Michael in Nashville

Companies pay billions and billions of dollars each year to drop commercials into our favorite programs in hopes of influencing our shopping habits, getting us to buy things, and toot their own horns. As long as people still have money to spend they'll keep giving us ideas on how to spend it. So this week let's take a closer look at the entity we call commercials.

1. Commercials: Annoying disruption or Interesting Advertisement?
For the most part, annoying distruption. There are a few exceptions, such as the ads during the Super Bowl. Also, I hate to admit it, but a few months ago, I was more excited about the long preview for Spider-Man 2 than I was the new episode of The Apprentice it aired during.

2. Is there a commercial that instantly has you reaching for the remote to mute it?
In Augusta, one of the local car dealers had the WORST commercial. It was this guy singing "Toyota's…are cheaper..in North Augusta!" over and over again with a huge bass and heavy guitar going on the whole time. It was AWFUL. Even worse was the fact that some of the commericals featured the guy singing the song and it tried to make it look like a music video. My description of it here is not doing justice to how BAD it is. And the worst part–it aired all the time! You couldn't avoid it. And believe me, I tried!

3. Jingles are one of the most useful tools in commercials, what's your favorite (or least favorite if you prefer)?
I still like "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke."

~Bonus~ Has a commercial actually ever influenced something you've done or bought?
Yes, they actually have. A couple of years ago, I saw an ad for a toy that I had to immediately go out and buy Gracelyn for Christmas. I even e-mailed friends and family, claiming this particular toy–I think it was the Winnie the Pooh that holds a rattle and has an remote control rattle that activates it when the child shakes it–as the big present that Gracelyn was getting from her Uncle Michael.

Remember to leave your link or answers in the comments!!