Who knew that Paul Speaker hid laughs in his breast pocket!
I clicked on a story titled World Surf League Tries Comedy in Ads Starring the Sport’s Offbeat Characters and got ready to die… from embarrassment! We all know, too well, that surfers can’t act and actors can’t surf. And that the World Surf League is officially a no fun zone. Etc.
I cringed. And clicked. And watched.
And laughed!
And chuckled!
And laughed again!
Oh sure some are funnier than others but the ones that shine really shine! Kolohe Andino has a classic deadpan’s timing and delivery. Dave Prodan (as pie eating ASP official) should leave his post immediately and take the bus to Hollywood. Pete Mel gives each of his performances the appropriate zing and the judges complaining about their sandwiches…only the hardest of hearts could not find joy in that thick Portuguese accent complaining about pickles.
AdWeek reports:
Unlike past WSL efforts that focused on the inherent drama and chaos of surfing, the new work casts the league’s athletes, announcers and executives in skits designed to appeal to both long-time fans and those just discovering the sport.
“The WSL felt like they were succeeding in showing the best competitive surfing in the world, but were missing out on some of the offbeat characters and unique fun that is at surfing’s core,” Zambezi senior art director Chris Rutkowski tells AdFreak.
In seven 30-second clips running on WSL broadcasts and the league’s social platforms, the league “stayed true to the laid-back image of surfers with honest, sometimes self-deprecating humor to make the surfing world as inviting as possible,” Rutkowski says.
But enough of that mumbo jumbo. You watch and share your opinion! Two thumbs up? Or no?
Just saw the Seabass one, actually is good.
Yeah, best thing seen on the WSL screen for ages, besides the surfing of course. Love that sense of humor, especially the judges. More please.
ADS and Bass were the funniest. I still find those unfilled ad spots with just static noise extremely annoying though.
Any word on if they hired concept guys on these and which house it was? Worthy of a chuckle, for sure.
Let’s shoot arrows at WSL when they deserve it, which is on the regular. And let’s applaud when they do it right. These are all funny. Some more than others—Kolohe’s “Yessss” is one syllable perfection—but there isn’t a stinker in the bunch. Cheers to Speaker, Prodan, and whoever else contributed.
I totally agree! I’m first man in when it is time to knock…but that only works if it is fair. These are funny or at the very least funny-ish. Bravo!
I’d just go with “ish”.
Biggest fucking joke is the judges one!!! BUT hang on that is probably what they are fucking actually doing instead of judging
I found them all kind of funny except the last one with the judges. The judges really need to get their act together before they deserve receiving some slack & empathy.
I thought they were kinda cringy. I also though ADS’s was the funniest which is very cringy in itself.
i love these. the surfers/commentators/judges do such a great job at acting i can’t believe it, not forced at all. nat young’s face is just right as is adriano’s. and i love richie porta’s expression, which must be the way it is when an angry surfer comes charging in post heat.
Fucking awful.
None of it was funny.
And a sleight against the fact the Hawaiins are not lumped in with the USA, which was a real chance to celebrate it and not make shit jokes about it.
Not even a little funny? Kolohe and Nat were for sure. No?
No. Not funny.
Cringe, an opportunity missed, surely they could have dreamed up some good skits.
You’re just moaning for the sake of moaning Dogsnuts… It’s the first time the WSL has laughed at itself. Usually its just us laughing at them.
Bobby Martinez wanna be tennis tour no more…
It was genuinely terrible.
I’m all for them poking fun at themselves.
It was just not funny.
Watching the post show today I have to say that something has changed, no one seems to be on a tight leash anymore. Even having Barton Lynch in there speaks volumes.