Comments on: Forget Seinfeld, Microsoft, you want the two Coreys

Crave asked readers who would be a better spokesman for the Redmondians. Their suggestions range from the insightful to, well, the just plain cruel.

[oce.net]

I recommend- the cast of Team Fortress 2. Or- for that matter- why not just use all of the Valve characters? The only thing lacking from the Valve universe that might be needed for a commercial is a lot of scantily clad women or the like. I can live without those.

[Anon9001]

Great idea. GlaDOS can do the voice over.

[ElDudde]

The commercial hasn't even run yet and there has been an avalanche of criticisms against it and Microsoft from the Applelites out there in the ether. Talk about oversensitivity. My, my, but you Appelites have a thin skin, so touchy, so sensitive, so afraid. You all seem very defensive for a group that is so certain about your greatness and Microsoft's shortcomiings.

What's with that dudes?

[7aji88]

That sounds like the description of an ipod click wheel or what ever you call that thing :)

[trd1282]

Thanks mom (ElDudde), we mac users should be punished, shame on us for our blasted insecurities.

Now back to the topic at hand. I am actually quite interested in Jerry Seinfeld, Yet I don't think it will be much of game changing move. I do think Microsoft is trying to tailor to a specific audience in this campaign, and I do not think that audience is people that already own a mac, or those who already plan on buying a mac. I think this may be targeted at older users of windows xp, reinforcing that they should go ahead and move to Vista as quickly as possible (windows 7 is around the corner for pete sake).

Its not so much to pit Seinfeld versus Justin long, as it is to substitute for John Hodgman.

[im2fools]

I agree with you that Seinfeld is all about appealing to a certain demographic, namely 40 something managers.

With a name like Vista, they should also go with someone like George Lopez for a pitch to the Hispanic market.

I can picture the one-liners already.

I finally get the chance for Windows with a Vista and my own Office, and Steve Jobs think I want to go pick Apples? He must be crazy.

What's with the Ieverything? I'll tell you what it is, the sound you make when you see the price tag. Aye!

You know why I like Microsoft, because everything from Apple only comes in Black, white or silver. Does Apple have some kind of problem with beige? Mira, my whole family is beige!

[trd1282]

Thanks mom (ElDudde), we mac users should be punished, shame on us for our blasted insecurities.

Now back to the topic at hand. I am actually quite interested in Jerry Seinfeld, Yet I don't think it will be much of game changing move. I do think Microsoft is trying to tailor to a specific audience in this campaign, and I do not think that audience is people that already own a mac, or those who already plan on buying a mac. I think this may be targeted at older users of windows xp, reinforcing that they should go ahead and move to Vista as quickly as possible (windows 7 is around the corner for pete sake).

Its not so much to pit Seinfeld versus Justin long, as it is to substitute for John Hodgman.

[crispoe]

Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) going over obsessing over Windows Vista as he did with business cards in American Psycho.

[darkridedp]

Seinfeld might be perfect and make some wonderful, compelling ads. However, as someone who works in the advertising biz, I have to say this; nothing obsoletes a product faster than great advertising for a lousy product.

[Paul_Allen]

Couldn't agree more crispoe. If Bateman likes it you know it's the best. Besides, everyone loves Bale, especially after the Dark Knight.

[FO-FI_FO_454]

Seinfeld? How's about Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Gummo and Zeppo....starringi in "A Vista Comedy of Errors" "A Day At The Races" "Horse Feathers" or even "COCONUTS", or for the clincher, try "Out, Out Brief Candle........By William Shakespeare.
GOOGLE IT for the TWO WORD ENDING!
TTFN, TA TA FOR NOW!

[ouroborous]

The irony is that Vista is actually pretty good. Despite all the snobby, self-congratulating hot air from the Mac-heads out there, I've had nothing but good luck with Vista. It's run faster, more stable, and prettier (not that THAT matters) than XP, for me. From my discussions with others, now that we're at Service Pack 1 of Vista, they're all having the same experience -- it's pretty darned good. I definitely prefer it over my girlfriend's Mac.

So, Apple is just (copying a page from Microsoft's playbook?) spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt -- but precious little truth, with their ads.

Of course, that doesn't mean that Microsoft -- famously bad at marketing -- won't find a way to flub the marketing campaign.

[dude7895]

Finally, someone who isn't a moron. Vista may of had problems when it first came out, but so did xp. If it wasn't for apples false commercials about it, vista would be more widely used. But hey, the Applelites must follow there king steve jobs blindly, right?

[The_Decider]

LOL

Vista fans are funny because they are so blind to reality. Enjoy the bloat, DRM, and spyware.

[Mr. Dee]

Its most obvious Microsoft is planning a parody of Mac vs PC, with Gates playing the role of PC and Seinfeld as Mac. I suspect, with the theme about breaking down walls, Gates will play a PC thats not defensive, but will show Mac some of the cool things he can do. Mac will respond, 'wow' I never knew you could do that.

[The_Decider]

You are probably right since MS hasn't shown even a flicker of charm or originality ever.

[kojacked]

"You are probably right since MS hasn't shown even a flicker of charm or originality ever."

I think you have a type-o there The_Decider... You miss-typed "MS" when you really meant "The_Decider".

[g c f]

i think Seinfeld is perfect. after all, that was the "show about nothing" and windows vista is the "operating system about nothing" so it's a perfect fit

[TheArkhamAngel]

Classic! I loved that response. I can't comment if it's a true statement but funny nonetheless.

[Valethar]

"However, a Microsoft fan might point out that the cast of a Carell movie, The 40-Year-Old Virgin could work just as well for Apple. You know, gadget heads stuck forever in some sort of adolescent, video-game-playing, pot-smoking purgatory"

Hmm... That might not work either, seeing as one of the biggest arguments over PC vs Mac is the availability of games.

The Microsoft lemmings can't have it both ways.

[t26l]

Seinfeld is "one of the funniest men on the planet"?!!!
G-d help us.

[Mr_Technical_Dude]

...how about the Three Stooges? ...ooops okay, forgot they were dead... on second thought maybe that is also more appropriate for a Vista rep.

[Mr_Technical_Dude]

...how about the Three Stooges? ...ooops okay, forgot they were dead... on second thought maybe that is also more appropriate for a Vista rep.

[ssampier]

There's always the chance to inject some real-world humor into it. Microsoft should get Drew Barrymore for one-off. They could do a skit where her Mac-loving boyfriend always had trouble and Vista works great for him. This mirrors the real-world where she was dating Mr. Mac ad himself, Justin Long.

[ServedUp]

Microsoft should've hired Larry David. All of Seinfeld's jokes were written by Larry David. Jerry Seinfeld was just a vehicle to promote the show. Who was he before the show Seinfeld. I never laughed as hard watching his stand up routines as I did the show. They better have a good script or else this is gonig to flop BIGTIME!

[mydws]

YOUR absolutely RIGHT!

[mydws]

Seinfeld was funny because he was paired up with one of the best writers, and stand up comics in the business- Larry David.

You can see a lot of the same humor in HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

As such, I am going to Curb my Enthusiasm with for these upcoming ads. They would have been better picking someone from the CURRENT NBC Thursday Night Comedy lineup.

I agree with an earlier poster- this isn't about trying to outsmart Apple ads, but provide an alternative to John Hodgeman.

[mydws]

Seinfeld was funny because he was paired up with one of the best writers, and stand up comics in the business- Larry David.

You can see a lot of the same humor in HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

As such, I am going to Curb my Enthusiasm with for these upcoming ads. They would have been better picking someone from the CURRENT NBC Thursday Night Comedy lineup.

I agree with an earlier poster- this isn't about trying to outsmart Apple ads, but provide an alternative to John Hodgeman.

[kmtkr]

I've seen Robin Williams at more than one Mac World show in SF - I doubt he would stick his neck out for MS :)