Bill Gates and Seinfeld promote...something

[Yebra]

I have no idea if this is insane, genius or just meh. No idea. I'm not even sure how I start thinking about this.

[Mich]

You left out "Pretty stupid" as an option.

[Luet]

I've been seeing TONS of these commercials and I think they are funny but I have no idea what they are trying to sell or promote.

[Yebra]

I've been seeing TONS of these commercials and I think they are funny but I have no idea what they are trying to sell or promote.

That's what I'm getting from it. It seems like it's designed entirely to make Bill Gates seem human so they can build on it with a real product later. It might be crazy enough to work. It might just be crazy.

[Mich]

That's what I'm getting from it. It seems like it's designed entirely to make Bill Gates seem human so they can build on it with a real product later. It might be crazy enough to work. It might just be crazy.

That's my "optimistic" theory, that it's actually a genius marketing scheme that will culminate in a promo for something fantastic, and, because the promos are so inane, everybody will find out about it. My "pessimistic" theory is that they aren't going anywhere, but think they have a clever marketing scheme for, erm, their brand name. Or something. Because Microsoft needs more branding.

[Jebus]

Seinfeld still hasn't got it.

[Luet]

What feels awkward and uncomfortable about the commercials is that there is absolutely no "real" friend chemistry between the two of them. And neither are good enough actors to pretend there is. So, it's two people badly acting like fake friends. Very weird.

[starlooker]

Nicely put. I think you're exactly right.

[Rei]

That's probably it. Penny Arcade put it like this.

Overall, I have to agree. I can see that its an advert for Microsoft, but it's really awkward.

[Yebra]

See, I feel that...I just still find it funny. Yet I can't stand the awkwardness of the office...weird..

[locke]

is this supposed to be the answer to mac/pc commercials? pathethic.

[zeroguy]

That's what I'm getting from it. It seems like it's designed entirely to make Bill Gates seem human so they can build on it with a real product later.

And what better time to do this than.... when Gates has left the company?

[Slim]

I didn't think it was weird or confusing at all. (Just hysterical.) I thought it was kinda like those Superman and Seinfeld commercials for American Express. I don't think there was supposed to be "real" friend chemistry in these, though. Seinfeld just ran into Gates at a shoe store, and they decided to get together. Great stuff.

[Luet]

I guess you haven't seen all of the ones where they are living together in some random "average" family's house. The shoe store ones aren't awkward, the living together ones are.

[Slim]

I've seen one of each. I thought the living together in an average house was like a sequel. Like, as if they leave the shoe store, and Jerry says "Hey! I have an idea! ..."

Is there more?

[Luet]

I think I have seen three different ones where they are living in the house and two different ones at the mall (one in the shoe store and one walking out of the mall).

[mazer]

In the one where they make fun of the apple commercial I don't see how they make themsevles seem better

[Olhado_]

Well I know this is a sort of an old thread; but I have to admit I may agree with people that the Seinfeld/Gates ads were really stupid and I think Microsoft finally agreed too.

Although, I think they are onto something with their new "I'm a PC" commercial. Of course, they probably cannot make a series out of that one; but it is still a good ad, in my opinion.

[Slim]

Now I see what you're saying, Luet. I looked on Youtube, and there is only the two commercials I saw. I saw the whole things combined on my sister's computer. I didn't see them all in little segments. Yeah, I can see how that would be confusing. It only makes sense when you have the whole thing.

I liked the living with "real" people one better. Longer, funnier, better ending.