Podcast Summary:

The Michael Knowles Show: "Michael Knowles DESTROYS Woke Commercials... They Keep Getting Worse"
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)
Date: November 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Michael Knowles dissects a series of recent "woke" commercials, evaluating their effectiveness and poking fun at their messaging. He addresses whether the prevalence of woke ideology in mainstream advertising is truly diminishing or simply evolving. Through a series of humorous and pointed critiques, Knowles examines how companies are balancing progressive messaging with product promotion, questioning the logic and motivation behind such campaigns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Is "Woke" Really Dead in Commercials?

• Opening Thought:
  • Knowles begins with a satirical lament:
    "We all thought that WOKE had been exterminated. And it largely has been. However, little traces linger on, little hints of liberalism linger on." (03:07)
  • He sees a silver lining: it gives him more material to riff on.

Commercial 1: Audible (LGBT Youth and Parental Acceptance)

• Segment Breakdown (04:17 – 06:05):
  • A commercial features a coming out scene, with a focus on listening and parental support.
  • Knowles notes a shift in woke ads:
    "It used to be the commercials just led with all the woke, so you couldn't even identify what the company was. That was the game. Okay, now you don't have to do that. Now, at the very least, we can say that in the WOKE commercials, they are leading with the product. That's an improvement." (05:14)
  • Mocks the heavy-handedness:
    "He's gay, but he has a special connection to classical music... the dad's like, hey, say, kid, here's a six pack of Miller, some poppers and keys to my car. You go get crazy. Kids audible Jane Austen novels." (05:35)

Commercial 2: Sprite (Messages of Self-Acceptance)

• Segment Breakdown (06:10 – 07:22):
  • The ad features diverse voices speaking about self-love and resilience, ending with, "Want a Sprite? Cranberry?"
  • Knowles is baffled by the product connection:
    "If you said Michael list 1500 products that that ad could be selling, I would not have guessed. Sprite, McDonald's, Sprite." (07:03)
  • Dismisses it as dated in tone:
    "That ad has very strong 2022 energy... We'll look it up later." (07:15)

Commercial 3: Nissan (Road to the Kennedy Center)

• Segment Breakdown (07:30 – 08:47):
  • Car commercial alluding to supporting "whoever you become."
  • Knowles:
    "Maybe we can pander to the gays. Well, did it work for those people? No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but. But it might work for us. Our company is in serious distress..." (07:54)
  • Suggests companies see woke messaging as a last-ditch marketing strategy amid declining sales.

Commercial 4: Canadian Football League (Diversity Celebration)

• Segment Breakdown (14:03 – 15:42):
  • Celebrates the league’s diversity with a long list of names.
  • Knowles gently mocks it, but says:
    "That's fine. It's Canada. You gotta grade Canada on a curve... Canada can do what it likes until it's the 51st state." (15:19)

Commercial 5: Procter & Gamble (Addressing Racism in Media)

• Segment Breakdown (15:52 – 19:10):
  • Features black actors discussing media stereotypes and experiences of racism.
  • Knowles argues the ad's premise is flawed:
    "All prejudice... is something that all human beings constantly, necessarily engage in... Some of it's unjust. Some of it is totally justified." (16:58)
  • Criticizes blaming the media for racism:
    "The media are all making ads like Procter and Gamble... They're doing the exact opposite of what you're suggesting." (17:34)
  • References a Chris Rock bit about misplaced blame (17:42).

Ranking the "Worst" Ad

• Segment Breakdown (19:12 – 20:00):
  • Knowles playfully tries to rank the most egregious ad.
  • Declares:
    "The most egregious one, I guess, is, oh, it's between Sprite and the gay... Probably the audible. The audible one. This is probably the weirdest. Sprite is coming up on the inside... The longest Sprite is a close runner up though." (19:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On evolving Ad Strategies:
  "Now, at the very least, we can say that in the WOKE commercials, they are leading with the product. That's an improvement." (05:14)

• Sarcastic Summarization:
  "Hey, kids, did you ever hang around a gymnasium? Go hit the bathhouse. Get crazy. Here's some drugs. I'm accepting." (18:10)

• On Canada:
  "America's evil top hat. That's fine. There any like Smiths? It's like. I don't. O' Shea, I guess is close. But the Irish, I don't know. Okay, that's fine. I Don't care. Canada." (15:17)

• Referencing Chris Rock:
  "When I go to the Money Machine later tonight, I'm not looking over my shoulder for the media, that's for sure." (17:42)

Important Timestamps

• 03:07 – Introduction to the resurgence of woke commercials.
• 04:17-06:05 – Review of the Audible commercial.
• 06:10-07:22 – Review of Sprite ad.
• 07:30-08:47 – Discussion of the Nissan ad.
• 14:03-15:42 – Commentary on the Canadian Football League diversity ad.
• 15:52-19:10 – Analysis of the Procter & Gamble ad.
• 19:12-20:00 – Ranking the worst woke ad.

Tone & Style

Knowles employs his signature blend of satirical humor and critical commentary. He lampoons the sometimes forced or illogical nature of woke messaging in advertisements, occasionally adopting exaggerated personas to emphasize his points, but always maintains a playful, conversational approach.

Conclusion

Michael Knowles concludes that while woke advertising may be waning in obviousness, remnants persist in surprising—and sometimes bewildering—ways. The real irony, he suggests, is that the new generation of ads tries to conceal their progressive messaging within traditional commercial pitches, which often leads to strange and ineffective results. His satirical critique serves not only as entertainment, but as a cultural commentary on current trends in corporate marketing.