Nik:  I used to hate commercials. Specifically, the head rattling blast of noise that infiltrated my quiet night on the couch. Then TiVo came along. Ahh, the genius! I could skip through all those ads with an aggressive flair that screamed “Ha! Take that stupid commercial! My living room is impenetrable!” Additionally, last year, congress passed the CALM Act so Corporate America couldn’t noise pollute our family rooms anymore. But with the ever increasing information landfill–so many blogs to read, news articles to peruse, tweets to skim, instagram photos to eye, the daily dose of facebook and pinterest to troll, not to mention an entire season of something on Netflix (that you feel pressured to watch in one gulp so you can hang confidently in the water cooler conversation on Monday), oh, and the pile of books on your nightstand that you’ve barely put a dent in (I’m on page 20-something of 20 of them as I write this)–I’m about to say something crazy.  Do I dare?  Of course.  With the mind blowing amount of information to take in, I’m finding comfort in commercials.  That’s right.  I’m noticing a satisfying hint of pleasure after watching a 30 second spot.  30 seconds with a beginning, middle and end.  30 seconds that are actually making me feel.  For the first time since I saw the spot for Strawberry Shortcake in 1982 and obsessed over getting it for my birthday, I’m actually watching commercials.  Some have me laughing–Kmart’s ‘Ship My Pants’ commercial doesn’t get old.  And one or two make my eyes wet, like the Hello Human Kindness ad where the man gets out of his car to help the old lady cross the busy intersection.  It gets me every time.  So, hey Corporate America, I’m back!  And I’m watching your commercials! But for those of you trying too hard to cross the velvet rope to my mind, dial back on the stroke-inducing flashes, blaring music and lame gimmicks. Just tell me a good story because for the first time since 1982, I’m watching.
Alex:  I miss having cable… Livin’ the broke life… This is kind of old, but it is one of my favorite commercials. I still quote it and watch it sometimes when I need a good laugh. Who would have thunk a commercial could do that for me?
Nik:  I’m dying.  So funny.  Wait, you quote this?