VIDEO: Prius backlash bubbles over in comedy sketch
Click above to watch video after the jump
The Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle in its class, very roomy, relatively affordable and Hanna Montana drives one. Maybe that last point is why some people are beginning to show hostility towards the car that's become the Kleenex of hybrids.
Andy Richter and James Adomain of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater have played off the Prius backlash in a faux car commercial pitting the Hyundai Elantra against Toyota's famous hybrid. Richter, formerly of Late Night with Conan O'Brien fame and not much since, plays the part of the frugal-minded Hyundai owner with an underlying anger issue, while Adomain gets all spiffed up to play the snobbish know-it-all with the Nickel Hydride battery pack. Forget about the totally erroneous statistics and the bogus sticker prices, just wait for the punch line. It's not the driveway shooting, but rather the fact this commercial is actually for the Nissan Sentra. Follow the jump to see it for yourself.
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
mapoftazifosho 12:34PM (3/13/2009)
To the author, Chris Shunk, you're an idiot! This is NOT a real commercial...
How are you allowed to publish on here...
Reply
mapoftazifosho 12:36PM (3/13/2009)
was there an edit to the title...
Ed 12:37PM (3/13/2009)
Pretty sure that by putting the words 'Comedy Sketch' in the article title, Chris was well aware of what the video is.
Faux ad or not, it doesn't change the fact that it's an advert for a Nissan.
Farris 12:38PM (3/13/2009)
He did call it a faux car commercial. That means fake, dude.
mapoftazifosho 1:10PM (3/13/2009)
When it was first posted, the title did NOT read comedy sketch...it said commercial...
PaulPaul 1:21PM (3/13/2009)
please stop posting
Signed,
The Internet.
Chris Shunk 2:10PM (3/13/2009)
Seriously, who in their right mind would think this is a real commercial? First, faux means fake. We only changed the title because the literal among us started to freak out. Second, I mentioned in plain language that it was performed by a theater company. Then, the actual "commercial" is self deprecating, which goes against the basic principles of marketing. I'm guessing you didn't ready the post before getting yourself all excited.
Vincenzo 2:50PM (3/13/2009)
Shooting someone...Real funny asshole!
Jamesology 4:07PM (3/13/2009)
WOW a car vid and people are whining...... Is it that time of the month for some people?
Tom Winch 5:38PM (3/13/2009)
"Andy Richter and James Adomain of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater have played off the Prius backlash in a FAUX car commercial pitting the Hyundai Elantra against Toyota's famous hybrid."
Faux means fake, you fail.
@Vincenzo - it's a comedy show doing an ad parody. Chillaxe dude!
Here in L.A., there's so many self-righteous (Oh I'm so cool saving the planet) Prius owners that I'd like to shoot a few myself sometimes.
Bryant 7:58PM (3/13/2009)
Devil's advocate POV here:
Theater companies often do commercials for others, and when this video was originally posted, there was absolutely no reference to it being a parody or a faux ad. Therefore, it's understandable that some people may have originally thought that Mr. Shunk couldn't perceive the unreal nature of this skit.
Having said this, mapoftazifosho's original comment was over the top, but the fact that Mr. Shunk didn't indicate that he made any edits to his original post was disingenuous and does actually warrant a revocation of his right to blog.
For any bloggers around here who are reading this, if you make an edit to your post, you must mark such edits. Otherwise, amongst those who noticed, you lose all credibility.
mapoftazifosho 12:37PM (3/13/2009)
There was an edit made to the title! Sneaky!
Reply
Dylan 12:38PM (3/13/2009)
Really makes me want a Nissan
Reply
Albert Valera 12:40PM (3/13/2009)
/me missed something
Reply
Dustin 12:40PM (3/13/2009)
haha, we need more commercials that end with gunfire
Reply
Brn 3:02PM (3/13/2009)
My dogs came running into the room as soon as the gunfire started.
Now, they won't leave.
xpolarx 12:42PM (3/13/2009)
"Andy Richter and James Adomain of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater have played off the Prius backlash in a FAUX car commercial pitting the Hyundai Elantra against Toyota's famous hybrid."
Could be that you don't know what 'faux' means or maybe you just need to pay a little more attention while your reading; either way, don't be such a dick.
Reply
Frank 12:50PM (3/13/2009)
Loved the mis-pronounciation of Hyundai by the "owner",
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BigMcLargeHuge 12:58PM (3/13/2009)
I don't think this sketch prioritized accuracy.
Tatohead 1:43PM (3/13/2009)
Remember when Hyundai launched in in the US in 1984? They tried to get everyone to use the correct, Korean pronunciation but shortly thereafter gave up and dropped the "Y" sound.
FYI - The Korean word means "modern", and the Korean pronunciation of HYUN is just one syllable, not Hy-un or Hun.