Filed under: Etc.
New Jack In The Box commecial crushes 1000 mpg car (we think)
AutoblogGreen reader Wolfgang sent us an email over the weekend describing a new Jack in the Box commercial:Jack in the Box recently aired a commercial, predictably on Fox that denounces fuel economy. It features an "Aquacar, which gets 1000 miles to the gallon". This "Aquacar" is then demolished by a gigantic hamburger. It is expected that Jack in the Box would align itself with Fox and fuel inefficiency, for all of them celebrate waste and ignorance. Hopefully you can write a piece about the shameful and regressive stance that is exhibited by this commercial.
We'd like to, Wolfgang, we really would, but I'm not the TV-watching type (I'll forgive any of you who want to point out that this post now makes two in a row about something on TV) and I can't find a clip of the commercial online. Does anyone out there know where we can see it, or do you have it saved on your TiVo and want to upload it somewhere for our viewing (dis-)pleasure? Is it as bad as Wolfgang says?
While searching for the ad, I discovered a few things about the white-sphere-headed Jack character that stars in Jack in the Box's commercials: he says he owns a football team called the Carnivores, he owns a Dodge Viper and "several" other classic car. Why do they keep track of this stuff? I can't believe some of the websites I see some days.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rick2653 9:28AM (2/26/2007)
The only one celebrating waste and ignorance around here is sebastion. His waste of our patience and his ignorance of who his readers really are.
GET OFF YOUR FOX/BUSH BASHING SOAPBOX!
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Scatter 11:24AM (2/26/2007)
Rick doesn't speak for everyone. Keep bringing stories like this to our attention.
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gregger 11:24AM (2/26/2007)
Actually, Jack took a pot shot at the high gas prices in an ad a while ago saying that he doesn't understand why someone would raise the price of the things customers love.
At the end of course he says "and hey! See you on the golf course!"
I don't see that one much anymore. Jack's marketing is irreverent. I don't think it has a particular agenda. The demographic they aim for does though.
TTFN
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Sebastian Blanco 11:46AM (2/26/2007)
Gregger,
Thanks for adding that. If I watched TV, I would have mentioned it in my original post. And I can take criticism, but I also appreciate Scatter standing up for me. Much obliged.
Sebastian
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Ian Bruce 12:18PM (2/26/2007)
Gee Rick... I didn't see Bush's name anywhere in that article. But since you brought it up, it's the least I can do to provide you a context in which your comment might've actually been relevant:
The Department of Energy's premier institution for conducting research into cellulosic technology is the National Bioenergy Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. Just a few days after Bush's 2006 State of the Union address, in which he announced his Advanced Energy Initiative, cuts in NREL's 2006 budget kicked in, resulting in nearly 30 layoffs. Bush had to scramble to get a $5 million check cut on the fly so the scientists could be rehired, and Bush could stop in to tout his new initiative without looking like a complete dimwit.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_5164448
It's not "bashing" to point out the flagrant and bumbling hypocrisy of this administration; and I think Sebastian knows exactly who the majority of his readers are, and the kind of values they hold.
BTW: Besides getting everything else wrong, you misspelled his name.
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Robert 3:52PM (2/26/2007)
The problem is not the commercial. The problem is taking the commercial too seriously. I don't have a copy of it, but this is the basic plot line (I haven't seen the commercial in months, so forgive the lack of details):
A scientist is unveiling the greatest new invention: The AquaCar that gets 1000 MPG (or something like that) and runs on water. A reporter pops on screen, saying "We are interrupting this conference for important news: Jack In The Box has a new steak sandwich." Some marketing stuff about the sandwich runs. Cuts back to the scientists who are astounded by the sandwich.
See, the joke is that this sandwich is a more important "invention" than the car. What the commercial is doing is taking some Really Great thing, and making the absurd claim that a sandwich is better. This type of absurd situation is typically seen as humorous, unless the viewer is overly involved in the situation (for example, see the recent GM robot suicide ads and the surrounding drama from suicide organizations).
As gregger mentioned above, the shot Jack In The Box took at the oil industry seemed like a more serious stance (esp. considering it was aired during the initial oil price hikes) than the AquaCar commercial. Since the only over-the-air network I watch is Fox (for Simpsons, King of the Hill, House, etc., etc., not the news) and I saw the commercial, I assume that the commercial was aired on Fox. So, I really don't think Jack In The Box and Fox are in bed over some attempt to undermine the green movement.
The commercial was a joke and someone took it too seriously.
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