Posting daily at 1pm central about all kinds of things. One day it's dating, the next it's TV commercials. I hope you're entertained. Professional photos on SmugMug – https://benwilder.smugmug.com
I really like the timing and editing of this HomeGoods commercial, from the flickering lamps to the spinning cars. It’s a cool commercial and uses a song that’s over 40 years old. Here’s the ad backed by Tom Tom Club’s “Genius Of Love.”
The Music. If the music sounds familiar to you even in 2023, it might be from one of the many songs that sampled it in the following years and decades. The recognizable instrumentation can be heard in Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy,” Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack,” or more recently Latto’s “Big Energy.” There are a ton of other examples, those are just a few.
The Dancing. Entertaining us with the fun dancing was the responsibility of talent agency BlocLA (check out their work and who they represent here), more specifically choreographer Jemel McWilliams, assistant choreo by Raphael Thomas, Craig Fishback, and Mone. You can find them on Instagram below…
That’s right. A country music traditionalist, if he can be called that, Jon Pardi has released a new video for his song “Your Heart or Mine” and fans are not unhappy about it. Take a look then scroll down for more info…
The Location. The video shot was in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico, a beautiful city for the backdrop of the story presented in the lyrics of the song. The opening clips include a beautifully-lit Casa Tres Cervezas, a resort and hotel.
The Actress. Playing Jon’s love interest is Paula Montes. She won Miss World Peru in 2021 and she’s a certified health coach. Check her out on Instagram… @paulamonpas.
Here she is not performing in the video but the shoot probably looked a little like this. Check out more of her stunning photos on Instagram, and follow her, I’m sure she’ll appreciate it!
Do you think Jon Pardi has single-handedly saved country music? Chime in below and I’ll see you tomorrow…
A few new ads from Spectrum highlight a question I’ve had for a long time. In these ads, their spokesman (actor John Hoogenakker, who’s also a voice for Chevrolet) goes around interrupting people as they go about their day. Here’s one such ad…
OK, so I get it that the commercials are meant for humor but in each scene of this ad (and other similar ads, too), he’s disruptive, irritating, and noisy. I don’t want to be part of whatever he’s selling and in this case it’s Spectrum internet. Their latest ad shows actor John getting on an elevator and after briefly talking to the other passengers, he proceeds to press the buttons for every single floor. Strictly and absolutely, this is only funny when Buddy the Elf does it… because it comes from a childlike innocence that’s endearing.
This same action from an adult who knows better is 100% annoying. There are no two ways about it, so can anyone from an advertising background explain how this type of campaign is a good idea? I’m not saying people will reject the idea of getting Spectrum solely based on these ads, but I also don’t see any return on investment, either. I mean, who’s going to watch this commercial and say, “Oh wow, I’ve GOT to go get Spectrum!” No one.
In fact, in regards to the commercial above where he’s interrupting everyone, YouTube comments are a lot more naughty than they are nice, and I must agree.
What are you feelings about the Spectrum commercials? Am I missing something? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll see you tomorrow…
I don’t know what I did to deserve all this attention *blush* but in the last few weeks I’ve been steadily getting more followers daily. I mean, I know I’m pretty awesome but something is suspicious… because… (I’m not that awesome). In fact, I’m basically only on Twitter to provide links to things I write, like today’s post for instance. Or yesterday’s post about Brad Paisley’s embarrassing new country song.
Critiques aside, these new followers have something suspicious in common. See if you can sniff it out from these screen grabs below.
Is this happening to anyone else? The least they could do is ask for my autograph or buy one of my books. I mean, if they really think I’m worth following, then do me a solid, huh!
It’s been a tough week for country music. Last weekend a song called “Southern” entered our airspace and we’re all worse because of it. Probably the worst country song ever to make its way into our ear holes since “Brown Chicken, Brown Cow” (sorry, Trace) but then Brad Paisley says, “Here, hold my beer…” because just seven days later, he’s got THE. DUMBEST. COUNTRY SONG. EVER. It’s only been a week Brad! Country music’s in a coma and now you’re gonna step on the oxygen tube?
Take a listen if you dare… with a warning, though: I woke up in a good mood but now because of this song, I would rather smear dog poop all over my body and lay in the sun for an hour than listen to this song again. Oh, also totally unrelated to that (or is it related?), it features Ukraine President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Paisley and Zelenskyy harmonize so well, don’t you think? OK, I know the Ukraine Prez only came in at the end with part of a short interview but as I listened to the song I thought it would be WAY more entertaining if he was singing with Brad. I mean, at this point in the meltdown of the world, why not?
Brad’s apparently going for an Alan Jackson “Where Were You” moment. However, Alan Jackson’s song memorializing 9/11 is a tragic, somber, yet hopeful ballad that perfectly encompassed the entire nation in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks. While Brad would love to say, “Same here,” for his song uniting the country or world, he can’t because it’s DUMB. This song is, as the kids say, cringey and it will not age well. Did I mention, too, that it’s dumb? This comment sums it up so well…
I think it should also be mentioned that the music itself (apart from the lyrics) sounds like the worst parts of 1990s country music. Manufactured and dated. Now for the lyrics. Who came up with this clichéd mess?
(Actually, I found out who the writers are and it is so disappointing! More on that later…)
However you talk, whatever you think From the songs that you sing to the drink that you drink If you miss your mama and worry ’bout your babies And love each other like crazy And want someone to share your hopes and fears Same here.
I’m embarrassed for Brad. I’m embarrassed for country music. I’m embarrassed for America.Are you hoping Trace Adkins releases a club version of “Brown Chicken, Brown Cow” just to get your mind off of this dumb, dumb song from Brad? Yeah, same here.
Out of the Wilderness 