starting point is the outliers, the ones where they weren't part of a commercial series but rather one offs. But in this respect we will be starting chronologically with...
Bart Vs. The Space Mutants
The product: Bart Vs, the Space Mutants, the video game. The first video game based on the Simpsons, Bart Vs. The Space Mutants mostly isn't well though-of (same goes for most Simpsons video games, though there are some genuinely great ones such as the 2007 game and, of course, the arcade beat-em-up. The first level of this game, though, is more interesting, a sort of platformer with graphic adventure type puzzle solving, Despite the title, the Space Mutants aren't the ones from the movie within the show, just some regular aliens. You know, like how Bart is always fighting in the series.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
I mean yes, but this section is about Does it capture what the show is "at this time", It certainly isn't a betrayal, I guess. Except for the music that sounds like the very first part of the Owner of a Lonely Heart orchestra sting.
But SUPERFICIALLY, sure. Bart does indeed like video games and Homer yells at him. Yeah, no trademark wit or even a catchphrase (unless you count Homer yelling Bart's name) (EDIT: I missed he said "Aye Carumba." That's on me.), but because there's such little "character", no one is acting out of character.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
The Simpsons is trying to sell their game on how engaging it is by having Bart be SO into that game, he's tossing and turning so that he's tangled in his own blanket. It's an interesting time because I feel like filmmakers wanted to show how people played games by having them be MORE animated than they would in real life and though this isn't parody, it is taken to a ridiculous extreme. In real life, people tend to be pretty sedate. Even movement games like Dance Dance Revolution... often, when you see people playing it's impressive but almost zombie-like to avoid wasted movement and get those points. Oh, there are probably videos online of someone putting some stank on it but that's not the average gamer.
It's trying to make the game look SO intense when it isn't that kind of game (and also shots of the actual game look rather slow compared to how Bart reacts to it). I feel like this might have made more sense for the arcade game (which never got a good home release outside of an unplayable looking computer game adaptation) but it's weird for the game where you need to get a quarter to call Moe so a purple thing appears.
Overall
It's a pretty unmemorable commercial because it never actually swings at a joke. The game, for it's many faults, is actually memorable for it's choices and while it wasn't well reviewed, it feels like Friday the 13th for NES as a mocked game that actually tries to design an interesting game when "platformer" would have been sufficient. But the commercial is a big old nothing.
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Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
BTW, there's also a commercial for the game from the UK but I'm not counting it because it is just scenes from Moanin' Lisa intercut with parts of the game and Mario in it.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Not nearly. Yet there is an NES, albeit one with the right colour scheming and design... except for the shape. It is kind of a cool shape but also less practical, like that Homer-head shaped DVD case that doesn't fit anywhere.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Bart Vs. The World, Bart Simpson's Escape From Count Deadly, Bart Vs. the Juggernauts
The product: Three Bart Simpson Games. Bart Vs. The World being an adventure where Bart travels the world fighting Mr. Burns' relatives, at least one of whom is definitely an offensive stereotype. Escape from Camp Deadly is basically the Kamp Krusty episode except it's a camp run by ANOTHER Burns relative. Bart Vs. The Juggernauts is basically American Gladiators with Bart, carbon dating it to an inch of it's life to that narrow sliver of time people were doing American Gladiators parodies.
The commercials:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Yeah, it's early Simpsons to be sure. Like the look is season 2 but the jokes are Tracy Ullman era. But it's the Simpsons. We start with a reminder of the last ad (and game) but then actual turn where Homer makes Bart mow the lawn. Then Bart grabs his actual accurate looking Gameboy (I have no idea of the decision making from the animators on what things should look like) to play yet ANOTHER Bart game only for Homer to take it away. Then, Bart goes to his room to find his family playing his games.
For some reason, the second commercial did away with the voice actors (probably to not pay residuals) and there's a narrator doing his darnedest to get across what could purely be a visual story. "Poor Bart".
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Sure. The main thing is it shows there are many games, two ways to play them and not only Bart wants to. Now there are lots of games where the whole family can enjoy but I feel like the janky, poor looking Simpsons games are mostly going to appeal to Bart. But I'll ignore that, I guess. My bigger problem is the false advertising; Maggie and Lisa playing the game. None of these are two player games. The games themselves are pretty weak but the main part is did the ad do the work and mostly yes.
Overall
Again, this is the Simpsons in pure sell mode. And this being around the season 2 era, the subversiveness of the Simpsons in public perception was mostly "Bart's a rascal". Even the lesser Simpsons would later try to have some form of self-deprecation. While these commercials aren't conventionally "good", this feels much more specifically kid show pablum humour for a weak game. The Simpsons would often mock the franchise's early years tendency to shill and sell out, (the WORST thing you can do in the 90s!) and this almost feels like a bit they would do sarcastically.
It also brings to mind "Bart mowing the lawn" was a well they went to quite a bit in the early years and even book ended the mini-golf episode (which was a good one).
The product: Three Bart Simpson Games. Bart Vs. The World being an adventure where Bart travels the world fighting Mr. Burns' relatives, at least one of whom is definitely an offensive stereotype. Escape from Camp Deadly is basically the Kamp Krusty episode except it's a camp run by ANOTHER Burns relative. Bart Vs. The Juggernauts is basically American Gladiators with Bart, carbon dating it to an inch of it's life to that narrow sliver of time people were doing American Gladiators parodies.
The commercials:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Yeah, it's early Simpsons to be sure. Like the look is season 2 but the jokes are Tracy Ullman era. But it's the Simpsons. We start with a reminder of the last ad (and game) but then actual turn where Homer makes Bart mow the lawn. Then Bart grabs his actual accurate looking Gameboy (I have no idea of the decision making from the animators on what things should look like) to play yet ANOTHER Bart game only for Homer to take it away. Then, Bart goes to his room to find his family playing his games.
For some reason, the second commercial did away with the voice actors (probably to not pay residuals) and there's a narrator doing his darnedest to get across what could purely be a visual story. "Poor Bart".
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Sure. The main thing is it shows there are many games, two ways to play them and not only Bart wants to. Now there are lots of games where the whole family can enjoy but I feel like the janky, poor looking Simpsons games are mostly going to appeal to Bart. But I'll ignore that, I guess. My bigger problem is the false advertising; Maggie and Lisa playing the game. None of these are two player games. The games themselves are pretty weak but the main part is did the ad do the work and mostly yes.
Overall
Again, this is the Simpsons in pure sell mode. And this being around the season 2 era, the subversiveness of the Simpsons in public perception was mostly "Bart's a rascal". Even the lesser Simpsons would later try to have some form of self-deprecation. While these commercials aren't conventionally "good", this feels much more specifically kid show pablum humour for a weak game. The Simpsons would often mock the franchise's early years tendency to shill and sell out, (the WORST thing you can do in the 90s!) and this almost feels like a bit they would do sarcastically.
It also brings to mind "Bart mowing the lawn" was a well they went to quite a bit in the early years and even book ended the mini-golf episode (which was a good one).
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Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
KFC: The Big Steal
The product: KFC, the extremely successful fried chicken restaurant. The company is best known for it's secret "11 herbs and spices" recipe.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Very much, yes. Again, I need to be clear, if any of these are "good" Simpsons, then we are very lucky but with hands tied to simply sell a product and tone down the kind of humour the show tends to use to focus on the sell, these will rarely if ever be good. BUT this ad feels very much in line with the show at the time of airing, 1993. Specifically, Homer overreacts to a small thing. I feel like on the show proper Homer would jump through a window but I feel like Homer crawling through a bathroom window is a concession.
They actually use Hank Azaria here with his pimply teen voice used for that character and similar hapless service people in the show. And it does what it can to pile in as much "humour" and escalation as it can in the short run. So, yeah, very Simpsonsy.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Interestingly, they also use the voice of the pimply-faced teen. It's a choice I don't think they wouldn't do now because as harmless as it seems, I feel like when fast food chains want to include a service person in their ad, they are SUPER photogenic and complimentary. Yes, this guy has no acne and is nothing but sweet and helpful but I think that isn't enough for most companies now.
Really, here the focus isn't on the product of yummy chicken but rather the deal and so it makes sense to make Homer foolish for not being aware of it. But also, I feel like it is extending that deal messaging to it's service character, who is helpful. And the joke isn't strong, it feels less diluted for the show compared to some ads with the Simpsons, which circles back to KFC looking good.
Overall
If you are thinking "I've never seen this one before", it's possible because A) you are younger and B) you are not Canadian. For some reason, these are Canadian only commercials, possibly because this deal only happened in Canada. I actually don't know. But for some reason, it was only here. And I remember them, vaguely. I think by the metric of the Simpsons selling out, this is maybe as close as it gets to feeling like the show that being shills would allow.
The product: KFC, the extremely successful fried chicken restaurant. The company is best known for it's secret "11 herbs and spices" recipe.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Very much, yes. Again, I need to be clear, if any of these are "good" Simpsons, then we are very lucky but with hands tied to simply sell a product and tone down the kind of humour the show tends to use to focus on the sell, these will rarely if ever be good. BUT this ad feels very much in line with the show at the time of airing, 1993. Specifically, Homer overreacts to a small thing. I feel like on the show proper Homer would jump through a window but I feel like Homer crawling through a bathroom window is a concession.
They actually use Hank Azaria here with his pimply teen voice used for that character and similar hapless service people in the show. And it does what it can to pile in as much "humour" and escalation as it can in the short run. So, yeah, very Simpsonsy.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Interestingly, they also use the voice of the pimply-faced teen. It's a choice I don't think they wouldn't do now because as harmless as it seems, I feel like when fast food chains want to include a service person in their ad, they are SUPER photogenic and complimentary. Yes, this guy has no acne and is nothing but sweet and helpful but I think that isn't enough for most companies now.
Really, here the focus isn't on the product of yummy chicken but rather the deal and so it makes sense to make Homer foolish for not being aware of it. But also, I feel like it is extending that deal messaging to it's service character, who is helpful. And the joke isn't strong, it feels less diluted for the show compared to some ads with the Simpsons, which circles back to KFC looking good.
Overall
If you are thinking "I've never seen this one before", it's possible because A) you are younger and B) you are not Canadian. For some reason, these are Canadian only commercials, possibly because this deal only happened in Canada. I actually don't know. But for some reason, it was only here. And I remember them, vaguely. I think by the metric of the Simpsons selling out, this is maybe as close as it gets to feeling like the show that being shills would allow.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
KFC: Sneaking from Sector 7G
The product: KFC and it's Simpsons collectors cups
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Yep. The most notable thing is it tries to echo one of it's most beloved, if overplayed, early gags.
But aside from that, Homer coming up with an elaborate way to get out of work/get food is very him with the implication being he's used this escape route for years.
Oh, and here's Harry Shearer as Burns. He's not someone I think of as "He has too much integrity for this" but I think of Shearer as the guy who, despite his great performances, just doesn't have the desire to do ads (we'll see how that stray thought of mine plays out going forward (maybe I'm dead wrong), though to be fair if you are doing an ad with the Simpsons that takes 30 seconds, you probably want the Simpsons and not Ned Flanders or Dr. Hibbert). Burns is mostly in character despite remembering Homer's name.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
While it isn't "funny", sometimes looking good for a brand is as simple as staying out of the spokesman's way (especially if they are a comedian) and let them do their thing and let that be associated with your product. A little of that goes a long way. There's enough here; Homer desires the chicken a lot to go to absurd lengths and hey, this cup will remind you of the show you like! Man, I want to say "remember collectors cups" but they are still around. But it's more about getting them at the movie theatre, I think. Anyway, I think while I'm not laughing at it, the ad is successful in making you think positively of the campaign.
Overall
It's fine. The KFC ads are in a spot where they are actually pretty well animated for what this is. I feel like Shearer is doing more lifting than Castellaneta, who is just doing the catch phrases.
The product: KFC and it's Simpsons collectors cups
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Yep. The most notable thing is it tries to echo one of it's most beloved, if overplayed, early gags.
But aside from that, Homer coming up with an elaborate way to get out of work/get food is very him with the implication being he's used this escape route for years.
Oh, and here's Harry Shearer as Burns. He's not someone I think of as "He has too much integrity for this" but I think of Shearer as the guy who, despite his great performances, just doesn't have the desire to do ads (we'll see how that stray thought of mine plays out going forward (maybe I'm dead wrong), though to be fair if you are doing an ad with the Simpsons that takes 30 seconds, you probably want the Simpsons and not Ned Flanders or Dr. Hibbert). Burns is mostly in character despite remembering Homer's name.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
While it isn't "funny", sometimes looking good for a brand is as simple as staying out of the spokesman's way (especially if they are a comedian) and let them do their thing and let that be associated with your product. A little of that goes a long way. There's enough here; Homer desires the chicken a lot to go to absurd lengths and hey, this cup will remind you of the show you like! Man, I want to say "remember collectors cups" but they are still around. But it's more about getting them at the movie theatre, I think. Anyway, I think while I'm not laughing at it, the ad is successful in making you think positively of the campaign.
Overall
It's fine. The KFC ads are in a spot where they are actually pretty well animated for what this is. I feel like Shearer is doing more lifting than Castellaneta, who is just doing the catch phrases.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
BTW, I totally forgot a section I was planning on doing but forgot; my favourite comments on youtube.
Bart Vs, the Space Mutants
Other Games
KFC: The Big Steal
KFC Sneaking from Sector 7G
Bart Vs, the Space Mutants
Is... this a fanfic coda? Did the author feel so bad for Homer he needed Bart to be apologetic to put his mind at ease?
Other Games
It's been 11 years since this comment. Should we tell them?
KFC: The Big Steal
....
KFC Sneaking from Sector 7G
I think I'm angrier if this is a reference to some internet attempt at anti-humour but more concerned if it isn't.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
"This peptide-based soften beveragola."
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
He's like some sort of... not giving up... parent guy.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
TGIFriday's
The product: Family restaurant chain TGIFriday's, for if you like good food and crazy crap on the walls
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
90%. Homer is aroused (from sleep, not in a sex way) by the promise of food and is increasingly interested in a TV ad about food. This happens every other episode.
But the tree is in the TV room and is blocking the kitchen. Homer would not stand for this shit.
The meta-joke is slightly too on the nose. The show has had plenty of meta gags but the characters rarely acknowledge that they are cartoons.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
In the sense that there are shots of the food looking delicious and Homer being tantalized, sure.
Overall
Pretty basic stuff. Outside of the tree, this isn't an insult to the show but it's as basic as you can possibly get for the Simpsons.
Here's a Comment
Offer not available to cartoon characters? D'oh! Why don't Homer move his ass to find a TGI Friday's in Springfield? Good luck, Homer to enjoy his grub!
The product: Family restaurant chain TGIFriday's, for if you like good food and crazy crap on the walls
The commercial:
90%. Homer is aroused (from sleep, not in a sex way) by the promise of food and is increasingly interested in a TV ad about food. This happens every other episode.
But the tree is in the TV room and is blocking the kitchen. Homer would not stand for this shit.
The meta-joke is slightly too on the nose. The show has had plenty of meta gags but the characters rarely acknowledge that they are cartoons.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
In the sense that there are shots of the food looking delicious and Homer being tantalized, sure.
Overall
Pretty basic stuff. Outside of the tree, this isn't an insult to the show but it's as basic as you can possibly get for the Simpsons.
Here's a Comment
Offer not available to cartoon characters? D'oh! Why don't Homer move his ass to find a TGI Friday's in Springfield? Good luck, Homer to enjoy his grub!
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Ramada Inn
The product: Ramada Inn, a hotel chain that... look, I dont really know the difference between most hotel chains.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Yes, "Äre we there yet?" is very much a gag that was used often in the early days and though when this came out in 1994 (despite what the video claims), the joke got less play, it did resurface after few other notable times, including a big comeback for Itchy and Scratchy Land.
But the gag I'm more surprised by is the strangulation bit. I get why the show was doing this as a bit in the early 80s but somehow it just not only got less funny but more upsetting with time when the show would, like, dig in on this. Weirdly, despite that, I think it was surprisingly well used in the existential horror episode Bart's Birthday, where Bart cajoles Homer into doing it to break reality. But mostly, the show is rightly done with it. But to use it IN A COMMERCIAL FOR A GOOD FAMILY TIME! Is kind of wild.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
In many ways this is straightforward; here are the funny Simpsons family, we have collectables with them. The family needs a hotel for the night. But while they get to the hotel, they don't actually STAY IN IT. I really expected them to be in there and enjoy the pool (they always sell the pool when they talk about family for hotel ads) or maybe even a breakfast buffet for Homer. I don't think it looks bad but it's weird how little the hotel itself is not talked about except as a respite from the road.
Overall
Not funny but more Simpsons-y than most commercials. The film-quality looks weirdly '90 and that's only a four year difference but compare that to the surprising good looking KFC ads from a year prior and the year of release doesn't quite jibe with what I'm seeing.
Can I also say the establishing premise of... the Simpsons being candidly filmed as they drive to a hotel very odd. Who is this show for?
Here's a Comment
Note: there are more unhinged comments but most of them boil to "But why doesn't he strangle Lisa, she's doing the same thing." Fuckin' yikes, internet.
The product: Ramada Inn, a hotel chain that... look, I dont really know the difference between most hotel chains.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Yes, "Äre we there yet?" is very much a gag that was used often in the early days and though when this came out in 1994 (despite what the video claims), the joke got less play, it did resurface after few other notable times, including a big comeback for Itchy and Scratchy Land.
But the gag I'm more surprised by is the strangulation bit. I get why the show was doing this as a bit in the early 80s but somehow it just not only got less funny but more upsetting with time when the show would, like, dig in on this. Weirdly, despite that, I think it was surprisingly well used in the existential horror episode Bart's Birthday, where Bart cajoles Homer into doing it to break reality. But mostly, the show is rightly done with it. But to use it IN A COMMERCIAL FOR A GOOD FAMILY TIME! Is kind of wild.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
In many ways this is straightforward; here are the funny Simpsons family, we have collectables with them. The family needs a hotel for the night. But while they get to the hotel, they don't actually STAY IN IT. I really expected them to be in there and enjoy the pool (they always sell the pool when they talk about family for hotel ads) or maybe even a breakfast buffet for Homer. I don't think it looks bad but it's weird how little the hotel itself is not talked about except as a respite from the road.
Overall
Not funny but more Simpsons-y than most commercials. The film-quality looks weirdly '90 and that's only a four year difference but compare that to the surprising good looking KFC ads from a year prior and the year of release doesn't quite jibe with what I'm seeing.
Can I also say the establishing premise of... the Simpsons being candidly filmed as they drive to a hotel very odd. Who is this show for?
Here's a Comment
Note: there are more unhinged comments but most of them boil to "But why doesn't he strangle Lisa, she's doing the same thing." Fuckin' yikes, internet.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Church's Chicken: Picnic Boy
The product: Church's Chicken, an American chain of fried chicken restaurants across the US and Canada.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Homer's eating a really big pile of chicken. Like really big, even for Homer. This is more like a season 15 Homer movie where everything is even more exaggerated. The animation feels a little like that time the Simpsons went to that weird style from the Radioactive Man movie episode. It's somewhat Simpsonsy but aside from prominent roles from Dolph, Kearney and Jimbo, who are more recognizable regulars by then, he humour seems more early 90s, even though this is mid-90s.
That said, even at it's wackiest, the three bullies being able to send Homer flying over a goalpost feels wrong.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Sure. Certain food chains have really leaned into the messiness of their foods, to say "as inconvenient as this is, it's also sort of joyful". So it makes sense for the Simpsons humour to make it a wacky inconvenience that the BBQ sauce has gotten Homer into a.... sticky situation. Has no one thought of this pun before? God, I'm so good at this.
Overall
It's serviceable and zippy. I have no idea what makes Church's chicken any different than any other chain, though. Even the tag line "Gotta love it" feels like a placeholder.
That said, listen to that weird gibbering sound as Homer shuffles away from the bullies before it becomes a full chase. That's good stuff, Castellaneta!
Here's a Comment
The product: Church's Chicken, an American chain of fried chicken restaurants across the US and Canada.
The commercial:
Homer's eating a really big pile of chicken. Like really big, even for Homer. This is more like a season 15 Homer movie where everything is even more exaggerated. The animation feels a little like that time the Simpsons went to that weird style from the Radioactive Man movie episode. It's somewhat Simpsonsy but aside from prominent roles from Dolph, Kearney and Jimbo, who are more recognizable regulars by then, he humour seems more early 90s, even though this is mid-90s.
That said, even at it's wackiest, the three bullies being able to send Homer flying over a goalpost feels wrong.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Sure. Certain food chains have really leaned into the messiness of their foods, to say "as inconvenient as this is, it's also sort of joyful". So it makes sense for the Simpsons humour to make it a wacky inconvenience that the BBQ sauce has gotten Homer into a.... sticky situation. Has no one thought of this pun before? God, I'm so good at this.
Overall
It's serviceable and zippy. I have no idea what makes Church's chicken any different than any other chain, though. Even the tag line "Gotta love it" feels like a placeholder.
That said, listen to that weird gibbering sound as Homer shuffles away from the bullies before it becomes a full chase. That's good stuff, Castellaneta!
Here's a Comment
Doing research, someone is telling us which Filipino news anchors are and are not present in this commercial.
From back in the first ad, I remember having Bart vs the Space Mutants on NES. It was… also not very good. I’m not sure I ever even got past the first few levels.
Later on I got Bart’s Nightmare on SNES and it was a lot more fun, even if it was kind of a strung-together series of mini-games. I imagine there’s a good chance we’ll see it pop up later in this project.
Later on I got Bart’s Nightmare on SNES and it was a lot more fun, even if it was kind of a strung-together series of mini-games. I imagine there’s a good chance we’ll see it pop up later in this project.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Actually, I almost missed this. Because I thought it didn't have an ad. It's not on the list of Simpsons commercials in the Simpsons wiki I've been using. And I did find one with no original material and thought it wouldn't count because it's just footage of the game. BUT I found a version that actually DOES have original animation and voice work so I'll have to do this tomorrow.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Bart's Nightmare
The product: Bart's Nightmare, the famously awkward, frustrating Simpsons game for the SNES and Genesis
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Kinda Yes, Bart is cheating to win a game thing but I feel like... the plan doesn't make sense. It's awkwardly presented but it seems like Bart's plan is dependent on Krusty dropping his card (which based on the number of trophies Bart is holding happened several times during the award show) and Bart hopping on stage to give Krusty a card. People can see you doing that, Bart. Simpsons characters can be gullible but Krusty has object permenance so he definitely should know if he drops a card in from of him and he's looking at it hit the floor, it shouldn't be in Bart's hands right behind him.
Krusty using any chance to shill his own game is well in line with the character. It's out of character that it might be the best Simpsons home console game up to that point, though.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
I mean, it's saying Acclaim's got to lie to have a game be considered good so... it's honest advertising.
Overall
I could not find a longer ad but this feels like it's cut by at least 10 seconds from another version of the ad. I can't find evidence of that though but the editing is choppy and the whole thing feels rushed.
Here's a Comment
This seemed normal until I clocked "read".
The product: Bart's Nightmare, the famously awkward, frustrating Simpsons game for the SNES and Genesis
The commercial:
Kinda Yes, Bart is cheating to win a game thing but I feel like... the plan doesn't make sense. It's awkwardly presented but it seems like Bart's plan is dependent on Krusty dropping his card (which based on the number of trophies Bart is holding happened several times during the award show) and Bart hopping on stage to give Krusty a card. People can see you doing that, Bart. Simpsons characters can be gullible but Krusty has object permenance so he definitely should know if he drops a card in from of him and he's looking at it hit the floor, it shouldn't be in Bart's hands right behind him.
Krusty using any chance to shill his own game is well in line with the character. It's out of character that it might be the best Simpsons home console game up to that point, though.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
I mean, it's saying Acclaim's got to lie to have a game be considered good so... it's honest advertising.
Overall
I could not find a longer ad but this feels like it's cut by at least 10 seconds from another version of the ad. I can't find evidence of that though but the editing is choppy and the whole thing feels rushed.
Here's a Comment
This seemed normal until I clocked "read".
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Church's Chicken: Piggy Bank
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
It's so much Simpsons. More than I think most ads can do. This feels a lot like the KFC ad where Homer escapes the plant but the big difference is even more seems to be happening here. It's a very busy 30 seconds and I think it doesn't feel too busy. Like Sneaking from Sector 7G, this also features a callback to a classic gag, which itself is a Terminator reference.
Also, yet another squeaky voiced teen (but not THE squeaky-voiced teen), this time with actual acne. I must stress, I feel like that this wouldn't happen anymore and they'd design the service people the way they design most of the celebrities playing themselves. Like, it would be a 20 something brunette white woman in a pony tail who completely stands out from the rest of the cast. It's like no new characters have the bug eyes anymore.
Also... you may not realize this but "By Any Means Necessary" entered English-speaking popular consciousness through Malcolm X and I don't think that was on the writer's mind because it has gone through so many iterations since but... kinda weird for your chicken ad, in retrospect.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Again, there's not a lot of time about the actual product except the desirability driving Homer to go nuts. But again, it looks good for a brand to just let the Simpsons be zany and step out of their way.
Overall
It's not like I loved it but I respected this as one of the more involved ads and one that looks like it took a lot of time and effort. BTW, has anyone tried Church's Chicken? Is it any good?
Here's a Comment
This dude definitely thinks The Simpsons and Family Guy are the same show.
The commercial:
It's so much Simpsons. More than I think most ads can do. This feels a lot like the KFC ad where Homer escapes the plant but the big difference is even more seems to be happening here. It's a very busy 30 seconds and I think it doesn't feel too busy. Like Sneaking from Sector 7G, this also features a callback to a classic gag, which itself is a Terminator reference.
Also, yet another squeaky voiced teen (but not THE squeaky-voiced teen), this time with actual acne. I must stress, I feel like that this wouldn't happen anymore and they'd design the service people the way they design most of the celebrities playing themselves. Like, it would be a 20 something brunette white woman in a pony tail who completely stands out from the rest of the cast. It's like no new characters have the bug eyes anymore.
Also... you may not realize this but "By Any Means Necessary" entered English-speaking popular consciousness through Malcolm X and I don't think that was on the writer's mind because it has gone through so many iterations since but... kinda weird for your chicken ad, in retrospect.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Again, there's not a lot of time about the actual product except the desirability driving Homer to go nuts. But again, it looks good for a brand to just let the Simpsons be zany and step out of their way.
Overall
It's not like I loved it but I respected this as one of the more involved ads and one that looks like it took a lot of time and effort. BTW, has anyone tried Church's Chicken? Is it any good?
Here's a Comment
This dude definitely thinks The Simpsons and Family Guy are the same show.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
1-800-COLLECT
The product: 1-800-Collect was a collect call service from a time when that meant a thing. Basically, you would make a call (often from a pay phone, which used to be readily available before the proliferation of mobile phones) and send the charges to the caller. 1-800-COLLECT has a pretty expensive ad campaign budget with big (B-level) stars appearing in ads such as Wayne Knight, Phil Hartman and Mr. T. If anything, The Simpsons might have been their biggest get.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
I will say though it isn't a funny joke, "The grand canyon, what a grand canyon" actually echoes what a proper Simpsons joke sounds like. The rest of the ad is more the Simpsons physical comedy stuff with a Wile E Coyote reference in there.
Probably the least Simpsons thing is Bart's brand loyalty to 1-800-collect. The series is actually good at making Bart or Homer like or be loyal to weirdly unexpected things jokes but being a commercial, there's no knowing irony here.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
A little bit, It shows that some people fear non-branded collect calls... for some reason.
Overall
This wasn't as good as the last commercial but for a 30 second thing... I liked that it almost feels leisurely paced. Sometimes these things move so fast you are like "wait, the premise is what?" Despite Bart's weird loyalty, the thing feels almost relaxed for these ads, even with Homer in wacky jeopardy.
Here's a Comment
What an odd, marketing-based wish.
The product: 1-800-Collect was a collect call service from a time when that meant a thing. Basically, you would make a call (often from a pay phone, which used to be readily available before the proliferation of mobile phones) and send the charges to the caller. 1-800-COLLECT has a pretty expensive ad campaign budget with big (B-level) stars appearing in ads such as Wayne Knight, Phil Hartman and Mr. T. If anything, The Simpsons might have been their biggest get.
The commercial:
I will say though it isn't a funny joke, "The grand canyon, what a grand canyon" actually echoes what a proper Simpsons joke sounds like. The rest of the ad is more the Simpsons physical comedy stuff with a Wile E Coyote reference in there.
Probably the least Simpsons thing is Bart's brand loyalty to 1-800-collect. The series is actually good at making Bart or Homer like or be loyal to weirdly unexpected things jokes but being a commercial, there's no knowing irony here.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
A little bit, It shows that some people fear non-branded collect calls... for some reason.
Overall
This wasn't as good as the last commercial but for a 30 second thing... I liked that it almost feels leisurely paced. Sometimes these things move so fast you are like "wait, the premise is what?" Despite Bart's weird loyalty, the thing feels almost relaxed for these ads, even with Homer in wacky jeopardy.
Here's a Comment
I wish Futurama, Along with Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters, And especially Mickey Mouse and his friends (Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, And especially Clarabelle Cow). Would've also appeared in the 1-800-collect commercials. Back in the old days
What an odd, marketing-based wish.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Vizir: Supermarket
The product: Vizir, a French brand of laundry detergent.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Despite living in a bilingual province, I don't actually speak French, But from what I glean, until the last couple seconds, it all seems expositional.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
It's a pretty standard detergent commercial. "Look at all our impossible stains" "I got this". So, sure, I guess.
Overall
Look, in describing it, I buried the lede; this is the first time people would have seen Bart's penis in an official capacity. That sounds pretty scandalous but it's just a very dumb little gag and it's like a yellow little skin tag, basically. But it's surprising they did it, I guess.
Can I say that I'm more upset because the Simpsons wiki in their list has the added note "This is the only time that Lisa is naked on screen." Not something I'm interested in clocking in, show. Yes, I just talked about Bart's penis but this was a forerunner to a very memorable sight gag from the movie.
Here's a Comment
The product: Vizir, a French brand of laundry detergent.
The commercial:
Despite living in a bilingual province, I don't actually speak French, But from what I glean, until the last couple seconds, it all seems expositional.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
It's a pretty standard detergent commercial. "Look at all our impossible stains" "I got this". So, sure, I guess.
Overall
Look, in describing it, I buried the lede; this is the first time people would have seen Bart's penis in an official capacity. That sounds pretty scandalous but it's just a very dumb little gag and it's like a yellow little skin tag, basically. But it's surprising they did it, I guess.
Can I say that I'm more upset because the Simpsons wiki in their list has the added note "This is the only time that Lisa is naked on screen." Not something I'm interested in clocking in, show. Yes, I just talked about Bart's penis but this was a forerunner to a very memorable sight gag from the movie.
Here's a Comment
Frount, everybody!
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Vizir: La Lettre
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
It sort of is. You can find a translated version online and I assumed I was missing more jokes and... not really. This is like a commercial for a near jokeless exposition scene except the Simpsons tend to do good injecting those scenes with gags. Here's it's some basic-ass stuff like "you are fat" and "You stink". Also, this is the second ad with strangling Bart.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Again, it's pretty straightforward...
Overall
The weird part is the length. It's 40 seconds. That doesn't sound like a lot but most of these ads have topped out at 30 seconds and using that time this leisurely with funny comedy characters is odd. But I will say, the voices are actually shockingly spot on. Particularly Bart.
Here's a Comment
Not a lot here.
The commercial:
It sort of is. You can find a translated version online and I assumed I was missing more jokes and... not really. This is like a commercial for a near jokeless exposition scene except the Simpsons tend to do good injecting those scenes with gags. Here's it's some basic-ass stuff like "you are fat" and "You stink". Also, this is the second ad with strangling Bart.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Again, it's pretty straightforward...
Overall
The weird part is the length. It's 40 seconds. That doesn't sound like a lot but most of these ads have topped out at 30 seconds and using that time this leisurely with funny comedy characters is odd. But I will say, the voices are actually shockingly spot on. Particularly Bart.
Here's a Comment
Not a lot here.
Last edited:
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Doritos
The Product: Doritos, everyone's favourite nacho like chip covers in sticky cheese dust.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
Oh, sure but it's also... odd. Now Homer saying ominous shit to his tum-tum? That's pure Homer. But... there's not a lot of context here. Homer is made to sit in a chair and have a 5 minute snack break for reasons unknown. It says get back to work but is the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant usually a blue void? Also, Homer's tummy gurgle feeds less "I'm hungry" and more "here comes some liquid poop."
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
That tummy sound didn't help but as weird as it is, it is also working hard to be a sensory experience. There's a loud tickling clock, the sound of Homer licking his lips, him just eating as the narrator goes off with some generic talking points.
Overall
If there was no narration, I almost think this would have felt more like a weird Simpsons art film of an ad and I'd have more respect for it. But the oddness of the setting and scenario also feels like they thought of the technical aspects, like the foley, first and used a first draft template as the road map.
Here's a Comment
I... suppose in the Arnold Palmer sense.
The Product: Doritos, everyone's favourite nacho like chip covers in sticky cheese dust.
The commercial:
Oh, sure but it's also... odd. Now Homer saying ominous shit to his tum-tum? That's pure Homer. But... there's not a lot of context here. Homer is made to sit in a chair and have a 5 minute snack break for reasons unknown. It says get back to work but is the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant usually a blue void? Also, Homer's tummy gurgle feeds less "I'm hungry" and more "here comes some liquid poop."
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
That tummy sound didn't help but as weird as it is, it is also working hard to be a sensory experience. There's a loud tickling clock, the sound of Homer licking his lips, him just eating as the narrator goes off with some generic talking points.
Overall
If there was no narration, I almost think this would have felt more like a weird Simpsons art film of an ad and I'd have more respect for it. But the oddness of the setting and scenario also feels like they thought of the technical aspects, like the foley, first and used a first draft template as the road map.
Here's a Comment
I... suppose in the Arnold Palmer sense.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Intel Pentium II
The Product: A computer chip, the Intel Pentium II
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
This is extremely Simpsons. Specifically Harry Shearer as a narrator of authority. Also, Homer's intelligence being extremely donut-related. That said, "No one messes with my brain until I get sprinkles". Feels like an AI-written joke. Not the nonsense madness weird hands AI but the stuff that's close enough but you need a second to clock that it feels odd. Like, Homer will bring up donuts any time but something feels off about that. I guess the intent is "We need to set up for later Homer is the donut man" but for reasons I can't articulate, that element of the set up feels wonky.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Yeah, it makes your brain smarter. We were shoving microchips in our brains all the time in the 90s. It was mostly just that and listening to Smashing Pumpkins.
Overall
I like that the voice actors get a lot to do in the 30 seconds of ad but despite thinking that one joke was off, I think this is a surprisingly strong combination of the Simpsons trying to be the Simpsons while catering to the brand. Again, I wasn't laughing but I think it really felt like a writer of the show got to do this.
Here's a Comment
-Presumably someone who also makes those creepy ads for games where you are doing Elsa's groady dentistry.
The Product: A computer chip, the Intel Pentium II
The commercial:
This is extremely Simpsons. Specifically Harry Shearer as a narrator of authority. Also, Homer's intelligence being extremely donut-related. That said, "No one messes with my brain until I get sprinkles". Feels like an AI-written joke. Not the nonsense madness weird hands AI but the stuff that's close enough but you need a second to clock that it feels odd. Like, Homer will bring up donuts any time but something feels off about that. I guess the intent is "We need to set up for later Homer is the donut man" but for reasons I can't articulate, that element of the set up feels wonky.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Yeah, it makes your brain smarter. We were shoving microchips in our brains all the time in the 90s. It was mostly just that and listening to Smashing Pumpkins.
Overall
I like that the voice actors get a lot to do in the 30 seconds of ad but despite thinking that one joke was off, I think this is a surprisingly strong combination of the Simpsons trying to be the Simpsons while catering to the brand. Again, I wasn't laughing but I think it really felt like a writer of the show got to do this.
Here's a Comment
"Also, the surgery happens in a dimly lit abandoned hospital and is bloody and horrifying."
-Presumably someone who also makes those creepy ads for games where you are doing Elsa's groady dentistry.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
One thing that was on the list I am using for this is an ad for the Simpsons on Teletoon, the Canadian cartoon channel. I have seen it and its a parody of a contemporary Adidas ad campaign. It had no original footage if I recall but it did have original narration by Dan Castellaneta as Homer. Frankly, its wild to remember a time when Canada's specialty channels like Space and Comedy Network (now both under generic names of the CTV brand) where really trying to cultivate an identity. Like, Teletoon's original programming was largely bad but they definitely had some interesting stuff and I really liked that they had these weird stop motion bumpers for the late night programming. Anyway, I can't find these so I won't cover them here (if anyone else finds them though...)
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Sabritas
The Product: Sabritas is a Mexican chip company. They were founded in the 1940s with a bicycle distribution network. In the 1960s they were bought out by Pepsico and Frito-Lay and has been a Frito-Lay company since.
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
I don't know the exact words (the Simpsons wiki claims Homer is complaining no one is doing anything, which would be a good reference to the time the Simpsons were bored by Soccer in that one episode, but I dunno if that's what's happening. If anyone who speaks Spanish can verify, that would be good. Anyway, there's a classic pratfall. There are definitely pratfalls and visual gags on the show but I always find it interesting how often the ads treat it like the show's bread and butter.
I guess I understand for foreign ads and ads made to be translated into various languages; that's a more immediate visual language and the wordplay of the Simpsons won't always translate. Anyway, Homer does his catchphrase but to a player named Pappas, I think. Anyway, it's Simpsons but in the most basic sense.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Everyone is eating them and there's some fun cards but it really doesn't get into what makes the chips desirable.
Overall
This is definitely a more forgettable one, to me. I guess I liked the weird trajectory of Homer's fall where it is an S. For Sabritas? The world may never know.
Here's a Comment
The Product: Sabritas is a Mexican chip company. They were founded in the 1940s with a bicycle distribution network. In the 1960s they were bought out by Pepsico and Frito-Lay and has been a Frito-Lay company since.
The commercial:
I don't know the exact words (the Simpsons wiki claims Homer is complaining no one is doing anything, which would be a good reference to the time the Simpsons were bored by Soccer in that one episode, but I dunno if that's what's happening. If anyone who speaks Spanish can verify, that would be good. Anyway, there's a classic pratfall. There are definitely pratfalls and visual gags on the show but I always find it interesting how often the ads treat it like the show's bread and butter.
I guess I understand for foreign ads and ads made to be translated into various languages; that's a more immediate visual language and the wordplay of the Simpsons won't always translate. Anyway, Homer does his catchphrase but to a player named Pappas, I think. Anyway, it's Simpsons but in the most basic sense.
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Everyone is eating them and there's some fun cards but it really doesn't get into what makes the chips desirable.
Overall
This is definitely a more forgettable one, to me. I guess I liked the weird trajectory of Homer's fall where it is an S. For Sabritas? The world may never know.
Here's a Comment
He sure did.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
No Problemos
The Product: Did you know the Simpsons had a cereal. Did you know the Simpsons had 4 cereals. That all came out in the same 3 year period of 2001-2003? And only one was for the US market?
And in all honesty as a sugary cereal fan, they all sound good in different ways. Bart Simpson's Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch is probably the least creative, just a variation on Reese's cereal. Then there are the twin cereals of the Homer's Cinnamon Donut Cereal and the brilliant Eat My Shorts cereal. THE PIECES LOOK LIKE LITTLE SHORTS.
This one is the last: No Problemos, the cereal named after the barely-catchphrase of Bart Simpson and contains little biscuits. It's weird because No problemo is something Bart DOES say a lot. I think he says it still. It's still a catchphrase. But it's one of the lower key catchphrases. It's almost always quick and tossed off and it's so NOT punctuating a scene, it's one of those Bart catchphrases that doesn't come up when the series mocks it's own addiction of catchphrases (especially from the early years of marketing).
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
This is one of the few one that has some pronounced Alf Clausen type music. That's a lot of it's points in it's favour. It's fairly Simpsonsy!
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Yeah, it showed the cereal pieces, which is key. The commercial actually buries the lead, there are a whole 12 characters across the biscuits. That kind of variety in one cereal is only matched by Alphabits!
Overall
For some reason it slows down (only a few seconds but that's vital in the hyperactive world of advertising where you only have 30 seconds.) or FEELS like it does when there is silence as Bart enjoys his prize and Homer rubs his head. It's a subtle thing but if you are used to the constant NOISE of these kinds of commercials, usually the silence is a particular punctuation or making a point. But while this is basic "conflict for product" advertising, this is a decent one.
Here's a Comment
The Product: Did you know the Simpsons had a cereal. Did you know the Simpsons had 4 cereals. That all came out in the same 3 year period of 2001-2003? And only one was for the US market?
And in all honesty as a sugary cereal fan, they all sound good in different ways. Bart Simpson's Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch is probably the least creative, just a variation on Reese's cereal. Then there are the twin cereals of the Homer's Cinnamon Donut Cereal and the brilliant Eat My Shorts cereal. THE PIECES LOOK LIKE LITTLE SHORTS.
This one is the last: No Problemos, the cereal named after the barely-catchphrase of Bart Simpson and contains little biscuits. It's weird because No problemo is something Bart DOES say a lot. I think he says it still. It's still a catchphrase. But it's one of the lower key catchphrases. It's almost always quick and tossed off and it's so NOT punctuating a scene, it's one of those Bart catchphrases that doesn't come up when the series mocks it's own addiction of catchphrases (especially from the early years of marketing).
The commercial:
This is one of the few one that has some pronounced Alf Clausen type music. That's a lot of it's points in it's favour. It's fairly Simpsonsy!
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
Yeah, it showed the cereal pieces, which is key. The commercial actually buries the lead, there are a whole 12 characters across the biscuits. That kind of variety in one cereal is only matched by Alphabits!
Overall
For some reason it slows down (only a few seconds but that's vital in the hyperactive world of advertising where you only have 30 seconds.) or FEELS like it does when there is silence as Bart enjoys his prize and Homer rubs his head. It's a subtle thing but if you are used to the constant NOISE of these kinds of commercials, usually the silence is a particular punctuation or making a point. But while this is basic "conflict for product" advertising, this is a decent one.
Here's a Comment
This is the only comment. It's not funny, it's just well observed. But also, even if Eat My Shorts is the inferior cereal, and I think it likely is, it's the SMARTER cereal. We needed that one.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
No Problemos II
The commercial:
Is it... The Simpsons?
This is one of the few one that has some pronounced Alf Clausen type music. That's a lot of it's points in it's favour. It's fairly Simpsonsy!
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
As much as the last one
Overall
Not much more to say here. Its a variation on the last one with a different cartoony solution to Bart's problem.
The commercial:
This is one of the few one that has some pronounced Alf Clausen type music. That's a lot of it's points in it's favour. It's fairly Simpsonsy!
Did it Make the Product/Brand Look Good?
As much as the last one
Overall
Not much more to say here. Its a variation on the last one with a different cartoony solution to Bart's problem.