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Watch our network, or be eaten by rodent
As media continues to fragment, how do you get people to watch your shows? You tell them that if they don’t, an evil guinea pig will ravage their kidneys while they sleep. This campaign, from the twisted wreckage of Eric Silver’s brain at BBDO
New York, advertises G4’s Midnight Spank block of late-night shows. See two other executions here and here. UPDATE: As Eddie points out in comments, the guinea-pig spot may have been inspired by a Masters of Horror episode called Dreams in the Witch-House. Here’s the trailer for that episode; it also features a murderous rodent (a rat, this time), and there’s even a shot of it sitting on the guy’s chest. Also, one of the other Midnight Spank spots linked above has a deer with a woman’s voice. Was that inspired by the Masters of Horror episode Deer Woman? —Posted by Tim Nudd |
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June 29, 2006 | Permalink |
Comments
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I just can't believe it !!!
This exact scene was ripped from the TV horror series "Masters of Horror" which was aired on 2005. A chapter called "Dreams at the witch house" base on HP Lovecraft story.
Baahhh, no shame
Posted by: Eddie | Jun 29, 2006 9:03:57 AM
I dunno, maybe it's just me, but it seems like both this and Goodby's "Mermen" commercials are trying waaaaay too hard to be wacky and "edgy." It's almost as if the creatives said, "Gee, we can't think of anything remotely interesting to say about the product we're ostensibly trying to push, so let's just do something completely zany in hopes of winning a shiny trophy."
Posted by: Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute | Jun 29, 2006 9:04:56 AM
I disagree with Fred Garvin. Who cares how hard they're trying? What matters is how hard they're succeeding. These are bizarre, twisted, attention-getting spots that I'm sure appeal to the Midnight Spank audience...whoever the hell that is. Nice work.
Posted by: Jane, You Ignorant Slut | Jun 29, 2006 9:09:16 AM
Jane, I admit that both the Midnight Spank and the Comcast commercials are well directed and acted. But you can still see them straining mightily to be outrageous and edgy.
Of the two campaigns, I think the Midnight Spank commercials work best and will no doubt appeal to its intended audience. Yet I can't help but wonder if they are so "bizarre" and "twisted" that they completely overshadow the programs being advertised. What do you think viewers will remember after watching them? That there's a block of shows called Midnight Spank on G4? Or that a guinea pig just ate some guy's liver?
Posted by: E. Buzz Miller | Jun 29, 2006 11:25:08 AM
If TBS were trying this, I'd say "meh." But these spots are perfect for G4's all-around edgy feel. Both they and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim use promos that are dead-on. Larger networks would just committee them to death.
Posted by: CorruptedJournalist | Jun 29, 2006 11:27:14 AM
I showed my little sister (who is an avid Adult Swim and occasional G4 viewer) the spots, and she absolutely loved them.
Posted by: lauren | Jun 29, 2006 6:26:13 PM
Lauren, you must be a client.:)
Posted by: Bob | Jun 30, 2006 8:55:24 AM
Adverspeak burn on Lauren!
The hamster one is bizzare, but the other two are horror movie-e. I liked them, but I felt like the hamster one was the odd sister.
I think the copy really wrapped up the joke well: "Watch Midnight Spank, or Butterfly will open the horrible bag." That's really funny/twisted to me.
Posted by: Dan | Aug 1, 2006 5:06:30 AM
Im the butterfly voice. Im glad you guys like the spot. It made me laugh outloud when they showed it to me in the studio before we recorded.
Posted by: samantha | Aug 23, 2006 11:00:39 PM
