Time Magazine's Best Lists: Commercials

In my recent "list of lists" on Time Magazine's "Best" series, I have been pretty critical. I have to admit though, I did like some of their choices for commercials in 2007.

On the upside for commercials, I love their choice of the David Letterman and Oprah Winfree "love fest" while watching TV together. The two have had a much publicized chilling relationship for years and to get them together made for an eye catching and humorous ad.

The "Impossible is Nothing" ad for Adidas made you laugh (when you saw the cute, little soccer player), made you cry (when you understood the challenges the subject had gone through), and made you proud (when you read how that person over came such). Great stuff!
One ad campaign that I love, but didn't get much air time, was Gatorade's "Thief" campaign. It is funny, smart, and memorable. A must see.

American Express' "Tina Fey" examines the numerous challenge facing a business woman, any of which could be devastating and how refreshing it was that someone rescued her from one without her having to break a sweat.

On the down side, they didn't include any of the great Geico conspiracy ads (like the one on the Flintstones) or any of the Cavemen ads that birthed a TV show (which died quickly, but still, leading to a TV show is impressive!). This is because Time Magazine tries to be some what "high brow" in the way it approaches things, I must conclude.

But overall, I was pleased with Time's choices in this category. I will be reviewing magazine covers in a future post.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Receive that free ezine by clicking here.

Donald Trump Redefines "Intelligence"

Donald Trump was excited following the debate on ABC's "The View" between Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Rosie O'Donnell. In fact, Trump is convinced that Rosie is leaving early in humiliation because she was "beat up" by Hasselbeck.

On Fox News, Donald was looking punchy himself and it reminded me of a "post fight interview," in which a previous contender discussed how each round went. Trump filled the part perfectly, having had many rounds with Rosie himself. He tackled the subject like a middle school student "talking smack" about O'Donnell being everything from a "loser," to "fat," to "stupid," etc., etc., etc. My children are no longer allowed to watch Trump because he is a bad example.

When asked if he was impressed about Hasselbeck's performance, he was as or more harsh towards Elisabeth than Rosie, telling Fox News "Elisabeth is not a very smart person, she’s one of the dumber people in television. To see that she supports the war, and she’s solidly behind the war, give me a break.” At first, Trump said O'Donnell won because of her position on the war, but later he said she had to of lost or she wouldn't have quit like she did. This is quality television!

Donald Trump is now the protector and definer of intelligence. If you are against the war, you are stupid. I can't even begin to say how "stupid" that sounds. In my experience, intelligent people are not threatened by views that are different than theirs to the point of resulting in name calling. Intelligent people like passionate debate and counter it with sound argument, not insult.

It is hard to believe that a few years ago this guy was being mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate. Now the only people who would ever discuss such are the David Letterman's and Jay Leno's. But even comedy has to have a certain amount of plausibility, which is why we don't hear them joking about it any longer. That's good news, because a Trump presidency would be far more scary than humorous.

You Always Wondered What the Green Room Looked Like

Every serious talk show mentions the Green Room. That wonderful place where celebrities lounge and relax while waiting for the opportunity to show off to their audience. Over the years I have mentioned ours, but never revealed them until now.

You have heard such a room mentioned on the Today Show, discussed on Leno, and joked about on the David Letterman Show. Now, exclusively for listeners of the Houston Business Show, we are bringing our Green room to you (see the picture to the right).

You are seeing the very place our guests enjoy only the finest refreshments and visit before the show, where our experts plan their time on the air, and where great radio is developed. Note the comfortable chairs (there are actually a couple there, stacked), the well stocked vending machines (there's a soda machine next to the one pictured). With a coffee maker producing brew that will put hair in your chest, who needs Starbucks? Yes it is fabulous and although Hollywood won't show you their secret Green Rooms, I thought you would like to see what I'm referring to on most every show. Now you can see why our guests are anxious to get in the studio!