Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly: Episode Summary – "Commercial Outtakes"
Release Date: April 12, 2025
Host: Terry O’Reilly
Podcast Network: Apostrophe Podcast Network
Introduction
In the episode titled "Commercial Outtakes," host Terry O'Reilly delves deep into the often humorous and chaotic world behind the scenes of commercial production. Through a series of engaging anecdotes and illustrative outtakes, Terry explores the challenges faced by advertisers, directors, and actors in creating memorable and effective advertisements. The episode offers listeners insight into the delicate balance between creativity and professionalism in the high-pressure environment of advertising.
Behind the Scenes of "Young Frankenstein"
The episode opens with a nostalgic recount of the making of the classic film "Young Frankenstein." Terry narrates the numerous obstacles the creative team faced, including budget constraints, creative differences, and the difficulty of maintaining the film’s original aesthetic. Notably, the insistence of Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder to shoot in black and white despite studio resistance is highlighted as a pivotal moment that preserved the film’s authentic feel.
Notable Quote:
"Young Frankenstein had to overcome many obstacles to get made... Mel Brooks and Wilder insisted that it look like the original 1930s Frankenstein films." [00:48]
The segment underscores how creative vision often clashes with commercial interests, a recurring theme in the advertising industry.
The Hilarious Challenges of Celebrity Involvement
Terry shifts focus to the complexities of working with celebrity actors in commercials. Drawing from his extensive experience of directing over 14,000 commercials, he emphasizes that celebrities can be "wild cards" due to their high demands and tendency to disrupt the recording process with improvisations or tantrums.
Orson Welles and the Frozen Peas Commercial
One of the highlighted stories involves the legendary Orson Welles voicing a frozen peas commercial. Known for his "Thundering Voice," Welles found the task tedious, leading to a series of outtakes where his frustration is palpable.
Notable Quotes:
"Orson is losing patience almost immediately... Can you emphasize a bit in 'in July'?" [08:23]
"That's just stupid. In July. I'd love to know how you emphasize 'in' and 'in July.' Impossible, meaningless." [08:56]
This anecdote illustrates the difficulty in translating written scripts into natural spoken dialogue, especially when even masters like Welles grapple with the content.
William Shatner’s KFC Commercial Chaos
Terry recounts directing William Shatner for a KFC commercial, where repeated takes and Shatner’s insistence on adhering strictly to the script led to mounting tension.
Notable Quote:
"Now, Shatner was being tough on that director, but if you give line readings to professional actors, you're an amateur." [12:25]
Despite initial frustrations, Terry reflects positively on Shatner, describing him as "pleasant, fun, and great to work with," emphasizing the importance of maintaining professionalism in challenging situations.
Spoonerisms and Verbal Slip-Ups in Advertising
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing spoonerisms—errors where the initial sounds of words are swapped—highlighting how these can undermine the effectiveness of a commercial.
Examples of Spoonerisms:
-
Thirst Quencher Misstep:
"Winter or summer Instant white rose, hot or cold Orange tico pea." [16:54]
-
Stay Tuned Gone Awry:
"Now stay nude for the news." [16:54]
-
Preparation H’s Christmas Message:
"From Preparation to you and yours, very Merry Christmas." [14:50]
-
Ornamental Sword Pitch:
"The tip of the sword goes flying," resulting in injuries during the punch-down of a mock sword. [20:37]
These examples serve to illustrate the precarious nature of live or tightly scheduled commercial recordings, where even minor mistakes can lead to significant hiccups.
Notable Commentary:
"While spoonerisms are every actor's nightmare, there are other words that look like one thing but are actually another." [18:37]
Terry underscores the necessity for precision in advertising scripts, where auditory clarity directly impacts message delivery and brand perception.
Live Commercials and Bloopers
The episode further explores the realm of live commercials, where spontaneity often leads to unanticipated and humorous outcomes.
Johnny Carson’s Mrs. Paul’s Frozen Seafood
Johnny Carson’s live commercial for Mrs. Paul’s Frozen Seafood becomes a humorous case study as Carson struggles to maintain composure amidst script deviations and on-air mishaps.
Notable Quote:
"Mrs. Paul has done that for you, the sweet old lady." [25:25]
The segment highlights how live settings amplify the potential for errors, making rehearsed professionalism both challenging and essential.
Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal’s Charity Match Promo
In a light-hearted segment, tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal attempt to record a charity match promo. Their inability to maintain seriousness leads to a series of giggles and missteps.
Notable Quote:
"Rafa, do you know what you're gonna give me for Christmas yet?" followed by multiple unfinished and corrected lines. [23:20]
This example underscores the universal difficulty of maintaining professionalism in live recordings, regardless of the celebrities’ stature.
Power of Outtakes in Modern Advertising
Terry concludes the episode by reflecting on the evolution of outtakes in the advertising industry. Unlike the past, where mistakes during live broadcasts were often kept under wraps, contemporary advertisers embrace these bloopers as a means to humanize brands and engage audiences.
He shares a personal anecdote about an outtake where an actor’s unintended ad lib was so amusing that it disrupted the professional environment, yet highlighted the importance of balancing creativity with discipline.
Notable Quote:
"When you work in the advertising business, you deal with a wide range of products... and the hijinks ensue when you're under the influence." [30:05]
This sentiment encapsulates the episode’s overarching theme: the unpredictable nature of creative endeavors and the inherent humor found within the high-stakes world of commercial production.
Conclusion
"Commercial Outtakes" offers a captivating exploration of the behind-the-scenes intricacies of advertising. Through engaging stories, notable quotes, and vivid descriptions of recording mishaps, Terry O'Reilly provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and humorous moments that define the creation of memorable commercials. The episode serves as both an entertaining narrative and an insightful commentary on the art and chaos of advertising.
Notable Quotes Summary
-
On Creative Obstacles in "Young Frankenstein":
"...Mel Brooks and Wilder insisted that it look like the original 1930s Frankenstein films." [00:48]
-
Orson Welles on Frozen Peas Script:
"That's just stupid. In July. I'd love to know how you emphasize 'in' and 'in July.' Impossible, meaningless." [08:56]
-
William Shatner’s Frustration:
"Now, Shatner was being tough on that director, but if you give line readings to professional actors, you're an amateur." [12:25]
-
On the Nature of Spoonerisms:
"While spoonerisms are every actor's nightmare, there are other words that look like one thing but are actually another." [18:37]
-
Reflection on Advertising Hijinks:
"When you work in the advertising business, you deal with a wide range of products... and the hijinks ensue when you're under the influence." [30:05]
Additional Resources
For those interested in exploring more about the making of iconic commercials and the humorous outtakes from various advertising campaigns, "Commercial Outtakes" provides a treasure trove of anecdotes and expert insights. Listeners can enhance their understanding by following Terry O'Reilly on social platforms and tuning into future episodes of "Under the Influence."
Follow Terry O'Reilly at @terryoinfluence
Podcast powered by Acast