The insurance company GEICO must have an exceptionally large ad budget: it is almost impossible to escape their onslaught of radio and TV ads, varying between straight, informational "15 minutes could save you 15% on car insurance" spots; their edgy, parodic "but there's good news, I just saved a bundle on car insurance" series; the gecko; and the truly hilarious "GEICO.com, so easy a caveman could do it" TV ad, wherein the announcer is forced to take two well-appointed cavemen out to dinner to assuage their enflamed indignation.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Robert
Is it just me, or does one of the Geico cavemen look like Val Kilmer. Sorry Val, but if you were a caveman, you could be a twin for one of these guys.
27 - Victor Plenty
Maybe it really was Val. Caveman makeup is a great disguise when you don't want the whole world to know you needed to pick up a little extra spending cash.
28 - Jay Reden
Does anyone have a reciepe for the Roasted Duck with the Mango Salsa.
29 - Jake Snyder
The Roast Duck with Mango salsa is such an oldy but goody receipe. It is so old, it was even popular with the Prehistoric North American Man who ate the meal to help him survive the last ice age. It has long been forgotten. Simply roast the duck, add the mango salsa on top and chow down! For details see the old hunter/gather's handbook / the early days.
30 - Nathan Walker
I heard it was popular amonst the ancient chinese. Along with many other goods being traded into the great empire, Mangos were popular with the salsa workers. Legend has it, it took years before they could produce such a sauce that could complement the beloved duck. It wasnt until the barbaric Yugslovians (cavemen) introduced the ultimate mango salsa. See ancient Chinese cookbook.
31 - Dr. Hu
The Revered-end Al Sharton has got it right, finally someone with some insight to end this "roast duck with a mango salsa eating caveman". The portrail of the minority as a caveman eating such a lavish entree, while the other simply "doesn't have an appetite" is all too common is this bigotry filled corporate America! How could you eat when you've been compared to a caveman, not even human yet pre-human.....like an APE! And the other is so desperate he doesn't mind a meal on "the man".
Now, enough of the politics and a little history. The roast duck with a mango salsa originated with the mongols. Ghengis Khan, during his conquering years, revered the chinese methods of duck preparation, particularly the roasted duck. Only two problems; one the roasting method naturally produces a dry meat (many a cook are said to have been beheaded due to such a mishap); two, although brutal, Khan was known in inner circles to have a crippling addiction to sweets. He would literally kill for candy. As Khan continued his conquests west into Europe, he encountered a unique commplement to his duck: a salsa made with a fruit from the lower Balkans (formerly Yugoslavia). This fruit, extremely sweet, was said to be an aphrodisiac and would make "Man go" crazy. Hence, the derived name "Mango". The locals so charished this fruit that men would run to the mountains and hide their stash in caves. These "cavemen", as they were known, were a not particularly appealing, and hence, shunned from society altogether. A minority populuation resulted, as did further descrimination against these "cavemen", as you are still seeing today. And what of Khan? His roast duck with a mango salsa induced sex-craved pychosis drove him to further exploits (of land and women) until he eventually contracted a VD (thought to be syphillis) and died a blind, blood-thirsty but horny bastard. Goes to show that the way to a man's heart is not through his fly, but truely through his stomach. See recipe for details.
32 - Dr. KuKhanKay
He who duck roast shall duck hop.
33 - peewee
I find Geico to be politically incorrect, useing a lame Austrailian accent. There are no agencies in Austrailia,we are not Austrailian,and the lizard is difficult to understand. Maybe he could get a job at the outback with the rest of the lame accents. or are you the one that writes their add.
Get someone who could write a commercial.
34 - Eric Olsen
no rules, just right
35 - Kj
I think the Caveman commercials are funny. And I happen to be a minority. As someone else said, don't take things so seriously...that won't help in the long run.....
think about that one for a while, I'll wait here/
36 - BIGWEINER
I think that other guy is Val Kilmer as well. Thought it the first time I saw(r) that commercial.
He's got really bad hair in person. Remember those Radio Shack ads he used to do? Me and the wife would LOAO's at that.
37 - SuzieQ
I bet Geico is run by a bunch of racist white men with big fat ugly flabby white pimply butts who love little weird talking lizards.
38 - Chanise
I can see how one might jump to conclusions about how there may be a hint of racism in there but did you ever stop and think about how the cavemen look caucasian? and the Geico Rep could actually be taking one of his own prehistoric ancestors out to dinner?
Food for thought.
39 - Dabadoom
The commercial is racist and thats the end of it. If you all do your research, black South Africans were called "Kav Maun" by the white South Africans which translates as Ignorant One. Hence using "Cave Men", which is similarly pronounced, for the commercial. The so called "Kav Maun"s were underpaid for their work and fed wild ducks between endless hours of labor. The mango salsa refers to how their employers did not properly cook the ducks and some of the workers became ill from the disease Bacternalitus, which produces mango colored lesions on the skin. So chew on that!
40 - Carol G
You gave the names of the two guys who portray cavemen. Which of them plays the Geico marketing guy or is there a 3rd actor?
41 - Soulsk8tr38
Dadadoom you r truly conspiricy brother get a life its a damn funny ad and thats it ...some how I see you sitting in a room listing to H rap Brown speeches while playing fight the power all the while being pissed that your too youg to have been a part of the 60,s freedom movement or the Black Panther Party.....Oh By THE WAY I'm african american but used to be negro but the was after I was colored......And I'll have the roast duck with the mango salsa
42 - Cornfed in Iowa
I have had more fun reading these comments than watching the GEICO ads. Ads are funny for one reason, to generate revenue! They create interest, get people talking, and bring in customers, which increases their revenue.
With regards to GEICO as an insurer - I used them for many years in the 80s and 90s, but then got burned and switched to USAA. I'm sure they do a good job, I just don't care for them as an insurance provider any more.
Enjoy the ads, they are funny (well, maybe the first three or four times :-). I still chuckle at the majority of the ads--just not the Tony Little or Estaban ads...those were lame.
43 - jordan
that caveman does look exactly like val kilmer
44 - Australian! wake up
Hey peewee (#33) the accent is English not Australian and fyi.. only one i in Australia.
Call it Australian is calling the Amercian accent Mexican.
45 - Minority
in regards to the rev al.... i hope you read this post, and are aware that Warren Buffet just gave away 85% of his fortune(30.7Billion out of his 44Billion fortune.... and guess what, a lot of it will go towards aiding African people too.... you're the typical "minority"(I am one too) that always blames others for their miss fortune, stop spending the time blaming someone else and use it to better your self. Rev Jackson comes to mind.
46 - Ken Sutton
GEICO COMMERCIALS MAKE ME WANT TO STOOP AND PUKE!
IF THE COMMERCIALS ARE REPRSENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY, THEN GEICO INSURANCE SUCKS, TOO.
GET REAL! A STUPID LIZARD!
47 - Eric Olsen
gosh Ken, I think the cavemen are pretty darn clever
48 - DrPat
I like the lizard with the "cheesy" eye-lick gesture, myself...
49 - Clavos
What about us geckos, Eric? What are we, chopped liver?? Sheesh, this country is SO racist!
50 - carlos
Can anyone tell me about the tune in the background of the caveman going through the airport. Its very catchy. What is the title and who is the artist, and is there a CD available?
51 - Kev
Its called "Remind Me" by Royksopp. They have different versions, the one used on the Geico commercial was the radio edit version.
52 - Kev
If anyone cares - there's a movie-like trailer - I don't know if its the NEXT commercial or whether these Cavemen are making a movie...
53 - joe
The geico caveman ads are synonomous with racial discrimination???
Next thing you know, they'll be saying that portraying a gekko in the spotlight is cruelty to animals.
54 - poonk
Wake up everyone! These ads are also poking fun at fags!
55 - Donnie Marler
Wake up everyone! These ads are also poking fun at fags!
I guess that explains why the fags aren't complaining.
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.
56 - Mark Saleski
woa...and all along i thought the ads were making fun of extremely hairy people.
57 - mizzday
I think that the geico cavemen ads are hilarious and as a minority, I can honestly say that I see how the ad pokes fun at overly sensitive minorities, and culturally insensitive people. Those minorities could be gay men, blacks, hispanics whatever. However, I don't think that people should be offended. It actually brings to light how people should watch what they say and they won't have to apologize. Also, once an apology is given, there is a point at which one should move (roast duck guy). It also points out that there are some of us who are always going to be very sensitive and not get over things. If you are going to look for an ulterior meaning, look at the whole picture. I am looking forward to the next ads.
58 - Dee
mizzday, I agree. But to comment on the being overly sensitive, some people can be so insenitive like the news ad when the the caveman tries to dispel the stereotype appearing to be frustrated and the silly White newcaster lady makes little of it and says "ooh somebody woke up on the wrong side..." or something to that effect, I cracked up. Those commericials are funny. I get a kick out of them. They let people see how insensitive they can be without realizing it. I am, what they are calling us now "African American" and it always amazes me what stupid things can come out of someone mouth that is suppose to be so evolved. It just let you see how how stupid we as a species can be. I mean ALL of us! Those commercial are hilarious. Make more. And, I don't know, is it me,the caveman is hot! And BTW anything having do with cars is shady...Geico maybe good or not...I don't care...I don't drive.But, if I ever do umm I might check out geico those are some brillant commericials.
59 - John Lehr
Hi Eric. My name is John Lehr and I play one of the cavemen. Just wanted to let you and your readers know that if they like the cavemen spots they may get a kick out my new show on 10 Items or Less' which premieres 11/27 at 11PM. Check out these links for more info.
60 - john Lehr
Forgot to add that I play the caveman in the third spot--the one where the sound man says 'Not Cool!' I am also in 2 new spots about to air.--john
61 - I hate liberals
It's a commercial, period, point, blank. To start reading racial nuances and all this other crap into it is insulting, and downright retarded. It's a COMMERCIAL. Get over it! All the crying about racism, and minorities...Jesus, get a life and find something to do other than posting in a comment section about a commercial and calling it racist. "Minorities" and other ethnicities can find and twist ANYTHING to be racist....why the hell does milk have to be white?!$! This country is retarded because there are too many whiney liberals crying for political correctness. In this liberal society, you can't say what you want or even make a stupid commercial without having everyone up in arms crying because they were wronged. Get some thick skin, people.
62 - Kimowan
I'm native North American and I l-o-v-e the caveman! I can totally empathize with his character. What's so brilliant about the piece is that so many others can feel him, too. Yeah, he's just a commercial, but it's the cultural subtext that's interesting. The ad parodies all sides.
63 - CroMagnon
Face it, the commercial provides a safe outlet for you racist, bigoted freaks to laugh at people complaining about prejudice. Most of you would not dare laugh in public at a black person's objection to the "N word," but you can safely laugh at the caveman's silly "PC" objections. There's nothing funny about people's struggles against ignorance and bigotry. Laughing at those struggles legitimizes oppression. You ought to be ashamed.
64 - Jimmy
Omg, when i first saw the ad for "the house was built too small" I thought, ok, im going to watch that. LOL, im an idiot. I love these Geico ads, smart and funny. The cavemen kill me too, i cannot ever remember looking forward to seeing new commercials. A few co workers and i love them and howl at them.
65 - Jimmy
And some of you people taking the bait Sharpton is waggling out there? , hes just trying to get a rise out of you. Dont be so stupid, have a sense of humor, thats how this string got started for crying out loud..sheeesh.
66 - Scott K
Quote November 25, 2005 @ 17:38PM " Robert"Is it just me, or does one of the Geico cavemen look like Val Kilmer. Sorry Val, but if you were a caveman, you could be a twin for one of these guys."
I couldn't agree with you more, I too also thought it Val Kilmer, and I also believe in the latest commercial with the walking belt at the airport has the same look & jestures of Michael Keton.. anyone with me on that one..??
67 - sr
Hate to burst your bubble Scott. The fact of the matter is it's Rosey O' Donald.
68 - mikealao
The most recent commercial is the one with the caveman at the airport. There is a great tune playing in the background: Röyksopp - Remdind Me (Radio Edit).
69 - Piltdown Man
The caveman ads operate on several levels. On one level, they make fun of people who are too stupid to know when they're being offensive to others. On another level, they try to make fun of political correctness. I, personally, am offended by the anti-PC aspect of the ads. It suggests that people objecting to being treated badly by the majority are just being silly. Were the Holocaust, Apartheid, slavery, or lynchings silly? Yet, the root cause of all those things was the majority's insensitivity to the pain they were causing other human beings based on nothing more than superficial differences. We should not lose our sensitivity to the pain we cause others. History shows that bad things happen when we do.
70 - Whitey ford
Aww man this is horrible. White people are being horribly bashed in this commercial. They are made to look ignorant and hateful I for one wont stand for this stupidity. i am forming a march on warren buffets home. vvvvv---
All sides can make this racist or non pc. So we have a choice we can be a parasite like the revron Al sharpton and the conspiracy/hate baiters or, We can rise above the bullshirt and enjoy some art. when it comes down to it thats all it really is. I wonder if the works of davinci were ever deemed racist by anyparasites??
71 - Buck
I was so happy to see the cave man because I thought that stupid lizard thing was gone forever, but NO-O-O! They brought that cocky little S-O-B back onto my tv with his prissy fake Australlian accent. I think the caveman should cook that little cold-blooded bastard over an open pit. In short, the caveman I like, the lizard should die.
72 - Grafight
Hey John! congratulations on the Caveman role. I know you do other things of higher status than commercials, but that character is just so likeable!
As I know advertising, often the creative process begins by ruling out the obvious lame ideas. Someone probably said (as in purging an obviously stupid option) "so easy a caveman could do it". And then someone else said jokingly that it would offend cavemen... and you can imagine the rest.
The cavemen are portrayed as sophisticated yuppies with only their appearance betraying their neanderthal origins. They don't seem to have a history of oppresion and their only beef is the ignorance of their existence. After all, scientists in the real world tell us that neanderthals became extinct during the pleistocene.
For more laughs go to www.cavemancrib.com. Visit the cavemen's appartment and look around. Discover the roast duck recipe and sneak a peek at the caveman's blog. These characters are going to become huge in the entertainment world. Soon there will be a movie, a TV show, you name it.
73 - Michael
Worry about something else; maybe you should worry about REAL racism, discrimination, prejudice, etc.
74 - Basaxl
I am glad that I'm not the only one that thought of Val Kilmer when the second Caveman gave the Kilmer stare.My room mate thought so too.The guys a great actor whom ever he is
75 - xyz
Arguing on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you’re still retarded.