Chris Farley exploitation

[DetroitSportsFan]

I saw the commercial, and I knew people would have a problem with it.

[toef]

I don't really think it's a big deal, but:

a) How does Farley's estate approving it make it ok, or not in poor taste? Couldn't they just be exploiting Farley for money?

b) I don't think Spade admitted it was for the money. This is all he's said:

Originally Posted by David Spade

When DIRECTV came to me and the Farley family with this idea about 'Tommy Boy,' we talked and thought it would be a cool way to remind people just how funny Chris was. It is a clever homage to my friend and a movie that we loved doing.

[goochspot]

Originally Posted by toefer

I don't really think it's a big deal, but:

a) How does Farley's estate approving it make it ok, or not in poor taste? Couldn't they just be exploiting Farley for money?

b) I don't think Spade admitted it was for the money. This is all he's said:

I feel the family making money off of the commercial is the same thing as collecting money from a Life Insurance policy. They both serve the same function. Plus you're quote from Spade explains why it's not in bad taste.

[Rob71]

I didn't have a problem with it. Actually made me go to Amazon and pick up the BD.

[Codeman]

I had no problem at all with it, but I figured with the current "PC" mind state as a whole, some form of controversy would come up.

Personally, I interpreted the commercial as "good" overall for a few reasons.
1) His estate gets money out of the deal, which I'm quite sure he would be ok with.
2) It reminds people of Farley, or introduces him to those that were unaware.
3) He's been dead for some time now...if his family is ok with it...who are we to argue??

I thought Farley was hilarious in his time, and this commercial reminded me of that and actually made me want to go and watch this movie again.

Just my 2 cents.

[goochspot]

Originally Posted by Codeman

I had no problem at all with it, but I figured with the current "PC" mind state as a whole, some form of controversy would come up.

Personally, I interpreted the commercial as "good" overall for a few reasons.
1) His estate gets money out of the deal, which I'm quite sure he would be ok with.
2) It reminds people of Farley, or introduces him to those that were unaware.
3) He's been dead for some time now...if his family is ok with it...who are we to argue??

I thought Farley was hilarious in his time, and this commercial reminding me of that and actually made me want to go and watch this movie again.

Just my 2 cents.

Very well put. I agree 100%.

[toef]

Originally Posted by goochspot

I feel the family making money off of the commercial is the same thing as collecting money from a Life Insurance policy. They both serve the same function. Plus you're quote from Spade explains why it's not in bad taste.

They're not the same though.

The commercial is an example of the family choosing whether or not to use Farley's image for something. In this case it's not bad, but what if it was something tasteless?

Would you approve of that anyway, because it gives them money, just like a life insurance policy, since they "both serve the same function"?

[McGarnigal]

David Spade puts chris farley's brothers in all his movies.. along with other happy madison friends using them as well, mainly sandler... I think he knows whats ok and what isnt and theyd let him know...

[Lord_Stewie]

That is sad, but couldn't this be somewhat of a benefit to farley's family (income wise that is).

[nathanp]

I thought the ad was fine, it was actually kind of a nice tribute to the actor, as a comedian, I'm sure Farley would have been ok with it.

[DC_Street]

here is said commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvyZC5Wajj0

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by Grumpz

Totally agree. I doubt I'd be ok with it if it was my family, but as long the Farley estate is getting paid and they've agreed to it, why not?

Does anyone remember the superbowl commercial that had Christopher Reeve standing up at podium talking about how they've found a way to repair spinal chord damage? Even though it was made prior his death, I found that one to be in poor taste, and my father, who's got Spina Bifida and lived his entire life in a wheelchair was actually offended. He understands the spine and nerve damage as much as most Dr's, and realizes how much false hope that commercial gives.

That sounds pretty silly.

You found it to be in poor taste because the actor involved filmed it while he was still alive? And he had a part in said commercial?

Or is it because of the false hope that it gives people when they are telling a commercial from a future standpoint with regards to helping people with a problem? There are plenty of commercials like that out there, like the one showing the homeless guy that is pushing a cart, and then working at a job, {I believe it's for the United Way} are you offended at that one too?

If it involved the actor prior to his death, and it not only a} supported a cause they believed in but b} showed what could happen with achievements and funding in research, then it's not even remotely in poor taste.

Logan

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by goochspot

I don't see what the big deal is. Unless Chris Farley's estate isn't set up correctly, his family is being taken care of.

And if it IS set up properly, maybe it's his family who has acted in bad taste. I'm not judging, but it did feel kind of icky.

[goochspot]

Originally Posted by toefer

They're not the same though.

The commercial is an example of the family choosing whether or not to use Farley's image for something. In this case it's not bad, but what if it was something tasteless?

Would you approve of that anyway, because it gives them money, just like a life insurance policy, since they "both serve the same function"?

Actually I would, in the case of both, the person is dead and it's up to the estate how the money is spent. My mom passed away 2 years ago and had a life insurance policy. I was the sole heir of the estate and there was no stipulation on how the money was to be spent. In the case of someone's image being used by an estate for profit, there is no stipulation on how the said image is to be used.

They are both ways that a person can use their hard work to take care of their loved ones after they're gone.

Edit: Plus, in this case, I love Chris Farley, but he was a f*ck up. If he would of kept himself sober, we wouldn't be having this conversation. If the family can take the tragedy of losing their loved one and do something with it, then I'm all for it. I could care less if people considered it in "bad taste"

[Hi-Def Steve]

Of course Spade did it for money. It's not like he loves Directv and is doing them a favor.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

That sounds pretty silly.

You found it to be in poor taste because the actor involved filmed it while he was still alive? And he had a part in said commercial?

Or is it because of the false hope that it gives people when they are telling a commercial from a future standpoint with regards to helping people with a problem? There are plenty of commercials like that out there, like the one showing the homeless guy that is pushing a cart, and then working at a job, {I believe it's for the United Way} are you offended at that one too?

If it involved the actor prior to his death, and it not only a} supported a cause they believed in but b} showed what could happen with achievements and funding in research, then it's not even remotely in poor taste.

Logan

And who are you to tell a life long sufferer of Spina Bifida, and the family who supports them, that they are not allowed to have an opinion?

The commercial was ridiculous to us.

There's also no false hope in thinking the homeless can get a job and get off the street. Spinal chord research has basically been at a standstill for 50 yrs with stem cell research likely 30 yrs away from making a difference. But I guess you'd know more about it than the sufferer of the disease.

Please, lecture me on Type 1 Diabetes while you're at it.

[Quad]

Appropriate or not, it sure felt creepy to watch.

[Lord_Stewie]

Hey guys by all means this is somewhat of a ridiculous topic to get upset and argue about. I am sure somewhere in there behind the curtain that Farley's family don't mind him being on that commercial there is income/money is involved. Now I don't know Farley personally but he seems like the type of person who wouldn't mind.

And all they used in the commercial was a scene from a movie except the lines changed for David Spade. The message behind it, Spade loves Dirctv HD to the point its almost feels like he is living in a previous movie with his best friend.

[CAST]

I think if anyone laughed while watching this comercial Chris would have been ok with it.

[Skywalker]

Billy Mays is still being used in infomercials.