The Ashcan

Hilarious ads: Old Spice 2010, The Man Your Man Could Smell Like

Posted on 18. Feb, 2010 by Anupa in media, Pop Culture, Television

Twice yesterday at work I got caught watching this commercial and snickering quietly to myself. To American readers who might have seen Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” during the SuperBowl: it’s not my fault that we don’t get your ads. It was actually after the first commercial break of Tuesday night’s episode of Lost that it finally came to my attention (and enhanced the night’s viewing experience with a bit of comedy).

Of course it plays on cliched female expectations of heterosexual relationships (and gender norms of masculinity), but it’s kind of ingenious because it recognizes that often enough it’s women doing the buying for their men. There’s also great freaking writing and acting; “What’s in your hand? Back at me! I have it. It’s an oyster with two tickets to that thing you love. Look again! The tickets are now diamonds!” Plus, I like how this black dude is positioned as Fabio-type feller. They should make a franchise out of him. He could be as successful (but hopefully not as debilitatingly pervasive as Budweiser’s Wasssaaap!). Lastly, I have a thing for dead-pan one-liners and “I’m on a horse” might be up there with “I’m dead” (skip to 5:45) from The Chappelle Show.

Tags: Advertising, gender, men, Old Spice, Superbowl, TV