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
The Animals. In order, the animals appearing in the ad are a black bear, moose, Eastern wolf, squirrel, bald eagle, box turtle, possum, Canadian goose, great-horned owl, raccoon, mountain lion, and Big Foot. My favorite is easily the possum. It’s not so much of a secret that I want one of these as a pet one day.
Human comments on YouTube are mixed; some are excited about the ad and the Jeep lineup while others are skeptical about the size of the engine advertised and the use of AI in the ad. I’ll admit, my heart dropped when I heard the eagle announce the 2-Liter engine. That seems small, right? And would an eagle be pumped about something so average? Maybe Jeep missed the mark with that one. Something like a lizard would have been more realistic, a creature that blends in with its surrounding– a Jeep engine that doesn’t stand out.
Critiques aside, I love ads that use fun and/or adorable wildlife and this accomplishes that hands (or paws?) down. How do you feel about the ad? Where does it stack up against previous Jeep commercials?
Happy holidays! If there’s one thing we can count on during the Christmas season besides Thanksgiving being overlooked, feelings being hurt when the newlyweds still have to sit at the kids table, and signing up for a jingle bell run but sleeping in instead, it’s Christmas commercials. There are the stars like this one from Publix and this one from Amazon, but throwing their Santa hat into the (reindeer) mix is Microsoft Copilot. Check out their 2025 commercial then scroll down for more…
So Mrs. Claus is black. Statistically and traditionally this is a stretch but that’s not where the creative license ends with this ad. There’s yet another interracial couple and an Asian woman with a golden retriever. I’ve never met an Asian person who has a golden retriever, no offense! I thought all this pandering (or is it political correctness?) crap was behind us? I have no problems with interracial couples or anyone who wants to own a golden retriever. My issue is with the presentation of the product. It’s not necessary to pack in every type of every race in every commercial. It’s completely acceptable to have an all-black cast, an all-Asian cast, or to have Santa and Mrs. Claus be white. What’s next– Changing the classic lyrics… “May all your Christmases be whiiiittte and ethnically diverse…”?
Get a grip, Microsoft. I’m calling it– this ad will NOT go down as a holiday classic.
What do you get for the man who has everything? And what if that man is your girlfriend’s father? Lord, have mercy on the young man who finds himself in this situation… Like the kid in a new holiday ad from Amazon. Check it out then scroll down for more…
I’m reminded of the climactic line from Ace Ventura, “What do you know about pressure?” Well, (I haven’t kissed a man but) I have purchased a gift for my girlfriend’s dad. In a perfect world, 95% of the responsibility for that gift should rest on the shoulders of the girlfriend; that is, if she likes her boyfriend at all. Of course if she’s looking for a way out, Christmas is a great opportunity to watch your boyfriend flounder and then drop him like a dead fish.
If the girlfriend WAS using this opportunity to sabotage the relationship, the boyfriend screwed it up by getting a really nice gift. Thanks a lot Amazon!
I’ll start by saying this post contains no spoilers other than to tell you that in each of the first 4 episodes of season 5 there is soooo much talking. It’s like a movie where the only way they can explain the plot is for two characters to go on and on in a dialogue about what happened, what’s happening, or what will happen. The disappointing thing is that Stranger Things doesn’t need to have pages and pages of dialogue. The plot is pretty simple, right? Find Vecna. Kill Vecna. Am I missing something?
Without a doubt, the best character is Steve. Second place is a tie between Dustin and Murray. At the very bottom of the list, and a little annoying if I’m being honest are Will and Robin. I suppose I can’t support any of these claims because then I’d have some spoilers for you.
Overall though, the real stars are the graphic artists. The world they’ve created with the upside down is nothing short of incredible. From the ideas to the artists creating these animations, it’s very, very good. I’d probably appreciate them even more if I wasn’t fast-forwarding through the episodes because of… all the ….talking. 🥴
The new Christmas commercial from Publix is like a long, warm hug on a cold winter day for Christmas babies. OK, technically I was born the day after Christmas– what a great present for my sisters and brother, right? 🤔 –but I can confirm there is a tad bit of invisibility having a birthday during the Christmas holidays. This young lady in the ad is learning the hard truth and she won’t be happy to know that it never really gets easier. We just get more mature. 🥴🤪
Check out the commercial then scroll down for more…
Publix is running with the theme, even putting together a press release to explain the backstory and promos going along with the Merry Birthday campaign.
Long known for its iconic bakery offerings, Publix has brought the Merry Birthday cake from the film to life in every Publix Bakery. The cake comes in two versions: a two-tier cake, available by special order, and a one-tier 9-inch mini version, available in-stores and online. Special Merry Birthday wrapping paper and cards will also be available to purchase online at 363green.com to further the celebrations.
Not a real Publix cake, image generated through AI
The challenge Publix has with this commercial is its specificity. Births on Christmas are basically at the lowest numbers of any other day of the year so this commercial has the lowest possible audience relatability. And yet, to make an ad worthwhile, it still needs to endear itself to everyone else… you know, all the people born on the other 364 days of the year. Quite the challenge.
I think Publix succeeds because the ad is equal parts adorable, informative, and cheery; even if the birthday girl comes across cynical and bitter. I understand her frustration but she’ll be in a much more merry mood if she looks at her situation from a different angle. For one thing, having a birthday in December makes this season more special. Plus, she shares a birthday celebration with Jesus. Such a small crowd of lucky people can say that, something to brag about. Being born on Dec. 26th, I actually love looking at a calendar and seeing myself just to the right of Jesus. It makes me feel special, no gifts needed. For the commercial though, she deserves attention and Santa is the one to turn the spotlight towards her. The commercial ends with a merry birthday girl and Publix has another sweet, humorous holiday ad to add to their long list.
not the real Santa Claus, image generated through AI
Out of the Wilderness 