For me, this is a no-brainer. The not-so-charming couple doing the synchronized hand jive or whatever you want to call it as they anticipate being served their McCafe Caramel Mochas was cute the first time but now I have to switch channels as quickly as possible whenever it rears its ugly head. I'm not lovin' it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkQPhVWfuIs&feature=related
Another vote for Flo on the Progressive commercials. I'll be soooo glad when they move on to something else.
Another new one: The Jerry Stiller ads for Capital One. Bring back the Vikings!
Progressive's Flo (in any of her too-many incarnations).
Any of the State Farm ones with the "Bewitched" style teleportation. Screaming out the jingle is not what I had in mind when I said jingles should make a comeback.
I'd like to squish that miniature carpet peddler with a virtual fly swatter. The terms "old fuddy-duddy" and "suspected pedophile" also occur to me whenever his crudely animated form and obnoxious voice invade my eyes and ears. He's part Keebler Elf and part BTK.
The Empire Man was introduced in 1977 as a live action character and later adapted into a popular animated persona that has grown to become a cultural icon.[5] The Empire Man has been seen internationally in commercials and other media, has spawned a line of collectible bobblehead dolls and inspired the Chicago Cubs to declare an official "Empire Day" at Wrigley Field in 2007.[6]
The Empire Man was originally portrayed on television by Lynn Hauldren, a former ad executive, who continues to provide the voice of the animated character to this day.[7] Contrary to popular belief, the Empire Man is not the companys owner nor is he one of the installers. In the late 1970s, Hauldren was one of the advertising copywriting forces behind the Empire brand. The companys owner during the time requested that he serve as the on-air talent for the spots after unsuccessfully auditioning several other people for the role.[citation needed] Hauldren also wrote and recorded the tune used as the companys famous jingle. - WikipediaHe's a cultural icon. Yeah, right.
How do you pick?
'Oh you're so smart because you ordered off the dollar menu and got all this food for a buck a piece'
'oh look at me wiggle my butt because I can squeeze it into tight jeans again after eating cheerios'
And is anybody else sick to death of the fricken potty dance commercials?
From today's NY Daily News:
Elmer Lynn Hauldren, the pitch-perfect pitchman for Empire Today
carpets since the 1970s, died Tuesday. He was 89.
Hauldren earned his pop culture fame by appearing as himself in
Empire ads and later as the voice of the company's cartoon mascot,
the Empire Man.
He helped launch the business' ubiquitous jingle, "(800) 588-2300...
Empire." Hauldren continued to do voiceover work for the company right
up to his death, the company said in a statement.
The commercials for the Illinois-based company became a staple on
New York television. Hauldren landed the on-air job after several other
candidates washed out.
Hauldren was a World War II veteran, a singer in the barbershop quartet
Chordiac Arrest and the grandfather of 18.
"He has made an indelible mark on advertising history with his creativity
and warmth," said Empire CEO Steve Silvers. "Lynn will always have a
special place in the hearts of many."
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C'mon. If you thought this guy was annoying, you obviously don't have
any recollection of Tom Carvel, the ancient announcer for Carvel ice
cream in the NY area many years ago. He always sounded as if he had
about a pound of phlegm stuck in his throat.
Admit it--"Chordiac Arrest" is kind of a sick-but-funny name for a
singing group.
I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!