One of the best things I saw last night was the new commercial starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Healthy Choice. It features the star playing herself, taking a meeting with her mediocre agent (Don Lake). Initially reluctant, she ends up convincing him she should do the ad, rather than the other way around. You can see the ad here.
It’s a wonderful, deadpan commercial, and no wonder: The New York Times reports that it was directed by Christopher Guest, the autuer behind movies such as Best In Show and A Mighty Wind. (The expertly droll Don Lake appeared in both, as well as being a long-time collaborator with Bonnie Hunt.)
The ad is a throwback to the poker-faced work of the great commercial creator (among other things) Stan Freberg, who added the same kind of self-consciousness to his work. Here’s a terrific example of Freberg’s work from the 1960s, a commercial for prunes starring the great sci-fi/fantasy writer Ray Bradbury:
That’s Freberg doing the voiceover. Anyway, the Louis-Dreyfus commercial is, I think, very amusing, and will be followed by another soon, co-starring another Christopher Guest alumni, Jane Lynch. Keep your eyes peeled.
i too thought it was pretty funny. but i couldnt care less for what they were trying to sell me.
i too thought it was pretty funny. but i couldnt care less for what they were trying to sell me.
Ever saw a one sorta like this one on ___ WealthyRomances com ____ It’s where romancing with the rich singles!
The commercial was funny, but the “short film” on the website is hilarious.
I thought that it was quite clever and actually remembered the product, which I usually don’t.
Check out the “9 kilometers” poster behind Julia in the style of the “8 Mile” poster.
Julia is so sexy
I thought it was very clever as well. “you are the exclamation point on the packaging!” Funny and I remember what the ad is for = good ad.
I just saw the commercial and automatically saw the “9 kilometers” poster and thought that was GREAT!!! I loved “8 Mile” and as a Graphic Designer I love seeing other designers work and being able to detect their influences.. I’d love to see the whole poster.. I’d want one!
When I Googled it I got linked here thanks to this comment:
–betsy Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 03:07 PM EST
–Check out the “9 kilometers” poster behind Julia in the style of the “8 Mile” poster.
Just saw the one with Jane Lynch, and it was great. Love that the commercials are directed by Christopher Guest – I can’t wait to see his other “regulars” make appearances.
Love your product but hate your commercial. Do not like seeing someone talk with their mouth full of food. Now must decide if boycotting your product is something I want to do.
Thanks for listening.
The commercial with the potstickers – DISGUISTING!!!!! Who wants to watch someone stuff their mouth then talk with the food dripping out??? Certainly doesn’t make me a fan of the product.
Does Julia Louis-Dreyfus have to eat like a pig in your new commercial?. It is so disgusting to watch, we just change the channel. You would do yourself a favor to clean up the commercial. It turns me off to eat the food.
These new commercials with Julia Louis-Dreyfus are GROSS. I always enjoy a cute commercial but watching her in the potsticker commercial is terrible with food falling out of her mouth and looking like some slob stuffing her mouth. This commercial is INAPPROPRIATE and sickening. Please take it off the air and anyone who would consent to being in a commercial promoting such disgusting table manners is an idiot!
This commercial is disgusting. I don’t think it works because it totally turned me OFF the product. Yes, I know that it’s healthy choice, but unfortunately now the image of Julia with food on her face and mouth open turns my stomach and I’d never buy this product…would go with a different one.