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Will Ferrell Stars in New Apple "Switch" Ads

Posted by pudge on from the ho-ho-ho-ha-ha-ha dept.

Znonymous Coward writes "Just in time for the holidays... Apple has posted a couple of funny new switch adds staring Will Ferrell as Santa."

85 comments

  1. Interesting, no? by Hanji · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Isn't it interesting how the content of these switch adds tends to be completely ignored, but apple keeps posting them, because of their great amusement value?

    --
    A Minesweeper clone that doesn't suck
    1. Re:Interesting, no? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Argh! It's spreading! The abbreviation would be "ad", not "add"

    2. Re:Interesting, no? by wbswbs · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The content at this point is irrelevant. Apple's message that switching to MacOS X is a good thing is out there already--most potential "switchers" already now about the campaign and its purposes. The Will Ferrell-type switch ads are primarily to maintain buzz/mindshare. I seems to be working, at least here on /.

  2. Oh my! Are these for TV? by agent+oranje · · Score: 3, Funny

    I laughed my ass off at the first one of these - and I'm amazed that apple actually put these up on their site. If I didn't already make the switch, i think santa would fix that for me.

    --
    -agent oranje.
  3. adds - ads by *xpenguin* · · Score: 5, Informative

    add: 2 + 2 = 5
    ad: advertisement

    1. Re:adds - ads by Myco · · Score: 2
      2 + 2 = 5

      Wait, is that right?

      --
      My deviantArt site
    2. Re:adds - ads by rubicon7 · · Score: 1

      2 + 2 can equal 5, for unusually high values of 2.

      --
      --- We are not in the 8th dimension. We are over New Jersey.
  4. Re:Funny???? by WatertonMan · · Score: 2
    Come on. How could you not like the fact that Santa has on his iPod 600 Christmas tunes, 20 Doobie Brothers and 1 Sheryl Crowe?

    What I like is that Apple is poking fun at their own Switch ads. Great stuff. Here's hoping we have some more.

  5. Connection Killed by CounterZer0 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Apple.com got /.'d?! Wow. I'm impressed. And there are only five comments!

    1. Re:Connection Killed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Says alot for apache on OSX...

    2. Re:Connection Killed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I had no problems getting them at 11:45AM EST.

      Perhaps it is your connection?

  6. Wait.. by PeekabooCaribou · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does this mean Will Ferrell isn't really Santa? =(

    --
    "I'll say it again for the logic-impaired." -- Larry Wall.
  7. Nice try by tedDancin · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're good, but they sure don't beat Microsofts' "Steve Ballmer plays big sweaty elf under the mistletoe showing off XP's security features" switch campaign.

    --

    Ladies, form queue here -->
    1. Re:Nice try by I+Am+The+Owl · · Score: 1
      Got a link? I want to see this.

      You can never see too many sweaty monkey boy video clips.

      --

      --sdem
    2. Re:Nice try by The+Analog+Kid · · Score: 1

      Hey, Hey, Hey the monkey boy clip has endless replay value, so does Developers, Developers, Developers, boy I wish we actually had some here at Microsoft.

  8. How fitting by PhysicsGenius · · Score: 3, Funny

    Will Ferrell : Humor :: Apple : Serious computing

    1. Re:How fitting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm confused... is that supposed to be pro- or anti-Apple?

      I can't tell... it depends on if you think Will Ferrell is good at humor or not.

  9. Re:Speaking of Mr. Ferrell by Anonymous+Cowrad · · Score: 1

    Darrell Hammond played Sean Connery.

    One of the few truly hilarious things he ever did.

    --

    --
    pants ahoy
  10. Ugh by XBL · · Score: 3, Offtopic


    The background music in these ads is about as annoying as Will Ferrell. These switch ads are about as stale as Cowboy Neal in a Slashdot poll.

    I would like to see Steve Job in a Switch ad. Now that would be funny. Then please retire the campaign after that Apple.
    </troll>

    1. Re:Ugh by mbbac · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Steve could be in a switch ad. He switched to Macintosh after using NeXT for a while after he came back to Apple.

      --

      mbbac

    2. Re:Ugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But then again since Mac OS X is essentially NeXtStep/OpenStep who did the actual switching? Perhaps Apple should shoot a commerical with all five million Mac OS X users telling how they switched from the archaic world of OS 9 to OS X's meaty goodness?

      Mmmm, tasty!

  11. Another reason I like Apple. by heldlikesound · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Yes, they have problems, yes, they should open things up a bit more (Quicktime), and yes they should use their legal hounds much less, but can you name another computer company with this kind of sense of humor? I can't imagine, Dell, Microsloth, Gateway, or IBM putting these kind of ads online... They are not really business related (he doesn't talk about Apple products that much..), they are just fun little spoofs on the Switch ad campaign.

    Bravo Apple, now just send those lawyers up to the North Pole...

    --


    Cloud City Digital: DVD Production at its cheapest/finest
    1. Re:Another reason I like Apple. by numpins · · Score: 1

      I like Apple's sense of humor too. I laughed so hard when Will compared his experience with Macs to a parfait at Macworld.

      "All you can do with the parfait is eat it, and poop it out. The computer is better than the parfait, and this parfait is good."

      "My name is Will Ferrell, and I'm a porn actor."

      Quotes from: http://mac.ign.com/articles/372/372677p1.html

      Also: http://www.applelinks.com/articles/2002/07/2002071 8112750.shtml

      Do you think anyone will get higher than a score of two on a Apple and Will Ferrell story?

    2. Re:Another reason I like Apple. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative
      yes, they should open things up a bit more (Quicktime)

      What are you a fucking idiot? Apparently... This particular topic has been beaten to death on slashdot and it's amazing that there exists one last person who hasn't gotten clue. Quicktime is container format and is completely open and documented. In fact, if you hobble your way over to freshmeat (which considering you completely and utter ignorance, might be difficult for you) you can find several open source projects to play Quicktime files.

      Here, I'll even give you a link to the quicktime specs and documentation.

      Now lets see if /. will let me mod you down too. +5 hah. Maybe +1 because of your rather pithy comment about other companies not being able to pull off a switch campaign.

    3. Re:Another reason I like Apple. by osOpinion.com · · Score: 1

      "Yes, they have problems

      Really no more than most othe tech copanies... actually they're typically ahead of h curve most times.

      "yes, they should open things up a bit more (Quicktime)"

      If youmean open source... good luck... if you mean documented... you don;t have apin. Quicktime is fully documenbed. Remember, quicktime is only a container format for codecs.

      Something tells me that you're talking about the .mov fle forat thouh... (talk to sorenson). If ever there was an official quicktime file format... it is MPEG 4, as MPEG is based of of Quicktime, and any new player can play or stream MPEG video and audio.

      "and yes they should use their legal hounds much less

      Its a legal rquirement if they ever hope to maintain copyrights to thei products.

      -----

      --
      I'm pink therefore I'm Spam
    4. Re:Another reason I like Apple. by ichimunki · · Score: 1

      Its a legal rquirement if they ever hope to maintain copyrights to thei products.

      That's trademark. You don't have to "maintain" copyright.

      --
      I do not have a signature
  12. Re:Funny???? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i bet you think most of slashdot's "+5 Funny" bullshit is amusing too

  13. IBM? by PaulBu · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Well, actually their Linux commercials/ads
    were quite funny!

    See:

    http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/industry/04/19/ibm. gu erilla.idg/

    or

    http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/11/business/media /1 1ADCO.html

    ("He just loves the game..." :) )

    Paul B.

  14. People who liked those ads... by Hard_Code · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...also enjoyed:

    Will Ferrell Apple Switch Spoof shown at MacWorld

    --

    It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
    1. Re:People who liked those ads... by berniecase · · Score: 2

      Thank you for linking to my page. Maybe someday I'll get /.'d, but for now I can just watch the access_log scrollin' on by. :-)

    2. Re:People who liked those ads... by happystink · · Score: 2

      Stop linking unamerican, they are super well known for not actually mailing out items that people order, or leaving them for 6 months before shipping. I'm sure you'll say "they sent mine okay", but do some googling and you'll see you're advertising a ripoff.

      --

      sig:
      See the "..for smart people" banners Wired runs here? Look elsewhere guys.

  15. Fish In Pocket... by usr122122121 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Is it just me, or does Will Ferrell in a Santa Suit remind you of the scene in Trading Places (83) where a very drunk Dan Akroyd wanders around in a Santa suit stealing food at a stock broker's christmas party...

    oh, it is just me? nevermind then.

    --

    -braxton
    1. Re:Fish In Pocket... by lemkebeth · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Possibly a littl.

      Fancy meeting you here :-)

      Note: You know me as a fellow mod on a certain forum.

  16. It's not a parody of anything... by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 1, Troll

    So in this switch ad, Santa talks about being forced to use "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" because he was sued. It happens to have the same theme and music as the other Apple ads.
    It wasn't even funny...

    I think that in their quest to produce something funny with this "Hip" SNL star, the Apple Advert (Appvert?) guys neglected to mention "Apple" or "Macintosh", "Who wants to install drivers on Christmas?", or even "Like ummm, that sucked. You know?".

    It's really a parody of an Apple commercial if you don't mention an Apple product.

    What, did Apple management have an objection to an actual parody?

    --
    "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
    1. Re:It's not a parody of anything... by mrpuffypants · · Score: 4, Insightful

      this just in.....fun exists and people appreciate it from ANY company

    2. Re:It's not a parody of anything... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      its a parody of the switch ads genius, they've got like 3 of them with Will Ferrell. Lighten up, lol.

  17. Anakin darkside switch parody by voisine · · Score: 1, Funny

    http://www.pixelred.com/switch.htm

    Another funny switch parody.

    1. Re:Anakin darkside switch parody by voisine · · Score: 3, Funny


      http://www.pixelred.com/switch.htm

      lets try that again...

    2. Re:Anakin darkside switch parody by Kizzle · · Score: 3, Funny

      If I see another Star Wars parody I'm going to vomit and then stab my self in the eye with a butter knife. If you do a search on atom films for Star Wars you will get at least 50 parodys. THEY ARE NOT FUNNY ANYMORE. I hope you burn in hell for posting this.

      --
      Hacker Media
    3. Re:Anakin darkside switch parody by usr122122121 · · Score: 5, Funny
      If I see another Star Wars parody I'm going to vomit and then stab my self in the eye with a butter knife.
      Quick, post another Star Wars parody-
      I want to see this!
      --

      -braxton
    4. Re:Anakin darkside switch parody by raga · · Score: 1
      Okey dokey...here you go....

      http://home.wanadoo.nl/mp3rulz/sagabegins.mp3

      Ummm...come to think of it, technically, this is a parody of American Pie, so I guess you can keep your butter knife clean for a little longer.


      Cheers- raga

  18. Damn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wish I had mod points. Thanks for the chuckle.

  19. old? by dcstimm · · Score: 2, Funny

    isnt this old. I remember seeing one a long time ago that will farrell did, he was talking about pudding and it appered at the mac world show.

    Not surprising he is doing more.... Since he probably is broke since he stoped doing SNL.

    he is the funniest man alive

    "now pee your pants"

    --
    keanmarine.com
    1. Re:old? by stiger425 · · Score: 1

      I really missed that one about pudding... hope it will be put online somewhere ...

    2. Re:old? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      he is the funniest man alive

      you should get out more.

  20. The Penis Mightier by goombah99 · · Score: 2
    Or was

    The Pen is Mightier

    For $200 please.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  21. How about Yo-Yo Ma? by TomatoMan · · Score: 4, Insightful

    http://www.apple.com/switch/ads/yoyoma.html

    If you're going to talk about new Switch ads, I'd personally rather listen to Yo-Yo Ma than Will Ferrell. He's new up there too. Might be worth a teeny mention.

    --
    -- http://frobnosticate.com
    1. Re:How about Yo-Yo Ma? by Profane+Motherfucker · · Score: 3, Funny

      Too bad he comes across as an arrogant fool who wouldn't know which part of his body goes on the toilet. If anything, I don't *want* to be associated with him in any fashion.

      "I'm a shitter. Not a porcelain user. I like to poop. When I feel like pooping, I want to just poop. In the street. At a Chinese restaurant. In my trousers.

      "With my old low-flow toilet, I had to be so crazy watchful of my bowel movements. The turkish G12 toilet from Pfitzer lets me stand an pinch one off, if I want. That's what pooping is about. Not porcelain, or barriers to my poopoing. I can shit right on the floor if I want. It's just a hole.

      "My name is Yo-Yo Ma, and I eat a lot of bulk fiber."

    2. Re:How about Yo-Yo Ma? by orpheus2000 · · Score: 1

      I love his subtle modesty at the end:

      "My name is Yo-Yo Ma, and I play the cello"

      That's like Bobby Fisher saying

      "My name is Bobby Fisher, and I play chess"

      (yes, I do play the cello :)

    3. Re:How about Yo-Yo Ma? by Laplace · · Score: 2

      Or like Bobby saying

      "My name is Bobby Fisher, and I'm an anti-semite."

      Bobby would never say the first thing, because he's a prick. He would say the second, because he's a prick.

      --
      The middle mind speaks!
  22. The best switch ad by vi-rocks · · Score: 1

    If you haven't seen in then ... Bill -- Owns a software company [Requires Flash 5 or greater].

    1. Re:The best switch ad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your use of 'best' would better be replaced with "most fucking pedantic and trite shit ever".

    2. Re:The best switch ad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Did the little bitch ass get mad?...you better roll, sucka.

    3. Re:The best switch ad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The more you speak, the stupider you sound. Any more comments?

  23. better switch ad by Polo · · Score: 2

    This is

    The Best Switch Ad

    of all...

    1. Re:better switch ad by sco08y · · Score: 1

      Nope, best by far.

  24. Re:Speaking of Mr. Ferrell by CableModemSniper · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Ouch. Talking about Will Ferrell in an article about Will Ferrell is offtopic. Poll suggestion: How do mods decide how to mod? 1) Whatever the crack says 2) What does this widget do? 3) They learned their modding habits on brak. 4) CowboyNeal mods for me Damn. I suck at this trolling thing. I shoulda stayed an AC.

    --
    Why not fork?
  25. News by Konster · · Score: 2

    Yo Yo Ma got married to a very nice woman from Hong Kong.

    Newspapers print the message as Yo Yo Ma Marries Yo Ma Ma.

    Before you mod me down, please consider that I told this joke in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei, and everyone got it and everyone loved it.

    1. Re:News by dontEATnachos · · Score: 1

      Ah yes, Chinese word play. I think everyone can agree that if you're not Chinese (or don't live in China) it's generally not that funny.

      --
      Hahahahahaha, what?
    2. Re:News by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The pun only works in English.

  26. So funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    These are great. Seriously I like that Apple has fun with these and (maybe) lets Will just spout off crazy stuff. It shows that cool-hipness I've always thought apple had. How many companies are going to show a comercial where santa says 'i got my ass handed to me' lol.

    btw to the people who were saying how these have nothing to do with Mac's, they know, thats why it says 'parodies of our switcher ads' its just apple being apple and having fun. I imagine its probably a lot of fun to shoot these ads with Will Ferrell and that he says a lot more off the wall funny stuff that we'll never get to see ;)

  27. Re:Funny???? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I bet you sit at your computer fondling the refresh command on your browser just so you can shoot of some lame remark. Lighten up, get a sense of humor. In the words of slashdot(i think?) ITS FUNNY LAUGH.

  28. strange this one is unavailable... by johnpaul191 · · Score: 2

    directly from Apple.com

    i was at MWNYC this summer and every time it ran people seemed to laugh a lot..... i guess they made a lot of them with him.... there are a lot more actors/musicians/people in the public eye that supposedly shot spots that are yet to surface.... everyone from Lou Reed to Harry Knowles (the guy that runs aintitcoolnews.com) supposedly recorded them.

  29. Re:Speaking of Mr. Ferrell by KillerKane · · Score: 1

    I first noticed this when I saw a cheaply designed, badly kerned ad that seemed to be offering the services of one "PSYCHO THE RAPIST" in the subway.

    --
    There is a thin line between genius and insanity. I have erased that line. -- Oscar Levant
  30. I like this one better ... by belbo · · Score: 3, Funny
    The 'switch' parody from 'drunkgamers'. (URL points to a list of mirrors, file size is 14 MB, file type is .mov).

    Of course, Apple is hardly likely to post that one *g*

    b.

    P.S.: Who is Will Ferrell anyway?

    --

    --
    "Just believe everything I tell you, and it will all be very, very simple."

    1. Re:I like this one better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Will Ferrell is the funniest of a bunch of not-funny actors on Saturday Night Live (SNL).

      SNL was formerly a breeding ground for good actors, now, it is just crap.

    2. Re:I like this one better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Cameo as Mustapha in the first Austin Powers...

    3. Re:I like this one better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Of course, it was probably created by a a p1ss3d off Wintel gamer who got his arse handed to him by a Mac user.

    4. Re:I like this one better ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Typical lifeless fucktard with zero clue of which he speaks.

      More than anything, the PC fanboy gamer population reminds me of 1935 Germany...

      Just for fun/social experiment I like to mention that I'm using a Mac when playing TO or UT...

      Amazing what a flood of ignorant, bigoted horseshit that seemingly *always* brings forth...

  31. :::::L by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    stupider

    lol

  32. Re:Speaking of Mr. Ferrell by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I modded up your original post, but the post I'm responding is currently modded as flaimbait. We shouldn't give those kids mod points.

    Hopefully your posts will be eventually modded appropriately.

    --
    an AC

  33. I see the mods have low standards today... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    not to mention poor taste.

    1. Re:I see the mods have low standards today... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "poor taste" is your mom not getting an abortion.

    2. Re:I see the mods have low standards today... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      oh, that was my fault. I told her i'd pay for the abortion if she got pregnant... but there were a lot of people on the football team, and we weren't sure which one of had impregnated her.

  34. What do'ya think the Microsoft equiv is gonna be? by mtec · · Score: 1

    I'm thinkin' a stark background - with real people - some catchy music - what? oh. Does anyone remember the last MS campaign?

    --
    Cake or Death? Cake Please!
  35. Oh come the fuck on. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    PMF is funnier than your puny ass.

    1. Re:Oh come the fuck on. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      man... it's really sad to see someone switch to AC in order to defend is lame fucking humor... actually, it was pretty funny - but your insecurity about the humor content is evidenced by your knee-jerk reaction to the criticism, which in turn renders the parent un-funny...

      -Anonymous Coward

  36. wtf? Will Farrell broke? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is it inconceivable that he might... *gasp!* appreciate Macintoshes!?

    How many major movies has he appeared in over the couple years?

    * Zoolander
    * Boat Trip
    * Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

    Upcoming films?

    * Elf
    * Old School

    About half a dozen TV shows...

    I really don't think he did the switch ads because he's strapped for cash...

    He's just the new "Sinbad" (thank gawd that guy isn't the 'comedy ambassador for Apple' anymore!)

  37. Re:Funny???? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    and in the words of Hemos: "Hey, suck your dick for 5 dollars, Mister?"

    What's your point again?

  38. i'd like to see by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    I'd like to see a parady Ellen Feiss ad featuring Cheri Oteri.

    Or, even better yet, I'd like to have hot wild sex with Cheri Oteri dressed* like Ellen Feiss!

    * before she took her clothes off!

  39. ads Just Plain Dumb by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    these ads are just plain dumb, how many people do U actually will swich? (i think 0)