Ledger for DirecTV

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Strike Back below!
by: Paul Tassi Nov. 2, 2009

So many of you "strongly disagreed" with me when I said that I thought the recent Farley/Spade DirecTV commercial was in poor taste. I'm not trying to reopen that debate per se, but I did say in my article, “What’s next, freaking Christian Bale selling a DVR while bashing Heath Ledger’s face in during the DARK KNIGHT’s interrogation scene?”

Well someone over at Landline TV had the same thought as me, and they’ve assembled this pretty excellent video which chronicles practically just that, Ledger selling DirecTV while being interrogated by Batman in THE DARK KNIGHT. Also in the video are other dead celebrities, JFK and Jesus, making similar pitches.

On either side of the debate, you have to admit that at least the Ledger one is pretty good. Watch below:

Source: Landline TV

Extra Tidbit: Yes, Jesus was a celebrity. No, that is not sacrilege.

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filmaddict
2:52AM on 11/03/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
This again?
First of all, those aren't even funny. They scream of a desperate ploy for YouTube Viral Video of the Week. Secondly: No offense, Tassi, but don't give up the day job.
First of all, those aren't even funny. They scream of a desperate ploy for YouTube Viral Video of the Week. Secondly: No offense, Tassi, but don't give up the day job.
 
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TarantinoDork
1:30AM on 11/03/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What makes the Direct TV ad so visceral for me is seeing that puke David Spade basically cashing in on his former friend's legacy. Way to prove what an untalented reflected glory hack you are Dave. You stay classy bitch.
What makes the Direct TV ad so visceral for me is seeing that puke David Spade basically cashing in on his former friend's legacy. Way to prove what an untalented reflected glory hack you are Dave. You stay classy bitch.
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filmaddict
2:56AM on 11/03/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Say what? Former friend would be apt: Farley single-handedly alienated himself from all his SNL pals during the last year or two of his drug abuse. That's why none of his buddies from SNL got him off the junk -- he started taking advantage of them and treating them like shit whenever they got close to him. Spade said he recalled going to visit Farley in some nightclub and Farley was acting nice...
Say what? Former friend would be apt: Farley single-handedly alienated himself from all his SNL pals during the last year or two of his drug abuse. That's why none of his buddies from SNL got him off the junk -- he started taking advantage of them and treating them like shit whenever they got close to him. Spade said he recalled going to visit Farley in some nightclub and Farley was acting nice to him and he could tell straight away that he was after money. Sure enough Farley asked for a loan and Spade knew it was for drugs, so he refused, and Farley began getting really ugly with him. The dude literally died in a pool of his own blood after arguing with a hooker, and one of my friends who lived in Hollywood back then said he personally saw Farley fumbling down the street with a hooker one night screaming all types of obscenities at her ("You fuckin' bitch!" was a choice quote he remembers).

My point is that you need to stop confusing a celebrity's persona with his actual personality. Farley was an actor. Just because he was likable and funny in Tommy Boy and died tragically doesn't mean (a) one of his former co-stars isn't entitled to using a film HE STARRED IN as part of a promotional deal simply because the other actor died, nor does it mean the dead actor in question was a saint deserving of our utmost respect.
 
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Grand_Marquis
11:55PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
what
what
 
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Maximum Sauce
10:39PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Whenever I see people dressed up like Heath Ledger's Joker, I want to bash their faces in, too.

Ledger made it look cool. This guy looks stupid.
Whenever I see people dressed up like Heath Ledger's Joker, I want to bash their faces in, too.

Ledger made it look cool. This guy looks stupid.
 
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Justinvsky1
8:39PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What ever happened to people making movies??
What ever happened to people making movies??
 
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JohnLocke2342
6:36PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
directv is garbage.. Sunday Ticket is incredibly overpriced where I can practically get NFL Redzone on Comcast for free
directv is garbage.. Sunday Ticket is incredibly overpriced where I can practically get NFL Redzone on Comcast for free
 
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JungleMan
6:32PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Yeah, Bad comparison. Huge difference here. Imagine the Farley ad but he makes reference to his actual death. Now people finding that offensive is understandable. It doesn't bother me since I'm not a little bitch, but I understand.
Yeah, Bad comparison. Huge difference here. Imagine the Farley ad but he makes reference to his actual death. Now people finding that offensive is understandable. It doesn't bother me since I'm not a little bitch, but I understand.
 
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sbunn10
6:21PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
It's pretty fucking sad and ridiculous that people did this in response to the Farley ad.
It's pretty fucking sad and ridiculous that people did this in response to the Farley ad.
 
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Danger^Cart
6:00PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm only offended by how bland and unfunny the Joker/Jesus ones are. The JFK one was absolutely hilarious though. Well done.
I'm only offended by how bland and unfunny the Joker/Jesus ones are. The JFK one was absolutely hilarious though. Well done.
 
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finoj05
5:57PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I like the parody. I hate Direct TV though, they are an evil company that feeds on their customers, bounding them to long contracts and imposing expensive $350 cancellation fees for whatever reason you decide to stop using them.
I like the parody. I hate Direct TV though, they are an evil company that feeds on their customers, bounding them to long contracts and imposing expensive $350 cancellation fees for whatever reason you decide to stop using them.
 
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Ocelot_Snake
5:34PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i have actually always liked directtv over comcast. comcast always pixelates,freezes, crashes etc. i was watching directtv in this really bad storm, never once was there a problem with the signal or picture. it kept workin until a bolt of lightning took out a power substation 6 miles away.
i have actually always liked directtv over comcast. comcast always pixelates,freezes, crashes etc. i was watching directtv in this really bad storm, never once was there a problem with the signal or picture. it kept workin until a bolt of lightning took out a power substation 6 miles away.
 
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hoodlum.thunder
5:00PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
DirectTV offends me in this way
the only directTV ads that offends me is the one where the signal is strong thru a hurricane. who the fuck are they kidding?
the only directTV ads that offends me is the one where the signal is strong thru a hurricane. who the fuck are they kidding?
 
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Noct
4:38PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
To the_jer
the_jer, I have no problem making fun of dead people or anything of the such. I'm a pretty hard guy to offend. The problem here is that it's all dead people. It's pretty sad advertising and it is condescending. As condescending as most, if not all advertising is, but you can add a spoonful of cocky in there too. I haven't seen the Farley one, and I'm not going looking for it.

Fo...
the_jer, I have no problem making fun of dead people or anything of the such. I'm a pretty hard guy to offend. The problem here is that it's all dead people. It's pretty sad advertising and it is condescending. As condescending as most, if not all advertising is, but you can add a spoonful of cocky in there too. I haven't seen the Farley one, and I'm not going looking for it.

For whatever reason you have for defending these commercials like they're yours is your own perogative, and yeah sure, so what if they do have the rights. It's still poor taste, sloppy, shabby work and that's all there is too it. Rights or no rights, it's still just tacky. Funny works best when the audience is in on the joke. You may not have noticed. But for the most part, no one is laughing. Well you are. Enjoy.
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PenguinSlide
8:03PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
You...you do realize these are fake, right?
You...you do realize these are fake, right?
 
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lastmass
4:38PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
lol that was great!!
the JFK one was outstanding!!
the JFK one was outstanding!!
 
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J. Burton
4:37PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Something seems off.
I don't think these commercials are real. I think these are either spoofs, or specs from some director trying to build his reel. They're pretty bad, not because of the dead folks, but because they're not funny and have bad actors. I'd bet these aren't real.
I don't think these commercials are real. I think these are either spoofs, or specs from some director trying to build his reel. They're pretty bad, not because of the dead folks, but because they're not funny and have bad actors. I'd bet these aren't real.
3 Replies
 
PenguinSlide
8:02PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
This means he didn't even read the intro to the video. I'm not saying you have to read every time, but come on man. Just try before you post. It's the least you can do.
This means he didn't even read the intro to the video. I'm not saying you have to read every time, but come on man. Just try before you post. It's the least you can do.
 
JimmmyChopblock
5:51PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
J. Burton are you...are you trolling or are you really just that unbelievably fucking stupid? I mean...if you're that stupid...holy shit. Just...just holy SHIT.
J. Burton are you...are you trolling or are you really just that unbelievably fucking stupid? I mean...if you're that stupid...holy shit. Just...just holy SHIT.
 
wtf?!?
5:06PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
no, I'm pretty sure they were real. It is pretty obvious by the poorly edited cut-ins, the actors who look nothing like the real people, and the subject matter, that there is no way these could be fake. how could you doubt their authenticity?
no, I'm pretty sure they were real. It is pretty obvious by the poorly edited cut-ins, the actors who look nothing like the real people, and the subject matter, that there is no way these could be fake. how could you doubt their authenticity?
 
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Ocelot_Snake
4:30PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
always have hated their commercials. theyre wrecking classics from my childhood
always have hated their commercials. theyre wrecking classics from my childhood
2 Replies
 
Ocelot_Snake
5:26PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
alright douche let me clarify, i love these movies, been watching them all my life, i want them left the fuck alone
alright douche let me clarify, i love these movies, been watching them all my life, i want them left the fuck alone
 
powerbomb1411
4:34PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
If you actually think that harms something you love then you should probably get a psych evaluation. Not a good thing to be as weak minded as you.
If you actually think that harms something you love then you should probably get a psych evaluation. Not a good thing to be as weak minded as you.
 
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Acerbus III
4:20PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
lame
I had no problem with the real Farley one - but these are all poorly done and not funny.
I had no problem with the real Farley one - but these are all poorly done and not funny.
 
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the_jer
4:19PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Even if Chris Farley was still alive, they could use that footage in the commercials. They don't need his permission if they're using exactly what was in the movie (I refer to his shots only, not the new David Spade stuff).
Even if Chris Farley was still alive, they could use that footage in the commercials. They don't need his permission if they're using exactly what was in the movie (I refer to his shots only, not the new David Spade stuff).
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JimmmyChopblock
5:53PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Do you really think their right to use the footage is the point? It's an ethics issue...it's pretty in-your-face absolutely obvious. If you're going to debate yay or nay on if they should be making these commercials, at least know what the fucking controversy is.
Do you really think their right to use the footage is the point? It's an ethics issue...it's pretty in-your-face absolutely obvious. If you're going to debate yay or nay on if they should be making these commercials, at least know what the fucking controversy is.
 
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annihilist
4:15PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i hate it when they sellout the dead. if you choose to sellout while you're alive, then fine. but the dead can't choose. they rely on the living to preserve their memory by not lending out their appearance to crappy satellite TV services so they can shill their overpriced services for them.
i hate it when they sellout the dead. if you choose to sellout while you're alive, then fine. but the dead can't choose. they rely on the living to preserve their memory by not lending out their appearance to crappy satellite TV services so they can shill their overpriced services for them.
 
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MastaSlur777
4:08PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Also...
I laughed till I cried at all the comedy in Borat EXCEPT when he did that speaking in tongues crap. It was unnecessary and not funny at all.

I laughed till I cried at all the comedy in Borat EXCEPT when he did that speaking in tongues crap. It was unnecessary and not funny at all.

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JimmmyChopblock
5:54PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
You sound like someone who speaks in tongues.
You sound like someone who speaks in tongues.
 
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MastaSlur777
4:05PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Messed up
I have a wide range when it comes to comedy but it always disgusts me when people make fun of religion. I think thats a line you shouldn't cross. This is disrespectful.
I have a wide range when it comes to comedy but it always disgusts me when people make fun of religion. I think thats a line you shouldn't cross. This is disrespectful.
2 Replies
 
JimmmyChopblock
5:55PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What makes your made up stories more sacred than other people's made up stories?
What makes your made up stories more sacred than other people's made up stories?
 
the_jer
4:11PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
To say that there's ANY lines that you shouldn't cross in comedy is prejudice. Either everything goes or nothing goes.
To say that there's ANY lines that you shouldn't cross in comedy is prejudice. Either everything goes or nothing goes.
 
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the_jer
4:02PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
In no way is DirecTV condescending or disrespectful just because they use footage from a 15 year old movie, which happened to star a now-dead celebrity. The fact of the matter is, Paramount can do whatever the hell they want with that footage. They own the footage. They own Chris Farley's likeness and performance from that movie. It's a fucking commercial. And Chris Farley has been dead fo...
In no way is DirecTV condescending or disrespectful just because they use footage from a 15 year old movie, which happened to star a now-dead celebrity. The fact of the matter is, Paramount can do whatever the hell they want with that footage. They own the footage. They own Chris Farley's likeness and performance from that movie. It's a fucking commercial. And Chris Farley has been dead for over ten years now. Christ, the dude died from a cocaine overdose. Stop putting the man on a pedestal. And before anyone attacks me back, let me say that I myself am a Comcast customer AND a Chris Farley fan, so my remarks are in no way affected by my personal opinions on either of them.
 
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Noct
3:56PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Well if ever I wanted direct T.V. I certainly don't now. Condescending, disrespectful. No thanks.
Well if ever I wanted direct T.V. I certainly don't now. Condescending, disrespectful. No thanks.
 
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Zombie Platypus
3:56PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I HATED the Farley one on TV. Spade making cash off of his dead "friend" in that commercial pissed me off.

That is all.
I HATED the Farley one on TV. Spade making cash off of his dead "friend" in that commercial pissed me off.

That is all.
 
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WalterKovacs
3:48PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Would be funnier if the actors actually looked like the characters they were portraying.
Would be funnier if the actors actually looked like the characters they were portraying.
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JimmmyChopblock
5:57PM on 11/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
While that's a given, you can only get so close. You kind of have to throw videos like this a bone there.
While that's a given, you can only get so close. You kind of have to throw videos like this a bone there.
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