Synopsis
A weekly podcast where we talk about the best part of watching television: The commercials! Andrew, Genevieve and their guests discuss the ads they love, the ads they hate, and the ads that they love to hate (we're looking at you, Movantik.) afterthesemessagesshow@gmail.com
Episodes
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#395 Stars, They Just Like Trucks
31/05/2023 Duration: 01h13minDespite the mind-numbing sameness of car and truck ad copy, Andrew injects some fun into the genre with a quiz on the gravel-voiced celebrities who perform them. Plus. a vintage milk commercial sparks a clinic on lying to parents, and a pants commercial just couldn’t be worse. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: GMC Sierra Heavy Duty - “Power” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1RqN/2023-gmc-sierra-heavy-duty-pulling-power-t2 Ford - “What’s In A Name?” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/tPJN/2021-ford-f-150-whats-in-a-name-t1 Mercedes - “First” https://youtu.be/eE2Yq4bO3Bk Ford F-Series https://youtu.be/FMuJNJ6Tn34 Ram Trucks - “Heaven & Earth” https://youtu.be/BmFxB200r0I Mazda - “Every Detail Matters” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wyuv/2017-mazda-cx-9-crafted-test-drive Hyundai - “Works of Art” https://youtu.be/Xd2DoYEiwvk Hyundai - “Good or Better” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/ANos/2016-hyundai-sonata-good-or-better-grind BMW X3 - “Glitch” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wcBx/bmw-x3-glitch Dodge
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#394 Stress Guest
24/05/2023 Duration: 01h18minAppropriately enough, guest producer Mike puts together an episode all about the anxiety caused by unexpected guests. Plus, Andrew and Vieves may once again be the victims of sports-face-blindness, and the Ad Council is on fire with their Geico ad proposals. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Behr Paint https://youtu.be/GP_R0_BUrP8 Oxo Soup https://youtu.be/S8HGDSwkDC0 Super Star Car Wash https://youtu.be/LeiUlOvzUIg Buick https://ispot.tv/a/nR0N IKEA Korea https://youtu.be/RvUtWoSNXvg Snickers - “First Visitors” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4GrIoVsoL8 Geico “Frenemy” https://youtu.be/hmumXnntKa8 Kentucky Fried Chicken (1969) https://youtu.be/oIzfy6Q0Ssw Kingdome Youth Baseball Clinic Commercial (1995) https://youtu.be/ycMZ0j4xf3g
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#393 We’ve Got Problems
17/05/2023 Duration: 57minAdventures in suburban wildlife inspire Andrew and Vieves to invent a game based on a popular commercial campaign. Plus, a cadre of 90s appliance salesmen accidentally strikes comedy gold, and poor Ted Danson goes to the woodshed yet again. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Geico: “Clogging Problem” https://youtu.be/W4mRFIHPBWE Geico: “Aunts” https://youtu.be/PAmSkl_dAGE Key America: “White Sale Days” https://youtu.be/QJYAWqNLKG0
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#392 She Branded Me With Science
10/05/2023 Duration: 01h03minAndrew and Vieves look at ads that rely on science (or “science”) to make their case. They also wipe some major egg off their faces (and bald spots) after last week’s show. And a big time podcast goes full cringe. Here are links to the ad we talked about in this week’s show: Little Caesar’s Pizza - Down to a science https://youtu.be/DuY_AKYdVgg Starburst - Juicedratic Equation https://www.ispot.tv/ad/IGgd/starburst-volcano Starburst - Truth https://youtu.be/e0LmAESWjVs Starburst - Boltonizing https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7oud/starburst-boltonizing Pepsi - Michael RIchards & Cindy Crawford https://youtu.be/irh0TpmKY1A Yakult - Science, not magic https://youtu.be/RKtx_T0gcBw Popchips https://youtu.be/d500YBPR38A Pilot Pens - Science Frixion https://www.ispot.tv/ad/OvG5/pilot-frixion-science-frixion STEM - Dog https://www.ispot.tv/ad/bto5/stem-a-science-lacking-in-humans STEM - Shoe chucking https://www.ispot.tv/ad/btoy/stem-a-science-lacking-in-humans-chucking-method Senokot Laxative Gummie
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#391 Rhyme Bandits
03/05/2023 Duration: 01h13minThe persuasive power of rhyme has Andrew and Vieves looking at commercials that put in the time to make it rhyme. Plus, a 90s camera commercial has Andrew wondering what he’s missing, and a bit player in a candy ad gets recognized. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Gizmodo - Why Rhyming Phrases Are More Persuasive https://gizmodo.com/why-rhyming-phrases-are-more-persuasive-1524861998: M&M’s: Rhymes (ft. Meghan Mullally) (2004) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12a-041kQUk Lending Tree: Linda Finds A Personal Loan (ft Molly Shannon) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_TGfhdnLQQ McDonalds: Rhymes With Bacon https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7cRo/mcdonalds-bacon-and-cheese-sirloin-third-pound-burger-rhyme-time Corona: Rhyming with Snoop and Andy Samberg) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8V8JBb2JY Sprite (ft. KRS-One and MC Shan) (1996?) https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x49ayh T-Mobile: Kalamazoo Rhyme https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7VDb/t-mobile-4g-kalamazoo-rhyme DoorDash: Fish Roe Rhyme h
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#390 I Love You Just The Way You Bar
26/04/2023 Duration: 01h31minAndrew and Vieves examine commercials that feature bartenders in their natural habitat while reflecting on the many excellent bartenders they have known. Plus a candy company gets horny enough to scandalize Andrew, and a millennial darling goes to bat for Big Dairy. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Marco Rubio Presidential campaign ad (2015) https://www.ispot.tv/ad/AIx5/marco-rubio-for-president-bartender Jax Beer: “Bartender” https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/rb68xv29z Modelo: “Mark of a Fighter: Bartender” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1o2L/modelo-mark-of-a-fighter-bartender Bulleit: “Bartender Skills” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/nedn/bulleit-bourbon-lets-keep-our-bartenders-pouring-song-by-muddy-waters Guinness: “Ship” http://www.garymckendry.com/non-profit#/guinness-films-ship/ Labatt Blue: “Bear Bartender” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llgGjoTL7TI Stroh’s: “Ex-Big League Pitcher” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GDSD14UrmY Jack Daniels - make it count https:/
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#389 Pants and Raves
19/04/2023 Duration: 01h10minAndrew and Vieves look at a collection of ads that have mostly tickled their fancy (and one that ticked them off), including a bathroom dance number for the ages and grudging respect for a retail behemoth. They also revisit the glory days of HBO and an ad for something that is either a disgusting drink or a delicious frozen treat. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: BMW: “Speechless” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1q_9/bmw-xm-speechless-t1 Electric Ram 2025: “Guinea Pig” ft. Tim Robinson https://youtu.be/8ggLm4b0PPQ Peloton: “30 Day Home Trial https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2i24/peloton-92-stick-with-it-30-day-home-trial Front Door App: “We Fixed This Toilet” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1bA8/frontdoor-we-fixed-this-toilet-on-video Amazon Prime: “‘Tache” https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1oku/amazon-prime-tache-song-by-queen Progressive: “We Live” https://youtu.be/FJXikqJrM30 HBO: Stay Home Saturday Nights (1996) https://youtu.be/0AStwt8cDuU Bird’s Eye Chills and Thrills (1) https://youtu.be/-RiZFL
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#388 The Big Fang Theory
12/04/2023 Duration: 01h04minThe upcoming release of Renfield means Andrew and Vieves have bloodsuckers on the brain, and it seems that there’s really nothing that vampires can’t sell. Plus, Shaq’s mom got game (or a talented production crew), and it turns out kids are just basic when it comes to snacks. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Spectrum TV - Gaming Vampire https://www.shootonline.com/video/o-positives-david-shane-directs-slice-vampire-life-spectrum-something-different Spectrum - Monster Dinner https://www.ispot.tv/ad/q4l1/spectrum-mobile-monsters-dinner Coke - Dracula (1992) https://youtu.be/zQ0DFX9qvgQ Geico - Dracula at a Blood Drive https://youtu.be/v0Uu57ob6yY Texas Instruments - Solar Calculator https://youtu.be/8oB6mRqNo6o DiGiorno - Garlic Bread Pizza https://youtu.be/-vzxGzC3UAo Delissio - Garlic Bread Pizza https://youtu.be/o0_NRapPecc Heinz Tomato Blood https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2OuL/heinz-ketchup-vegetarian-vampire-recruitment AUDI S7 - Vampire Party https://youtu.be/D-b7O5dKeCg
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#387 Multiversed Case Scenarios
05/04/2023 Duration: 01h03minAndrew and Vieves look at commercials that rely on alternate dimensions, parallel universes and augmented realities to sell soda pop, potato chips and foreign cars. Plus, a new campaign featuring two very funny humans has Vieves in stitches, and an outdoor brand successfully threads the April Fools needle. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Lays - Farms Across America https://www.ispot.tv/ad/1ozs/lays-farms-across-america Canada Dry Ginger Ale - Real Ginger Taste https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7TGX/canada-dry-jacks-ginger-farm Canada Dry - Root of Relaxation https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A6hW/canada-dry-ginger-ale-the-root-of-relaxation Coors Light - Mountain Tap https://youtu.be/X_ruIJhHyzA Kia - 2014 SuperBowl ad Matrix https://youtu.be/FTNMYoKHwvU Snapchat - Wait’ll you see this https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2P7Q/snapchat-waitll-you-see-this Draftkings - The Kevinverse https://www.ispot.tv/ad/bveK/draftkings-reignmakers-the-kevinverse-featuring-kevin-hart-lamar-jackson-stefon-diggs-an
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#386 Springs Sales Event
29/03/2023 Duration: 01h13minAndrew and Vieves have a case of spring fever from looking at commercials that go boing in the night. Plus, Newt Gingrich tries to take away seniors’ Medicare, and Vieves ponders a car token heist. Here are links to the ads and articles we talked about in this week’s show: Slinky (1970s) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hayCTb3PNk Bic Four-Color Pen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFxg8UkSaEM Parker Pens: The Lady Parker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spTqlpekjmg Bic Banana Pen (w/ Mel Brooks) https://youtu.be/bxDbYAqfUp4?t=4 Clearwater Mattress Spring Air (ft. Vanna White) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpRXqUIM8-U Original Mattress Factory (2002) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcsj0fROh_g Strolling Bowling (1981) https://youtu.be/rttzcQ8o26E?t=109 Monroe Shocks & Struts (ft. James Earl Jones) (1990) https://youtu.be/zdS8cknwWmY Chevrolet Suspension System (1938) https://youtu.be/ej7CRAIGXow Kohl’s “Diving Board” (2014) https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7S8L/kohls-diving-board Democratic Medicare P
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#385 Uncle Bucks
22/03/2023 Duration: 01h26minVieves and Andrew look at commercials that feature aunts and uncles and all the attendant stereotypes that entails. Plus, Peter Gabriel grudgingly welcomes the Disney Channel-viewing public into his “secret world,” and the TV-viewing experience for service members in the 90s was NOT all it could be. Here are links to the ads we talked about on this week’s show: Geico - Aunt Infestation https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2NiX/geico-aunt-infestation Grubhub - Thank you Aunt Linda https://youtu.be/1V1zysblLdM Macys - Uncle Chris https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2GvH/macys-gift-finder-uncle-chris Xfinity - Crying Uncle Ed https://www.ispot.tv/ad/bJZw/xfinity-internet-crying-uncle-ed-featuring-ed-helms Skippy - Fun Aunt https://www.ispot.tv/ad/nyoA/skippy-fun-aunt Party City - Best Aunt Ever https://www.ispot.tv/ad/wxKb/party-city-best-aunt-ever Cooper Tires - Uncle Cooper https://www.ispot.tv/ad/qqId/cooper-tires-uncle-cooper-everyday-tough Cooper Tires - Multitool https://www.ispot.tv/ad/qqIe/cooper-tires-uncle-c
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#384 Mappy Endings
15/03/2023 Duration: 01h15minAndrew decides to produce a show about commercials that feature maps and also commercials that don’t feature maps! Plus, a baseball man is adorable, and Vieves falls down a Teri Garr and Dean Winters rabbit hole. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: FedEx: “China Map” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHdPlPE7iOs California Map and Travel Center: “Easier Than Asking For Directions!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNia4wpKCOw Motor Map International https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfcX9JhxD3k Scratch Off Map https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Oc6iCZQQg Duracell/Brickhouse: “Child Locator” https://youtu.be/hGCv7RzEwR8?t=5 KIA Telluride “Same Lines 4 Ways” https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1084954642407932 Dole: “Hold My Fruit Bowl: Maps” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxd3Dp0Mi3M Consumer Cellular: “Maps” with Ted Danson https://www.ispot.tv/ad/2Aix/consumer-cellular-switch-and-save-same-map-featuring-ted-danson McDonald’s: “Treasure Map To Sundaes!” https://youtu.be/Euw
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#383 For Whom the Bell Sold
08/03/2023 Duration: 01h35minVieves is intrigued by Kristen Bell’s newest commercials, leading her and Andrew to explore the masterclass in branding that is Kristen’s advertising career. Plus, a car safety engineer gets his day in the sun (and the shade), and the Ad Council does some counseling on how ATM can be more user-friendly. Here are links to the ads we talked about in this week’s show: Hers https://www.ispot.tv/ad/28sj/hers-stress-levels-featuring-kristen-bell La-Z-boy https://youtu.be/jtMUqNeLcDo Shipt https://youtu.be/p6uScgxNO0s Happy Dance CBD infused skincare https://youtu.be/bDm_dAyDauc Neutrogena Naturals https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7lUm/neutrogena-naturals-featuring-kristen-bell Enterprise https://youtu.be/5KIZZYBiD6Y Galaxy Tab S https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7CrD/samsung-galaxy-tab-s-what-you-really-need-featuring-kristen-bell Samsung Washer - Lamby code red https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7QjT/samsung-washer-with-activewash-tackles-all-your-laundry-needs Samsung - Wine over gravy https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7PkE/samsung
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#382 The Never Vending Story
01/03/2023 Duration: 01h12minAndrew and Vieves explore humanity’s eternal contest with unhelpful vending machines, from murderbot soda machines to recalcitrant candy dispensers. Plus, Andrew’s YouTube segment gets a rebrand, and one commercial really grabs the Ad Council by the short and curlies.
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#381 Tubi or Not to Be
22/02/2023 Duration: 57minAndrew and Vieves mop up the last of the Super Bowl commercial reactions and learn a few lessons along the way. Plus, BTDubs is back with either the dumbest or the smartest YouTube commenter of all time.
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#380 The Bowlies III: Bad Bunnies and Good Dogs
15/02/2023 Duration: 02h37minIt’s the third annual Bowlie Awards, and while it’s an honor just to be nominated, some will go home happy and some will go home empty-handed (the losers, that’s who). It’s the star-studded, all-singing, all-dancing, puppy-bunny-electric-vehicle extravaganza that is the Super Bowl commercials ep.
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#379 The Rule Of Tease
08/02/2023 Duration: 01h21minIt’s once again Bowlies season as Andrew and Vieves prepare for the onslaught of Super Bowl ads with a look at the most (and least) intriguing teasers. Plus, it’s a topsy-turvy world when a commercial mime is endearing and vacation photos are a creep-fest.
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#378 Swear Buy It
01/02/2023 Duration: 01h20minVieves and Andrew look at commercials that try to sneak some swear words past the watchful eye of the FCC. Plus, a battery mascot must reckon with its international alterego, and a powdered drink mix makes a play for the throne.
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#377 Shoe Me the Money
25/01/2023 Duration: 01h17minA naked publicity grab by a candy giant inspires Andrew and Genevieve to take a tour of the foot fashions of America’s most iconic advertising mascots. Plus, some light internet stalking really pays off, and an Ad Councillor can’t help but obey her thirst with a classic jingle.
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#376 Pains, Stains, And All Of These Bills
18/01/2023 Duration: 01h19minAndrew quizzes Vieves on some of the world’s lowest-quality ads for pain, stain, and debt relief. Plus, licensing deals for children’s products got wild in the 90s, and an Ad Councilor makes a big score.