Caveman ad

[jlhredshift]

I think that the recent Geico ad with the caveman in the airport is great on several levels. At first I thought that the non verbal communication was the only communication of the ad. The caveman nicely dressed, "reading" his ticket, carrying a rackett, and then seeing the ad poster slamming his intelligence followed by looking around as if to say; 'Do you believe this'. Then I realized that there was verbal communication in the form of the words in the song..."every where I go...", at virtually a sublimable level. Reminds me of the movie 'Quest for Fire' but better. I still love the meteorite and truck commercial though.

[Serenitude]

Even though it flirts with bigotry, my wife and I love the caveman commercials so much we'll yell to each other that it's on if one of us happens to be out of the room :D Have you seen the newer one, where he's on a CNN type network for an interview? (Don't want to say more than that - it'll spoil it ;) )

[Vermonter]

I think the Geico caveman commercials are funny, and well thought-out. By the by, I did save 15% on my car insurance :-p

[hhEb09'1]

and then seeing the ad poster slamming his intelligence followed by looking around as if to say; 'Do you believe this'. I thought he was looking around to see if anyone noticed his celebrity. But you're probably right.Then I realized that there was verbal communication in the form of the words in the song..."every where I go...", "Remind me (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remind_Me)"

[Serenitude]

Big question, though - actually, it should be a poll - do you think the caveman commercials are better than the gecko commercials? Either way, whoever there advertising company is is definately earning thier money. It's the first time in my life I have consciously made the decision to use someone's product strictly due to their commercial.

[banquo's_bumble_puppy]

bundle of 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_WYIAHeaXo

[jlhredshift]

Even though it flirts with bigotry, my wife and I love the caveman commercials so much we'll yell to each other that it's on if one of us happens to be out of the room :D Have you seen the newer one, where he's on a CNN type network for an interview? (Don't want to say more than that - it'll spoil it ;) )

No, I have not. Thanks for not spoiling it. Let the fun begin.:dance:

[Serenitude]

Oh, man. Then lemme just say - you're going to love it ;-)

[Moose]

Oh man, those are great. Looks like there are five of them floating about youtube, and what appears to be a movie trailer, of all things! What great commercials, especially the CNN one!

Linkies for your convenience. (See how much I love you guys?)

CNN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVVSmnnqfvc&mode=related&search=).

Airport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZrjr4A-ASQ&mode=related&search=).

Movie trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j9U0qP7H3g&mode=related&search=).

[Doodler]

Someone definitely earned a bonus for this series of commercials. Probably the best thing since the Budweiser frogs.

[jlhredshift]

Oh man, those are great. Looks like there are five of them floating about youtube, and what appears to be a movie trailer, of all things! What great commercials, especially the CNN one!

Linkies for your convenience. (See how much I love you guys?)

CNN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVVSmnnqfvc&mode=related&search=).

Airport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZrjr4A-ASQ&mode=related&search=).

Movie trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j9U0qP7H3g&mode=related&search=).

Thank you very much.

[Jim]

There is talk about making a tv series starring the cavemen. Probably would ruin the whole thing, but it shows how popular the commercials have become.

[Donnie B.]

Maybe they should include the Budweiser frogs in the caveman series.

:whistle:

Actually, I couldn't stand the frogs. The cavemen are great, though, especially since they've actually improved on the concept since the first one (which was, IIRC, the apologetic scene in the restaurant: "Really, we didn't know you guys were still around...").

However, my current favorite ad is the Toyota truck and the Loch Ness monster, mainly because I predicted it almost shot-for-shot a year ago on this board. So either I'm an unsung advertising genius or somebody from the ad agency reads BAUT!

[farmerjumperdon]

There is talk about making a tv series starring the cavemen. Probably would ruin the whole thing, but it shows how popular the commercials have become.

One of the weaknesses of capitalism. All successful things must be cloned, spun off, or done to death in some manner. Very few things are allowed to be a dignified success.

[farmerjumperdon]

Even though it flirts with bigotry, my wife and I love the caveman commercials so much we'll yell to each other that it's on if one of us happens to be out of the room :D Have you seen the newer one, where he's on a CNN type network for an interview? (Don't want to say more than that - it'll spoil it ;) )

Interesting take. How do you get bigotry out of it? I've only seen it once so maybe I missed something.

[Saluki]

For those of you "saving 15%", just hope you never have an accident or get a ticket. You might find that your savings disappears with a vengeance.

[Serenitude]

He is assumed stupid, incapable, inherently inferior etc... because he is neanderthalus. Substitute that with black, mongoloid, female, etc...

"So simple even a caveman can do it". He's clearly offended. Just my personal instinct, though. In a way, I see it as a clever, South Park style indictment. Then again, I'm also told I think too much :lol: So your mileage may vary :lol:

But like I said, my favorite commercials ever ;)

[Moose]

"Even a caveman can do it"?

Without any malice whatsoever, you can see how it would play were you to swap the word caveman for some other random ethnic minority, particularly one with a generally-recognized legally-protected status. "Even the Swiss can do it." Or "Even Rhode Islanders can do it". Now try airing the same commercials swapping the word caveman with the words Blacks and/or Jews and then see the controversy fly. *chuckle*

It's clear, however, (or it should be) that the commercials are spoofing bigotry (effectively IMO), which is why, I think, Serenitude used the relatively flattering word "flirt".

[Moose]

One of the weaknesses of capitalism. All successful things must be cloned, spun off, or done to death in some manner. Very few things are allowed to be a dignified success.

True. If they were to do it, they'd have to walk a very fine line in playing it as straight as the commercials. The "film trailer" I linked to above has the right tone, I think.

If they ham-hand it or try to comidify-it like, say, Third Rock from the Sun, it'll fall flat. What they'd have to do is play it straight. Sort of like what you'd get if you took Miami Vice and replace only the protagonists with, say, blacks. Play it perfectly straight, where our caveman friends have relatively normal lower-nouveau-riche type active jobs (like the movie trailer), and a relatively benign environment but have to deal with subtle (or unsubtle) racial snubs/slurs/misunderstandings inherent in being a visible minority "out of one's perceived usual place".

And then you completely ignore the utter rarity/uniqueness of the fact they're Neanderthals or even refer to the fact. Nobody brings it up like it's strange they exist. No more than a subtle undertone of (relatively benign) xenophobia that our more-successful visible minorities experience.

Am I making sense?

[farmerjumperdon]

Ok, I'm seeing some real possibilities now. Cultural diversity training in which we learn thru the experiences of The Caveman.

I don't see it as bigotry though. It's obviously intended to be humorous. If a person sees making fun of a caveman as bigotry, then what happens to humor? Is there anything we can joke about anymore?

Has humor been sacrificed at the alters of political correctness and cultural awareness?

[Moose]

I don't see it as bigotry though. It's obviously intended to be humorous. If a person sees making fun of a caveman as bigotry, then what happens to humor? Is there anything we can joke about anymore?

Well, there's humor and there's humor.

"Three cowboys walk into a bar. The fourth one ducks." It's a cheesy joke, but is not derogatory to cowboys (or ducks for that matter).

"How do you break a [ethnic]'s finger, you punch him in the nose". That's clearly a derogatory joke, no matter which ethnic minority you fill the blank with.

Even lawyer/politician jokes, probably my favorite to tell and hear, is derogatory even if I mean no genuine malice by it.

If there's a butt of the joke, then it needs to be told with some care, if it needs to be told at all.

The only reason "even a caveman can do it" is not the same sort of potential for trouble as, say, "even a Jew can do it" is that there are no living neanderthals (or close decendants) to be offended by it, nor is society being exposed to the issue, nor is society especially persecutive towards an extinct species of human.

Not everybody likes insult "comedy". Thankfully, there are other plenty of other flavors that don't require deliberate malicious discrimination.

[NEOWatcher]

...If a person sees making fun of a caveman as bigotry, then what happens to humor? Is there anything we can joke about anymore?...

What I see as a problem is people distinguishing between real situations, and unrealistic situations. These are the people that don't see the difference between "stupid people tricks" and cartoon violence. One is a depiction of real people getting hurt, the other is not.

[Gillianren]

I hate those commercials. For one thing, you see any of those guys living in caves? No? That means they're not cavemen! If they actually said Neandertal, the guy would have a case. But since "caveman" is not a scientific term, once you move out of a cave, you're not a caveman anymore and have no right to be offended.

Frankly, I miss the cleverer commercials before the gecko got so big.

[soylentgreen]

I hate those commercials. For one thing, you see any of those guys living in caves? No? That means they're not cavemen! If they actually said Neandertal, the guy would have a case. But since "caveman" is not a scientific term, once you move out of a cave, you're not a caveman anymore and have no right to be offended.


Kind of like an evacuee is only an evacuee while he is evacuating an area...once he's left the (ahem)evacuation zone...he becomes...wait for it!..a refugee.

Though I'm sure plenty of Texans wish that the guests in their state were evacuees now. ;)

[Moose]

I hate those commercials. For one thing, you see any of those guys living in caves? No? That means they're not cavemen!

I'd say it's simply a slur about as accurate and/or applicable as any other derogatory slur about a minority group.

The French aren't really amphibians, after all. Nor are they accurately described as simian primates with submissive tendancies, although I'll grant that their finer cheeses are yummy.

:D (Please don't kill me!)

[jlhredshift]

In this, IMHO, overly PC world in which we live wherein we constantly have to walk on egg shells so as to not offend anybody, I see these commercials taping into a desire for release. Here, at last, is somebody we can pick on for pure vile entertainment without getting in trouble. I think the same is true for sci-fi flicks, do we morn the death of the, always ugly, aliens that wish to eat us?

[jlhredshift]

I admit to loving these commercials. I must also point out that it has not been conclusively proved that Homo Sapiens did not interbreed with the neanderthals while we were both in Europe cohabitating. However, it has been shown fairly conclusively that the most diverse genetic human dna comes from north Africa. We are they, and they are us.

[hhEb09'1]

In this, IMHO, overly PC world in which we live wherein we constantly have to walk on egg shells so as to not offend anybody, I see these commercials taping into a desire for release. Some people see it as walking on eggshells, other people see it as just being polite.

I hope I haven't hurt your feelings. :)

[Serenitude]

I'm sorry for opening Pandora's box with the bigotry comment. I apologize for not being clearer. I just didn't expect it to sort of blow up after I commented. My bad, and my apologies.

I did, indeed, mean flirt in a flattering sense. It's related to my statement that the humor, lampooning bigotry to some (probably small) degree is brilliant, and in much the same style, just my personal opinion, mind you, as South Park, which I absolutely adore specifically because nothing is sacred, nothing is above having their flaws lampooned. I think the commercials are utterly brilliant in exploring the emotions and efforts of a person who percieves a prejudice simply based on his race.

But honestly, I think it's brilliant, funny, and for all the right reasons, and I think it's lack of political correctness is precisely why it is genius.

So I'm sorry I wasn't more specific about the bigotry comment. I certainly did not mean to cause the comments that followed. Please accept my apology. I hope I've cleared up my intended point.

[jlhredshift]

Some people see it as walking on eggshells, other people see it as just being polite.

Polite is one thing, having a comment blown out of proportion so as to be used for personal gain is what I object to. Of course each case is individually different and needs to be analyzed on its own context.


I hope I haven't hurt your feelings. :)

Do not be concerned. Thank you for the thought. However, you can not hurt my feelings. Only I can decide as to whether my feelings are hurt and I have decided that when another tries to hurt through words, that what they say is unimportant. I do not think what you have said is hurtful at all and if we disagree it is only a matter of degree.

I'm sorry for opening Pandora's box with the bigotry comment. I apologize for not being clearer. I just didn't expect it to sort of blow up after I commented. My bad, and my apologies.

I did, indeed, mean flirt in a flattering sense. It's related to my statement that the humor, lampooning bigotry to some (probably small) degree is brilliant, and in much the same style, just my personal opinion, mind you, as South Park, which I absolutely adore specifically because nothing is sacred, nothing is above having their flaws lampooned. I think the commercials are utterly brilliant in exploring the emotions and efforts of a person who percieves a prejudice simply based on his race.
But honestly, I think it's brilliant, funny, and for all the right reasons, and I think it's lack of political correctness is precisely why it is genius.
So I'm sorry I wasn't more specific about the bigotry comment. I certainly did not mean to cause the comments that followed. Please accept my apology. I hope I've cleared up my intended point.

I have bolded the statements that I think are exactly correct and very succinct. I also believe that this discussion, which was not my intention either, is both necessary and appropriate, particularily with the decorum that this board has shown.

[jseefcoot]

For those of you "saving 15%", just hope you never have an accident or get a ticket. You might find that your savings disappears with a vengeance.

One of my friends took delivery on his parents' house this year. When they finally got out so he could move in, he was very ecstatic. However, when he changed his address with Geico, they raised his rates -- enough to make affording his new payment a hardship.

He moved three and a half miles away, and they raised his rate by nearly $80 a month. This guy has NO TICKETS. A completely clean driving record, with no insurance claims either. All he did was move across town, and not even all the way across town. When he asked Geico why this happened (he thought it must have been a mistake) he was told that people on that side of town had more accidents claimed on Geico and that was why his rates went up.

He switched, and I no longer use any insurance company whose primary mode of business is based on the internet. Real people rule.

[Gillianren]

Do not be concerned. Thank you for the thought. However, you can not hurt my feelings. Only I can decide as to whether my feelings are hurt and I have decided that when another tries to hurt through words, that what they say is unimportant. I do not think what you have said is hurtful at all and if we disagree it is only a matter of degree.

Lucky you. Clearly, you don't have the self-esteem problems I do.

[Doodler]

One of my friends took delivery on his parents' house this year. When they finally got out so he could move in, he was very ecstatic. However, when he changed his address with Geico, they raised his rates -- enough to make affording his new payment a hardship.

He moved three and a half miles away, and they raised his rate by nearly $80 a month. This guy has NO TICKETS. A completely clean driving record, with no insurance claims either. All he did was move across town, and not even all the way across town. When he asked Geico why this happened (he thought it must have been a mistake) he was told that people on that side of town had more accidents claimed on Geico and that was why his rates went up.

He switched, and I no longer use any insurance company whose primary mode of business is based on the internet. Real people rule.

FYI, ALL insurance companies use statistical games when determining your rates. They will even access your credit report, because people with bad credit are more likely to get into an accident, according to the bean counters.

I could call it like I see it, but I'd rather not give the moderators a headache on a Friday afternoon.

[ToSeek]

He moved three and a half miles away, and they raised his rate by nearly $80 a month. This guy has NO TICKETS. A completely clean driving record, with no insurance claims either. All he did was move across town, and not even all the way across town. When he asked Geico why this happened (he thought it must have been a mistake) he was told that people on that side of town had more accidents claimed on Geico and that was why his rates went up.

We pay a significant penalty in our area because there's a lot of car theft, even though our little neighborhood is kind of off hidden away and not touched by most of that. But they don't break it down beyond zip code, so far as I know.

[SeanF]

The cavemen are great, though, especially since they've actually improved on the concept since the first one (which was, IIRC, the apologetic scene in the restaurant: "Really, we didn't know you guys were still around...").
Actually, the first one was just a regular "spokesperson by a desk" commercial right up until he says "Even a caveman could do it," at which point we back off to see the camera crew shooting the commercial. The boom mike operator is a caveman, and throws the mike down and stomps off the set.

"Not cool, dude," I believe he says. :)

[Donnie B.]

Actually, the first one was just a regular "spokesperson by a desk" commercial right up until he says "Even a caveman could do it," at which point we back off to see the camera crew shooting the commercial. The boom mike operator is a caveman, and throws the mike down and stomps off the set.

"Not cool, dude," I believe he says. :)Interesting. I don't think I ever saw that one.

I wonder how much of the series was planned out in advance, and how much was quickly added after the positive response to the early ads.

[Bob]

As long as you are on youtube, check out Chad Vader (Darth Vader's less talented younger brother)

[Dragon Star]

As long as you are on youtube, check out Chad Vader (Darth Vader's less talented younger brother)

Yea, every time they release a new one we post it at IRU and have a good laugh. IMO, some of the best video on YouTube. Ask a Ninja can be comical as well, especially the one on Pirates of the Caribbean.

[mugaliens]

I find it interesting that I've seen real people (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Aboriginal_cricket_team_at_MCG_in_1867.jpg) who look amazingly like the men in the commercials...

Also, Wikipedia talks about how certain features (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthals#Anatomy) do manifest in modern humans.

[mugaliens]

As long as you are on youtube, check out Chad Vader (Darth Vader's less talented younger brother)

Way too funny!

[HenrikOlsen]

Interesting. I don't think I ever saw that one.
It's here http://youtube.com/watch?v=ehEQo8MLGLQ

[jlhredshift]

Lucky you. Clearly, you don't have the self-esteem problems I do.

But, I know what it is to be humbled. I remember the first time that I opened the book 'Gravity' by Thorne, Wheeler, et. al.. Comparitivily speaking, now I am the caveman!

[farmerjumperdon]

I hate those commercials. For one thing, you see any of those guys living in caves? No? That means they're not cavemen! If they actually said Neandertal, the guy would have a case. But since "caveman" is not a scientific term, once you move out of a cave, you're not a caveman anymore and have no right to be offended.

Frankly, I miss the cleverer commercials before the gecko got so big.

How do you know he doesn't live in a cave?

[farmerjumperdon]

I'm sorry for opening Pandora's box with the bigotry comment. I apologize for not being clearer. I just didn't expect it to sort of blow up after I commented. My bad, and my apologies.

I did, indeed, mean flirt in a flattering sense. It's related to my statement that the humor, lampooning bigotry to some (probably small) degree is brilliant, and in much the same style, just my personal opinion, mind you, as South Park, which I absolutely adore specifically because nothing is sacred, nothing is above having their flaws lampooned. I think the commercials are utterly brilliant in exploring the emotions and efforts of a person who percieves a prejudice simply based on his race.

But honestly, I think it's brilliant, funny, and for all the right reasons, and I think it's lack of political correctness is precisely why it is genius.

So I'm sorry I wasn't more specific about the bigotry comment. I certainly did not mean to cause the comments that followed. Please accept my apology. I hope I've cleared up my intended point.

I get what you're saying, and I agree. I've never seen South Park, but it sounds fun from all the stuff I've heard about it. Could be the crowd I run with, but most people I know who have seen it say it is good, and funny. I have seen a bit of Chris Rock. I think he is funny, and guessing based on his success, a lot of other do too.

So is that a bad and bigoted thing?

[Serenitude]

I can't win :lol:

[farmerjumperdon]

I can't win :lol:

I'm not thinking of it that way. I do not think there is anything so sacred that it can't be poked at with humor. Anybody who thinks they, or any person or topic, is above humor, takes themselves too seriously.

In their world we are limited to the kind of mundane humor found on the inside of Laffy Taffy wrappers.

[Serenitude]

It reminds me of "The Life of Brian", from Monty Python, where he preaches "Let us consider the Lilly in the field", and someone pipes up "Oh, what have you get against Lillies, eh?" or something to that effect :lol:

[Gillianren]

How do you know he doesn't live in a cave?

Because in one of the early commercials, just before the "Seriously, we had no idea you guys were still around" one, they show four or five "Neandertals" living in a far better house than I suspect most of us do.

[Trebuchet]

I actually preferred their "I have good news...I just saved a bundle by switching to Geico!" campaign. And the AFLAC duck is better yet, particularly the one with Yogi.

[EricDerKonig]

I don't care much for any of the Geico commercials.
I do love the CapitalOne barbarian commercials, though.

[Trebuchet]

I don't care much for any of the Geico commercials.
I do love the CapitalOne barbarian commercials, though.

Especially the ones with catapults in them!

[Glutomoto]

my favorite one is where the pitchman is apologizing to them in the restaurant.

one guy orders roast duck with mango sauce, probably the most expensive item on the menu and the other guy refuses to order anything, "I haven't much of an appetite" then prepares to stare down the pitchman for the whole meal. That look he gives at the end I swear that is Val Kilmer under the make up.

:)

[Moose]

one guy orders roast duck with mango sauce, probably the most expensive item on the menu

Mango salsa. :) Sounds yummy.

Judging by the waiter's voice, "snobby waiter", roast duck may well be a middling-average meal on that menu. In any case, it's clear he has more sophisticated tastes than I do, which may have been the point. He may also have been willing to accept the apology.

The other guy, on the other hand, was clearly not satisfied. :)

What great commercials. I really do hope they make that movie, or at least more commercials.

[jlhredshift]

Mango salsa. :) Sounds yummy.

Judging by the waiter's voice, "snobby waiter", roast duck may well be a middling-average meal on that menu. In any case, it's clear he has more sophisticated tastes than I do, which may have been the point. He may also have been willing to accept the apology.

The other guy, on the other hand, was clearly not satisfied. :)

What great commercials. I really do hope they make that movie, or at least more commercials.

I think the point is the guy ordered "wild fowl" which would be consistent with a hunter gatherer diet.

[Sam5]

I thought he was looking around to see if anyone noticed his celebrity.

That's the way I interpreted the airport commercial. He seems proud that he was in a big picture on the wall, like now he's famous.

[Moose]

That's the way I interpreted the airport commercial. He seems proud that he was in a big picture on the wall, like now he's famous.

Crossed arms indicates closed body language. People don't preen with crossed arms.

[R.A.F.]

I usually don't mind fantasy elements in commercials, but these particular ones simply do not impress me much.

My problem is that these fellows are not cavemen. At best, they are excessively hairy and calling themselfs cavemen, but excess hair is not the only attribute of being a caveman...by simple definition.

Sure I've over-thought this :), but I've grown very weary of these commercials, and I wish they would move on to the next campaign.

[eugenek]

I think the caveman is a liar.

In the CNN interview he cited "walking upright" and "discovering fire" as an achievement. If I remember correctly, it is currently thought that our ancestors started walking upright about 2 or 3 million years ago so he clearly can't be a Neanderthal or Cro-Magnon caveman. Maybe Homo Habilis but I think walking upright even pre-dates them. I think discovery of fire was around 1.5 million years ago. So, is this caveman a Homo Erectus? He also cites "inventing the wheel" but this is a Homo Sapiens invention. This caveman is claiming his kind is responsible for discoveries/adaptations made by at least three different species. He should be investigated.

[WHarris]

My problem is that these fellows are not cavemen. At best, they are excessively hairy and calling themselfs cavemen, but excess hair is not the only attribute of being a caveman...by simple definition.


Ford:"They're not cavemen."
Arthur:"They look like cavemen."
:)

[Donnie B.]

I think the caveman is a liar.

In the CNN interview he cited "walking upright" and "discovering fire" as an achievement. If I remember correctly, it is currently thought that our ancestors started walking upright about 2 or 3 million years ago so he clearly can't be a Neanderthal or Cro-Magnon caveman. Maybe Homo Habilis but I think walking upright even pre-dates them. I think discovery of fire was around 1.5 million years ago. So, is this caveman a Homo Erectus? He also cites "inventing the wheel" but this is a Homo Sapiens invention. This caveman is claiming his kind is responsible for discoveries/apaptations made by at least three different species. He should be investigated.Talk about overthinking!

These guys are not supposed to be scientifically accurate hominids or early modern humans, any more than Fred Flintstone was. They're a clever twist on the cultural stereotype of "caveman".

In fact, I think the Fred Flintstone comparison is pretty useful. These "cavemen" are the 21st century, gen-X version of Fred's middle-class working stiff, 1960's vintage.

And they're a subtle dig at political correctness, while demonstrating the very real issues of civility and prejudice that PC tries to address.

[jlhredshift]

Talk about overthinking!

These guys are not supposed to be scientifically accurate hominids or early modern humans, any more than Fred Flintstone was. They're a clever twist on the cultural stereotype of "caveman".

In fact, I think the Fred Flintstone comparison is pretty useful. These "cavemen" are the 21st century, gen-X version of Fred's middle-class working stiff, 1960's vintage.

And they're a subtle dig at political correctness, while demonstrating the very real issues of civility and prejudice that PC tries to address.

yes

[Serenitude]

That's the way I interpreted the airport commercial. He seems proud that he was in a big picture on the wall, like now he's famous.

If you look closely, he's not the caveman in the add. It's someone else completely different.

He's upset because, apparently, some accord was reached with the "suit" who was taking them to lunch to apologize. He comes back from vaca, or wherever, and is blindsided with that add, and is clearly upset ;)

[eugenek]

Talk about overthinking!

Ah, so you are part of whatever this caveman is lying about. He needs to be investigated by the media and outed. He is obviously part of a vast conspiracy. One that must be thwarted. It's so obvious even, ah, nevermind.

Actually, I really enjoy the commercials. However, when I saw the CNN one I was thinking along the same lines as many on this board would be thinking had they heard a statement along the lines of "I'm from a planet in a solar system millions of miles away."

[HenrikOlsen]

I hate those commercials. For one thing, you see any of those guys living in caves? No? That means they're not cavemen! If they actually said Neandertal, the guy would have a case. But since "caveman" is not a scientific term, once you move out of a cave, you're not a caveman anymore and have no right to be offended.

Frankly, I miss the cleverer commercials before the gecko got so big.
The way I see it, "caveman" is used, in the world of the commercial, as a derogative for neanderthal, stereotyping the popular view of them as dumb brutes living in caves.
This gives them every right to be offended.

[farmerjumperdon]

Because in one of the early commercials, just before the "Seriously, we had no idea you guys were still around" one, they show four or five "Neandertals" living in a far better house than I suspect most of us do.

Ah, thank you. I'm not up on the storyline; I've only seen the airport one.

But still, how do you know the living-in-a-house isn't a front? Just to impress the boss. Maybe the doghouse is a hidden entrance to their real living quarters, ala Hogan's Heroes. I mean, maybe he is afraid he won't be able to climb the corporate ladder if everyone knows he lives in a cave.

There's another example. Anyone who ever giggled or laughed at Hogan's Heroes should be very very ashamed. The stereotyping of Germans as bumbling fools (except for that Hockstettler guy, he was pretty clever) was a dark period in our history as far as showing extreme insensitivity and making fun of people based on their nationality. We should all volunteer for a flogging and 3 weeks of cultural sensitivity training.

[hhEb09'1]

Crossed arms indicates closed body language. People don't preen with crossed arms.I dunno, that seems like too broad of a generalization. They might be Alan Jackson (http://www1.alanjackson.com/shopping/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=102&zenid=9155ae20c9e32209c4311217faf8cc76), Steve McGarrett (http://www.thejacklordconnection.com/Photo%20Galleries/Steve%20McGarrett%20black%20and%20white.htm), Ozzy Osbourne (http://www.photofile.com/Navbar/music/index.htm), Ricky Craven (http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Ricky-Craven-Portrait-With-Arms-Crossed-Posters_i409602_.htm), Chris Cook (http://chriscook.us/store.htm), Mayra Veronica (http://www.lowridermagazine.com/models/0603_lrm_mayra_veronica_lowrider_girl/), or even George Gamow (http://photos.aip.org/images/catalog/gamow_george_a1.jsp)

[Donnie B.]

Anyone who ever giggled or laughed at Hogan's Heroes should be very very ashamed. The stereotyping of Germans as bumbling fools (except for that Hockstettler guy, he was pretty clever) was a dark period in our history as far as showing extreme insensitivity and making fun of people based on their nationality. We should all volunteer for a flogging and 3 weeks of cultural sensitivity training.I know nothing. I see noth-ING!

[Moose]

There's another example. Anyone who ever giggled or laughed at Hogan's Heroes should be very very ashamed.

I've only ever seen one episode of Hogan's Heroes. I squirmed uncomfortably the entire time and could never bring myself to watch it again. Not so much because of the basic premise as much as the historical revisionism.

German soldiers were highly effective and utterly dangerous within their cognative dissonance. The bumbling that ultimately cost them the war was on the part of their highest leadership.

[Serenitude]

Colonel Hogan pwns.

Although I want to lanch into the Peter Griffon routine every time I see him.

[farmerjumperdon]

I dunno, that seems like too broad of a generalization.

I agree. Interpretation of body language is at the most highly overrated, at the least prone to considerable error.

I cross my arms a lot because of neck and back issues that make it a comfortable position. I also sit with one leg (at the ankle) crossed over the other (at the knee) as often as possible for the same reason. I sit that way in meetings and do often notice glances that indicate disapproval. Though it could be because I sometimes wear mismatched socks.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

[Gillianren]

But still, how do you know the living-in-a-house isn't a front? Just to impress the boss. Maybe the doghouse is a hidden entrance to their real living quarters, ala Hogan's Heroes. I mean, maybe he is afraid he won't be able to climb the corporate ladder if everyone knows he lives in a cave.

This is some house. Huge windows, designer furniture, grand piano, laptops--these are obviously well-off Neandertals, though what they do for a living is never adequately explained.

And, yes, the CNN-type one irritates me, too, and for the same reasons cited earlier about how none of those are actually Neandertal accomplishments. And, yes, I'm overthinking it--but I'm glad to know other people are, too.

[SeanF]

I also sit with one leg (at the ankle) crossed over the other (at the knee) as often as possible for the same reason. I sit that way in meetings and do often notice glances that indicate disapproval. Though it could be because I sometimes wear mismatched socks.
I think it's because you don't wear anything under your kilt! :naughty:

;)

[crosscountry]

Ok, I'm seeing some real possibilities now. Cultural diversity training in which we learn thru the experiences of The Caveman.

I don't see it as bigotry though. It's obviously intended to be humorous. If a person sees making fun of a caveman as bigotry, then what happens to humor? Is there anything we can joke about anymore?

Has humor been sacrificed at the alters of political correctness and cultural awareness?

One of the best movies I've ever seen is Blazing Saddles It's funnier when they make fun of the bigots not the minority.

[crosscountry]

There's another example. Anyone who ever giggled or laughed at Hogan's Heroes should be very very ashamed. The stereotyping of Germans as bumbling fools (except for that Hockstettler guy, he was pretty clever) was a dark period in our history as far as showing extreme insensitivity and making fun of people based on their nationality. We should all volunteer for a flogging and 3 weeks of cultural sensitivity training.

Well Farmer, I'm generations removed from the WWII era, but I always enjoyed Hogans Heros and can even quote the main characters.

While I didn't live during that time I can see how it was meant to lighten the dark times after the big war. If nothing else humans have to live on and learn from the mistakes of our past. Hogan's Heros helped us heal.

[Moose]

Speaking of not-Geico, I'm just about to save a bundle switching from ING to AXA and Royal/Sun Alliance for my car and home insurances through a local broker.

Seriously, ING was... er... sexually assaulting me so badly prison-style (figuratively speaking, of course), that the quote for my car+home combined is going to be 200 bucks less than my car alone with ING.

I don't know whether to cheer or go on a bloody rampage at the ING offices.

[Donnie B.]

I vote for the cheering thing.

[Moose]

Heh, Donnie, you don't happen to work at the ING head office, do you? ;)

[Donnie B.]

Heh, Donnie, you don't happen to work at the ING head office, do you? ;)Heh, no. Just not real big on bloody rampages, generally.

[Stregone]

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jitIftZOcZY) is one of my favorite geico commercials :p

[davidlpf]

i like these ads alot better the some other ads out there but i generally try to avoid ads any way.
For those upset about hogans heroes never watch british sitcom about the era called allo-allo they treat everyone as idoits or stereotypes (although there are no americans in the series) but is absolutely funny.

[Moose]

Sorry for the necromancy, but you guys have to check this (http://cavemanscrib.com/) out. If you look at the cookbook in the kitchen, they even have a recipe for roast duck with mango salsa. Looks pretty good. I might try it sometime soon.

[Mister Earl]

I would have LOVED to have been at that meeting where the guy proposed that set of commercials...

"Ok, guys. Here's our new idea, and we think it'll be great!"
"What do you have?"
"We're going to do a lengthly series of commercials deeply rooted into bigotry and racism against a species that no longer exists."
"Wait. What?"
"Yeah! Everyone's so worried about being politically correct nowadays, and commercials are full of PC. It's boring."
"Yeah, I can see that. But, your idea..."
"Exactly! Not only are we totally un-PC, we're going to be borderline slanderous against a whole group of extinct people."
"Exinct? Get to the point."
"Here's the deal. 'So easy to use, even a Caveman can do it!.'"
"Cavemen?"
"You bet. We can slander them, mock them, humiliate them, and do reaction shots from people suited out to look like modern-day cavemen who get offended."
"That's rediculous."
"You bet!"
"Whip up a few pilot commercials, and we'll see."

[Doodler]

Sometimes, marketing people actually earn their paychecks. What else can you say? :)

[Mister Earl]

If you look closely, he's not the caveman in the add. It's someone else completely different.

He's upset because, apparently, some accord was reached with the "suit" who was taking them to lunch to apologize. He comes back from vaca, or wherever, and is blindsided with that add, and is clearly upset ;)

Actually, I have a third impression. If you look at the picture on the wall closely, it's obviously a guy done up to look like a caveman very poorly. Not only that, but he's wearing a fur and a fake club. Like a badly stereotyped caveman. Something that would offend the real thing.

[Mister Earl]

Sometimes, marketing people actually earn their paychecks. What else can you say? :)

Good god, what I wouldn't give to get into marketing. The ideas I've had over the years. For example, I'd make rampant use of the WTH effect. (You know what the acronymn means!) For example. Cut to the Men's Fashion Depot commercial. Most of you know the one I mean. As follows...
"Hi Jerry. Nice jacket. Where did you get it?"
Now, usually this is where the well-dressed gentlemen explains the great deals at the men's fashion depot. Not in my commercial.
In mine Jerry would grab the other man's tie, and use it to pull his head closer in a sudden jerk, and use that momentemum to land a more solid headbutt. The other person, of course, drops like a sack of potatoes. Jerry pulls the hanky out of his pocket and mops his brow. Cut to the Men's Fashion Depot logo. No sound. End of commercial. Now THAT would permanently lodge that logo in peoples brains for a long, long time. Sudden yet humerous violence always does.

[Neverfly]

Good god, what I wouldn't give to get into marketing. The ideas I've had over the years. For example, I'd make rampant use of the WTH effect. (You know what the acronymn means!) For example. Cut to the Men's Fashion Depot commercial. Most of you know the one I mean. As follows...
"Hi Jerry. Nice jacket. Where did you get it?"
Now, usually this is where the well-dressed gentlemen explains the great deals at the men's fashion depot. Not in my commercial.
In mine Jerry would grab the other man's tie, and use it to pull his head closer in a sudden jerk, and use that momentemum to land a more solid headbutt. The other person, of course, drops like a sack of potatoes. Jerry pulls the hanky out of his pocket and mops his brow. Cut to the Men's Fashion Depot logo. No sound. End of commercial. Now THAT would permanently lodge that logo in peoples brains for a long, long time. Sudden yet humerous violence always does.

:neutral:


somehow... i think...
No. Nevermind. Forget i even read that.

[hhEb09'1]

Sorry for the necromancy, but you guys have to check this (http://cavemanscrib.com/) out. If you look at the cookbook in the kitchen, they even have a recipe for roast duck with mango salsa. Looks pretty good. I might try it sometime soon.bathroom's down the hall

[Moose]

bathroom's down the hall

Try watching TV two or three times in a row. :D

[hhEb09'1]

Try watching TV two or three times in a row. :DDid that already. Also looked into the writing journal under his pillow, and if you click on his clothes, he appears in the mirror, trying on outfits. And I moved the refrigerator magnets around.

[Moose]

Did you try the hallway and check out the library? His "marginal" analysis of War and Peace and... (can't remember... but this one is the better of the two) was cute.

[hhEb09'1]

and tilting at Geico

[Maksutov]

[edit]The only reason "even a caveman can do it" is not the same sort of potential for trouble as, say, "even a Jew can do it" is that there are no living neanderthals (or close decendants) to be offended by it,...It appears you've never met some of the lifeforms I've had to deal with in various manufacturing companies.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/566/iconwink6tn.gif

[Mister Earl]

Anyone else notice the shrimp wriggling in the glasses when you mouse over them?