DirecTV Resurrects the Dead In Questionable Ad‎s - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 10-26-2009, 10:40 PM

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/directv-res...nable-ads--729

By Matt Ufford | Monday, October 26, 2009, 11:35 AM

Some viewers are upset with DirecTV's newest commercial, a recreation of a scene in "Tommy Boy" that combines new footage of David Spade interacting with Chris Farley, who died of a drug overdose in 1997. In the classic scene from the 1995 comedy, a present-day Spade dismisses Farley's antics with the sarcastic remark, "Never gets old." Viewers on YouTube called the spot "distasteful" and a "stupid idea."

It's consistent with DirecTV's long-running ad campaign that features actors in their famous movie roles -- such as Sigourney Weaver in "Alien" and Charlie Sheen in "Major League" -- stepping out of the scene and addressing the TV audience about the benefits of satellite television service. However, this is the second consecutive DirecTV spot that has featured a dead performer: Craig T. Nelson reprised his role from "Poltergeist" in a commercial that featured Heather O'Rourke, who died tragically in 1988 at the age of 12 after her haunting delivery of the line "They're heeeeeere" became part of the popular vernacular.

Corporations using deceased actors is not a new concept. It dates back to at least 1991, when Elton John performed for Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, and Louis Armstrong in a Diet Coke ad. Fred Astaire famously appeared in a 1997 Dirt Devil ad that debuted during the Super Bowl, and Coors Light has used John Wayne to sell beer.

In all instances, the executor of the deceased's will has to approve the usage of the footage, but moral concerns remain. For example, Astaire's daughter objected to her stepmother approving the Dirt Devil commercial, writing that the "paltry, unconscionable commercials are the antithesis of everything my lovely, gentle father represented." Similarly, the notion of using a dead child or deceased beloved comedian to sell satellite dishes isn't going to sit well with a portion of the audience. But as long as it works, companies will continue to do it.

browneyes106 · 10-27-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

By Matt Ufford | Monday, October 26, 2009, 11:35 AM

Some viewers are upset with DirecTV's newest commercial, a recreation of a scene in "Tommy Boy" that combines new footage of David Spade interacting with Chris Farley, who died of a drug overdose in 1997. In the classic scene from the 1995 comedy, a present-day Spade dismisses Farley's antics with the sarcastic remark, "Never gets old." Viewers on YouTube called the spot "distasteful" and a "stupid idea."

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/directv-res...nable-ads--729

ekkostar · 10-27-2009, 07:10 PM

What upsets me is how people are really shrugging this off and dissmissing it with odd comments like "Oh he would have approved" and things like that.
I pretty much try to ignore every advertisement or product that uses the likeness of a dead celebrity disrespectfully.

Chocoholic · 10-27-2009, 07:40 PM

I really don't pay much attention to ads to begin with, but it doesn't bother me if they use the likeness of dead celebrities. Unless, of course, they met their end because of Homer Simpson

What's next, people getting upset about seeing reruns of TV shows where cast members have passed away?

80sTrivia · 10-27-2009, 07:42 PM

I saw the commercial yesterday...can't say that it's in the best of taste...

catlover79 · 10-27-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I saw the commercial yesterday...can't say that it's in the best of taste...

Marvo301 · 10-27-2009, 10:17 PM

I like to look at it as a compliment to the dead celebrities. What the ad companies are saying is we think you can do a better job selling this product than anyone who is alive.

Retro4Life · 10-27-2009, 10:20 PM

I hate this stuff.

And there is a difference between commercials that alter the scenario to fit some product and the rebroadcast of classic TV and film. The first is an alteration of the celebrity's image to fit a particular need, without their approval and implies their endorsement of the product (which, being dead, they obviously can't give). The second is a just a representation of a work of art; something the celebrity knew would live on after their death and saw in its entirety before dying.

Cactus Jack · 10-27-2009, 10:34 PM

Yeah not too great,LOVE the movie though

LoveMrsG · 10-28-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocoholic

I really don't pay much attention to ads to begin with, but it doesn't bother me if they use the likeness of dead celebrities. Unless, of course, they met their end because of Homer Simpson

What's next, people getting upset about seeing reruns of TV shows where cast members have passed away?

It's not about seeing shows or commercials with someone in the likeness of a dead person, and no, I personally have no problem watching reruns of TV shows in which some of the celebrities of the show have passed away.

It's a question of whether or not it was done distastefully and was disrespectful to the memory of the celebrity who passed, and no person's memory should be publically disrespected, celebrity or not.

TMC · 10-28-2009, 04:31 AM

I'm surprised that there wasn't much of a stink when DirecTV did a Poltergeist themed ad using Heather O'Rourke (who died in 1988), interceeding with Craig T. Nelson breaking the fourth wall to tell us about the benefits of using DirecTV.

spunkygirl · 10-28-2009, 07:10 AM

I think they should just steer away from stuff like this.

Quote:

What's next, people getting upset about seeing reruns of TV shows where cast members have passed away?

Believe it or not I read something about that in TV Guide awhile back, someone sent in a letter that Billy Mays commericals should no longer be shown since he was dead

I was like WTF? What about shows where cast members have long since passed?

MickeyMac · 10-28-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I saw the commercial yesterday...can't say that it's in the best of taste...

When was the last time there was a commericial made in the best of taste???

MrCleveland · 10-28-2009, 05:02 PM

What are they going to do next...?

Have a "Blues Brothers" clip with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd does the talking? Or...

Have a "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" clip with John Candy and Steve Martin does the talking? Or...

Have a "Jingle all the Way" clip with Phil Hartman and Arnold Schwarzenegger does the talking? Where the hell will it end?!

Marvo301 · 10-28-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

When was the last time there was a commericial made in the best of taste???

Very good point Mickey!

10-26-2009, 10:40 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	DirecTV Resurrects the Dead In Questionable Ad‎s http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/directv-res...nable-ads--729 By Matt Ufford \| Monday, October 26, 2009, 11:35 AM Some viewers are upset with DirecTV's newest commercial, a recreation of a scene in "Tommy Boy" that combines new footage of David Spade interacting with Chris Farley, who died of a drug overdose in 1997. In the classic scene from the 1995 comedy, a present-day Spade dismisses Farley's antics with the sarcastic remark, "Never gets old." Viewers on YouTube called the spot "distasteful" and a "stupid idea." It's consistent with DirecTV's long-running ad campaign that features actors in their famous movie roles -- such as Sigourney Weaver in "Alien" and Charlie Sheen in "Major League" -- stepping out of the scene and addressing the TV audience about the benefits of satellite television service. However, this is the second consecutive DirecTV spot that has featured a dead performer: Craig T. Nelson reprised his role from "Poltergeist" in a commercial that featured Heather O'Rourke, who died tragically in 1988 at the age of 12 after her haunting delivery of the line "They're heeeeeere" became part of the popular vernacular. Corporations using deceased actors is not a new concept. It dates back to at least 1991, when Elton John performed for Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, and Louis Armstrong in a Diet Coke ad. Fred Astaire famously appeared in a 1997 Dirt Devil ad that debuted during the Super Bowl, and Coors Light has used John Wayne to sell beer. In all instances, the executor of the deceased's will has to approve the usage of the footage, but moral concerns remain. For example, Astaire's daughter objected to her stepmother approving the Dirt Devil commercial, writing that the "paltry, unconscionable commercials are the antithesis of everything my lovely, gentle father represented." Similarly, the notion of using a dead child or deceased beloved comedian to sell satellite dishes isn't going to sit well with a portion of the audience. But as long as it works, companies will continue to do it.
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10-27-2009, 07:10 PM	#3
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	What upsets me is how people are really shrugging this off and dissmissing it with odd comments like "Oh he would have approved" and things like that. I pretty much try to ignore every advertisement or product that uses the likeness of a dead celebrity disrespectfully.
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10-27-2009, 07:42 PM	#5
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I saw the commercial yesterday...can't say that it's in the best of taste...
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10-27-2009, 10:17 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I like to look at it as a compliment to the dead celebrities. What the ad companies are saying is we think you can do a better job selling this product than anyone who is alive.
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10-27-2009, 10:20 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I hate this stuff. And there is a difference between commercials that alter the scenario to fit some product and the rebroadcast of classic TV and film. The first is an alteration of the celebrity's image to fit a particular need, without their approval and implies their endorsement of the product (which, being dead, they obviously can't give). The second is a just a representation of a work of art; something the celebrity knew would live on after their death and saw in its entirety before dying.
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10-27-2009, 07:40 PM	#4
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I really don't pay much attention to ads to begin with, but it doesn't bother me if they use the likeness of dead celebrities. Unless, of course, they met their end because of Homer Simpson What's next, people getting upset about seeing reruns of TV shows where cast members have passed away?

10-27-2009, 10:34 PM	#9
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	Yeah not too great,LOVE the movie though
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10-28-2009, 04:31 AM	#11
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,305	I'm surprised that there wasn't much of a stink when DirecTV did a Poltergeist themed ad using Heather O'Rourke (who died in 1988), interceeding with Craig T. Nelson breaking the fourth wall to tell us about the benefits of using DirecTV.

10-28-2009, 05:02 PM	#14
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,226	What are they going to do next...? Have a "Blues Brothers" clip with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd does the talking? Or... Have a "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" clip with John Candy and Steve Martin does the talking? Or... Have a "Jingle all the Way" clip with Phil Hartman and Arnold Schwarzenegger does the talking? Where the hell will it end?!
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