Starting on the second week of Olympics, and the Little Blue Cow hasn't improved with age or repetition. Yeah, I appreciate some of the throw-away animation (look at the underwater shot in the synchronized swimming version), but it's still disturbing
The Air Canada ads have gotten old, old, old. VW seems to have figured out that introducing ads in the series during the Olympics keeps the concept a heck of a lot fresher. The Ronald McDonald McD's ads--already old, and they're only four days old. And Tim Hortons? We've figured out toffee, and any double entendre associated with it--please move on!
On the Winnipeg feed, there's a Greek restaurant advertising during the fluffier portions of coverage--clever! There's also an ad for the Clarion hotel which emphasizes the indoor waterpark and that people stay at the hotel during shopping expeditions. Think about it--who's coming *in* to the Peg to shop? Scary, isn't it?
On the south side of the 49th. Comcast thinks they can sell their cable service by running commercials that are a cross of reality TV and old Crown industrial films. The John Hancock "little kids talking about death" commercials should come with another six months of therapy for those actors.
Given the treacle being applied to the overall broadcast, perhaps an insulin producer should be advertising. Or Gravol, if it was OTC in the States.
Update:For those asking, "The Little Blue Cow" is the advertising logo/mascot of the Canadian Dairy Council. And MacLean's has a piece on the CBC production of the Olympics, which includes comments on the commercials.
Posted by lsefton at August 21, 2004 08:35 PMHere is a letter I've sent along to the above mention group and will do the others as I track down their addresses. :)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To:
BC Milk Producers Association
3236 Beta Avenue
Burnaby, B.C.
Canada V5G 4K4
To whom it may concern,
What bothers me about the "little blue cow" commercials is the fact the it's not a little blue cow but in fact a little WHITE cow with a blue maple leaf (an "unofficial" colour of the Canadian flag?).
The cow is the same colour as the milk I drink - white. If milk was the colour blue I imagine I'd be too sick to write this.
If this "blue cow" thing is a hedge against perceived white racism in our politically correct society then they shouldn't use a blue cow either.
As a member of a "little blue race" I take great offence to this blatant mocking of little blue people. As the acknowledged leader of my race, though I now live in retirement on Vancouver Island, I protest Canadian milk producers mocking a race that finds it difficult to defend ourselves.
Being only two inches tall (5cm) with NO representation in any branch of government and certainly NO mention in the Charter of Rights.
This discrimination must stop here!
Felling blue,
Pappa Smurf
PS:
Brainy Smurf (not too bright, your average Canadian) bought into your perception that "white is blue" wholeheartedly. The other day while he and Smurfette were dodging traffic while shopping downtown her life was put in peril by a car making an illegal turn. Brainy yelled, "Smurfette, look out for the blue car". Smurfette (much brighter) looked quickly about for a "blue" car and unfortunately was hit by a "white" car.
She will be okay, Poet Smurf is writing get well poems for her and Handy Smurf has made her a nice set of crutches.
Holy shite, dudes.
I thought about writing a joke-type email to the Dairy people about the blue cow, and just put in "Litte Blue Cow" into google to see what came up, hopefully the Dairy people's site (to get contact info), and I find this. Someone with the same type of idea. Coolness.
I was just going to write about how the cow doesn't quite represent our olympic team very well with the unsportsmanlike pumping of biceps after the weightlifting, as well as participating in men's sports and such. But the smurf letter is probably funnier.
Posted by: Stuffness at August 26, 2004 12:48 PMhi,
okay, STOP RAGGING ON THE LITTLE BLUE COW! shes COOL! i love her ads. and who CARES if she's not completely blue. the comment about her being "not blue but white with a blue maple leaf blah blah blah" is so over done. and you all talk about the commercials being old? WELL THAT LINE IS OLD! think of something new to say about her. geez.