Hellman's BLT commercial... 'TF??

[linguafood]

So while watching the inane (but thankfully short-lived) competition that was "The Taste", I was subjected to Hellman's BLT commercial several times.

Sorry, but is there ANYONE out there who puts mayo on one slice of toast, then adds lettuce, tomato, bacon....... and then slathers mayo on the bacon -- as opposed to the *other* slice of toast going on top of the sandwich?

I mean, seriously. Who *does* that? Anyone?

[pdxgastro]

It's a successful ad. You're all talking about it, right? (AND you remember what product it's for. Usually I'll remember the ad but not the product)

[linguafood]

Yeah, but I'm a Duke head, so even if I had ever considered buying Hellman's, this commercial would've put me off. It is *that* idiotic :-)

[pdxgastro]

I am not familiar with the correlation between Duke and Hellman's.

[linguafood]

They're both mayo brands. I prefer Duke's over Hellman's.

[pdxgastro]

Gotcha. Thanks.

[LindaWhit]

No one does. But putting it on a slice of toast isn't as visually appealing as a piece of toast with slices of red, ripe tomato, fluffy green lettuce, and crispy bacon. They already have mayo on both slices (although they don't show the actor putting it there) and it would be visually boring to put it on toast.

Yes, we all know it's wrong. But the brain is probably just thinking "Mmm, I want a BLT!" after seeing it all built and eaten.

[RC51Mike]

And don't forget the huge role food stylists play in ads. That probably isn't even mayo they are using. Looks like a 1:1 ratio of Elmer's Glue and drywall spackle to me...

[LindaWhit]

Exactly. The time spent getting the right darkness to the toast, the thickness on that slice of tomato, making sure the lettuce didn't wilt (using hairspray on it to keep its form)....and then lighting it so everything looks tempting - they spend hours tweaking to get everything just right.

[linguafood]

Trying to make everything look appetizing and *realistic* should go as far as slathering the bread with ample amounts of mayo, not bacon. The bacon, presumably, then, is also hairsprayed or glued to the tomato & lettuce, because if I were to slather mayo onto loose pieces of bacon.... well, let's just say there would be LOTS of swearing at cucina lingua.

[LindaWhit]

I have no idea how it's all done, but there's a lot of work getting everything *just* right.

Scroll down halfway in this Amazon link and find the "Styling Eggs", "Styling Drinks" and "Styling Cookies" separate links.

http://www.amazon.com/Food-Styling-Ar...

[linguafood]

Oh, I've seen the work that goes into advertising. I'm just saying they could take the logical step (I know, carazay!) and assemble a toast like any normal human being would, fake food and all.

[LindaWhit]

Those darn marketing heads refuse to allow any normalcy whatsoever in advertising. It is Just. Not. DONE. ;-)

[chowser]

Hey, at least they didn't follow Nutella's lead, spread it on whole wheat bread and talk about how it's part of a healthy dinner!

[RC51Mike]

I could be mistaken but in the commercial I don't think they used the word healthy. I think they said "real indgredients" and something to the effect that at least her kids would eat it, whole wheat bread and all.

[chowser]

There was a lawsuit against Nutella because they called it part of a healthy breakfast.

[RC51Mike]

Could be. I just recall the weasel wording of the commercial I recall said something like it tastes good and her kids will eat it but didn't actually say the H word. Still shady.

Damn marketing people always trying to get me to glop more stuff on my food. And then I have to because they pull out the big guns and use peer pressure. How can anyone say no to peer pressure and social conformity???? Now I'm hyperventilating; someone quick, get me a jar of mayo and a rasher of bacon!

[chowser]

Here for anyone who hasn't seen it (if it bugs you, skip at 13 seconds):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ9rCk...

Read the comments--they're funny.

"ok.. does it irritate anyone else that the moron tried to spread the mayo on top of the bacon? Who does that? You spread the mayo on the top slice of bread! "

[linguafood]

Well, I'm happy to hear that I'm not alone. It's one of the most ridiculous things I've seen on TV.

[JonParker]

They also use one of my pet peeves "made with real ingredients." What else would you use -- fantasy ingredients?

[RC51Mike]

That's my favorite. And that's what I scream at the TV every time I here it. I wonder how far our education system has fallen that there would be viewers who, upon hearing that are remarking, "hmmm, real ingredients!? It must be good."

[sandylc]

They must be "natural"!!!!!

Isn't everything on the planet Earth "natural"? Where else could anything possibly come from, if not nature?

[sandylc]

I especially love, on television food commercials, how hands move in slow motion when preparing or displaying food.

[ferret]

Perhaps someone who is selling and showcasing their mayonnaise? If you're looking for realism in commercials then you're going to wait a long time.

[melpy]

You mean mrs. Butterworth's doesn't actually talk!

[linguafood]

Wait... what? Are you telling me Applebee's entrees are actually NOT covered in gallons of cheese-product? Well, I'll be damned.

But all kidding aside. I don't see how slathering mayo on bacon slices somehow is a better showcase than slathering the same amount of Hellman's on toast....

It's ludicrous.

[ferret]

The character's dear departed grandmother always made it that way and now, even though he knows it's not technically the correct way to do it, he continues the tradition in her memory. Happy?

[linguafood]

Yes. Yes, ferret. I feel completely different about the commercial now.

Did you come up with it?

[sedimental]

I always thought the big blob of mayo in those Ads were always there to influence you to use more of their product....see how creamy and delicious it is...... I love mayo...but I think the big blobs look gross.

[Veggo]

Sed, similar to the tutorial shaving commercials from the '60's, attempting to convince men they need to use 5 times the nesessary quantity of shaving cream to get the job done.

[madeliner]

and how they shake like they are being soooo careful :P

[melpy]

Nobody. It is ridiculous. Unless there is another spread already on the bread? Pesto might be a lovely addition.