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‘Days of Our Lives’ Is the Best Soap Opera. At Product Placement, Anyway.

Written by Matt Ufford / 11.15.10

Comedienne Kristen Schaal — who’s probably best known as Mel from “Flight of the Conchords” and as a contributor to “The Daily Show” — Except to call them “product placements” insinuates that they’re in some way subtle; rather, these are full-blown ads inserted into the story, as if viewers haven’t gotten any savvier since the 1950s (note: most soap opera viewers HAVEN’T gotten any savvier since the 1950s).

Above is a blatant ad spot for Midol; below, two more egregious examples of shilling for Chex Mix and Wanchai Ferry Chinese Food. It’s so bad that one of the characters is like, “Chex Mix? What’s that? WHY DON’T YOU TELL ME ABOUT IT?” That dialog is less believable than the handsome one-eyed doctor waking up from a ten-year coma.

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18 comments
Matt Ufford posted

"‘Days of Our Lives’ Is the Best Soap Opera. At Product Placement, Anyway."

  1. 11.15.10 at 3:11 pm
    Otto Man

    Four out of five doctors say Chex Mix really satisfies your T-Zone.

  2. 11.15.10 at 3:11 pm
    pat

    Boobies.

  3. 11.15.10 at 3:19 pm
    njpanick

    Wow, this is worse than the aggressive product placement on The Biggest Loser (hosted by none other than Alison Sweeney, the blonde in the last 2 ‘Days’ clips).

    Alison Sweeney: the Albert Pujols of tacky product integration.

  4. 11.15.10 at 3:20 pm
    PepeSilvia

    just out of curiosity, Matt, when did you legally change your last name to Hoffman?

    [law.rightpundits.com]

  5. 11.15.10 at 3:25 pm
    Matt

    Uh, that guy looks nothing like me (I can’t grow facial hair). And try to keep comments related to the post.

  6. 11.15.10 at 3:28 pm
    PepeSilvia

    Boobies?

  7. 11.15.10 at 3:28 pm
    Bill Old Styley

    The future of television courtesy of DVRs.

  8. 11.15.10 at 3:39 pm
    Kid Presentable

    “Nothing keeps my dog waiting for me for six months after my death like the nutritious, great taste of Alpo.”

  9. 11.15.10 at 4:07 pm
    Enrico Pallazzo

    Nothing keeps Susan Lucci still living like daily doses of Summer’s Eve.

  10. 11.15.10 at 4:19 pm
    Stinky Pete

    +1 njpanick, Biggest Loser is unwatchable unless it’s on the DVR and I can bypass the ridiculous in-show ads.

    …and yes, I realize that most of you reading this would have ended that sentence after “unwatchable”.

  11. 11.15.10 at 4:20 pm
    Taco_Jones

    USA shows are starting to get pretty bad at this, as well. I mean, uh, my less intelligent friend who watches them told me. I just hang out with him because he has a ping pong table.

  12. 11.15.10 at 5:01 pm
    njpanick

    @stinky pete

    The DVR is also handy for blowing through the endless segments of fat people crying out their demons. All in all, I probably watch about 35 minutes of a full 2-hour program (challenges, weigh-in, elimination).

  13. 11.15.10 at 10:33 pm
    JMoney

    Umm, you guys know soap operas exist for this very purpose right? To sell products to people sitting home during the day? Why is this considered new or news?

  14. 11.16.10 at 1:32 am
    Mr. F

    Chex Mix and Tits. U-S-A! U-S-A!

  15. 11.16.10 at 8:22 am
    Bob

    Yeah, that’s about as subtle as a punch in the face. Well done Days of our Lives.

  16. 11.16.10 at 8:35 am
    yeatdog

    I can’t believe I spilled all the delicious Ken’s Steakhouse Lite Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing all over you!

  17. 11.16.10 at 9:43 am
    Mel Got Served

    There’s nothing like heading down to a local pub for some food and beers and ordering your favorite Wanchai Ferry frozen Chinese Food.

  18. 11.16.10 at 1:37 pm
    ICU!

    Best product placement:

    [www.hulu.com]

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