Michael: New year, new possibilities.
But! I thought I would launch into 2011 by looking back at one of the most controversial commercials of last year. Yep, you got it: The Tiger Woods “Did You Learn Anything?” Nike commercial.
I submit there is no way to enjoy this commercial whatsoever. It’s got “strange” and “creepy” written all over it. Truly, you can’t view it without having the hackles at the back of your neck stand at attention.
What say you, Tara?
Tara: O.K. Don’t even get me started on Tiger.
Michael: Too late … obviously.
Tara: Since you already have — here I go. First of all, he had affairs. Not one indiscretion, which would be heinous enough to do to your wife and two kids. But numerous! This must have taken lots of planning and forethought. In other words, he knew what he was doing and is not a nice person.
Having said that, it’s manipulative of him and Nike to use his dead father’s voice in this ad. Their relationship was well publicized. So are they telling us Tiger has remorse when he thinks of what his father would say? It’s all to gain sympathy. I personally don’t care if he’s “sorry.” Here he is making more money off an advertisement for behaving like a spoiled egomaniac.
Michael: Everyone’s got their opinion, but here’s my question: Should this commercial have been made, let alone put out there for consumption? I don’t think so. It’s downright weird.
I’m of the belief there’s a different set of rules for superstars and those rules dictate that they need to be followed. With the fame and fortune comes a realization your life isn’t completely your own. It’s put out there on display for the Tigers of the world. And when you trip up, like he did, there could be consequences.
Whether one of those consequences is making a commercial like this as recompense, well … the public will decide that for you right quick.
Tara: Yep. I think our question this week is whether or not “stars” like Tiger or Michael Vick or Mel Gibson should just be looked at for their “craft” or whether or not we (as the public) have the right to shun or boycott their work on a personal moral basis.
Yep. Not our usual CommercialClack, is it?
Michael: Nope. But interesting stuff, nevertheless.
Clacked by Michael Noble 
on Jan 14, 2011 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I think that we as consumers/fans have the right to shun or boycott their work as we please. However, at the same time, I think these people have a right to attempt for redemption.
You don’t have to be a fan of Mike Vick ever again. But when you compare his path against, say, Tiger’s and this commercial, one is at the very least trying to be contrite.
In our society we are so incredibly apt to give people second, and third, and forth, and hundredth chances. It is frustrating to me when someone like Vick, who by all accounts is trying to walk the right path, is demonized, especially juxtaposed with someone like Gibson, who continues to be a racist bastard at sip of the bottle.
I totally agree with you, Ivey, but the thing that bugs me the most is when people still give the badly behaving celebs attention. I have a thing with Brittney Spears — maybe b/c I’m a mom — and it irks me to no end that she’s getting media attention and also acting gigs. She started this biz with no talent (how she ever got the endorsement of Madonna is beyond my comprehension) yet rose to be considered a role model for young girls. We all know how that turned out! Instead of redemption, she just wants back in the spotlight and she’s getting it and it makes me sad for what society as a whole values (and how her poor kids don’t stand a chance).
While I’m not what anyone would call a “fan” of ‘lil Brit-Brit, I always bristle at the comments that her (and her ilk) have no talent. The girl can dance. I’m sure if you stripped away all of the auto tuning and studio work, she can sing a might bit better than I can. I may not appreciate her art, but I think to say that she has “no talent” is overstating it.
Secondly, you can chalk me up to the Charles Barkley “I am not a role model” way of thinking. While I’m obviously not a parent, I’ve put a great deal of thought into this particular issue, and I think that I will parent the same way I was parented. I think it’s my responsibility to keep influences like Spears away from my theoretical kids as much as possible until they’re smart enough that we can talk about it.
Well, at least I hope it works out that way. Like I said, my parents were amazing. I have a lot to live up to in that regard (and many, many others).
Agreed Dorv. We subscribe to the Charles Barkley philosophy as well. I could not give a rip about what Britney,Tiger, Miley, Mel, Vick, or Not the Maddona, does. If I don’t like it, the tv, radio gets changed. (I just don’t want them showing up on say Sesame Street doing whatever it is they do wrong. It’s nice to be able to trust certain places to be filth free.) Even so, I can choose to turn it off.
All that said, I do feel compassion for those in the spotlight. Who wants to see people spiral into the abyss? Not me.
Oh, I’m not concerned about Spears being a role model for my child b/c I’m a mom, I think I miswrote that. My kid’s a 6yo boy, so no worries there! :-) I meant b/c of the type of mom Brittney is, and the public just keeps celebrating her.
True that, Deb. Go off and be a slut if you want, but leave your children out of it!
As the wife of a Hokie, thanks. I hate seeing Vick listed with people like Woods or Gibson, who seem to flaunt their ability to be bad boys (or worse) and don’t make any attempts to change.
Yeah, id be lying if I didn’t admit ive been a hometown fan since we were both high school freshman at cross town schools. But at least he’s trying publicly. Many just keep “rebounding.”
Oh, and I’m sorry you’re married to a Hokie. Couldnt get a William and Mary guy :P ??
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What in the world is a “Hokie” … ?!!?
Mr Noble: The Hokie is a noble bird. Also is the mascot of Virginia Polytechnical Institute, more commonly known as Virginia Tech. Mike Vike, after graduating from Warwick High School where he routinely decimated both of the High Schools i attended (and was, ironically, the second most media covered QB in the district at the time), he lead Tech to the national title game in his (i believe) sophomore year.
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Ah, ha!
I am that much more knowledgeable. Thank you, Mr. West … !!!
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Ivey: Right there with you. They do have the right to redeem themselves.
This commercial? It wasn’t Tiger’s arena for that purpose …
Creepy was very much the word for this one. I was grateful to not see it very often – and very grateful to my Tivo for letting me fast forward when it did come on. I think I ended up seeing it more on the news than I did in actual t.v. watching.
I don’t think this commercial has anything to do with giving Tiger more chances… I’m perfectly fine with him still playing golf, still endorsing stuff, even though I find what he did BEYOND reprehensible. I think this commercial was horribly wrong for -content-, not just for Tiger’s appearance in it. His Dad, who apparently wasn’t a fabulous person either, doing a “voiceover from the grave” asking Tiger questions that sound sort of like they’re giving him permission to behave the way he did as long as he learns something from it…??? Ick. Yuck. Creepy. Shudder.
I heard he was endorsing a chain of Urgent Care type marriage counsellors next!
Dear God I hope they don’t have Vick doing the voice over and holding injured pets on an ASPCA commercial next.
I don’t love those commercials anyways. Who needs their little kid sobbing, while they are waiting for Scooby Doo to come back on?
That and Ben Roethlisberger doing PSAs alongside sexual assault victims would take the award for most awkward ads to watch and make.
https://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/270035/april-08-2010/tiger-s-nike-commercial
This was a pretty brilliant segment from Stephen Colbert on the matter.
That is priceless Bob! The Gene Wilder V.O. is my favorite part …
Me too! Can’t get enough Young Frankenstein.
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Hadn’t seen this, Bob. YF: Hillary-arious … !!!
The Jimmy Kimmel response was dead-on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hf1WALHmNk
I believe everyone should have a second chance, once they have paid the piper so to speak….But if they continue to disrupt life after their second chance “See ya” !
Tiger is creepy anyway , he didnt have to have a sex addiction to prove that lol
I’m watching the comedy segments and laughing my butt off. The commercial itself was truly creepy… and confusing.. it really didn’t say anything, but the comedic fallout was worth the pain of watching it! Colbert and Kimmel were hilarious!
They really were. Thanks for those links guys.
This Commercial goes in the creepy column. Earl’s voice from the grave chastising a solemn Eldrick. What was Nike thinking…
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No clue, alpacamike.
But … someone in the advertising department over at Nike earned their pay, took the money and ran with it.