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Latest Video: FilmCrunch 067: Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, Premonition reviewed

Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Hairspray, Chuck & Larry, and Premonition in this episode of FilmCrunch.
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Infomercial Pitchman Billy Mays Found Dead

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Prime Time, Reality, Cable, Commercials, News, Video


UPDATE #2: It appears that Mays’ death was actually related to heart disease.

UPDATE: Billy was reportedly not wearing a seat belt when he was hit in the head during the flight yesterday.

Billy Mays, the man who could sell just about anything, was found dead today in his Florida home. He was 50 years old.

According to officials, the infomercial guru was discovered by his wife Deborah. There are no indications to believe that any foul play was involved.

Just yesterday, Billy was onboard a US Airways flight that took a hard landing at the Tampa International Airport. Although several passengers did receive minor bumps and bruises, it’s not known whether Mays’ death could have been related to that incident.

The man who sold everything from Orange Glo to OxiClean had been appearing on the Discovery Channel with fellow marketer Anthony Sullivan. is next scheduled to air this Wednesday at 10:00.

Read More | FOX News

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Mrs. Butterworth’s First Name Worth $500

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Commercials, Gossip, Video


That’s right, the most recognizable syrup bottle in the world has a first name. Can you guess what it is? If you can, you just might get a cool $500 - almost enough to buy a magical, talking bottle of syrup of your very own. The Mrs. Butterworth contest is here - and if you can guess her first name, you could be a winner.

I say Bertha. I’m not sure why I say Bertha, it’s just the first thing that came to mind and seems to go with the surname Butterworth. Got a good name of your own to enter? You can sign up to participate in the contest .

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

The Super Bowl Commercial NBC Won’t Let You See

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Sports, NBC, Commercials, Video

WARNING: The racy content may be considered offensive to some…


Had this commercial featured Victoria’s Secret-esque models holding bottles of beer, I suspect NBC wouldn’t have had a problem with it. But the “bottles” are actually stalks of broccoli and the organization involved is , not Budweiser. So what does that mean? The execs have surprisingly decided to raise the “standards” flag. (You can question the network’s taste in quality programming all you like.)

After watching “Veggie Love,” tell us what you think. Was smart in plugging the Super Bowl ad’s plug…or have we already seen worse?

Read More | The Hollywood Reporter

DirecTV Out of Line With Newest Ad?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Commercials, Gossip, Video

DirecTV logoWe giggled when Christopher Lloyd talked about the future of DirecTV for a commercial spot. We laughed when Kathy Bates and William Shatner joined the fray. We ogled Baywatch-era Pam Anderson tout the service for her spot. We fell over in hysterics when we saw the Scooby Doo advertisement. But now, DirecTV may have twisted the funny bone of some viewers a little too hard. Their latest ad, just another in a long string of past pop culture references, has inspired some pretty heated controversy.

The ads were drawing attention even before the campaign hit the fan. Using the same actors and scenes but different lines, the service has promoted itself as an alternative to cable by putting us once again back in our favorite movie moments - as if to prove that the second time around really can be better than the first with DirecTV. They’re funny, they’re clever and they’re working. Er…they were.

Click to continue reading DirecTV Out of Line With Newest Ad?

Read More | Popeater

Seinfeld-Gates Campaign Nixed

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Comedy, Commercials, Gossip, Video


Those somewhat odd and not-so-funny Microsoft ads featuring Bill Gates and are being pulled from the air. You might think it’s because they’ve received such a negative reaction (the entertainment media has had a jolly time poking fun at them), but Microsoft says differently.

This company never admits failure or defeat of any kind. “This was the plan all along,” said spokesperson Frank Shaw. “All along we said we were having a teaser campaign,” he explained. “We’re getting ready to start the second phase.” Betcha it doesn’t involve putting founder Bill Gates in the ads, this “second phase.”

Click to continue reading Seinfeld-Gates Campaign Nixed

Read More | LA Times

Sanjaya Malakar’s New Gig

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Reality, FOX, Commercials, Gossip

SanjayaWe all remember as a popular American Idol contestant (season six) with somewhat dubious vocals. Now, the former reality star will add a new line to his resume: TV spokesman.

Malakar is now part of the Nationwide Insurance “Life Comes at You Fast” campaign. The commercial pairs Malakar with a wise-man character who tells him he needs a haircut. With this new gig, Malakar will join Kevin Federline, Fabio and MC Hammer - all of whom have pushed the product in the past.

You can check out Sanjaya’s comedic work for yourself after the jump.

Click to continue reading Sanjaya Malakar’s New Gig

Read More | Yahoo! News

Randomly Commenting About: JCPenney’s Breakfast Club Commercial

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Commercials, Editorial, Video

Have I gotten so old that kids are already doing horrible remakes of things from my youth?

When I first heard the massacre ‘Kids in America,’ I just wanted to cry. Now I’m directing my evil eye toward JCPenney.

I’m sorry - but no one should ever be allowed to tamper with ...or anything to related to John Hughes. Ever.


David Cook and David Archuleta’s Guitar Hero Commercials

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Commercials, Video

In case you didn’t see them last night, check out the finalists tapping into their inner Guitar Hero.

While I’m admittedly in the David Cook camp, the David Archuleta commercial felt quite awkward and wrong. Is it just me, or does his couch moment look like a bratty kid who just came in second?

Click to continue reading David Cook and David Archuleta’s Guitar Hero Commercials


Name That Commercial’s Tune

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Music, Commercials

As frequently as I use my Tivo, there always seems to be a ad or two that somehow manages to get past me.  And much to husband’s dismay, I’ll can easily find myself singing the commercial tune all day long.  These are the ones that have been driving me (and probably millions of others) delightfully batty over the past few weeks:

iPod NanoCommercial:  iPod Nano commercial
Description:  You catch glimpses of a video on different colored iPods.
Song lyrics:  One Two Three Four/ Tell me that you love me more/ Sleepless long nights/ That is what my youth was for/ Old teenage hopes are alive at your door/ Left you with nothing but they want some more/ Oh, you’re changing your heart/ Oh, You know who you are
Song name:  ‘1234’
Performer:  Feist

Commercial:  JCPenney commercial (“Magic”)
Description:  Strange, magical things surround women wearing JCPenney clothing.
Song lyrics:  Life inside the music box aint easy/ The malots hit the gears are always turning/ and everyone inside the mechanism/ is yearning to get out.
Song name:  ‘Music Box’
Performer:  Regina Spektor

Commercial:  Journey Diamond Jewelry commercial (“Sleeping Beauty”)
Description: Man gives his wife a diamond necklace while she’s sleeping.
Song lyrics:  How can I tell you that I love you, I love you/ I long to tell you that I’m always thinking of you/ But I can’t think of right words to say.
Song name:  ‘How Can I Tell You’
Performer:  Cat Stevens was the song’s original performer, but the 30-second cover for the commercial was done by Chan Marshall (who also performs under the name Cat Power).  Unfortunately, her version is not currently available for purchase…she only recorded a snippet of the full song.

Commercial:  Old Navy commercial (“Sweaters”)
Description:  Woman getting through her day with different sweaters.
Song lyrics:  If you are chilly, here take my sweater/ Cuz I love the way you call me baby/ And you take me the way I am.
Song name:  ‘The Way I Am’
Performer:  Ingrid Michaelson


The Herve (Her-vay) Report: REGIS!!!

Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Reality, ABC, HBO, Commercials, The Sopranos, Editorial, Spoilers

DescriptionThe Herve (Her-vay) Report will take a look at the television industry and anything Kimberly Stewart tookis juicy in that all-consuming world of entertainment.  And just like its namesake, the underrated and undersized Herve Villechaize, the report will be short and sweet, tackling a couple of topics and hitting you harder than a headbutt from Mr. Villechaize to the, well, we’ll call them the “crazies.”

Mark Your Calendars!

Regis Philbin, the constant professional, will be making his return to HIS show (get out of the way, pretty boy Consuelos), “Live With Regis and Kelly” on April 26th after having triple bypass surgery about a month ago.  The 75-year-old Philbin is most definitely a badass for wanting to come back to the daily grind and match wits with co-host, Kelly Ripa.  So, give your props to the O.G.

The Men of Miami Will Feel the Heat

Okay, read Wendy Michaels’ post on what I call, “Menudo’s Back (And I Don’t Mean ...Side).”  Want to know what I think?  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  Can’t we just leave it alone?  Do we really need to find the next Menudo?  What boy band from back in the day will be revisited with a lame reality show?  Please don’t let it be “Newer Edition.”  Please!  Okay, wait, if Bobby Brown could host it and he’s really messed up, and by this I mean “high,” then okay I can go for it - only hilarity can ensue.

Wait, is Brown even NOT incarcerated to do this?

Aw, Shhhhhhh… It’s The Sopranos

Last night’s episode kicked butt!  Thank goodness the violence is back!!!  Okay, the ubiquitous SPOILER ALERT… seriously turn back before it’s too late.  The New York mob is just a straight up mess, especially now that Johnny Sack died of the cancer while doing his bid in the big house.  I loved the cameo of Sydney Pollack, but I was half-expecting him to critique Vince Curatola’s way of acting ala Pollack’s Cingular commercial you see in movie theatres.  Anyway, who DOESN’T think that Christopher is going to go for Tony’s seat of power?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?


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