Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

e burton — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:20:18 GMT

Oh, quit whining. Wedgies are funny. (Also close to impossible to achieve on the scale depicted.)

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Larry, Houston TX — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:19:14 GMT

This article seems way off base... I didn't see any sort of disrespect towards Del Taco employees! What I took from it was that the employee portrayed in the commercial was willing to help the customer blow off steam by offering to be the wedg-ee. Goofy, maybe. Elementary comedy, definitely... but disrespectful? Naaaah.

I guess if you look hard enough for ways to be offended you can find them anywhere though

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Robert Moore Port Angeles, WA — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:13:05 GMT

Come on, it's so absurd, it's funny, if anything,
it makes you feel how ridicules it is to take your stress out on the clerk.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Ben Vincent, Texas — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:35:01 GMT

Wish Del Taco was still here in Texas. I like Taco Bell but Del Taco was good too. Lot's better than Taco Beuno (Drano). Let's face it, any good commercial is about as rare as a blue moon. Can we talk about Moon Pies?

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Dennis Feehan, Parts Unknown — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:35:18 GMT

Shiver me Timbers!!!
What's wrong with you Allison, this sounds like a funny spot. I really don't think that I will walk into a Del Taco and see employees being wedgied or otherwise disrespected anymore than a typical day. I have spent over 14 years in the food industry and this is funny.-Nuff Said

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Ron,Las Vegas — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:07:54 GMT

Who ever wrote the above needs to get a grip,it's intended to be funny (make us laugh)and that is just what it did,it will also make you remember their company..Life is too serious,for you to be writing about a Del Taco ad...In fact you did just what they wanted,gave them some air time..

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Brad, Charleston, West Virginia — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:11:03 GMT

Deep breath. Now, repeat after me: "I will not take life so seriously, I will not take life so seriously..." Continue with this mantra until you find the humor in this commercial

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

JDexter, LaVergne, TN — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:22:19 GMT

I actually thought it was amusing, although juvenile. It showed the Del Taco employees in a better light, because they were willing to take the stress off the customer. Yes, stupid, but memorable and harmless fun.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Nicole, Las Vegas, Nevada — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:34:48 GMT

The first time I saw this commercial I looked at my husband and asked him what I missed. Neither of us found it funny in any way. It was nearly the dumbest thing I had ever seen. We like Del Taco but this commercial did nothing to make me want to run out and buy their food. I am all for slap stick comedy, but this is not it. If Del Taco wants me to buy from them, show me really yummy food at a really low price with something funny mixed in. Underwear being pulled up some poor guys butt is not appetizing.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Dave in NM — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:51:58 GMT

Wow - kind of sad to be the only one agreeing that being mean to people isn't funny. Hope my kids never go to school with your kids (but I know they'll go to school with plenty of other kids who think like you people).

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

bill bixby - malibu, ca — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:59:49 GMT

someone got too many wedgies in high school

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Mary, San Francisco — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:22:50 GMT

I have to agree with the other posters -- lighten up. You are reading WAY too much into a 30 second spot.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Lyndsay, California — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:31:50 GMT

This writer needs a sense of humor. Wedgies are funny, and always will be. Lighten up! It's just a commercial!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Sick of all you whiners. — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:03:59 GMT

I can tell by the flavor of the whine that you're American bred. Forget the underwear, this country has a stick up its butt.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Gus, Columbia, Misery — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:21:03 GMT

Get real, we all can use a good laugh, a cheap laugh, or a sophomoric laugh. The ads from the *stupor bore* provided little, if any, entertainment.
Angry customers are not going after us in the retail industry....they are at eachother's necks.
Like Pit Bulls at a Michael Vick picnic.
For real...I am not seeing any attitude from shoppers.
The majority are going with the flow...after all....we are in this mess together and we will get out of it together.
Keep laughing, it helps ease the pain.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Mike, Miami, FL — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:13:43 GMT

I'm up for a joke as much as anyone. But remember they are selling something you put in your mouth. The wedgie imagery and all that comes with it may be funny, but hardly appetizing. As an ad pro, I'd say:

-Was it necessary to go there?
-What other concepts did they reject to arrive at this one?

Ill conceived concept. Nice execution though!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Elizabeth, Houston, TX — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:16:10 GMT

I'm usually a serious critic of commercials and media, but I'm going to have to agree with the rest of the commenters here -- I think the author simply missed the point of the ad. It was more like, "Here are Del Taco, we understand your pain."

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Omega the Taco Eater Denver CO — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:36:20 GMT

I freakin' love Del Taco!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

renato sangio, nyc, ny — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:12:44 GMT

i only read the column and watched the video bcz im gay and i thought i'd see some butt cheeks; then i realized how stupid i have always thought straight people are when it comes to sexualized content: you see insult and injury combined with homoeroticism and conclude humour. if the recipient of the wedgie were a woman in a thong - and nearly caused an episiotomy - would that be funny too? don't get me wrong: i could care less what anybody finds funny (including my interpretation), but just maybe boys, yeah you boys who laugh/get turned on by this display of genital intimacy should do yourselves a favor and bend over. Then you'll learn to laugh and cry at the same time. LOL and waiting to watch you.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

dan the horse shoe stake bruiser — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:25:02 GMT

wow. that is absolutely classic. that made me laugh at the end of an otherwise ordinary day. hilarious. whoever wrote the article is a tird. its funny harmless and in good sport. learn how to laugh, and be laughed at, and laugh at yourself and you'll not be so uptight. p.s. it is up to a parent or parents to explain to their children the difference between right and wrong... p.p.s. there is nothing wrong with a good humor wedgie. especially if you owe one to somebody. but be stealth. be JEDI.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Rogelio — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:39:57 GMT

Allison... lighten up. This is one of the funniest commercials to date.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Bob, Foley, AL — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:47:55 GMT

The really sad thing here is that so many of the responses think that this add has any social or economic value what so ever or that it is even funny in a sophomoric way! Correct, we need not take ourselves too seriously, However, we have come a long way both from hanging in trees and from the first grade classroom and why we shouldn't show it in our humor is beyond me. This is a really pathetic ad and the critics points are well made. Remember, going with the flow is what the brainless creatures in the river do.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Bob, Ann Arbor — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:23:15 GMT

Dear, dear Allison. It was so sad to hear that your sense of humor had died. I hope it didn't suffer as much as I did reading your post.
Please people, for the sake of our kids, lighten up and laugh. Life now-a-days is already too hard if we can't even laugh at a commercial without thinking if we should feel guilty or not about it :(

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Lindy, Corna,Ca — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:27:39 GMT

Heck, this 60 year old Granny would love to be in a Del Taco and see an employee get a weggie :) I'd be ROTFLMBO!!!!!!!!!! Maybe that weggie took some stress off that poor employee. How'd you like to deal with picky customers all day.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Maggie, Reno — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:31:08 GMT

I found it offensive rather than humorous myself. Violence isn't funny, and it's not the right way to deal with anger or upset. I don't think people realize the big effect a little commerical like this can have on society.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

vaniti, Seattle, WA — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:13:38 GMT

I agree with Renato; that commercial wasn't even funny and my boyfriend saysthat it's boderline gay. Arby's was way funnier.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

BadasBob, Anytown, USA — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:38:36 GMT

First of all, gay? That's a rather queer interpretation. You have to be really looking for homoeroticism to think a wedgie equals gay.
Secondly, You really think this commercial will have a big affect on society? Really? Hmmmm... Nah.
Oh, and thirdly, it's funny.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Todd, Detroit, MI — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:43:05 GMT

I LOVE DEL TACO! - but the ad wasnt that funny. However, I dont think it will contribute to the demise of our society. I respect those that are concerned with issues of violence, but if you are relying on 30 second ads to raise your children, then society has alot more to worry about.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Hellbilly, Lakewood CO — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:04:20 GMT

This is pretty much typical of the 'Merican Dream. It was a stupid, meaningless 30 seconds out of our lives, and yet here are so many people whining and crying about how offensive it was.
Recommended actions-
1.) Next time it comes on, turn your d*amned tv off or change the channel.
2.) lrn2laugh.
3.) ????
4.) Profit.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Beau Michaud, Baltimore, Maryland — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:17:50 GMT

Personally I would think that most people actually feel this way and that Del Taco in this instant may have tapped the inner feelings of most Americans. As I was reading the details of the stimulus plan this morning wanted to run the halls of congress handing out wedgies at random to compensate for the feeling that we have all just got cheated.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Lindy, Corona, Ca — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:17:18 GMT

OHHHH PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! Borderline gay???? What generation are you from? Rather which Planet? Good Golly! In High School it was nothing for a friend to give you a good old fashioned weggie, and run giggling. Usually the receipient giggled too. Lighten Up.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Chill Pill, Dallas, TX — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:57:45 GMT

The employee that got "Wedged" volunteered. All you "violence" weenies need to switch back to the knitting channel. Be careful not to poke yourself in the ass with one of those needles...

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

William, NYC — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:05:31 GMT

I like absurd comedy, but this was just absurd. There are ad agencies that can pull this type of commercial off and others that can't. The agency who produced this falls deeply into the latter category. Nice try.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Hal Swanson — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:49:28 GMT

Apparently a lot of people like to wallow in potty humor.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Kim, Nashville, TN — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:02:49 GMT

The best thing about this commercial is that it is short. I like funny, but this is stupid. Some people like teenage boy humor and that's ok. I don't.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Tom Cervasio — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:30:49 GMT

Allison, I agree with you 100%. Before my Master's in Community Psychology, I endured about 20 years in Retail, and managed to improve my life and career before I snapped and volleyed right back what certain incredibly vile customers threw at me. Being a retail "sales associate" laboring under the pervasive threat of "The Customer Is Always Right" scenario sets you up as a punching bag for anyone miserable enough to elevate themselves by lowering you. So, nowadays, when I'm in a checkout line and observe one of these miserable persons pointlessly harassing a cashier, for example, I smoothly insert myself into the fray and basically hold a mirror up to the vampire-- and like most bullies, (s)he scampers right off. The look of gratitude on the cashier's face is wonderful, and the rest of the people in line get a worthwhile lesson in Basic Human Decency. And Wow, do I get great service everywhere I shop.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Rockin' Dad — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:32:51 GMT

Most of these early reponders seem to be missing th point. It's an illogical joke that makes a stupid concept even stupider by attacking the subject of the ad. Are these ideas and words too big for you? Thank you 16 years of southern fried Amerika. Idiocracy lives!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Thrasher CA — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:48:18 GMT

Im definitely more on the side of the people behind the counter then the jack off customers, but even i have to say this is another message thats taken off course of its original meaning. Its supposed to be light hearted and humorous. Stop twisting it into something its not.

Its like the hiring manager that gets all these assumptions about your unclean or unreliable because you scratched your head or stuttered during an interview.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Joanna, Houston, TX — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:07:34 GMT

Well, the commercial was absolutely stupid. However, all the PR it's generating makes it absolutely genious. What have we come to when so much effort and energy is expended on behalf of a wedgie? And, c'mon. You call this violence? The program you're watching when the commercial comes on is probably a trillion times worse. Or better yet, take a look at the video games your kids are watching. Wakey, wakey America!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Robert Kilcoyne, Tilton NH — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:37:18 GMT

it's a wedgie...as usual in the current times....you're over thinking what is supposed to be a joke and breaking it down into components and analizing the pyschology of it ....lighten up!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Gee Willickers — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:21:54 GMT

It's just stupid, plain & simple. I don't find it funny at all, but merely annoying. It seems to be more of the dumbing down of America.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Wanda, San Diego, CA — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:47:43 GMT

This is very funny! Humor is what I need to get through the tough days!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Seattle — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:54:29 GMT

Stupid AND not funny.... LOOSER!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Helen — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:42:05 GMT

Is there some particular reason that television commercials continue to get more juvenile and stupid all the time? WHO are these commercials aimed at?
Wedgies are about as funny as nose-picking, and just as tacky. Doesn't really make me hungry... what's the point?

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Brian Freese, Fairfield, CA — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:30:52 GMT

This article is your typical "no one should ever be offended" crap. It is intended to be humorous, and even if you don't find it to be funny you should just live and let live. If you are worried about your third grader getting ideas from commercials maybe you shouldn't let the television babysit your children. Most of the people here are correct, lighten up.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

usad, Sweetwater, TX — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:37:29 GMT

I watched the commercial. Very bad...but not as bad as what I've seen in the comments. People have become so desensitized that anything, no matter how degrading, is considered funny. If you bad mouth the video, then you are criticized as being out of touch. That's the state of society. We've eliminated the God of Abraham, Isac and Jacob from our lives and taken up the values of the world. Jesus (Yeshua)knew this would happen and even warned believers. Eroding values are nothing new. They are, however, still deplorable.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Marji, florida — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:39:54 GMT

Allison - I agree with you. This ad is tasteless and appeals to those who don't expect much from themselves or others.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Kerry, Toledo, OH — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:36:42 GMT

Allison,

It's a stupid ad but relatively harmless. Do you have a contract of some sort with Taco Bell? And to those who think this portends the "end times" get a grip, people. You wacko moonies have been predicting the end of the world since the beginning of time.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Not Telling — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:59:18 GMT

The wedgie is an embarrasing thing to experiance. Those who support it are cruel. I've never had one but I'be been bullied in other ways and can imagine the results of one. Also for those who support cruel jokes, keep in mind half of all people hated you through your years. As for the commercial, kind of a dumb way to advertise Tacos.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Tim, rochester, NY — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:46:39 GMT

Oh, the humanity of it all. Shocked and outraged.....at the people who are actually offended by this, especially the author of the article. It's just a commercial. It does not convey any message that violence is an appropriate reaction, it was just a bad attempt at a joke. get over yourselves offendees.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Jeanne, Inverness Florida — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:25:37 GMT

Demographics, demographics, the ads are aimed where the money is - young people who eat out at cheap drive thru type joints, not the ones who look like that customer. Sophomoric because that's exactly who it's aimed at. Get a life, read a book and if you're that anal I'd suggest you not have kids at all - then you won't have to worry about TV commercials.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Jim Devore, Durham, NC — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:36:33 GMT

Dear Allison: You want to be offended by something that demeans others? Be offended that your government for the past 7 years has been killing innocent civilians in Iraq and terrorizing the cradle of civilization...that's demeaning, disrespectful and immoral.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

richard cave junction oregon — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:09:27 GMT

Hey, I don't have a television, I am off the electric grid and choose not to watch this propaganda to dumb down America, I think this is just another slap in the face of the working class person by the extremely wealthy, to mask what's really going on the economy, who the hell can afford to go out and eat taco's.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Zman07 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:16:41 GMT

Typical MSNBC politcal correctness garbage. I read MSNBC for entertainment, not for serious news. Lighten up. Or are you secretly starting a campaign to outlaw wedgies....?

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Crystalle — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:39:07 GMT

The majority of the posts show how sophomoric and crude the writers are....one can't even spell ridiculous, one states it shows that someone was bred in America. The opinions show the same intelligence as the army people who made fun of dead bodies in Iraq. Maybe they grew up watching Jerry Springer on TV and never developed the intelligence or sensitivity to think about anything but low-brow humor.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Kevin DuPont — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:29:08 GMT

Oh, lighten up Allison. Just because a kid sees someone getting a wedgie on TV doesn;t mean the end of civilization as we know it!

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Ralph, Philly — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:05:01 GMT

Who watches commercials? Not me -- especially when I can't even tell what product they are selling, as in this case.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

M Young, Denver CO — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:02:32 GMT

Reminds me of one of my all-time favorite scenes in the Simpsons. The family was traveling in Rome and Bart gave the Pope a wedgie.

Bad day? Del Taco recommends a wedgie

Veronica Nuhuh — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:43:23 GMT

Well as a customer service representative myself and if my boss was to advertise in that manner I'd be disgusted by this and of course might want to seek revenge in the form of a spit in some mean customers goodies. I probably would not but oh well mean customers plus a company that makes fun of me.... yeah that is not a smart and I can't believe the higher executives of that company are that idiotic...