Whew: Second Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld ad a sharp improvement over the first
posted at 6:15 pm on September 12, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The bar was low, granted, but even so: King Nerd doing the robot? I might upgrade my copy of Office just for that.
Um, what are they selling here again?
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“Improvement is in the eye of the beholder”
Same as it ever sucked………..
Janos Hunyadi on September 12, 2008 at 6:17 PM
I like the tie and short sleeve shirt on the Dad. I believe Homer Simpson refers to this as the “Sipowicz look” after the NYPD Blue character.
D0WNT0WN on September 12, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Gates has way too much time on his hands.
lorien1973 on September 12, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Not shabby. The more they do the better they will get.
Spirit of 1776 on September 12, 2008 at 6:22 PM
I think Bill makes a good stand in for either Cramer or George.
Just like Vista
Kini on September 12, 2008 at 6:22 PM
These two relating to “real people” is kind of like Obama and Biden trying to do the same. Only Obama and Biden are more out of touch and less accomplished than Seinfeld or Gates.
D0WNT0WN on September 12, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Meh. I LOLed.
spmat on September 12, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Watched that, now I feel an erresistable urge to go outside and face Ike. I think it would be more fun.
conservnut on September 12, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Self-consciously precious. Ugh.
Cicero43 on September 12, 2008 at 6:27 PM
That reminds me, I need to update my iTunes software.
windbag on September 12, 2008 at 6:28 PM
a commercial about nothing:
Isn’t Vista very difficult to NOT get now? Unless you put together your own machine? All the Toshiba laptops I’ve seen since March have Vista.
( If it’s already there–everywhere–why advertise? )
Janos Hunyadi on September 12, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Lame. What is the purpose of this ad campaign again?
baxtrice on September 12, 2008 at 6:29 PM
they’re selling Microsoft… and it was quite a bit funnier…
Kaptain Amerika on September 12, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Jerry & Bill: Get a room…
Computer Users: Get a Mac…
IntheNet on September 12, 2008 at 6:31 PM
If you buy a computer at a big box retailer, you’ll get Vista. If you go to the manufacturer website, (Dell, etc.) and select small business, you can still get XP.
The only way to get it though is to request the XP upgrade (downgrade?) and they’ll install Vista, then downgrade Vista to XP.
Stupid as crap isn’t it.
BacaDog on September 12, 2008 at 6:32 PM
It just makes you wonder, just how much “software” that they have and that they “distribute” only amongst their close friends.. :}
It’s nice to have “geek” friends with connections. >:D
Chakra Hammer on September 12, 2008 at 6:34 PM
embrace Microsoft you closet liberal neo-cons… MAC is what Hollywood wants you to buy… don’t you know if you do the opposite of Hollywood, you’ll go to heaven… geeeez…
btw I still use Windows 2000 pro… I’ll never change damnit… never… although it did take me 35 minutes to get this post done on my IBM PS2 75mhz…
Kaptain Amerika on September 12, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Gates looks….old.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on September 12, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Gates is a liberal with the wealth of a conservative. Plz stop giving him any attention (I say hypocritically from my Windows O/S).
jediwebdude on September 12, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Yes
“Stupid is as Microsoft does”
My younger son put together a nice machine through HewPack, but they only offered Vista.
Janos Hunyadi on September 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Some of you guys need to lighten up.
It was funny.
You-Eh-Vee on September 12, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Yea, some don’t offer it at all.
I’ve known some folks who bought a new machine, wiped the drive, and installed XP. Some others just said the hell with it and use Linux and open-office.
BacaDog on September 12, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Now I understand why AP is so pessimistic all the time — he’s a PC guy.
I’m with InTheNet — get a Mac.
Y-not on September 12, 2008 at 6:41 PM
I will stick with my Mac
Jdripper on September 12, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Well, it looked pretty good to me… on my MacBook.
Scribbler on September 12, 2008 at 6:43 PM
I want to see a sitcom. This is surreal and amazing stuff.
Dr. Manhattan on September 12, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Ugh. Bad commercial. Sorta halfway kind not out loud funny. And a magnet for criticism from the idiot Mac fanboys. Not cool.
malan89 on September 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
WHY?
HotAirExpert on September 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
FailBook and iFail.
Only from Failpple.
malan89 on September 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM
I’m in the boat with McCain I don’t get it…… besides a friend built my computer, it isn’t a manufactured one….. heh
MNDavenotPC on September 12, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Operating System Market Share
Report generated Friday, September 12, 2008
Chakra Hammer on September 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Vista Has Been only been out 1 and 1/2 years , Mac Intel has been out for 2 and 1/2 years and Vista is 3.28 times more popular!
Chakra Hammer on September 12, 2008 at 6:51 PM
I just have to say I think Bill needs to go back to work that man just has to much time on his hands and I still don’t like vista even if I have used it since it came out give me xp any day of the week
tee866 on September 12, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Uh, a tad long for a commercial, isn’t it?
flipflop on September 12, 2008 at 6:55 PM
I just got a new computer with Vista. IE froze while I was watching that video.
laelaps on September 12, 2008 at 6:56 PM
I thought it was okay — definitely better than the first one. Gates actually seems to have some natural, though undeveloped, talent for this sort of thing.
In the end, though, it’s merely amusing; not something that I think is likely to succeed as an advertisement for Microsoft.
SynthSmith on September 12, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Lunux is FREE and it only has 0.93% of the the Market!
My computer Dual Boots with Vista and PCLOS(PCLinuxOS) However I very rarely ever choose to Boot Into Linux..
Chakra Hammer on September 12, 2008 at 6:57 PM
seinfeld is a genius…..he just got paid for that crap
custer on September 12, 2008 at 6:58 PM
It’s not Vista.. Also, Make sure you have the latest adobe flash player installed.
Most computer problems have to do with operator error.
Chakra Hammer on September 12, 2008 at 6:59 PM
Hallelujah!
malan89 on September 12, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Microsoft got the wrong guy. They should have hired Larry David.
Kenrod on September 12, 2008 at 7:08 PM
xp with foxfire., avast, cc cleaner , spy bot
MNDavenotPC on September 12, 2008 at 7:08 PM
firefox……duh!
MNDavenotPC on September 12, 2008 at 7:09 PM
“I got so many cars I get stuck in my own traffic” Lol
aengus on September 12, 2008 at 7:13 PM
Steve Ballmer. I don’t care who ya’ are, now that there guy is funny.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on September 12, 2008 at 7:15 PM
“What’s the deal with these commercials?”
CP on September 12, 2008 at 7:19 PM
I liked it
Baphomet on September 12, 2008 at 7:21 PM
I live in Seattle, I know people who have run into or known Gates. Just like the scene where the gypped the delivery guy, he’s know as a real bad tipper. He also used to get stoned at Lakeside HS. Oh, and he used to rent porn (before the internet, obviously). haha!
gmoonster on September 12, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Okay, am I missing something here? There’s Gates with more money than, well you know, and there’s Seinfeld who at one time was one funny guy. This the best they can come up with? It’s no wonder the phrase “Open Source” was invented.
Texasrocker on September 12, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Excuse me? I’m hardly new at this stuff. I owned three computers, starting in ‘82, before getting my first Mac in ‘92. I started with Q-DOS and BASIC. One Monday morning in the spring of ‘92 I pulled a file which was vital to me, and found it reduced to random ASCII characters. That’s when I got my first Mac.
That Mac still sits in my den. From time to time, just for fun I switch it on. It never let me down– nor have the three between that old beauty and my current machine. This makes my Apple products far and away the most economical computers I’ve ever owned, because I’ve never lost a word of a file, and I’ve never been let down by them.
But, you know, good luck with whatever floats your boat. I just like something handy and useful. I know, I know, that’s not for everyone.
Scribbler on September 12, 2008 at 7:33 PM
Okay…how much did Seinfeld get paid again?
The Ugly American on September 12, 2008 at 7:38 PM
What do I know? I like the first one.
LastRick on September 12, 2008 at 7:39 PM
I won’t touch Mac products with a 10 foot pole.
That’s part of the reason why. The other reason is that I game, and I’m a big fan of playing games within the first 3 years after the initial launch. :)
TheUnrepentantGeek on September 12, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Alright, for those of you who dont understand the new ads, I will explain them to you. Its very simple, and very much like what is happening in the race for the white house. Microsoft is attacking Apple in these ads. These are brilliant attack ads, without attacking at all. The message is, Microsoft is for regular people and Apple’s are for snobs. The Apple commercials portray the hip yound guy as the apple, and the old bald guy as the PC. Microsoft is embracing the old balding guy and saying, we are for normal people. Its a brilliant ad, something Apple left themselves very open to.
To those who understand advertising, its rarely about trying to sell a product, but rather about name recognition and really getting into the heads of the consumers. Apple wins if when you think of a computer, your first thought is of a macbook. Microsoft wins if your first thought is on Windows XP or Vista. We can see this in the soda market. Coke has won the advertising war, so much so, that the word coke is now used to describe all sorts of sodas.
muyoso on September 12, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Interesting analysis. Apple has nailed the MP3 player market this way.
TheUnrepentantGeek on September 12, 2008 at 7:47 PM
WORSE.
MarcusBrody on September 12, 2008 at 7:52 PM
That was a great line.
Ugly on September 12, 2008 at 7:58 PM
sorry ap. still sucks.
anna on September 12, 2008 at 8:02 PM
I’ve always liked being the underdog. Makes you strong.
Heh.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 12, 2008 at 8:12 PM
I like it!
frankj on September 12, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Then get a 360 my friend, HD, surround sound, great contols.
It works for me.
Over.
1GooDDaDDy on September 12, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Gawd that is dopey.
I work in IT and some of the Microsoft stuff I run across and have to deal with… they should be paying me!.
Oh, and in case you missed the parody site years ago: MicroSnot.Com Where do you want to go, toady?
electric-rascal on September 12, 2008 at 8:39 PM
That’s only because it’s prebundled.
ViperPilot on September 12, 2008 at 8:40 PM
I liked that one. Ganny getting her teeth out of the freezer was good.
cyclosarin on September 12, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Best vaporware line…
Kid playing game – “Woah! When’s this coming out?!”
Bill Gates – “Never. If anyone asks you, you don’t know about it.”
Coronagold on September 12, 2008 at 8:56 PM
I enjoyed it with a good chuckle here and there.
Sue me.
CTDeLude on September 12, 2008 at 8:59 PM
I think the best part was Bill still working over his Conquistador. Great segway (sp? — m-w.com not cooperating).
darury on September 12, 2008 at 9:17 PM
I love the look on the pizza kids face.
Geronimo on September 12, 2008 at 9:28 PM
there was nothing wrong with the first
Opinionnation on September 12, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Quite funny. do I smell a buddy movie feature film???
Mike D. on September 12, 2008 at 9:50 PM
funny.
but I think Gwyneth Paltrow is pretty so I am completely out of step with this crowd
tlynch001 on September 12, 2008 at 10:34 PM
odd
lame
disturbing
sort of like the Burbs movie with John Belushi.
paulsur on September 12, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…umph…is it over?…..zzzzzzzzzz
whitetop on September 12, 2008 at 10:51 PM
i’m sure i be pilloried for this, but this is no less funny than Seinfeld in my opinion. that is, not funny at all. honestly, i rarely ever cracked a smile in all the times i was subjected to that “masterpiece” of comedy.
but what a country…I’m allowed to not like it, and change the channel, or turn off the tv. so much for the fairness doctrine.
connertown on September 12, 2008 at 10:54 PM
/agree on Paltrow. She’s super cute and sexy. Loved her in Ironman.
Commercial (?) was enjoyable. My favorite line was something to the effect of, “It’s okay, there’s a fireball.”
Also, OS stability is largely a function of the user. Software engineer here… my XP and Vista boxes tend to run weeks without need of a reboot. XP32 at work is very stable. XP32 at home is more stable. Vista 64 is plentifully stable, better after SP1. No pr0n + no toolbars + no warez + bit of mojo = stable box :D
knob on September 12, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Vista? The browser is the new OS. Good luck to MSFT generating revenue while fighting for market share in a free software product against Safari, Firefox, and Chrome.
AAPL and GOOG know how to monetize beyond software. Microsoft had better acquire someone who does–hope Ballmer didn’t toss away Jerry Yang’s phone number.
re: commercial. Thought Gates has been funny. Don’t have any idea how they’d chop that thing into a 30 second spot. Guess that isn’t the point.
dedalus on September 13, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Ginger or Maryanne?
Mr_Magoo on September 13, 2008 at 12:13 AM
I like the Milky Minutes commercial better.
Mr_Magoo on September 13, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Most problems with PC’S are user errors. I have had clients mess their systems bad. Then I tell them it wasn’t the computer. Vista has some flaws. Many customers begged for XP Pro. Mac’s are great also. Graphics is what they are known for and machine designing. They bore me though when they need fixing. To easy. :) The video was different, and Bill Gates looks like his face is frozen or something.
sheebe on September 13, 2008 at 1:03 AM
I’m buying Microsoft Monday.
winemkr on September 13, 2008 at 1:15 AM
Ummm.. Is OSX Not prebundled?
Chakra Hammer on September 13, 2008 at 1:15 AM
This was shamefully unfunny.
You know what is funny? Geraldo falling face down on a seawall during a hurricane. Any hurricane. That’s what sells operating systems.
Western_Civ on September 13, 2008 at 1:55 AM
I may need to buy some Apple stock.
Ronnie on September 13, 2008 at 3:45 AM
As a video, better. As a commercial, still not great.
As for Vista, it’s a disaster. Sure, you can quote impressive sales figures. But few of those people bought Vista. They bought laptops and desktops, and were literally forced to buy Vista with them.
The key to Microsoft’s success has always been to sign every PC maker to a contract where they pay Microsoft based NOT on how many PC’s they sell with MS software, but how many PC’s they sell PERIOD. This effectively crowds out all competition, because if they sold a laptop with, say, BeOS or OS/2 or Linux or FreeBSD or Solaris installed, they STILL pay Microsoft the same fee for Windows, even though Windows is not installed.
Most companies take the path of least resistance and simply don’t offer anything else but Windows, which leaves Microsoft in complete control of what they can sell. And guess what: if you buy a new PC but specify you want Windows XP instead of Vista, you still get Vista, and the company just downgrades you to Windows XP. So every PC being sold now with Windows XP on it is counted as a Vista sale.
And yet, Vista has been so badly received that Microsoft is launching this ad campaign, and commercials about “the Mojave Experiment” (basic theme: Vista isn’t as bad as you think!). And on top of that, it’s in the news now that Microsoft will hire and pay “Windows Guru’s” to work at Best Buy and Circuit City stores across the country. Their job will be to offer help, encouragement, and sales of Windows Vista at these stores.
Yes, the position is actually “Windows Guru.” A fairly obvious imitation of the Apple Store and their “Apple Genius” people.
These are not the actions of a huge company with a product that everyone wants. You’ll notice they aren’t taking these kinds of drastic steps to promote Office. That’s because Office is doing well. Vista is doing horribly, so they have to either give up on it or promote it harder.
Is all that really so hard to believe? Have we forgotten already the fiasco that was Windows Me?
theregoestheneighborhood on September 13, 2008 at 3:49 AM
Vista Has Been only been out 1 and 1/2 years , Mac Intel has been out for 2 and 1/2 years and Vista is 3.28 times more popular!
I hate to tell you but just because more people own or use something doesn’t necessarily make it better. People think they only have one option and, in many cases, are too scared to try something different.
I switched to Apple a little over a year ago and have kicked myself ever since for not doing it sooner. Once you go Mac, you never go back…
Anyway, I think this commercial is just as bad as the other one.
David Alison posted this earlier. It’s a friends half of a chat they were having about this commercial. The friend is a Windows user:
TexasAg03 on September 13, 2008 at 3:50 AM
Really?
I bought Vista Ultimate Retail(That came with the 32bit, and 64bit DVD’s) a week after it was released.
I got a pretty go good deal on the internet(not as cheap as it is not, but at the time the best deal to be had.. this license can be transferred to any machine, ran in a virtual machine or anything, pretty sweet. )
Chakra Hammer on September 13, 2008 at 4:23 AM
That sums up why I stopped watching “Seinfeld” at about the time they started pitching a “show about nothing” to the network. Caught the series finale, though: one of the biggest disappointments in series finales in TV history, IMHO.
Captain Scarlet on September 13, 2008 at 5:56 AM
I always enjoy watching members of the self annointed American aristocracy making fun of us common Americans.
peacenprosperity on September 13, 2008 at 6:43 AM
How can you not enjoy these guys!?!
tgillian on September 13, 2008 at 7:45 AM
They have both aged without grace. Money can’t buy everything it appears.
Hening on September 13, 2008 at 7:50 AM
Rough crowd.
I liked it. It’s good to be easily amused.
TexasDan on September 13, 2008 at 4:52 PM
hey lam3r n00bs…Vista sux
Needed to be said
LimeyGeek on September 13, 2008 at 6:39 PM
that was 4 minutes and 30 seconds too long.
vcferlita on September 13, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Why upgrade your copy of Office when you can use OpenOffice for free?
openoffice.org
Dusk Eagle on September 14, 2008 at 10:10 PM
You’re definitely not normal….
theregoestheneighborhood on September 15, 2008 at 1:22 AM
True. And never buy Microsoft Works when OpenOffice is so much better, and shares files with Microsoft Office better than Microsoft Works.
That’s right. Microsoft Works is incompatible with Microsoft Office, even though both are made by Microsoft.
theregoestheneighborhood on September 15, 2008 at 1:26 AM
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