Since we reported David Spade's first reaction to fallout from his new DirecTV ad featuring a re-shot "Tommy Boy" sequence with the late Chris Farley, the negative response to the ad has continued. Spade later told People magazine that if he had it to do over again, he probably wouldn't have made the ad.The ad has since been replaced by a new one. We asked DirecTV if they had pulled it due to the negative feedback. Keep reading for their response, and the commercial that's replacing the Farley spot.
Jon Gieselman, senior vice president of advertising and PR for DirecTV, gave Asylum the following statement:
"The 'Tommy Boy' spot has ended its normal schedule (to make room for our newer 'Wayne's World 2' spot), but it will be back on the air later this year."
That was a mighty quick run, if you ask us. We'll keep an eye out to see if the spot reappears.
The new ad, as Gieselman notes, features a scene from "Wayne's World 2." Really? 'Wayne's World 2'? While you could argue that not all of Direct TV's ads feature films that are deserving of iconic status, this still seems like a bit of a comedown. Was Alice Cooper too busy?
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Thursday 05 November
By Takahashi
Wayne's World 2? That movie was pretty terrible. I really liked the first ad. I really don't see what all the fuss is about.
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Friday 06 November
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Friday 06 November
By Jerry Fouts
I signed up for DirectTV and it was a hugh mistake. I was supposed to get a special deal but they didn't do what they said and then I called immediately to have it unhooked. They said that would cost $500. to $700. even though it had been connected for just one day.
I have spent many hours trying to get through but they have insulated themselves from any contact. They send me form letters demanding $603. and threaten my credit. I feel that I am being blackmailed for that amount or they will ruin my credit. Whatever you do, don't dare sign up for DirectTV. You'll be sorry as I am.
I will probably end up paying this blackmail even though I don't use their services. I hope the FCC see this letter. This company should not be allowed to advertise falsely. I was promised one price but they billed me for another.
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Friday 06 November
By SARA
Jerry Direct tv sucks...We got it for the nfl package. We pay a fortune and they don't give it to use in HD! But we pay for HD and HDVR! So tell me why did I purchase a nice tv to watch fuzzy SD crap! Thanks Direct Tv for not giving a crap about your soon to be ex customers.
Friday 06 November
By SpiceMonkey
They didn't do what they said, or they didn't do what you thought they were going to do? If it's the former and not the latter, why is it that you aren't suing them for breach of contract? I suspect you screwed the pooch all by yourself there, Jerry.
Friday 06 November
By Ansley Alexander
Jerry I had them for over seven years.I decided to cancel My service because of bad customer service.They did the same thing to me but I dont know if I will pay them what they want since I no longer have them. You was smart to drop them.
Ansley
Friday 06 November
By gr8bsn
I hear ya loud and clear! As much as DirecTV likes to attack Cable, I have been a satisfied customer for six years now, and here's why:
1. No credit check with cable.
2. No contract with cable.
3. No loss of signal in bad weather.
4. No penalty for having your service changed or shut off (which I do sometimes when money is tight).
Whatever the cable company's faults may be (and trust me, they are many), they are still the only contract free month-to-month option out there.
Friday 06 November
By Arvon Agren
I signed up for the 5 months free. I got my first bill for 140.00 which I did not pay but wrote about the "free" months, no reply, then I got a bill for 280.00 I called and got cut off. Then, they called and I told them it was false advertising. I cancelled. The last past due notice was for over 700.00, Then, they said to return the two boxes to them or an add'l charge (200 miles away). I did get UPS boxes to return 4 of their black boxes but I was only given two. In meantime they are still asking me to sign up again!!!
Friday 06 November
By Research
Do some research and you will see that they have already been sued in several states for false promotions. I suggest that you contact you state's attorney general.
Friday 06 November
By sara
DIRECT TV SUCKS!! AND I WISH ALL US THAT ARE TIRED OF GETTING NICKEL AND DIMED TO DEATH!! YOU PAY A FORTUNE FOR HD AND HDVR! SO I ORDER MY NFL PACKAGE AND I GET IT IN SD! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! I SAY STEP UP AND CANCEL START A I AM TIRED OF GETTTING SCREWED OVER BY MONEY HUNGRY CEO'S! WHEN FOOTBALL IS OVER THEY CAN STICK THE DISH WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE!
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Friday 06 November
By SpiceMonkey
Why is AOL insisting on beating this to death? Negative response? Sure hasn't been any negative response that I've seen, as a matter of fact, what I've mostly seen a negative response to is AOL's writers insisting on beating the sh!t out of this commercial for no apparent reason... and did it go away? I just saw it a couple days ago... I think the AOL staff thinks they have more sway over the industry than is reality... as usual, a legend in their own mind.
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Friday 06 November
By lostie418
NO ONE CARES THAT A DEAD ACTOR APPEARS IN A COMMERCIAL AND WHY SHOULD WE, DOES THIS AFFECT OUR LIVES AT ALL? NO.
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Friday 06 November
By Jerry
I have had Direct TV since the beginning and could not be more satisfied with it. I have 5 receivers and one of the Direct TV plus machines. I have good TVs but don't have HD and the picture is always excellent. 100% better than cable. Direct TV have always been available to me by phone at 1800directtv. They adjusted my billing recently and gave me a credit because I was being billed for HD and was not using it and even went back to when it was put on due to the purchase of another receiver which was also an HD receiver.
They deserve a pat on the back.
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Tuesday 10 November
By wandrstar
a pat on the back? i feel i would be more obliged to give them a kick in the a**... these people are thieves. they are liars. i do not know how they sleep at night. they break the law and get away with it.... i called the attorney general after a very bad experience with them... attorney generals office told me they get numerous complaints. as does my bank. and my friends bank. need i go on?
Friday 06 November
By StanLee
Jerry, you obviously work for DirecTV...
...if you notice, a LOT of the complaints are about the lack of HD in their football package. Your "good" SD tv's aren't even a factor in the discussion.
Second, I know many people that have DirecTV and they are CONSTANTLY having to switch their DVRs because of issues with skipping, freezing and of course, signal quality. So the bad customer service is most definitely an issue.
I will play advocate and say that although DirecTV doesn't have the local channels that cable has, they do offer more interesting channels (i.e., BBC America, all the Discovery channels) which are only available in my area (Brooklyn, NY) through DirecTV.
As for the actual topic of the article...get a life folks, Chris Farley (and his family) are laughing all the way to the bank and its a shame that a man can't even be remembered for one of the most hilarious scenes in SNL-movie history. HE WAS A COMEDIAN AFTER ALL!!!!!
Friday 06 November
By Jerry
Chris Farley is funny and any advertisement with him in it will have my attention. I do not think the advertisement is in bad taste at all. There are many younger viewers who will now be looking for his brilliant slapstick comedy as a result of that short piece.
Bravo
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Friday 06 November
By Joseph
Does anyone know how they make these commercials, photoshop or do they bring the real actors in or is it computer generated?
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Friday 06 November
By Kuba
As for service, do NOT go with DirectTV. I was a customer for several years. First, the Tivo I "purchased" with a warranty had broken down. Instead of replacing/repairing my Tivo as per my contract warranty, DirectTV substituted the Tivo with a DVR. I now had a monthly charge for the DVR (previously, no rental charge on the Tivo since I owned it) DirectTV REFUSED to substitute with another TIVO or give us back our money for the Tivo purchase. Secondly, the installation to the satelite was poor. The mounting of the disk had severely split the wood (they used too large of screws). The cable holes into the stucco were very poor (damaged the stucco). Looks like the technician used a chisel and hammer to make the holes (alot of cracked stucco and the holes were way too large...enough to put three wires into the hole instead of one wire). Thirdly, DirectTV technicians had spliced into my existing house cables to set up their dish. The DirectTV technician removed all unused pre-existing cable wires (this was done on purpose, to discourage re-hook ups with another cable company). This was discovered when I terminated my service with DirectTVI had to hire an electrician to rewire my old cable wires since my previous cable wires were REMOVED (beware what the technicians will do). And lastely, customer service sucks. Try to get assistance on their equipment was poor, esp. when cheap cables and poor equipment were used. I recommend: GO WITH A RECOGNIZED CABLE COMPANY (i.e. Comcast). Also, DirectTV continued to charge me monthly long after I terminated my service (my contract was well past two years). My credits were NEVER issued!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEWARE of DirectTV
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Friday 06 November
By juliefrein
The Chris Farley commercial really doesn't bother me as much as the DirectTV commercial with the guy in a hurricane saying he still has his reception. This is a totally bogus claim. Every time it rains hard, I lose the satellite. I would like to change services to a company with cable/fios, but neither are offered in my area.
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Friday 06 November
By stvhndyman
Jerry:
I cancelled Direct TV last month after 5yrs of poor customer service. I had Dish Network put in, and now Direct is calling me wanting me back. Direct TV told me I have 30 days to cancel Dish- should be the same with Direct (30 days).
The person that called me from Direct asked my "why"? I said poor customer service and poor reception in rainy wx. The new Dish service has a great picture and no probs with rain- so far.
Altho I am having probs claiming my "free gift"
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