Budweiser's Controversial "Porn" Ad Is Just A Ripoff Of Little Miss Sunshine
Yesterday Time.com launched a debate about an online-only Budweiser commercial -- a two-minute sketch in which a guy tries to subtly order a porn magazine called "Tongue & Cheeks" in a convenience store along with his Bud Light and watch batteries. The debate is about whether the ad objectifies women, and specifically, whether it signifies something called "porn creep," the further mainstreaming of porn by a big American brand. Blah blah blah, but as a few YouTube commenters have noticed, isn't this commercial, which is moderately amusing, an exact ripoff of the funny/sad scene in Little Miss Sunshine where Steve Carrel runs into his ex while buying porn in a convenience store?
The LMS clip seems (tragically) not online, but it was basically exactly the same but much better (and sadder.) There was also a similar scene in Woody Allen's Bananas. I know the argument Time's making is about porn in commercials, not porn in movies, but since Steve Carrel's character was gay (and who says the Bud Light guy wasn't also?), the whole objectifying women part is probably bullshit. And you can't just rip off scenes from movies for your commercials, Budweiser. The internet is watching.
Posted by Lindsay at 10:30 AM in Commercials
Tags: Budweiser | Little Miss Sunshine | Steve Carrel | Woody Allen
so, what message is this ad trying to send? "don't buy porn along with Bud"? or just "don't buy porn at convenience stores "? or "support the death of print media, keep your porn thingy between your computer and you"? "when buying porn and/or beer always carry a gun, just in case"? "don't trust chinks, they are all hard of hearding and love to embarrass you"?...
i say this ad can be controversial on oh so many levels
Score = 9
Well, taking your question seriously, it's two minutes long and an online exclusive. I'm gonna guess Bud wanted this ad to inspire Time to write an article about it and have semi-popular internet blogs posting it with people commenting on it. Some about a virus or something. Dumb fucks.
On a less serious note, the tall guy with the laconic voice needs more work. Don't know his name, but he's hilarious in everything he's in.
Score = 9
Thank you, Budweiser, for reminding me that your beer sucks and that I should never purchase it with or without porno.
Score = 5
lol that was funny!
Score = -3
JSYK, gay porn also objectifies men.
Score = 2
I hate this. Like, I hate ads in general, but understand they are necessary evils to an extent, but still. If you want to be funny/creative in an ad, then be original or don't bother. When I was at the gym the other day, I saw an ad for something or other that was a rip-off of the waxing scene in 40-Year Old Virgin. Get it together, ad people. We've all seen the movies that Steve Carrell was in. Well, except Dan In Real Life because we could smell that stinking pile of garbage coming.
Score = 3
I believe the second guy who shows up is also ripping off Ken Marino.
Score = 1
Budweiser: ruining jokes (and beer) since the Stone Age.
Score = 4
the dan in real life ripoff could work. in the commercial the guy is forced to do exercise with his entire family in front of the house and then do a family talent show, and then eat dinner with dane cook. of course he'd need beer after that.
Score = 6
Introducing kids to porn is fuckin wrong, but introducing them to shitty ads, jokes, and beer is fucking unbearable.
Score = 2
I can't wait for the death of print if it means the end of patronizing, soulless, badly argued culture watchdog pieces from Time Magazine in which they inevitably make up a catch-all term for a supposed "trend" taking over America, like PORN CREEP. Can Soulja Boy please appropriate that as the title of new dance that sweeps the nation and end this conversation before it starts?
Time's coining of "Porn Creep" is just as much intended to "go viral" with the message "Time Magazine knows what's up," but for an older, more confused and scared market than Bud's ads are targeted towards. It's just as much of a desperate jab for attention, using the titillation factor of porn as an entree to brand loyalty. I feel like the porn industry are the real victims of exploitation in all this fake controversy.
Score = 4
That Korean lady needs to check herself. Be discreet about porn or I'll take my business elsewhere!
Score = 5
dude, that was a really good deal. One porn and he gets a second magazine, a vibrator, and a giant dildo? Subscribe!
Score = 6
Haha: »You'll need a safeword. And it shouldn't be "more"…«
Score = 1
Who is the main character? He's got a good everyman face; have I seen him before?
Score = -1
Alcohol commercials insult the whole fucking human race. Fuck beer.
Score = 2
This is also a ripoff of Superbad: McLovin' tries to get alcohol with his fake Hawaiian ID and when he thinks he's succeeded, in comes a thief and frustrates his attempt.
Score = 0