‘Green Police’: Green Theft Comedy
by Tim SlagleMy favorite Super Bowl commercial had to be the “Green Police” ad. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy half naked women, anthropomorphic animals, and flatulence just as much as the next guy; but the “Green Police” ad struck me hard, right in the satire-bone.
It’s what us “deniers” have been warning about for at least twenty years: those who will sacrifice a little Liberty for a cleaner environment will eventually live in a dirty prison. It might defy Leftist logic, but private property is incompatible with environmental laws; Socialist Utopias aren’t known for their sparkling environmental records; and some of the filthiest places in America begin with the word, “public.”
So it is with great delight that I watched a German automaker, poke fun at the environmental fascism that America is embracing without trepidation. I thought to myself that only German experience could write such an ad.
Unfortunately, my humor was tempered a little, because I could have sworn I had seen it all before. Sure enough, there was a short film, with a remarkably similar premise made by American filmmaker Adam McKay a few years back. Co-starrring in the piece was Will Ferell, in a clip so funny, that you could almost forget “Land of the Lost.” Rounding out the trio is “Stepbrother’s” and “Talladega Nights” co-star John C. Reilly.
The message is clear: Environmentalism can be dangerous. I remember, this came as a surprise to me, since Adam is an unapologetic liberal, who was one of the first proud Prius drivers in Hollywood. Of course, living in a culture where Green is treated more seriously than religion, should chafe the consciousness of any truly committed liberal.
The McKay piece is edgier and funnier, and didn’t have the budget to buy Cheap Trick, a pollution sniffing aardvark, or some white Segways; but it is obviously the inspiration for the spot. According to McKay’s Twitter feed (in a discussion with Big Hollywood blogger Mike Wilson) he knows they ripped him off, and like a pro who understands the compliment of imitation, he is completely nonplussed.
In comedy we have a rule, that jokes are personal property, and “borrowing” from other comics is more rightfully called “thievery.” Those who borrow promiscuously are unaffectionately referred to as a “hack.” In many cases a comic’s material is the only asset he ever owns, so it is often guarded with the preciosity of a homeless shopping cart.
Yet in advertizing, no such stigma exists It is not uncommon for a group of copywriters to visit a comedy club together, notepads in tow, for a brainstorming session. Advertisers also borrow liberally from each other. When one client uses a talking dog to pitch a taco, every other copywriter starts working on a talking dog ad.
This is how a meme is introduced into the national Zeitgeist. I doubt that anybody receives a necktie for Father’s Day anymore, but I’m sure it’s still the number-one answer on “Family Feud.” Thousands of Father’s Day commercials show Dad dreaming of a chainsaw or motorcycle as he opens his tie, and now everyone assumes it is the worst possible gift.
I can only hope that someday, the warning in “Green Police,” becomes just as stale.
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59 Comments
Nah, I liked the commercial better.
I wonder how many conservatives are now checking out Audis (of all engine types) just because of that terrific ad (well, I'm one!).
And as a writer, I sensed no plagiarism. The subject was similar, but really, mocking environmentalists as over the top power hungry bullies? I'm sure the "Green Squad" wasn't original in their skit either.
(And I miss the edit feature. Sorry to double post.)
The Audi commercial was good but at the end it pretty much told us all to suck it up,get used to it and by buying our Audi you won't get hassled as much as the next guy.Personally,I am dying to buy a new Dodge Challenger and let those greenies try and catch me.
Quite frankly, it appears the whole world has gone bloody mad.
The only thing more humorous in the commercial, would have been Algore on a segway.
Yeah, I definitely got that Teutonic "You vill follow die Ordnungen" vibe from it.
It would have to be a pretty big Segway, Uncle Al isn't missing any meals these days…..
The Audi ad is the second ad I've seen recently that seems to embrace the totalitarian police state as a marketing tool. The other is a "Smart Balance" ad where they praise Denmark for banning trans fats.
It strikes me as an odd way to get Americans to buy things.
At any rate, if I pony up the dough for an Audi it sure as hell isn't going to be a TDI.
I want this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaENG1vt6-Y
Because I'm not a German cement salesman. And it'll make the tree huggers cry.
Not me – I'm sticking with a large SUV with the biggest, honkinest engine available. I will thumb my nose at the enviromorons every chance I get. If they advocate it, it's bad for our liberties.
Al Gore needs to be smoked out of his foxhole, he's been MIA for months now.
I don't think the Green Police was a rip off of the Green Team, any more than the Green Team ripped off the Office Linebacker.
[T]hose who will sacrifice a little Liberty for a cleaner environment will eventually live in a dirty prison.
Rhetorical gold.
Corporations are not in the political satire business. I think Audi was totally serious. The Green Police pokes no more fun at environmentalists than Reddy Kilowatt mocked electricity companies.
They meant to position their brand as "green" thereby validating the premise of intrusive environmentalism.
On their own website Audi wants to have it both way, calling it a "caricature" and "social satire" but then adding
"The Green Police really dramatize the impact every day choices have on the environment— from choosing paper or plastic bags at the grocery store and drinking bottled water to the cars we drive. The point of the Green Police then are to show that one of the easiest of those choices is driving the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel, which was just named the Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal. [...] The Audi Green Police are here to entertain and educate so our decisions regarding the environment are smarter and well-informed to make them a little easier."
Exactly. It wasn't too long ago in human history that this guy would be hanging from a tree somewhere "fur what he done."
If we can have a congressional hearing on whether college football's BCS is a good thing, why can't Congress get their ass in gear and bring all of these liars and thieves into a hearing and give them a ham-fisted pummeling. Timmy Geithner got his a few weeks ago. Where's Al's?
yah this is a theme. not a plagiarism. its a theme like Zombies or Liberal=Communist=Atheist. Theme!
It looks like the eco posers can hitch hike waiting for their Toyota Pious recall. So funny. We have to have back up for wind turbines and back up cars for hybrids.
Hey Guys, Al is snug as the bug he is, in his Nashville hideout.
Still pouring forth the same lame lies. This posted 2 days before Jones told some of the truth.
http://blog.algore.com/2010/02/worse_than_we_thou...
I dont know if it was really good satire or really bad premonition. Either way, I didnt work as hard as I have to drive a dorkmobile. Next purchase at the Butler household-'73 Dodge Charger. Time for some fun.
The oceans are becoming too acidic…
That cry will replace Global warming now.
The good thing about GW, is that the rats are starting to abandon ship. I love this ad… and it does intrigue me – not the green thingy, but the audi – I will take a second look.
As I writer too, I also agree with wag a muffin – ntohing here but a sound creative idea.
The original short film was posted on the Huffpo. The comments section had some enviro-dorks whining about being made fun of, how this was a serious issue, etc. I advised some of them to remove the pickles from their rectums and lighten up. Which made them even angrier. Then the editor of the green section reprinted some of the comments which included some of my own for an article about how some environmentalists are too serious, wet blankets, stick in the muds, stuffed shirts etc. It was my proudest moment as a Huffpo troll. I still see Tim Slagle over there mixing it up with the moonbats from time to time.
I live in Colorado, The Hypocrisy State. These people are constantly ramming their green-ness down your throat in their holier than thou eco-mania, but I've never seen a bigger bunch of pigs in my life. Recycling? I dare you to find a recycling center anywhere. And the most effective anti-litter device – Container deposit? Not in this state chum. If you pull over to take a photo of a breath taking mountain vista here, bring a few trash bags, I normally fill up two or three from the trash and garbage strewn along the road side.Me – a conservative New Yorker picking up after Gods Greenest People.
Maybe we do need the green police, if just to lay a smack down on these two faced worms.
'Here's a tip…shut your f**king mouth!'
Hmm…wasn't that word for word the last environmental bill?
Nonplussed
To put at a loss as to what to think, say, or do; bewilder.
n.
A state of perplexity, confusion, or bewilderment.
or Algore on a Segwey, with a tube up his ass powder by his own gas!
Makes you almost wonder if he actually believes this lie or not.
Normally I have good sense of humor, the last line was the only thing I found funny the rest of this ad made me want to start composting "Green Police".
Maybe it was the timing of this ad that made me see it differently if we had not had the Christmas Bomber, maybe I might have found this funny. Really we have less rights then we did 8 weeks ago, the idea of some jerk being able to see through my clothing "For my safety" bothers the hell out of me and not just because of my own modesty, we are being punished for the actions of foreigners and each act makes us less free and less safe. They win when we lose our rights. Enviro-MENTAL-ists do the same we must give up our rights to choose in order to fulfil their delusions of mediocrty, again they win when we lose our rights.
Anyway I found this about as funny as running say a "Jew police" ad in 1939 Germany, of course it is a German company they are the experts on this type of thinking.
I've got it! We need to come up the next new thing. The Oceans aren't filtering themselves well and we've caused it! So , we're going to form a group to build large floating filter-ships that will suck up oceans water and pass it through our new system and pour it back into the ocean. I figure we'll start with a token test ship, but take in enough Hollywood bucks to fund a fleet of solar-powered super-filter-ships. Eco-friendly beyond belief! Whatta you think?
Loved the green-police satire. Need to take more jabs at these takeover scam artists.
Those are called whales……..
I actually thought Demolition Man with Sly Stallone and Wesley Snipes captured the true spirit of the type of society libtards and tree huggers desire.
[...] the original post: ‘Green Police’: Green Theft Comedy This entry is filed under America – Blogs, Big Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this [...]
The entire point of the Green Police ad is resistance and subversion to the advancement of environmentalism. In the course of the ad, we see people who refuse to buy into the eco-religion. Thus, they are subject to harassment…er….visits from the Green Police. In the end, the Audi driver commits the ultimate act of heresy to the eco-religion, he drives a car that burns fossil fuels! However, because of the "clean diesel" technology developed by VAG, the Audi driver is able to fool the Green Police and drive on in his fossil fuel burning A3 TDI.
I saw the Smart Balance commercial and almost fell out of my chair.
Really? Denmark banning trans fats is a GOOD thing?
Really?
Talk about tone deaf
Got an A6 Quatro. Looking at a W12.
yeah, but we can't make millions on that…. we've got an opportunity to make some serious money like AlGore and the carbon-offset crowd.. there's got to be enough gullables out there to donate to our clean-the-oceans project…
I got the neighbor's kid to call his Mom's car; 'Yoda's penis'.
Once again "Funny or Die" dies.
I'll buy that.
IntenseDebate Notification <DIV>Ahh…the only gullables around here live in Cook county, but I like your idea.</DIV> <DIV style=\”FONT: 10pt arial\”>
Well that was interesting. I was off doing something else and just replyed to the email. Not quite up to speed here….
Global warming is real!!!!!!! People wake up, we need to save the planet. If we all try hard we can do it!!!!!!!
Just believe, it will happen. Go Green! Go Gore!!!! Go Obama!!!!!!!
All are awesome!!!! For sure.
A lot of people missed that angle. I missed first time around because I was laughing too much. What has four doors, 14 cylinders, 8 wheels and requires copious amounts of premium fuel? My 2 Pontiacs!
VW , not too politically correct………… http://youtu.be/ad4fagTyaM4
I just don't get how this is supposed to encourage conservatives to buy an Audi. It seemed to me that Audi was telling us to obey the Green Police, and the best way to do so is to buy their car. No way! I'm going to do my best not to get along with the Green wackos who want me to give up my freedom–even where I put my stupid orange peel! I'll be avoiding Audi, thank you.
For anyone with half an eye open the ad was a failure because it was offensive. Just because it TRIED to be lighthearted and whimsical doesn't mean it is going to be taken that way. The execs in the Audi marketing department obviously don't keep abreast of current events in the USA , because they would have seen that today's regulations and police excesses in enforcement make watching that advertisement a non-pleasure. Police are committing no-knock swat-team arrests of innocent old ladies and shooting dogs, tasing 14 year-old skateboarders, removing 12 year-old girls from schools in handcuffs for doodling on desks, stopping and ticketing motorists for not wearing seat belts and more everyday in America.
With all the absurdity it STILL was too close for comfort. Before you accuse me of having no sense of humor, ponder this: what was the point of this ad? As someone else here mentioned, corporations are not in the satire business. What happens in this ad? The driver of the car gets the go-ahead to pass through a checkpoint because he is driving this pathetic automobile, while all the other idiots are stuck with probes up their tailpipes. Ha Ha! Buy an Audi! And get a pass from stupid, overzealous police.
The ad gives the "Green Police" legitimacy in the final scene. The man we are supposed to identify with, the handsome model their casting directors culled from hundreds of head-shots and go-sees, drives off with a satisfied smirk. He's passed the test with flying colors, but buying Audi doesn't make him smart, it makes him a despicable conformist to silly rules. The "good German" as it were. This is precisely the kind of person who doesn't care if Jews are being loaded into boxcars as long as he isn't one of them. This is not the kind of person Americans identify with. Maybe Euroweenies, but not Americans.
well for starters, just fyi Germany has about 10 times the environmental regulation and federal mandates that the US has.
Now personally, I think some people on the left get a bad rap for their environmentalism because waaaay to many won't approach it in a logical way. For example, i am a "reasoned liberal" but no i do not believe in man made climate change, because as everyone here in this forum knows, the logic isn't there.
As far as environmental law being incompatible with environmental law, i do not buy that premise. I think a lot of people hear about environmental regulation and they imagine people putting rules on the cars they are allowed to buy. But look at the example of disclosure laws. Make all the ingredients known on the back of a package (or on the contract for a piece of land you're going to buy) then let the consumer decide.
Environment is improved by the rationality of individual choice, freedom preserved.
I have to admit that when I saw the green Police ad during the SB I didn't like it because the message I got from the commercial was that everyone should buy Audi's "green friendly" car because all of those other things the green police were going after were bad. I guess my interpretation was wrong.
Anytime these eco-terrorist tell me what I should buy or how I should live it just ticks me off and makes me want to create an even bigger "carbon footprint". When the eco terrorist had one of those days last year where they asked everyone in the world to turn off their lights in their homes for something like two hours I did just the opposite and turned on every light in my house instead.
How can it be satire when the net effect would be to be ridiculing anyone who buys a "clean diesel" vehicle? Why is the Good German who buys the clean diesel let by the checkpoint made to look cool and sensible?
Ultimately this ad was sold to German executives, and goose-stepping behind the latest fascist fad is something they do just as easily as they ever did. I don't think any Euro would sense the irony, let alone the Germans.
For those wondering how the Audi ad can be satirical while being about a "clean" car. You have to understand that there are many reasons to want a fuel efficient car that still leave you in a credible position to mock bed-wetting tree-hugging leftys.
1. Reduced Fuel costs
2. Better local air quality
3. Not wanting to give more of your money to Communist despots (Venezuala) or islamo-facists (Saudi Arabia) who hate you and everything you believe in.
There are some very credible non-liberal arguments for fuel economy. I doubt the founding fathers would want the US to be dependent on hostile foreign powers to get food to the supermarket. So untill we drill more oil here…. TDI FTW
Excelsior!
Cheap Trick rocks — still!
But you're overlooking the real, tangible advantage to driving a not-so-efficient vehicle, like a Hummer H-1 or a Challenger R/T Hemi or, just maybe, a Peterbilt stretch limo-
It really, really pisses hippie dipshits off.
It's my gas money, I'll spend it as I like.
Enviromentalists=Facists
Another South Park fan I see.
Diesel can run off cooking oil. Clean Diesels uses pee (tee hee). A bank of lead-acid batteries really is a catastrophe in the making. Now, get lithium batteries and diesel together and life is good -again. Oh, yeah -all plant life need your CO2 or there will be NO GREEN.
Hmm yes I like that take. Kind of like having a hybrid Ferrari. You don't get to pay congestion tax and your Ferrari still does what you bought it for, it just has a teensy little electric motor along for the ride to placate the eco-nazis.
Actually I've driven the 3.0L TDI and I'd buy it. It goes.
This is the first time I've seen the ad after all the houpla being written about it. I actually liked the ad, I thought it was funny and spot-on – right up until the final moment when we see the guy's car driving away. Unfortunately the Audi A3 diesel is a dog, so the whole thing just dies right there. If they'd used the 3.0L diesel it would have been great satire, because that goes like sh** of a shovel and is real fun to drive. So the whole point of the commercial was just lost, and yes, it is a cave-in to the enviro nazis and not a middle finger at all.
Are some of you blind – It was a 1984 self serving piece. Get in line or else. None of the scenes have an underlining sense of humor. Its mean spirited from beginning to end. Any of you who have written comedy know the staging of the different scenes was never meant to be funny. The style of the ad was to re-enforce Audi's self-righteous, "We are Green and you had better be also" approach.
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