I Don't See The Big Deal
Yesterday and today people have been talking. Wow, that kind of sounded Bonnie Raitt-ish. Anyway, people have been discussing the new DirecTV commercial which stars Chris Farley and David Spade. As you know, Chris is dead and some people think dead people shouldn't be in commercials. Here is what I say to that. Why? If Chris' family agreed to it which they did and his best friend David Spade agreed to it which he did, then what is so wrong about seeing Chris Farley on the screen. You don't think Chris would have done it if he were alive? Hell yes he would have. I don't think it is disrespectful at all. Granted if they were showing clips from Beverly Hills Ninja then I would probably have a whole different outlook. No, just kidding. Honor the guy by laughing at him or with him. It is what he would have wanted and if his family can make a few dollars off it, then go for it.
I grew up with Chris Farley and there is nothing he liked to do more than "put on shows"...whether he was making up skits or just dancing around...he was hilarious. Enjoy it and remember him. That's all he would have wanted.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw this commercial on tv a couple of days ago, it freaked me out.
ReplyDeleteBut since his family/heirs ok'd it, who am I to be offended? I'll probably change the channel every time it comes on, but to each their own.
Chris Farley was hilarious. It's nice to see him on screen, even posthumously. It's not like they made HIM talk.
ReplyDeleteI still hear Billy Mays shouting at me from the TV, so what's the difference, really??
ReplyDeleteDesperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose...
ReplyDeleteHe was over-the-top and annoying as hell, but I miss him. And Spade just hasn't seemed the same since.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. It's up to his family and personally, I love seeing him.
ReplyDeleteI agree, if his family OK'd it, what's the problem? Do people feel that they are taking advantage of his death for their own gain? I could understand that if he had died recently, but it's been long enough where this is just a tribute to what an awesome comedian he was.
ReplyDeleteI saw this the other day and it made me uncomfortable. I'm not sure why. I love Chris-always did and always will. Something about it didn't sit right with me. *shrugs* On a side note, Spade look bloated. I wonder how much he resents the fact that he will never be out from under Chris' shadow? Farley>Spade
ReplyDeletei don't see anything wrong w/ it in theory...but it's a wee bit creepy, i ain't gonna lie.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the commercials with Fred Astair dancing with vacuum cleaners, Ed Sullivan hyping Mercedes and John Wayne selling Coors. Dead celebrities have been making commercials for years.
ReplyDeleteAs skeezy as David Spade is, I have read from several sources (and DS himself) that he was absolutely crushed by Chris' death. They were very close.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the commercial, I kind of gave it a pass because it starred Spade. After hearing him talk about Chris, I don't think he would do anything that disrespected his friend. Call me naive, but I don't think Dave is that hard up yet.
Here's what I find offensive about the commercial - David Spade is in it. It is David Spade being David Spade. ie., talking shit. The fact that he is doing it to someone who is dead and supposedly a friend .. that is just he cherry on the "F*ck I hate David Spade" sundae.
ReplyDeleteI think it is in rather poor taste .. but this country no longer has any idea of what taste is nor what decorum is. We've gone sleazy.
Maybe slightly creepy, but that scene with CF is STILL funny.
ReplyDeleteNot offensive, more like a tribute. Creepy is Natalie Cole doing a duet with her dead father, and a dead Nancy Marchand in a scene on the Sopranos.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw this, I was uncomfortable. Upon his death, I read a few articles about Chris. One of the things that frustrated him greatly was that all he could seem to do is play the fat buffoon. Supposedly, he longed to put a project together where he would star as Fatty Arbuckle and be able to show some sort of range. With these ads, here we are, once again, reminded of the big fat clown, splitting his clothes for our amusement. Yes, I am assuming his family signed off on this arrangement and they were probably happy to get paid for use of his image but I think it is creepy and degrading.
ReplyDeleteI found it a little creepy too the first 20 times I saw it. I wondered why David would agree to it, but look at the previous commercials... Sigourney Weaver battling the alien? Anyway, if the family gave the okay then I guess that's that. But, it still gives me the willies.
ReplyDeleteYay, Fat man in a little coat always makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI think the real issue here is what the hell is going on with David Spade's face? He looked all kinds of stretched and botoxed.
THAT gives me the creeps.
It made me smile. It was well done and not a bit disrespectful. In life, I thought Chris was a bit loud and so I didn't go out of my way to watch his movies or skits, but I think that was my feeling that he was not respecting himself or his HUGE talent and could do so much more.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Cole sung a duet with her dead father. Fred Astaire hawked dust-busters many years after he died. This is just another marketing campaign, no big deal.
ReplyDeleteBabs - When those commercials came out - with Fred Astaire and John Wayne in particular - I remember a lot of people thought it was in poor taste to see celebrities endorse from beyond the grave. I think the difference is, Fred and John died at ripe old ages. While I agree cancer sucks their deaths weren't violent overdoses after days of binging with a prostitute. He had been in rehab several times to battle his addiction and was, supposedly, going to enter another rehab. According to reports, he was desperately lonely and hopelessly addicted to drugs. Supposedly, he was smoking crack and snorting heroin on his final bender. He told the prostitute that he had been up for four days prior to meeting her. For further details, here is one article. But this is the saddest part to me. " Farley was so inebriated he collapsed about 10 feet from the door as Heidi was exiting. Heidi claimed she could hear that he was experiencing labored breathing. He said to her, "Don't leave me." Assuming he had finally passed out, she took a photograph of him lying on the floor and then left."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.franksreelreviews.com/shorttakes/farley.htm
Those photos have been posted on Findadeath.com.
I can't quite get past the tragedy of his life and death to think the ad is cute or funny.
It creeped me out when I saw it. How do they do those commercials anyway? But Fat Guy in a Little Coat is funny!
ReplyDeleteThe only way I would like this is if Spade and Farley's family donated everything they were paid for this commercial to a drug rehab charity.
ReplyDeleteAs for Direct TV?
Don't think they're going to have a sea of cable or 'dish' viewers jumpship because of this commercial.
Jeezus, are you for serious? Who GIVES a rat's ass what the family/friends/moochers wants or thinks - CHRIS isn't here to speak for himself, so leave him the fuck out of it!
ReplyDeleteNO ONE knows for sure what he'd want (even though I'm sure they all *think* they do), so until Zombie Chris Farley rises from the grave to give the thumbs up.....LEAVE HIM ALONE!
FUCK! Common sense and decency truly IS dead.
Certain indigenous tribes believe that is inappropriate to show photos or film footage of people after their death (in particular the Australian aborigine or {correct title} Koori people) This indigenous belief is based on the idea that a spirit needs time to adjust to the afterlife and reliving memories of this person can create a pull that the dead spirit feels conflict about.
ReplyDeleteObviously if Chris's family are fine with it, it should be fine with us, still I feel a little sad for him because he is only remembered by everyone for one aspect of his personality and talent, perhaps he was so much more and we will never know.
I got kinda teary when Spade said at the end, 'it never gets old' when he saw chris rip the coat. I dunno, i thougt that was kinda sweet.
ReplyDeletefirst time i saw it i was a bit peeved. then i saw it and thought about it. seems spade is talking about being able to watch chris' movies over and over and those not getting old.
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I was a little shocked when I saw the commercial, but not in a bad way. I was shocked that the networks are airing the commercial. They are so touchy feelie when it comes to stuff like this. I actually think it's great DRTV did this commercial. Yeah, he's dead, but he's not being demeaned at all in the commercial. If anything, it's hilarious and it's a great way to play tribute to him.
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