Opulence, I Has It
We’ve talked about Russian stereotyping a couple of times in the past, and both instances have been followed [for the most part] by thoughtful, lengthy discussions. Not this time! Here’s a very, very silly and over-the-top commercial for DirecTV featuring a tacky Russian tycoon in a hyper-gaudy, gilded lair surrounded by fur-clad floozies who hand him remotes atop trays loaded with gold bars. This short video is jam-packed with money-LOLs. There are bodyguards, large dogs playing at a poker table, gold busts of the tycoon presented by models, and my favorite: a miniature pet giraffe. And on the topic of LOLs – this character’s manner of speech is straight off the internet, the scene opening with him saying, “Opulence, I has it”. I just can’t bring myself to be offended, it’s too damn funny.
Also, I want a tiny giraffe.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:07 am
I too am in love with the tiny giraffe!
August 4th, 2010 at 10:10 am
I just had to watch this about three times. I love his hitting his knees at the end!
August 4th, 2010 at 10:10 am
“More on the facingbook.” LOL
I saw this yesterday on TV and the little giraffe made me pause and rewind to see it again.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:15 am
It’s all really pretty rubbish, a goofy (culturally stupid) caricature to sell TV (which you’re ostensibly already watching, as it was designed for TV-based distribution) by equating it with frugal, well, opulence.
But that damn cute giraffe disarms most of my vitriol.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:17 am
I wonder if the actor is actually Russian. The accent is exaggerated, of course, so it’s really tough to tell. The intonations seem correct though. Hmm. More of him on the televisions!
August 4th, 2010 at 10:19 am
LOL! Dirty Opulence! yep, too stupid to be offended…There is actually some criticism on it…I think…and the dogs playing cards is great…
regards!
ciao
August 4th, 2010 at 10:59 am
The actor is Tim V. Murphy. Alas, he is American born.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaQFuHyc-Jk
August 4th, 2010 at 11:00 am
the first time i saw this on the television, i missed most of what was happening. i saw the gaudy decor and tuned it out. then the “opulence, i has it” thing hit the internet and i paid attention next time. it’s probably the first advert in years that has made me giggle helplessly. i certainly won’t be buying whatever it was they were advertising, but whoever came up with that spot was clearly having a ball, and i can dig that.
(and oh gods that tiny giraffe. words cannot explain my delight at the idea of such a creature and then the reaction of mr. opulence. do want.)
August 4th, 2010 at 11:05 am
I love that he kisses the tiny giraffe! I want to kiss a miniature giraffe!
That really is the pinnacle of opulence. I want to has it very muchly!
August 4th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Damn. I really want to know who is in the pictures to the giraffe’s right, on the table!
…on the youtubes, at highest resolutions, it appears to be him with world cup winning football players, and a photo of a yacht.
He’s also watching a Twilight movie, I’d like to point out.
And! The Russian caricature continues on the youtube page, in response to comments:
“If you likes so much, you should visits my Facebook tab facebook/directv and vote on what’s you think the most opulent item in my house. If nothing is good enough, you can create your owns opulent thingy for other peoples to vote on.”
August 4th, 2010 at 11:12 am
the first few times i watched this ad, i couldn’t have told you what it was about. Just “OMG, TINY GIRAFFE!”
Really, I want a tiny giraffe like that.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Genetic engineers, the people have spoken. Your path is clear: tiny giraffes for all!
August 4th, 2010 at 11:31 am
More on the creators of the wee giraffe…
http://www.the-mill.com/index.php?A=1176
August 4th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Zis commercial, I loahve eet! I can’t bring myself to be offended either. I’ve kept rewinding just to see the tiny giraffe kiss. We all need wee giraffe pets!
August 4th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
@shannon:
I thought he looked kind of familiar- he’s the actor in that sprint commercial with the tiny people.
His career is about being surrounded by tiny versions of other beings!
August 4th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I watch all of one show on the TV (TNA Impact, don’t hate), and this commercial plays all the time. I giggle EVERY SINGLE TIME at the end, when he hits his knees and laughs. I couldn’t give a shit about the tiny giraffe, except that it’s the cause of the a-fucking-dorable SQUEE moment.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
This was seriously the happiest thing to happen to me on the Internet in a while. My friend Nomi sent it to me a week or two ago and I watched it back to back about 8 times. I also really enjoy the “I also like savings the money” and the dogs playing poker in the background. TINY GIRAFFE LOVE YES
August 4th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
This man is my new hero. Second only to The Most Interesting Man in the World.
Tiny giraffe is OK, cute for sure. But I want a tiny elephant. :D
August 4th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Hahah! Just saw this on the tellie and couldn’t stop laughing. I love his little narrative, d’awwww ^____^ Also, yes that giraffe is friggin adorable and is only equally matched by his squeeeee moment :D but seriously, it made me think of Dubossarsky/Vinogradov paintings with their wonderful, enigmatic giraffe ;)
August 5th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
“This is a real person (more photos), and he’s looking for love.”
Via Marina at Animal New York
August 6th, 2010 at 7:05 am
I too wish to have tiny giraffe. Oh, and okay, those gold bars wouldn’t hurt either…
August 6th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
I am so very lovink the giraffe- and seeink man laffink – makes me wet with happiness tears.
August 7th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
The accent is grinding to the ears, but that little giraffe is just so CUTE!
I think I too would be giddy! About the giraffe that is, I get enough Russian grammatical jokes about muffins biting me, and being a Russian redhead named Natash, as it is.. And NO I do NOT know where Boris is!
August 19th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Tim Murphy is not American born. He is from Ireland. He’s also a luscious hunk and a damn fine actor.