great moments in commercial history

PedEgg Ads Scam, Suit Alleges

Who would have ever thought that a low-budget infomercial touting an egg-shaped device home pedicure device with "100 precision microfiles" might be deceptive in some way? Not, apparently, its actors, two of whom are suing the makers of "PedEgg." The thespians say they PedEgg told them the commercial would be internets-only. Instead, it's on the national airways. We don't care about that part. Rather, we chuckle over the suit's revelation that PedEgg hired a horror-makeup guy to apply "artificial bumps and discoloration" to their feet to increase the contrast between the "before" and "after" shots. Quelle horreru! Besides their dishonest advertising tactics, someone should also sue PedEgg for the gross-out shot when they dump all the foot shavings in the trash. See the full commercial inside. More »

1:14 PM on Thu Jun 26 2008
By Ben Popken
15,933 views, 80 comments

Most discussed Chris Walters: I love that you can hear someone make a "gaaahhh" gross-out noise when the foot shavings are emptied. Also: parmesan cheese!!! more »

badvertising

Great Moments In Commercial History: Fred And Sharon's Movies

Meet Fred and Sharon. They make movies. Video Movies. They could improve your life. More »

alzeimer's

Great Moments In Commercial History: "Al'z Place"

The Stay Free! daily blog was watching the telly and nearly spit out its wheatgrass juice when it noticed an ad for a senior care facility in Brooklyn that has blessed its Alzeimer's ward with a delightful moniker. They call it, "Al'z place." That marketing decisions strikes us as, shall we say, unfortunate. What's the message here? "He forgot his name and so did we so we just call him Al."

11:49 AM on Tue Feb 19 2008
By Ben Popken
3,008 views, 29 comments

Latest by captainleah: @Cerb: i'm gonna go call my grandma :( more »

badvertising

Great Moments In Commercial History: Prime Cut Meat Market Restaurant

Here's a commercial for the Prime Cut Meat Market Restaurant, where:

"Bob Henry, winner of an award, proud owner of a plaque, will dazzle you."

We've never actually had chicken friend steak, and we won't... We're waiting for Bob to dazzle us. More »

6:59 PM on Wed Jan 30 2008
By Meg Marco
2,339 views, 32 comments

Latest by Rectilinear Propagation: @ClayS: I think it's the royal "We". Ben has referred to his girlfriend as "our" girlfriend before. more »

badvertising

Great Moments In Commercial History: Kinoki Foot Pads

Meet the Kinoki foot pad, a simple patch that can remove "toxins" from your body while you sleep. More »

2:59 PM on Wed Jan 23 2008
By Meg Marco
17,788 views, 77 comments

bad ideas

"Hand Shredder" #4 On List of Unfortunately Named Products

Say No to Crack has posted a list of five of the worst-named products to ever reach the market. Runner up for best worst name is that classic of early 80s television, AYDS diet chews (which we've covered in depth here). Our personal favorite, though, is the Hand Shredder. More »

2:11 PM on Mon Jan 14 2008
By Chris Walters
4,956 views, 18 comments

Latest by Rider: The only one on the list with a bad name is the hand shredder. more »

badvertising

Great Moments In Commercial History: Hai Karate Aftershave

The ads for Axe body sprays have a cultural debt to be paid to the makers of Hai Karate aftershave, sold from the 60's to the 80's. Their whole marketing strategy hinged on the notion that the budget aftershave would turn women into wild maniacs who couldn't wait to put their hands on you. Uniquely, each bottle came with a self-defense instruction booklet, so you could learn moves to protect yourself from the inevitable onslaught of females. Spotted this ad over at Consumerama.net. Transcripts and more Hai Karate commercials, inside... More »

2:14 PM on Wed Jan 9 2008
By Ben Popken
2,829 views, 18 comments

Latest by Channing: I want to buy this. I want to buy this. Does this still exist? more »

goodvertising

Great Moments In Commercial History: Johnson Automotive

A change of pace this week: If you've ever wished that a local car dealership would hire the same agency that does the ads for GEICO, your prayers have been answered by Johnson Automotive of Raleigh,NC. More »

11:20 AM on Wed Dec 19 2007
By Meg Marco
13,779 views, 15 comments

badvertising

Great Moments In Commercial History: The Game Store

Here we see a commercial for "The Game Store" in Hazleton, PA, starring Stevie Richards. Mr. Richards is a professional wrestler of some kind. Wrestling must not pay very well, because Stevie is in dire need of a new shirt. More »

8:14 PM on Wed Dec 5 2007
By Meg Marco
1,967 views, 16 comments

badvertising

Great Moments In Commercial History: Lincoln Insurance

There are many fine traditions in the city of Chicago, but our favorite has to be the escalating weirdness among "low cost" auto insurance companies. More »

12:59 PM on Wed Nov 28 2007
By Meg Marco
1,531 views, 22 comments

great moments in commercial history

SUBSCRIBE TO Consumerist