This Jon Bon Jovi Commercial Is Awful

Is Jon Bon Jovi hard up for cash or something? He just made a commercial for DirecTV, pitching their 72 hour look back feature. The commercial - and the song he sings - are truly awful.

Comments

[Gary]

Everything Bon Jovi has done since about 1988 has been awful. (unless of course you're a 40 or 50 something soccer mom)

[Brian Lucas]

Funny. when I saw it weeks ago....I thought the same thing. stupid and really bad

[oper8n]

I'm not in advertising, but I think it is intentionally bad. That's what makes it funny. I saw it on TV in the lounge where I work with my two nurse practitioners, and we were all thinking WTH?
Was it someone here who said Bon Jovi is reportedly working on an actual 7800* Fahrenheit type album?
I actually like some of the newer, cheesy, countrified stuff.

[GNR]

I also think is supposed to come across as moderately bad. I mean c'mon its a pop ballad about turning back time to promote a dvr. We actually its promoting a cloud type of streaming service in lamens terms for older soccer moms :)

[Metalboy!]

Direct TV has been doing some of THE funniest Ads lately such as Peyton Manning in a barbershop quartet known as The Four Tunesman or Rob Lowe, who's alter ego is a too hairy or too skinny version of himself, etc.

That is, until now!!!...

You can tell whatever idiots came up with this thought it was hilarious but virtually everyone got it right, here... THIS is unquestioningly ABSOLUTELY STOOPID!!

[Him]

I take oper8n's and GNR's points. Clearly, it was meant to be cheesy.

Thing is, you always run the risk of violating two of the comedic imperatives: (1) if you have to wait one too many beats for a joke to register, it didn't; and (2) if you are laughing at your own joke, it usually isn't that funny. Granted, some comics violate those rules to their benefit. But it takes finesse and genius and timing.

Which relates to Metalboy!'s comment: both Lowe and Manning have great comic timing, partially because they know how to play off their established personas.

And, as I suggest in the post that appears above this one, it is so very rare that they put musicians and/or their music to good use in commercials. Not entirely sure why that is. I mean, I am still trying to track down a copy of Danger Kitty's debut CD. That song "Love Rocket" was slamming! Any leads?

I guess it is the difference between getting and liking the joke. At least, for me. And I full well recognize that either one of those trends with personal (dare I say, aesthetic) tastes.

[Metalboy!]

Agreed, HIM... It's also the writing of the material that comes into play... The script for the Bon Jovi Direct TV ad is vacuous compared to the Manning and Lowe spots which are over the top hilarious!

[Him]

Great point, Metalboy! These things can't (and don't) write themselves.

[Jack]

Ordered the Love Rocket CD from Discover Card when the add ran, should have probably ordered a few more I guess, missed opportunity ('doh!!!).

[Metalboy!]

You have no idea, HIM, the amount of stuff that gets generated in ad agencies to get something as good as the Dokken spot or the hilarious Direct TV spots with the Mannings or Rob Lowe... And I'm speaking from experience...

The stuff like this Bon Jovi spot only takes like 10 minutes to write and a half-day to shoot. And that's why it's mediocre and boring. The other examples I just mentioned approach art and are better than most of the shows they ran on.

I think that's the secret... Make the commercials as good, or preferably better than the tv shows.

[Him]

Can't fault that explanation, Metalboy! Not at all. Just like Old Spice After-Shave or Necco Wafers, quality takes time!

[DM]

If I had the millions that Jon Bon Jovi has, I sure as hell wouldn't be making those dumbass commercials!!

[Ugh]

I am a female NJ native and these JBJ commercials are so horrid I mute them every time they come on...cracks my husband up! His voice was never good. Bring back Manning and Lowe...those were awesome!

[lynx]

It's very irritating and couldn't possibly sell anything. I was born and raised in Bon Jovi's era and have nothing against him, but this commercial is absolute crap and I can't wait until my favorite channels find another gimmick.

[Steve]

Sucked in the '80s and sucks now!