The random thoughts of a genius...er...gene nash.
put THAT on his performance review!
Published on February 14, 2006 By Gene Nash In Entertainment

I finally figured out those commercials that feature "Ted Ferguson: Bud Light Daredevil," a 20-something young man decked out in skating pads, oversized goggles, and a helmet, who attempts to do such impossible feats as listen to his girlfriend talk, stay after work for five minutes ("On a Friday!"), and try to actually watch a couple minutes of a movie his girlfriend selected, only to be saved after a few minutes by a crew rushing in to pour Bud Light into his strained system.

Obviously they are trying to portray how impossible it is for the average drunkard to function at even the most basic level without first getting his load on.

Can't stand your girlfriend's yammering? Get drunk! Work too much to bear? Get drunk!

Yeah, I get it.

I wonder if any drug pushing company has ever before so perfectly translated an addict's self-delusion into an advertising campaign. I wonder how many of this pusher's youthful users have bought into the concept and now imagine themselves as daredevils, bravely conquering everyday life.

I can't wait for the one that takes place at an intervention. When Ted starts screaming for the beer, they can show his flip-top crew locked outside. Ha ha, what a gas. "Bud Light: Ignore them. You need us." It could end with his concerned girlfriend bending in close and saying, "Ted, you do realize there is no crew, don't you? It's all in your imagination, honey. We found all your hidden beers and poured them down the sink."

They can follow that one up with Ted's first AA meeting. When he wakes up screaming for "Bud Light!" after passing out in the middle of a circle of folding chairs, an old codger can wistfully reminisce, "I used to have flying green monkeys who would shoot the Bud into my mouth."

"Bud Light: Better than flying green monkeys. You need us."

Till then ol' Ted can keep imagining he's a "daredevil" and those drinks are his reward for a "stunt" well done. If he gets drunk enough, he might even believe it.

 

Comments
on Feb 14, 2006
Being a South African I say: Pity it wasn't Miller Lite!
on Feb 15, 2006
Being a South African I say: Pity it wasn't Miller Lite!


Despite what the Busch family would have you believe, I'm sure Ted would accept any brand.

Draino would probably be okay, too. Got Sterno? Good to go.



Thank you for the comment. This article was D.O.A. I'll chalk it up to a non-compelling title. I'm sure I could massage it and get 3 or 4 times the reads and comments, but the title is as the title should be. I really despise making obscure but compelling titles just for readership and pointage....

on Feb 15, 2006
Well, I'm a female, and I'm more of a vodka fan than a beer fan (although Bud Light is passable), so I suppose I'm not the target audience, but the commercials don't appeal to me at all.

I don't really think they're funny.

I hadn't considered them from the alcoholic angle before, haha. Interesting.

And every time I hear or see the words "Ted Ferguson" I think "Turd Ferguson"...I don't know why.
on Feb 15, 2006
Well, I'm a female, and I'm more of a vodka fan than a beer fan (although Bud Light is passable), so I suppose I'm not the target audience, but the commercials don't appeal to me at all.

I don't really think they're funny.


Having never had an alcoholic drink in my life, I'm hardly the intended audience either. And I also think the commercials suck.

I hadn't considered them from the alcoholic angle before, haha. Interesting.


I do think they intend to reinforce the behavior of "have stress, reach for beer (preferably Bud Light)." They're trying to anchor the behavior to everyday life. His posse shows social acceptability within the herd. It might even convey a sense of being a hero for finding a way to deal with the stress.

On those grounds, I'd say they did a nice job.

Whether or not the message is being effectively received and assimilated by the targets -- the ultimate test of the ad's worth -- I can't say.


And every time I hear or see the words "Ted Ferguson" I think "Turd Ferguson".


Hehehe, just as well. Nothing like a good healthy resistance to an obnoxious and unfortunate message.

If only everyone would see those ads and start thinking "steaming pile of...."

Good subconscious defense!