Friday, October 19, 2007

First you think of an idea that has already been done, then you give it a title that nobody could possibly like

You know what I like a lot? Cheese. I really, really enjoy cheese. Swiss, cheddar, parmesan, provolone... cheese is pretty awesome.

You know what I don't like? This presentation of it:



First of all, "Melt With You" was used in a Burger King commercial, like, ten years ago. Am I saying that it can never be used in another ad again? Well, the fact that I remember the BK ad means it was probably fairly memorable (although, granted, I co-write this blog so I probably remember ads longer than most people). So yes. Yes, I am saying that.

More importantly, is it me or is this commercial really kind of disgusting? I just can't see those people stretching that cheese to hideous lengths without thinking of some sort of mucus is being pulled out of their mouths. Honestly, I can't even watch this thing anymore. And what kind of name is "Cheesy Beefy Melt"? Did the CEO's five-year-old daughter come up with that one? "Cheesy" is one thing. "Beefy" is not an adjective I have ever heard applied to food, except in those old Beefaroni commercials that annoyed me even as a kid. "Beefy" is used to describe heavyset guys, not food I'm planning on consuming. This is probably top five worst names for a fast food item ever.

Also, I think the whole "cautionary fine print" craze is going a bit too far when we need a "Professional skateboarders! Do not attempt!" warning for a shot that simply has skateboarders in it. As pointed out in the YouTube comments for the video, what exactly is anyone in that shot doing? Going down a couple steps, and while wearing appropriate safety gear? Oh NO! You would have to be crazy to try a stunt like that! By the way, I didn't even notice there was any skateboarding in that shot until the comments mentioned it. But I appreciate how zealous the Taco Bell lawyers are, inserting that text just in case some kid is watching the backgrounds of commercials looking for unsafe things to attempt. I get the feeling eating a couple Cheesy Beefy Melts is way more problematic for your body than falling off a skateboard while wearing a helmet and kneepads.

3 comments:

Knitwear M. Groundhog said...

I don't like the part where the couple is spinning, but I _do_ like that Death is enjoying a burrito at the park.

Quivering P. Landmass said...

The name "Cheesy Beefy Melt" makes it sound like Taco Bell has created a cheese-like, beef-like melt that was made with neither genuine cheese or beef.

Cheezy, Beefy-Flavored Melt.

Andrew N.P. said...

Cheesy Beefy Melt? Geez, they're not even trying to make their products sound Mexican any more.

And if you're going to put Professional Skateboarders on a Closed Course in your ad, why put them way in the background? Less observant viewers might see the disclaimer and think it applies to the folks in the foreground, as in "do not attempt... to eat Taco Bell's new Cheesy Beefy Melt." Which, when you think about it, is probably as good advice as "don't try to ollie down a staircase."