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Saturday, January 27, 2007

The Toyota Thieves Commercial

It takes an effort for me to remember a commercial because I usually tune them out. There are different kinds of commercials, but the one that has always interested me is the "annoying" commercial that is deliberately designed to annoy the viewer into remembering the product. Those commercials can backfire, however, so they're falling out of favor.

There's currently a commercial running in our area. (I think it's a local one, so you may not have seen it). I don't believe it's intended to be one of those annoying ones. In fact, I think it's intended to be very politically correct!

There are two white sihouettes on a black background (the symbolism is quite apparent). They're obviously caucasian men, and they're speaking to each other about stealing a Toyota in upperclass caucasian accents. You almost expect them to say "And afterwards, let's pick up Buffy and Vanna and go to the club for a spot of tennis!"

But instead, they talk about stealing the car (the voice acting is horrible, incidentally) and then one of them regretfully points out that the car has some sort of security system that will foil would-be thieves.

Every time I see this, I think it's so totally lame. I finally paid enough attention to learn that it's for Toyota, but that's as far as I'm taking it. Who in their right mind is going to believe that these guys are car thieves? If they're too afraid of racial stereotyping and want to deny statistics, then let them use white thugs that talk as badly as Eminem! But c'mon, these white-bread boys? I don't think so!

Although the Toyota Commercial is poorly done and they obviously never intended it to be laughed at, I am reminded of the fantastic Smirnoff video, "Tea Partay":


14 comments:

Dave said...

Saur,

My grandfather bought his land from William Penn. I also have a closet full of pastel blazers. Are you in someway showing me disrespect, because if you are I’m bringing out the Spankin Machine?

PS Why did you post this twice?

Saur♥Kraut said...

Gator, yo! Thanks for the heads-up, my homie. I deleted the second post. Ain't no dissin' yer heritage, bro.

M@ said...

That's the same kind of bullshit that has us believing that we face a domestic or international terrorist threat from white men in this country. Always, the television shows white men perpetrating acts of terrorism.

Why can't I be offended? Whenever you need to pick on someone, it seems the white male is fair game. We're a minority now like everyone else so they can all suck it.

The Lazy Iguana said...

Somehow, I do not think that many Smirnoff malted beverages are consumed in Martha's Vineyard. It is just a little bit.....how wold they say it in Martha's Vineyard......droll.

I would NEVER buy a Toyota! OH wait - Ill take that back. I did buy a Toyota. And guess what!? Thanks to that commercial EVERYONE thinks it has a fancy high tech security system so nobody tries to steal my ride.

It does not have a security system. Do not tell anyone OK?

QUASAR9 said...

Hi Saur, or maybe it's Japans way of laughing at modern America.

Maybe it just mocks that even these whites would want to steal, or have to steal one to be able to afford one, but at least these are not so dumb as to try to break into a vehicle you cannot do a quick get away with

Bryan said...

I've been trying to find a funny Mercedes Benz SUV commercial on YouTube or Google that (I'm guessing) came out about 5 to 10 years ago. It starts out with a toddler in the back seat with a song playing in the background, and the music includes lyrics that the toddler is thinking about his Dad, who is driving. It's cute and funny. I wish I could find it to share.

You're right, I'd never believe those preppies would steal a car.

The Lazy Iguana said...

Whats the deal Saur? No comment on my master work? My amazing and astounding feat of engineering mastery? It is all painted and everything.

Anonymous said...

ok i'm laughing at LI
I have a Ford and 2 Chevys
I drive the Ford and it has 480,000 +/-
anyway
great post

I do wonder in this season who you and your readers would vote for right this second if they had to????
js

Anonymous said...

I have never seen this before and it gave Hubby and me a laugh this morning! I find commercials lately to be put downs to those of us forced to watch them. They assume the intelligence level of all TV land viewers to be really low! I am insulted by lots of them and some of them I chose to just not watch when they come on.

Except for the Volvo one with the dad who puts his non stop talking young daughter in the car. My son was that way. Would I buy a volvo based on this commercial, never. I like it for the kid and her dads expression only!

Victoria said...

Saur, what a great video! My first reaction was: this is a clear example of a majority group robbing a minority group of it's psychological distinctiveness. I sent it to my psychology professor and he's going to play it in class on Tuesday. :P

Jenn said...

You've gotta love it when what was intended to be drama turns out to be a comedy.

Funny video. George wants it for his my space.

High Power Rocketry said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
High Power Rocketry said...

Are black people stealing cultural distinctivness when they become lawyers and doctors?

I see so many double standards in the way people talk about race issues. I personally think the best thing to do is try not to use race at all: it is not a scientific system of classification.

Did you know: "African Americans" can represent people from any of a few dozen nations including the tallest and shortest populations of people on earth. That is correct: african american, the most racist term yet. At least words like black simply refer to the skin color. It is a dumb way to classify people as well, but it is based on a simple and obvious characteristic.

I dont love that music video. It isnt that funny to me because I know many people who would fit into the group, and they are not like this at all. And it is fine to make fun of them if you want, but what if I made a video about black people trying to be doctors or lawyers (Rather than whites trying to rap or play basketball)? I would be a racist and hated by everyone. So it is the double standard that gets to me. It is fine to say that white people cant rap, cant play basketball, fine to say men are no good with childcare or directions or cleaning. But god forbid I (white male) make a joke about black people who cant speak english very well, or cant read, or women who cant drive or who cant understand science. If you want to make fun of white men, you need to be able to accept it back. And most people just dont.

Daniel Hoffmann-Gill said...

Look out for me in a Kohler bathrooms commercial.

YEAH!