Television Archive
Introduction | 08.30.01
Welcome to the Idiot Box, Flak readers. Why we're launching a TV section. By Flak Staff
Columns | Commentaries | Essays
Networks | Programs | Commercials
Columns
The Remote | 08.23.05
Semi-regular reports on TV that Americans can't see. By Flak Staff
Commentaries
ALF DVD Commentary, No. 2 | 01.26.05
"Heavy, hairy, and [able to talk]." That's ALF. And that's why he's worth a second Flak original audio commentary. By Steve Carey, Chris Rosen and James Norton
ALF DVD Commentary, No. 1 | 01.11.05
One of the world's best-known puppet-midgets finally gets an audio commentary worthy of his stature. By Steve Carey, Chris Rosen and James Norton
DVD Reviews
Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Vol. 1 | 12.09.03
The collected adventures of television's most chaotic trio are upon us. By James Norton
Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story | 10.06.05
The mastermind behind the "Family Guy," evidentally dazed from exhaustion, has released a monumental bomb of a DVD. By James Norton
Essays
Aaron Spelling: 1923-2006 | 06.27.06
Guinness Book of World Records' "Most Prolific Producer of Television Drama" dies at 83. By Joey Rubin
Chris Rock at the Oscars | 02.26.05
What one of America's most volatile stand-ups needs to do in order to survive one of his most high-profile gigs. By David Irvin
Gender Killed The TV Star | 03.15.06
In the world of the TV commercial, men drink beer and women dance with vacuums. Always. By Liz Khalil
Jon Stewart at the Oscars | 03.04.06
Will the man change the institution, or will the institution break the man? By David Irvin
Joss Whedon: The Legacy | 03.08.07
Ten years after the debut of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, creator Joss Whedon's mastery of the television medium continues to have a profound ripple effect. By Anthony Letizia
Laugh Track Record | 11.10.05
The sitcom, or reality TV, or the laugh track one of them is dead and this time it's for real. By Steve Carey
Santino Rice: An Appreciation | 01.19.06
A mostly sincere tribute to the enfant terrible of "Project Runway." By Liz Khalil
Sitcom Sidekick Showdown | 11.02.05
David Silver and Doogie Howser, and this time they're funny! (No, really.) By Cheryl Lowry
State of the Jingle | 06.26.03
Our cultural malaise has a first name, it's N-O. Our cultural malaise has a second name, it's J-I-N-G-L-E-S. By Paul Davidson
The Last Temptation of Clay | 06.14.07
A castigation of the immoral bastards behind that great TV show, Top Chef. Warning: Spoilers ahoy. By James Norton
Those '70s Shows | 04.04.06
If you think they've run out of old TV series to make into lousy movies, you obviously aren't thinking of Samuel L. Jackson. By Bob Cook
Queer Eye for Straight Girls | 10.14.03
Straight girls want five fabulous fairy godmothers to make them over, too. By Claire Zulkey
The Smoking Gun of TV vs. Countdown with Keith Olbermann | 09.04.03
Can the Web's best qualities survive the transition to TV? By Bob Cook
Well Hung | 03.05.04
With his off-key singing and awkward little dance, William Hung became a media phenomenon. You've got to wonder, though, why he tried out for "American Idol" in the first place. By Sarah Lazarovic
Network Reviews
Court TV | 09.04.01
Viewers who aren't tuning in for the irony can feel as if they're watching the American justice system working in real-time. By Alissa Rowinsky
ESPN Classic | 09.04.01
ESPN Classic leaves behind the hogwash; it's nothing but fun. By Andy Stilp
Eternal Word Television | 09.04.01
The shortest route between you and dull, Catholic orthodoxy. By Stephanie Kuenn
National Network, The | 09.04.01
What gives with the former Nashville Network's urban obsession? By James Norton
RTP Portugal | 09.04.01
Living in Portugal is a lot like being in a parade, evidently. A parade through the ruins of Hell. By Julia Lipman
Slovenia 3 | 01.31.02
What is that? An anus? What's it doing on Slovenian television? By Clay Risen
The Travel Channel | 09.04.01
A channel that offers viewers the same brainless relief that its destinations offer their brainless guests. By Andy Ross
The TV Guide Channel | 01.05.05
Any media effort headlined by Joan and Melissa has gotta be some kind of elaborate ruse. By Patrick Quirk
Turner Classic Paranoia | 03.07.02
Turner Classic Movies inexplicably plunges into a 1970s doomsday-trumpeting, world-ending, people-eating frenzy. By Bob Cook
Program Reviews
24 Episode 1 | 11.07.01
The first in a series of real-time reviews of the Fox's new real-time TV show. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 2 | 11.14.01
Ruminations on split screen, "Nowhere Man" and "Walker Texas Ranger;" meanwhile, episode 2 keeps "24" going strong. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 3 | 11.21.01
Does "24"'s conspiracy lose credulity by casting its web so wide? By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 4 | 11.28.01
Is there a place in "24" for an episode where nothing happens? By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 5 | 12.12.01
After an off week and a week off, the show gets back on track and overhauls all its plot threads. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 6 | 12.19.01
Outrageous events bring up the credulity double-bind: Either these are unbelievable coincidences or the terrorists are unbelievably well-organized. Just what's going on here? By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 7 | 01.09.02
And so the second act begins, showing both how near to and how far from the great conspiracy stories "24" is going to be. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 8 | 01.16.02
The clockwork conspiracy comes undone in this episode, which contains some of the series' best thriller moments. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 9 | 01.23.02
A look back in hindsight at the conspiracy; meanwhile, the episode strikes a more soap-operatic tone, but it fits. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 10 | 02.06.02
The conspiracy and narrative complications broaden and deepen, but the most commendable thing about this episode is its ingenious setpiece. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 11 | 02.13.02
Snap, crackle, pop: The über-conspiracy and the backstory start to come together, and Jack has a totally satisfying encounter with an old friend. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 12 | 02.20.02
Why or why does Fox have to spoil the show's surprises in the coming attractions? By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 13 | 02.27.02
All of the show's minor climaxes have been leading up to this major closing of a chapter
but we still have half the series to go. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 14 | 03.06.02
The second half gets underway, as well as the first part of a longer discussion about the differences between video and film. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 15 | 03.13.02
The show goes "domestic" for an episode and capitalizes on the best kind of suspense: genuine curiosity. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 16 | 03.20.02
Leaping out of a falling car just in time, bugging yourself and getting the bad guy to saying something incriminatory, being stricken with amnesia
it's Cliché Week at "24." But the episode comes together, going to show that it's not the clichés you use, it's what you do with them. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 17 | 03.27.02
As the show pushes into its last third, we get a glimpse of how disappointing it will be if it can't pull itself together. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 18 | 04.03.02
The honeymoon is over. There's no longer a feasible defense for the show's hare-brained developments. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 19 | 04.10.02
You know a show's in bad shape when the episode's promised death is a character whose name you don't even know. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 20 | 04.17.02
The show gets its shine back; meanwhile, the terrorists lay siege to a prison and the Plausibles lay siege to the film and television industry. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 21 | 04.24.02
Character clashes set the stage for "24"'s last three hours, bringing themes like family and fidelity to the fore. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 22 | 05.08.02
We're entering "24's" endgame. But you'd have to be a Grandmaster to be able to tell if, when it comes to finding the right conclusion, the writers are going to win, lose or draw. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 23 | 05.15.02
The Plausibles turn up again, and the second-to-last hour oddly fails to end on a cliffhanger. By Sean Weitner
24 Episode 24 | 05.22.02
You say you want a resolution? We'd all love to see the plan, but all I can tell you is, brother, you have to wait. By Sean Weitner
24 Season Two Premiere | 10.30.02
If "24's" creators have learned from last season's mistakes and it seems like they have the show's second season could be considerably better than its first. By Sean Weitner
24 Season Three | 02.10.04
Midway through its third season, "24" is stalked by the rampant lions of cluelessness. By Sean Weitner
Adult Swim | 09.10.01
The best cartoons on TV aren't for kids. By Andy Ross
A Better, Thinner, Healthier You | 02.12.02
Low-impact exercise equipment is here to save your body and soul. Coincidentally, the Home Shopping Network is here for your wallet. By Bob Cook
Ally McBeal's last show | 05.22.02
Ally McBeal leaves behind a complicated four-part TV legacy. Oh, and loathing. Also loathing. By Karen Lurie
American Inventor | 04.11.06
A show about judging what the world needs with judges that the world doesn't need. By Alissa Rowinsky
America's Next Top Model | 07.03.03
Reality TV finally kicks it up from "overdrive" to "meta." By Andy Ross
America's Next Top Model: Elyse's Dukakis Moment | 07.10.03
One spectacular gaffe transforms the icy hipster of modeling reality TV into an honest-to-goodness lovable geek. By Julia Lipman
Amish in the City | 08.04.04
Though baffled by the sight of an avocado, the Amish kids on UPN's "Amish in the City" are eerily unaffected by their citified housemates. By Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
Andy Richter Controls the Universe | 04.23.02
Finally, the geek militia at Fox has taken complete control. By Claire Zulkey
Apprentice, The | 01.15.04
Other reality shows promise fame and romantic fulfillment; this one promises a job with the man who gave us the Taj Mahal casino. By Joshua Adams
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | 04.11.07
Adult Swim wades neck deep in the bleeding edge of the bleeding edge. By James Norton
Baadasssss Cinema | 08.29.02
IFC gets down, with dubious results. By Bob Cook
Blind Justice | 03.15.05
Can an interesting premise make a tried formula work? Stay tuned. By Joey Rubin
Bones | 12.18.06
In an era of multiple CSIs, Bones investigates something a little more meaningful. By Anthony Letizia
Britney & Kevin: Chaotic | 05.26.05
The truth comes out: Even Britney's reality is not real. By Taylor Carik.
Buffy: The Musical | 11.08.01
A sweeps stunt so good you actually get swept up in it. By Stephanie Kuenn
The Chair and The Chamber | 01.14.02
The only thing more shocking than the daft concept behind these shows is that people are actually litigating to claim exclusive rights to the concept. By Karen Lurie
Clone High | 02.28.03
If Abe Lincoln was a hopeless sack in high school, you can't feel too badly about never getting past second base until your senior year. By Dakota Loomis
The Crusades: The Crescent & The Cross | 11.07.05
The crusades may have happened long ago, but a new History Channel documentary treats them like they don't still matter today. By Joey Rubin
Da Vinci & The Code He Lived By (& The Package It Came In) | 12.03.05
There's only one reason a TV show would be packaged this well. By Joey Rubin.
"Deadwood" Rides Again | 03.04.05
It's bawdy. It's filthy. It's excellent. It's back. By Rick Paulas.
Dexter| 03.06.07
A neo-drama for moral relativists but not for the faint of heart. By David Murcko
Drive| 04.24.07
Tim Minear's latest: it's not Angel, it's not Firefly. But then again, it kinda' is. By Anthony Letizia
Recipe for Desperation: "Desperate Housewives" Reconsidered | 12.08.05
If it's the same recipe, why does it taste bad now? By Lizbeth Finn-Arnold.
Ed, the finale | 04.23.03
A briefly-run show goes out for good, we think with a graceful bang. By Bob Cook
ER | 04.11.02
Somebody just pull the plug. Please. By Michael Penn
Everwood Season Finale | 05.24.03
Life-threatening brain surgery. Corny voiceovers. A cringe-worthy cliffhanger. The season didn't have to end this way. By Dakota Loomis
Everybody Hates Chris | 09.29.05
In his virgin sitcom venture, it seems nobody hates Chris Rock. By Tamara Watkins.
Everybody Loves Raymond Finale | 05.15.05
Finally, we can stop loving Raymond. The most miserable and accurate depiction of family life on TV goes off the air, kind of. By Bob Cook
Fastlane | 11.04.02
Homer Simpson's moronic cop shows have finally sprung to life in three or slightly less than three, really dimensions. By Stephanie Kuenn
Feasting on Asphalt | 07.31.06
Freed from the animatronic hands of Marc Summers and Rachel Ray, Alton Brown's newest offering is delicious and the food looks good too. By James Norton
Flay, Bobby | 06.17.03
It's not just that Flay is a dick on the Food Network. He's the only dick on the Food Network. By Alissa Rowinsky
For Love or Money | Episode 1 | 06.04.03
It's born-again virgin versus überbitch in a reality TV fight to the finish! By Lindsay Robertson
A Fair and Balanced Vacation | 05.11.04
Fox news takes the integrity of its journalism to new heights in Aruba! By David Irvin
Freaks and Geeks | 05.11.04
The release of "Freaks and Geeks" on DVD gives viewers a chance to appreciate the show's cinematic qualities. By Bob Cook
The "Friends" Finale | 05.13.04
Flak Magazine bids "Friends" a fond, but somewhat relieved, farewell. By Joshua Adams
Frontier House | 05.13.02
To hell with eating cockroaches. PBS presents the ultimate in TV verité butter churning. By Michael Penn
Gene Simmons Family Jewels | 10.02.06
This reality show about an ageing rock star turned doting father is... almost refreshingly different. By Sarah D'Andrea
Girlfriends | 01.19.05
Can a show about intelligent women out-sass those who had sex in the city? Stay tuned. By Ceda Xiong
Good Eats | 02.01.05
All the right ingredients for a cooking show that's bound to rise. By Patrick Quirk
TNN's Godfather Ad | 12.04.01
TNN crosses the line between idolizing pop culture and pop culture idolatry. By Sean Weitner
Home Movies | 10.30.01
Brilliant timing and the impact of Squigglevision add up to a show worth watching. By James Norton
Hustle | 10.06.04
Rather than deliver a canned TV movie about Pete Rose, ESPN brought on a director and star who can sympathize with Rose's self-destructive compulsion. By Stephen Himes
Iconoclasts | 11.17.05
What is an "iconclast"? Watch this show and be confused. By Joey Rubin
It Could Happen Tomorrow | 08.15.06
Wondering if it'll rain tomorrow? Don't flip on the Weather Channel. Wondering how the world will end? Try the Weather Channel. By Sarah D'Andrea
Jackson, Michael| Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary concert | 11.19.01
Michael Jackson's semi-triumphant return was a nostalgic look at a career preserved in amber. By Sara J. Brenneis
Jericho | 09.25.06
The newest primetime "paranoidural" may not be Lost, but nor is it a lost cause. By Eric Ditzian
Joe Millionaire | Episode 1 | 01.08.03
The debut of Fox's nation-gripping reality TV show promises to spin the threads of the first truly postmodern fairy tale. By Lindsay Robertson
Joe Millionaire | Episode 2 | 01.14.03
They scoop manure! They shovel coal! They mutter bitter asides in broken French! By Lindsay Robertson
Joe Millionaire | Episode 3 | 01.21.03
Evan whisks the girls away for a night in Paris. By Lindsay Robertson
Joe Millionaire | Episode 4 | 01.28.03
The bitch goes down. By Lindsay Robertson
Joe Millionaire | Episode 5 | 02.04.03
The Joe Millionaire drinking game, presented for your pleasure and inebriation. By Lindsay Robertson
Joe Millionaire | Episode 6 | 02.11.03
Speculation on the final twist, with odds. By Lindsay Robertson
Joe Millionaire | Episode 7 | 02.18.03
In which we find that last week's explosive anti-climax was, in fact, a two-parter. By Lindsay Robertson
Lackawanna Blues | 02.10.05
Bells, whistles and an infallible goddess can't quite hold together an ambitious new HBO movie. By Chris Hickman
One Particular Dialogue Exchange on the 2006 Season Premiere of Law & Order | 09.25.06
Do you like Sangria? Oy Gevalt. By James Norton
Lost | 09.24.04
Somehow, The Lord of the Flies, Predator and Jurassic Park add up to be more than the sum of their parts. By Joshua Adams
Lost Shoots the Moon | 04.07.06
An exploration of meta-textual self-reflexive television. And acid. By Sean Weitner
Lost vs. Heroes | 01.03.07
Heroes. It's like Lost but with plot arcs. By Caroline Edmunds
In Defense of Lost | 02.06.07 Finding Lost challenging? Well, that's the point. By Anthony Letizia
Malcolm in the Middle: 2000-2006 | 05.18.06
A show that was a breath of fresh air in its prime reaches a graceful conclusion. By Tamara Watkins
Martha Stewart: Behind Bars | 10.05.05
The print ads may have promised "jailhouse tart baked with apples of shame," but prison drama has never been so bland. By Bob Cook.
Michael Essany Show, The | 03.19.03
Is our plucky host a rising young talent? Or just a loathesome dork? By Bob Cook
Monk | 08.02.02
A classic off-center detective story maps out cable TV's continuing assault on the networks. By Andy Ross
New Scandinavian Cooking | 08.30.05
In his extravagant cooking show, Norway's Andreas Viestad offers many culinary delights. They just don't look very appetizing. By Ceda Xiong
The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour | 04.21.04
We just have to hope for the best when their show is cancelled and those are real half-empty whiskey bottles being hurled. By Stephen Himes
Nirvana's "You Know You're Right" video | 11.05.02
Kurt Cobain has been dug up, reanimated, and subjected to a a routine of insidious, post-mortem puppetry. By James Stegall
North Shore | 06.16.04
A visionary new bid in the race to create the most derivative TV show of all time. By Joshua Adams
The OC Leaves Home | 11.28.06
All high school dramas face the challenge of college and some of them flunk out. By Sara Mayeux
O'Grady | 08.03.05
This new animated comedy may not be on an "it" network, but it offers more than just empty gags and slapstick. By Geoffrey Golden
Oliver Beene | 03.13.03
Beautiful nerds of the world, unite. Your savior is here, desperate and shambolic, but ready to please. By James Norton
Osbournes, The | 04.25.03
The most unusual thing about "The Osbournes" is how quickly it fell and how hard it crashed. By Ryan Underwood
Passions: The Life and Times of Josh Ryan Evans | 08.16.02
The life and times of the actor behind Timmy, tiny soap opera star. By Stephanie Kuenn
Penn & Teller: Bullshit! | 03.04.04
Pity the poor lambs led to the slaughter; shame on the grifters wielding the knife. By J. Daniel Janzen
Pimp My Ride | 04.15.04
You are what you drive. By J. Daniel Janzen
Pirate Master | 07.06.07
YAAAR, brace yeself for the biggest live-action role playing game ever broadcast on network television... if ye dare! By A.D. Lively
Project Runway Rundown | 10.10.06
On the eve of the finale, a look at the crazies that made the project worth watching for the third time. By Laura Birek
Raines | 03.19.07
Yet another dude who talks to dead people? Thanks to the acting chops of Jeff Goldblum, your fears are (mostly) unfounded. By James Norton
Random 1 | 11.01.05
Is America ready for a wholesome reality show? Doubtful. By Joey Rubin
Relic Hunter and AbTronic | 01.29.02
What do a flock of disembodied breasts have to do with the future of entertainment? Disturbingly, quite a lot. By Taylor Carik
Samurai Jack | 10.15.01
This is one of those occasions where a beautifully styled package actually holds a precious gift. By James Norton
Sandwiches That You Will Like | 08.02.05
If Reality TV was about real life, this would be its tastiest treat. By J. Daniel Janzen
Sandwiches That You Will Like | 08.02.05
If Reality TV was about real life, this would be its tastiest treat. By J. Daniel Janzen
The Sopranos Finale | 06.27.07
After the final Sopranos swan song, two writers celebrate the poetry in and mock those confused by the undefined final moment. By David Essex and Matt Hanson
Saturday Night Live | Hard to Explain: The Strokes on Saturday Night Live | 01.25.02
The Strokes have the hype. Now, how about some success? By Yancey Strickler
Season on the Brink | 03.12.02
A made-for-TV movie that reveals nothing about coach Bobby Knight that hasn't already been discerned by even the most casual college basketball observer. By Bob Cook
The new Sesame Street | 03.05.02
Come and play, everything's
whoa, is that 15 minutes of Elmo talking about himself in the third person? By Julia Lipman
Sex and the City | 09.04.01
It may be a smash hit, but it's become just another re-upholstered version of "The Golden Girls." By Claire Zulkey
The Simple Life | 12.05.03
You'd expect this "reality show" about obnoxious brats to be nauseating, but enough to make you want to convert to communism? By Bob Cook
Skin | 11.14.03
Did Jerry Bruckheimer improve on the Bard? Believe it. By Joshua Adams
Sorority Life and Fraternity Life | 03.11.03
Boys will be boys, but girls will be hella catty. To summarize: Oh. My. God. By Alissa Rowinsky
Is South Park Right? | 05.03.05
Could a show in which the entire point is pointlessness have a conservative political bias? By Lonnie Harris
Survivor 6 part 1 | 02.18.03
Will the Battle of the Sexes restore the flagging fortunes of reality TV's orthodox religion? By A.D. Lively
Syndication and the City | 06.17.04
Can "Sex" on basic cable ever be as good as the real thing? By Jennifer Lind-Westbrook
Super Bowl XXXVI Halftime Show | 02.06.01
Last year we got a spot-the-celeb glamfest; this year, U2 doesn't seem indulgent enough bet you thought you'd never hear someone say that. By Claire Zulkey
Texas Ranch House | 05.01.06
Taking the "wild" out of "wild west" and replacing it with "educational". By Joey Rubin
That '80s Show | 01.26.01
Pop culture continues to digest itself. The dish du jour: the 1980s. By Karen Lurie
The Office Christmas Special | 10.29.04
America's favorite Brits find that Hell sometimes does have an exit. By Steve Carey
The One | 07.24.06
In post Project Runway-era reality TV, it takes more than canned dialogue and slapdash montages to score a hit with viewers. By Patrick Quirk
The Shield | 06.07.05
A cop show with no good guys. By Eve Adams
Undeclared | 10.08.01
Watching "Undeclared" is like having sex on the rebound. Except you don't actually get any. And you're just watching television. And you can't get pregnant as a result. Usually. By Bob Cook
Veronica Mars | 10.19.04
UPN's teen noir finds sunken treasure in the well-explored waters of the teen drama. By Steve Carey
Veronica Mars Season Two DVD | 10.03.06
Hopefully, it's a long drive from The O.C. to Neptune, California. By Anthony Letizia
Veronica Mars, In Memoriam | 06.20.07
What the cancellation of TV's pluckiest private eye says about the way the medium is, isn't, and should be changing. By Anthony Letizia
VH-1: 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders | 05.21.02
Tragic and beautiful, pop music's one-hit wonders are like soap bubbles floating on a summer breeze. By Bob Cook
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show | 02.15.02
Drama. Destiny. The quest for genetic perfection. That's right... it's time for another dog show! By Karen Lurie
The Wire vs. The Sopranos | 6.15.05
In which the unassuming show from Baltamore pins the tough-talking Jersey program to the mat until it screams "uncle". By James Norton
World Cup Coverage on Univision | 06.03.02
Even if you have no idea what they're saying, Univision's Spanish-speaking announcers trump their ESPN counterparts. By Eric Wittmershaus
Commercial Reviews
Arby's Oven Mitt ads | 07.21.03
So much potential for existential exploration. So many lost opportunities. By James Norton
Bose Wave Radio Infomercial | 09.18.01
That Herbie Hancock is the most! By James Norton
Brawny Man-Arm Commericial | 03.18.02
Good housekeeping has never been quite so... disturbing. By Alissa Rowinsky
Built Toby Keith Tough | 07.06.05
Ford is selling a caricature of male gender. Oh, and some trucks. by Ehren Pflugfelder
Campaign for Freedom | 07.09.02
If the Ad Council's going to fight for freedom, it could start by defending the ones that are already under assault. By Peter Norman
Cockfight for a Pepsi | 08.31.05
Begin with chicken and Pepsi. Add sumo wrestling and CGI. Behold: Marketing genius. By Cheryl Lowry
CNN's Paula Zahn commercial | 01.11.02
CNN's controversial ad may or may not be in very poor taste. But the ad's not a gaffe; it's a plot. A clever plot. By Karen Lurie
The Dairy Queen Chili Meltdown GrillBurger Ad | 09.18.06
As if men acting like men wasn't offensive enough. By James Norton
Deadly Distractions | 10.04.01
What is Shell Oil trying to distract us from with this insidious public service ad? By James Norton
Dell intern ads | 05.08.03
They're cute, they're energetic, they're almost completely neutered. It's a conspiracy. By James Norton
The Dunkin' Donuts Human Interest Commercial | 10.24.06
For those who take their coffee without two scoops of sincerity. By Ceda Xiong
Ford Commercials | 05.29.02
Never trust a self-described "'60s radical" who is trying to sell you an SUV. By Andrew Beck Grace
The Fudgems Commercial | 06.29.06
Is America hungry for giant, dancing blocks of poop? By Cheryl Lowry
Glad ForceFlex Bags | 10.05.04
Glad's latest trash bag commercial will make you queasy ... not to mention sore. By Alissa Rowinsky
The Kool-Aid Man (In Pants) | 08.21.06
Is a world where the Kool-Aid Man wears pants also a world where the Kool-Aid Man has genitals? By Alissa Rowinsky
KY Warming Gel ad | 05.11.05
An add for a sex product right in the middle of prime-time. And yet the world still turns. By James Norton
Land Rover For Breakfast | 11.09.05
"The New Rush" campaign is clear about one thing: You don't need O.J. and toast with a Land Rover. By Colin Alexander
Miller Lite "Catfight" ad | 01.23.03
Rrrrr! It's a catfight, and Miller Lite is all over it. It's all over being totally irrelevant. By Bob Cook
New From Jaguar | 05.23.06
Jaguar unveils a new ad for aviator sunglasses. By Colin Alexander
Safe, Like, Happens | 05.05.06
VW's newest Jetta commercial is scary. So you better buy one. By Stephen Bracco
Saving Grace | 07.25.07
Absurd farce? Theological masterwork? It's kind of hard to tell, but Saving Grace packs an entertainment wallop. By James Norton
Soft Drink Seduction | 02.13.06
Dr. Pepper's using Stacy's mom to pick up little boys. Is there something funny about that? By Colin Alexander
Super Bowl XXXVI ads | 02.05.02
The Super Bowl ads. All the Super Bowl ads. By Flak Staff
Super Bowl XXXVIII Ads: Operation Grand Opening | 02.01.04
An ad-by-ad look at the Super Bowl's impact on the rebuilding of Iraq. By Flak Staff
The Virtual Orville Redenbacher Commercial | 01.22.07
Sometimes, "virtual" falls way, way short of reality. By James Norton
The Wendy's Raccoon Ad | 07.19.05
There is a subtle logical flaw associated with having garbage-scavenging creatures endorse your hamburgers. By James Norton
What Happens in Vegas | 04.19.06
According to a new ad campaign, what happens in Vegas stays there. Except your money, of course. By Colin Alexander
Disclaimer: All archive dates before 04.01.00 are estimated, not actual.