Abraham Lincoln And Talking Beaver Shill Drug
Adrants reader James Baldiga sends us this decidedly weird promotion for sleep drug Rozerem which features Abraham Lincoln, a talking beaver and a guy who can't sleep. The three explain healthy sleep and how the company's drug can put you to sleep when you can't do so yourself. Drug ads are boring. Sleeping pills are mundane. The combination of Abraham Lincoln, a talking beaver, a guy who can't sleep and a drug company promoting its sleeping pill are not.
Comments
I think this commercial won't register as weird in Illinois since we're all used to seeing this kind of stuff.
but, I'm glad to see a drug commercial that's not composed of stock footage of people playing at the park. Or with stupid animated characters like foot fungus or a bee who talks like Antonio Banderas.
Rehash of matress spots (Serta?) from years ago, starring a bunch of Mickey Rooneys and Cornelius from "Planet of the Apes".
I'm a TiVo Fast-Forward devotee, as is my boyfriend, but last night, this spot came on, and we watched it all the way through. Effective, memorable, and hell - just frakkin' funny.
When I first saw this spot I sat there wondering what the hell Abe Lincoln and some talking animal I didn't recognize were doing in this commercial, so I didn't "hear" a word of copy. Wierdness cancels out copy points every time.
Anyone know who did this?
I like it, and think its pretty well done. Looks a lot more fun some recent stuff I've worked on.
This is all cock.
Cramer Krasselt Chicago did the ad.
I once stuck an Exacto in my peehole.
I like beaver-shooting. Anyone else?
In my mind Abe Lincoln will forever be associated with Electric Six's Gay Bar, the video for which featured a multitude of pole dancing Abe clones. Very odd.
Cramer Krasselt Chicago did the ad? As I said. They possibly did it because it's the standard Illinois commercial. You know, we like Lincoln. And beavers.
Love this commercial! It's as odd as some dreams -you wake and think "HUH?!?" Places and things where they should be, long gone friends or people you've never met.This commercial conveys the sleep/dream "other life" perfectly - and whether or not you're part of it. VERY clever!
Abelson Taylor did the ad
Does anyone know who the actor is that plays Lincoln in the commercial? He looks familiar. What about the voice of the beaver?
I have answered my own question. His name is Ted Rooney. The wonder of Google!
I'm having an argument with my husband about this commercial. I figured the guy's "dreams" involved being an "Honest Abe" and an "Eager Beaver" at work or something, and he hasn't been doing well at work because he can't sleep so he's dreaming about these aspects of his ambition that he's lost. My husband thinks its just a dream. I'm starting to think I sound like I"m on crack or something.
Just wasnt to add my 2cents... come on folks - think about it. These elements in the commercial represent this guys dreams... obviously these are things he dreams about, right? Now, think... what is the beaver doing????? He's eating! So, does this mean this guy is dreaming about eating beaver???? Can't figure out the other two - the space man (which no one seems to have mentioned) and honest Abe playing chess??? Hmmm, honest abe playing chess....
Just wasnt to add my 2cents... come on folks - think about it. These elements in the commercial represent this guys dreams... obviously these are things he dreams about, right? Now, think... what is the beaver doing????? He's eating! So, does this mean this guy is dreaming about eating beaver???? Can't figure out the other two - the space man (which no one seems to have mentioned) and honest Abe playing chess??? Hmmm, honest abe playing chess....
The voice of the beaver is Michael Kostroff. He's an actor of some sort.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0467512/
Link to the Internet Movie Database and some info on our beaver friend. Kind of takes the fun out of the beaver though. I like to think of him as a beaver and not a bald actor!
What's funniest and most dreamlike/absurd is that the beaver is the character named "Honest Abe" (and he accuses the Lincoln character of cheating). Looks to me like the spaceman is cooking a meal.
I don't think the interpretation of the dream is key here--just the absurdity.
The beaver looks constipated...might explain his crankiness...
For the longest time I thought the beaver was a woodchuck or a groundhog because the tail doesn't look like a beaver's. What is even worse is that I am actually taking my time to type my concerns. So, is the guy in the background a diver or a space man?
I really thought the commercial was kind of dumb at first, but now I am strangely intrigued and amused by it.
I think Mark Ryden should sue.
I thought the charactors voice sounded like Ron Jeremy. I figured it made since. Ron - beaver. the phrase you are what you eat. Ron Jeremy , beaver. anyone?
I too thought the beaver sounded a lot like Ron Jeremy...I can find no evidence it's Michael Kostroff, as the guy above has asserted.
I love the beaver! I wish he could replace the annoying groundgog on the PA lottery commercials!
I crack up every time they are on-especially the line"did you just say CHILL?"
I love the beaver! I wish he could replace the annoying groundgog on the PA lottery commercials!
I crack up every time they are on-especially the line"did you just say CHILL?"
I love the beaver! I wish he could replace the annoying groundgog on the PA lottery commercials!
I crack up every time they are on-especially the line"did you just say CHILL?"
I love the beaver! I wish he could replace the annoying groundgog on the PA lottery commercials!
I crack up every time they are on-especially the line"did you just say CHILL?"
Some have mentioned the astronaut in the background--I think he looks like a deep sea diver, in an old "bubble" helmet. (Maybe that is just in the newer commercials.)
Jon stated that he has found no evidence that the Beaver is the voice of Michael Kostroff. I found that info via a Google search. I will post link as soon as I can find one again.
Diver or astronaut? He is a "hard hat" deep-sea diver. I hesitate to say Navy, but being the son of a retired sailor, I can tell you that is a deep-sea suit. My Dad once applied for that duty, but was rejected, so became a submariner.
yes...eating beaver...perhaps outside of a current relationship--thus "cheating" and not "honest"--with the added visual referent of a beard (like our adolescent references to 'bearded clam') and a (muff) diver
---The voice of the beaver is Michael Kostroff. He's an actor of some sort.---
He sounds much more gravelly to me (Joe Rogan? Adam Carolla?)