It's Time for the Next Great Sports Commercial Character
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Missing Mars and Other Sports Commercial CharactersYou know what's missing in today's land of TV commercials? I'll tell you. Sports characters. Personalities created largely out of thin air to help sell a product or service - be it beer, shoes, a network or a name. Hell, even if those creations of Madison Avenue never made those brands a buck, they sure made me laugh. But I'll be honest, it's been awhile since someone's run with a campaign long enough for me to develop that special bond. You know, the one you may have had with Terry, Lil' Penny, Mars or maybe even The Rick. I was even starting to find a soft spot for Bud Light Leon. In honor of these sporty fictitious pitch men, a few of my favorites (and hoping for another star to soon emerge).
THE RICK: My Name's Rick...People Call Me "The Rick"
I always had a soft spot for Mike O'Malley as ESPN's "The Rick." Not as keen on him constantly popping on my screen as Time Warner Cable hype guy, but there are more irritating pitchmen. Couldn't find my favorite "original," but here's something to jog the memory (assuming you know who the hell I'm talking about).
LIL' PENNY: Tell 'Em Lil' Penny From the Science Club Says Hell-o
Chris Rock is the man. Can you do that for a brother?
MARS BLACKMON: Here with My Main Man Michael Jordan
I think Spike (um, I mean Mars) still reigns supreme in terms of a lasting true character in the sports commercial realm. He was around for years. He had his own unique personality. Mars was the perfect sidekick for his Airness. Do you know, do you know, do you know?
LEON: He Can't Do Everything
Sure, it may be all about selling beer. And, who knows, perhaps Leon wasn't driving Bud six pack sales up. Still, he made me laugh -- particularly in this one. There ain't no we, either.
LARRY JOHNSON...IS GRANDMA-MA
This was like that Martin Lawrence movie, you know, before the Martin Lawrence movie. Thanks for the comment/tip, anon.
DENNIS HOPPER AS CRAZY REF GUY: Bad Things, Man
I was a big fan of Dennis Hopper as the mildly-crazed "ref" for Nike. My all-time favorite has to be the classic Bruce Smith spot, but there were others. A great example of a "generic" sports character within the genre. Name or no name, we need to bring these folks back.
TERRY TATE: Office Linebacker
Terry Tate. Office linebacker. Sheer. Brilliance. This extended version is well worth the four minutes. Make time.
The McKenzie Brothers: Roses Have Thorns
I've been looking for this clip forever. That I have finally found it gives me a disproportionate amount of pleasure. Although the McKenzie Brothers weren't particularly sports-focused commercial characters, this one deserved inclusion.
So, first off, who else am I blatantly missing? What other sports commercial "characters" have made us laugh out loud over the years? And is anyone doing it now? Who needs to make a comeback? Which one and done deserved a longer life and showed potential? Hit me up in the comments...or not.
THE RICK: My Name's Rick...People Call Me "The Rick"
I always had a soft spot for Mike O'Malley as ESPN's "The Rick." Not as keen on him constantly popping on my screen as Time Warner Cable hype guy, but there are more irritating pitchmen. Couldn't find my favorite "original," but here's something to jog the memory (assuming you know who the hell I'm talking about).
LIL' PENNY: Tell 'Em Lil' Penny From the Science Club Says Hell-o
Chris Rock is the man. Can you do that for a brother?
MARS BLACKMON: Here with My Main Man Michael Jordan
I think Spike (um, I mean Mars) still reigns supreme in terms of a lasting true character in the sports commercial realm. He was around for years. He had his own unique personality. Mars was the perfect sidekick for his Airness. Do you know, do you know, do you know?
LEON: He Can't Do Everything
Sure, it may be all about selling beer. And, who knows, perhaps Leon wasn't driving Bud six pack sales up. Still, he made me laugh -- particularly in this one. There ain't no we, either.
LARRY JOHNSON...IS GRANDMA-MA
This was like that Martin Lawrence movie, you know, before the Martin Lawrence movie. Thanks for the comment/tip, anon.
DENNIS HOPPER AS CRAZY REF GUY: Bad Things, Man
I was a big fan of Dennis Hopper as the mildly-crazed "ref" for Nike. My all-time favorite has to be the classic Bruce Smith spot, but there were others. A great example of a "generic" sports character within the genre. Name or no name, we need to bring these folks back.
TERRY TATE: Office Linebacker
Terry Tate. Office linebacker. Sheer. Brilliance. This extended version is well worth the four minutes. Make time.
The McKenzie Brothers: Roses Have Thorns
I've been looking for this clip forever. That I have finally found it gives me a disproportionate amount of pleasure. Although the McKenzie Brothers weren't particularly sports-focused commercial characters, this one deserved inclusion.
So, first off, who else am I blatantly missing? What other sports commercial "characters" have made us laugh out loud over the years? And is anyone doing it now? Who needs to make a comeback? Which one and done deserved a longer life and showed potential? Hit me up in the comments...or not.
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10 comments:
Dennis Hopper's crazy ref was cool. So were the McKenzie Brothers. But man, do I hate that stupid 'Tailgate Tested, Tailgate Approved "spoofs." They are just irritating.
Missing sign boy from the Footjoy commercials.
I want to see them bring back The Bud Bowl.
thank you for reminding me about bob and doug mackenzie....
p-cat, i'm with you on tailgate tested, tailgate approved. how the hell did anyone approve that?
Tate commercial is the best
What about the Allstate guys, Ham & Bergwood? That's a pretty lasting pair. That "Oooh, Creamy Bruley" line kills me every time.
good call, Griz. I'll have the same, minus the TAR-TAR sauce.
How can you forget Larry Johnson as Grandmama?
grandma-ma is a great call. i may add that one in.
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