After These Messages Podcast

Andrew and Vieves unpack commercials based on house calls by skilled tradespeople this week, from homeowners who are too invested in their relationships with their plumbers to housemates in denial about the redemptive power of electricians. Plus, a listener ignites a sonic branding sound off, and an extended warranty commercial makes a big play for the Fox news crowd.

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that feature some stand-up comedy greats and are left asking: why are so many of these ads not funny? Plus, an Ad Councilor makes the definitive case for the loathsomeness of mimes and the great comedian impressions continue.

Mimes, lowly and reviled, are nevertheless a rich vein of commercial comedy, selling everything from renter's insurance to hotdogs. Plus, the ghost of Mitch Hedberg rides again, and an Ad Councilor shares relevant Max Headroom information.

Some recent commercials with flawed logic are driving Vieves up the wall, while Andrew reports on a new marketing gambit by Panera Bread. Plus, one talented Ad Councilor embodies the spirit of a comedy legend.

OG digital pitchman Max Headroom sends Andrew on a trip through the cola wars of 1985. Plus, an insurance company borrows a premise from a stand-up great.

Vieves takes over today's episode to highlight a collection of ads that appeal to people's basest needs: for food, for sex, for home insurance. Plus, an amazingly dumb product sends Andrew and Vieves down a late-90s rabbit hole involving an almost-dancing robot.

Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that wink and nod at the careers of their famous spokespeople. Plus, Andrew declares that he is funnier than Seth McFarland, and an erstwhile toy seems like a recipe for disaster.

Andrew falls down a nostalgia hole of ads from the summers of his youth. Plus, Baker Mayfield may have a new quarterback gig, but he's down one insurance campaign. And a listener's ears are deceiving her when it comes to ATM.

The Ad Council takes over this week with a new stunt from Arby's, a storied Portland pitchman, and a whole lot of peanut butter. Plus, an Arby's competitor tried to market what may be the worst sandwich ever invented.

A Top Gun product tie-in that threatens Vieves' safe space inspires a show about incongruous movie licensing deals. Plus, a vintage air freshener commercial ignites a debate, and a cookie commercial finds common ground with a pest control outfit.

"Who is your daddy, and what does he sell?" Andrew and Vieves are most definitely NOT doing a show about Father Day's as they look at daddy-forward ads. Plus, Vieves wins an eBay auction, and a Chicago hospital takes a big swing.

Andrew and Vieves are pleased to discover that game nights provide a rich vein of commercial comedy. Plus, Vieves tries to promote some fake news, Smokey Bear is a prince of lies, and two Ad Councilors respond to a jingle challenge with absolute aplomb.

In these days of rampant inflation, Andrew and Vieves revisit the bargains of yesteryear with a quiz that underscores the deranged value Americans once placed on talking dolls. Plus, a Jingle duet for the ages, and a vintage K Mart ad that inspires Vieves to issue a challenge.

Andrew and Vieves look at virtual products being metaphorically sold in a physical space, while also falling in love with a couple doing online banking and Jon Hamm (again). Plus, the thrilling conclusion to the Mr. Craggles saga.

Over the course of an Adcolades and Admonishments, Andrew and Vieves realize just how much they are products of their generation and just how much they can't relate to pop culture today, no matter how many mid-tier rappers Vieves has heard of. Plus, there's a break in the case of "Mr. Quaigo."

Andrew and Vieves turn in the most popular episode of the podcast to date.

Vieves' high horse gets a workout this week as she and Andrew talk about commercials that rely on the overprotective dad trope. Plus, the Ad Council talks durability, and TV Guide enters the digital age with the help of two lovers.

It's all whispers and secrets this week as Andrew and Vieves look at commercials that take place in hushed tones, with occasionally terrifying results. Plus, it's a total jinglefest from the Ad Councilors, and the Most Special Jingle Ever (TM) really pays off.

Andrew and Vieves look at the time-honored tradition of stress-testing products in a collection of ads that smash, soak and stain everything from engine oil to pantyhose. Plus, two excellent jingles offer a glimpse of a simpler past.

In life, we must learn to compromise, unless we're buying anything from beer to breath mints, in which case compromising can go to hell! Andrew and Vieves look at the commercial world's war on compromise. Plus, the 80s are back and they're wearing black tie.

A new campaign with a surprisingly anti-family bent has Andrew and Vieves looking at ads that focus on the darker side of family life. Plus, an Ad Councilor claps back, literally, and a shampoo jingle puts everyone in a black turtleneck kind of mood.

A new Dr. Rick commercial inspires a show about commercials that take place in movie theatres, which then reveals that Andrew has a major deficit in the age-guessing department. Plus, a beer commercial gets retroactively ruined by a country song, and a college rivalry is reignited.

Pressed for time, Andrew is inspired to look at ads featuring motormouth pitches for everything from toy cars to candy-riddled yogurt. Plus the Ad Council really brings it this week with an amazing jingle. And somehow, Andrew and Vieves are STILL getting the Super Bowl ads wrong.

For episode #333, Andrew and Vieves reflect on being one third of the way to a thousand shows while looking at ads that celebrate the number 33. Plus, for some reason, all the commercials this week are steeped in a weird brand of 1970s masculinity. Also, an eagle-eyed Ad Councilor notices something VERY similar about three different commercials that take place in the Old West.

An Ad Week article that's a day late and a dollar short gets Andrew and Vieves thinking about commercials that celebrate the schlub in all of us. Plus, it turns out the red and yellow M&M's are older than they look.