Right off the bat we see the asshole redhead lady who Wendy's brass decided was a better physical representation of their "brand" than the actual Wendy, who used to be on commercials. It's so very American that a company that peddles carbs and sugar by the bucket-full would push the chubby namesake of the restaurant aside in favor of a thinner, more annoying actor. Note to Wendy's: no one believes eating this shit will make them look more like the skinny redhead than Wendy. Wendy's food tastes great and is designed to make you fatter than Luke Wilson's neck.
Bad start, Wendy's. But as I'm sure you've gleaned from my tone, it gets a hell of a lot worse.
The premise here is that this jalapeno chicken sandwich is "generating reactions from everyone." I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. Just because something generates a reaction doesn't mean it's good. In fact, LITERALLY EVERYTHING generates reactions. That's how the world works. Skinny "Wendy" seems to be confused about this concept.
Here's a list of things that have generated a reaction from me today:
- Waking up
- Flushing the toilet when I start peeing and trying to race the water with my pee
- Losing money because the damn Hawks can't score 85 in a home game
- Winning money because the Grizzlies can't score 85 in a road game
- The part in Bloodsport when Lin tells Frank and Ray "it's time to protect your nuts, guys"
- This goddamn Wendy's commercial
The first sandwich reaction is the "Memer," who enjoys the taste of his sandwich, yet for some reason decides that eating a sandwich he likes qualifies for boss status. This dude has a very punchable face, but I have to admit that his corniness is ideal for this ad. It's highly annoying and he looks like a total spaz, but I suppose that's by design. So far the casting (aside from Skinny "Wendy") is spot on.
Next, we meet the "Selfiers," a couple of young women who have affected exaggerated Paris Hilton accents in order to seem as vapid as possible. This would have made a lot more sense in 2004. Now, I don't rail on selfie culture as much as a lot of people do. I take them occasionally, usually when I look especially ridiculous. These girls are sort of like the punchable Memer guy in that they are a perfect fit for the concept of the commercial.
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| Even Paris thinks this commercial sucks. |
Last, we have the "Behind the Timeser," a dorky dude who says "da bomb" and "raise the roof," which clearly means he's a total dipshit loser. In an upset, this guy is the least awful person in the entire commercial.
The part I find the most infuriating about this entire spot is the"Behind the Timeser" being sort of the climactic punchline, only they used such fucking outdated concepts in the first two. "Like a Boss?" Lonely Island did that shit in like 2008. I already talked about the Paris Hilton influence. Just because they have a selfie stick doesn't mean it isn't still the same tired-ass bit.
While I have to admit the execution of the ad was good - the actors were annoying as fuck, the jokes forced and way over the top, which was exactly what the commercial called for - it doesn't change the fact that the whole thing makes me want to throw my tv in the garbage every time I see it. Some obligatory glamour shots of the food at the end are supposed to make us think the last 30 seconds made sense, but by then I'm so pissed I don't want to hear it.
Final Grade: D-
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