Simpsons Sippin’ on the Corporate Sizzurp
WORDS BY Superstylin*
Amidst all the eating, drinking and revelry on Super Bowl Sunday, one particular commercial made me stop in my tracks. For this instance, I am going to call it a case of corporate shilling. When did the Simpsons start sippin’ on the corporate sizzurp? How much were they paid I wonder. You know the show has already paid for itself tenfold and then some.
The Coca-Cola company encourages people to “pause and refresh themselves with a Coke to ‘Open Happiness’ and continue to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures.” The ad featuring the Simpsons, entitled “Hard Times,” is a part of Coke’s Open Happiness campaign. The spot begins with down-on-his-luck billionaire C. Montgomery Burns losing his vast fortune. During a walk in the park, the world seems to appear brighter and he starts seeing life in a different way. When greeted by Apu with a Coke, Mr. Burns’ happiness is opened and soon his world is true bliss.
The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3D! On Ice! aired a matter of weeks ago and solidified The Simpsons as an institution. For all the Sunday nights at 8pm I have sat in front of the television to watch (and the countless hours of repeated viewings of my gifted DVDs seasons 1 – 5,) a part of me hurt when I witnessed the two megabrands collide. I only want to think of the Simpsons drinking chutney Squishees from the Kwik-E-Mart or Duff Beer, not Coke.
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Comments ( 4 )
I agree. This was wack, and to have Burns as the protagonist, that’s like saying, “Please feel sorry for the huge corporation.”casanovaruffin
added these pithy words on
Feb 09 10 at
10:43 am
You shouldn’t be shocked. Bart was pitching butterfingers back in 1990Ben
added these pithy words on
Feb 10 10 at
3:28 pm
For a kid who grew up on The Simpsons, Bart is a long way from Burns.casanovaruffin
added these pithy words on
Feb 10 10 at
3:39 pm
Good point Ben. The Butterfinger pitch might have helped fund the show at that point.Superstylin*
added these pithy words on
Feb 10 10 at
6:37 pm
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