Worst TV ads

This is the time of year for lists: the best this, the worst that, the top 10, the bottom 10, etc. I just saw a list of best TV commercials, and another of characters you love to hate, so am moved to add a couple of nominations.

What's up with the Geico lizard? How does a lizard...a lizard!...have anything to say about insurance? The latest commercial airing in this region suggests that the lizard is the boss of the insurance company, approving ad campaigns! Is this incredible or what?

To top it off, the lizard speaks with an estuary (lower-class English) accent! Talk about grating on these North American ears. Image? "Slimy limey".

Speaking of insurance, there was the Grey Power (is it Gray Power in the USA?) road rage lady. "You don't drive like this..." Of course I don't drive like that. The lady was barking mad. What a relief when they finally dropped the net on her!

Now we come to three commercials which many of you won't have seen (lucky you) since they we aired, as far as I know, only in the lower Great Lakes markets. Again as far as I know, they were all created by BBD&O. If BBD&O is reading and would like to disclaim responsibility, please e-mail me.

I haven't been able to upload the first two, so please click on the YouTube links to see them.

First have a look at the one I like. You've heard the expression about having horseshoes up one's ass? Get the message? Well, maybe you have to be a hockey fan.

IMHO the second one is just plain stupid. Even if you accept the premise that the guy is dumb enough to tattoo himself backwards, why would he be putting the casino's tattoo on his chest in the first place? Stupid, stupid, stupid!

And if that's stupid, this last one is worse than inane. It has been withdrawn now, doubtless following adverse comments and complaints. So powerful was its emetic effect on me that I dare not describe the results here. Suffice it to say that if I were a gambling man, I would never...never...darken the doors of Fallsview Casino, just for fear of meeting this ditzy blonde!

Doesn't she make you just wanna throw something at her? Actually she could be the mayor of a small mid-western town. I couldn't be in the same town, let alone the same building, with this woman. I hope she throws boxcars all day long and has to file for bankruptcy.

Worst commercial of the year...maybe the decade...maybe EVER!