Subaru has an ad out for their "big tent event" that involves a car salesman in a gorilla suit with a monkey being told by a co-worker that it is not "that kind of tent" and then pointing to a small campfire scene as an example of the type of tent meant by "big tent event." I have long wondered just what the hell kind "tent" is represented by the guy in the gorilla suit. This question has been asked on the net by a few people and there seem to be three different answers.
a). The joke lies in the fact the gorilla suit guy thinks "big tent event" means a circus theme. People seem to be certain that this is what the commercial obviously means. Believing this, however, requires that one forget that a circus happens under a "big top," not "big tent" and that "gorilla" does not exactly scream "circus."
b). The commercial is making fun of car dealerships that need to have a guy dressed up in a gorilla suit to get attention. Subaru is, allegedly, not that kind of car company. This explanation seems to completely miss that the punchline is "it's not that kind of tent."
c). The commercial is absurdist humor wherein the gorilla suit has nothing to do with the word tent, thus the "humor." This explanation has the defect of not making sense.
I lean toward "a," but still think it makes no sense.
You all?
Monday, March 24, 2008
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7 comments:
I think a clown or something else would be MUCH more circus-y, so I don't think a is right. C seems the most realistic because I can't figure it out either.
I wasn't sure what the heck that commercial meant either, so I came searching on the 'net. Guess everyone is nearly as confused as I am.
Here's what I think. I think it's mocking that most car companies (or perhaps just Toyota) always have a "tent" event.
So rather than having the requisite big tent event, they are going to have a Small Tent (camping is apparently popular among Subaru owners) but Big Event.
Even if you overlook the fact that gorillas do not equate to big tents, the commercial STILL doesn't make sense, because the sale has nothing to do with tents. Geez, they could at least give them away.
And is the guy (not the one in the gorilla commericial, but the other "dealer" the actor from the series Bones?) Seriously, that's the best commercial gig he could get? Can anyone say "my agent isn't that kind of agent."
I've yet to find anyone who can explain that commercial. I think it's just a very badly conceived commercial.
Awful commercial, but it has made you all remember it. Viral advertising, I suppose - but it doesn't make me want to run out and purchase a Subaru.
Maybe I'm overanalyzing, but I think that "big tent event" could have another meaning. I agree with the "no gimmicks needed" line of thinking, but maybe there's also a hidden message. Maybe it's as simple as "Do you like camping/nature? Well, get a new Subaru to get you there!" Doesn't Subaru try to come across as rugged, sporty, etc? Maybe I'm just sleep deprived. =o]
I doubt its 'c' -- absurdist humor. A car company wouldn't be so cryptic.
I think its 'b', but just really poorly executed. Where "Big Tent Event" is insider lingo for car dealerships that do a big sales events each year.
But honestly.. they should fire their ad firm and the Subaru exec who approved it. Rediculous that something this confusing made it to broadcast.
Hah, big tent sales always makes me think of Saddlespan tents.
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