I'm not a fan of American Idol by any means, but I thought Taylor Hicks was a breath of fresh air just because he wasn't one of the wailing, caterwauling, warbling, over-emotive divas that the show is usually responsible for churning out. This includes the big dude who won a while back whose name I completely forget because he's done absolutely nothing since winning, while the little pixie Clay Aiken who came in second actually had an entire career since then. Now, however, thanks to Ford's ambush marketing campaign, I am eagerly awaiting the day when Taylor Hicks completely disappears.
I almost said "dies" there in place of "completely disappears," and I have to admit that I really have said it to friends numerous times. But I just realized that if he died, he'd immediately become a legend and that's the last thing I want to have happen to Taylor Hicks. No, what I want to have happen to Taylor Hicks because of Ford's incessant, unstoppable, you-can't-escape-it ad campaign is for every one of those people who feverishly dialed in week after week to support him or anyone associated with this show to just grow so sick of him that they can't take it anymore and hopefully they'll never buy a Ford because of it. Or a Taylor Hicks album.
In case you somehow haven't seen it - lucky you - the commercial is just Taylor Hicks doing his white-man soul on top of some kind of circular, glowing-blue stage to some song I take it is called "Possibilities." And there's some Ford-related stuff in there, too. But, following a trend in modern advertising, I truly cannot say what product is actually being advertised other than Ford itself. Brilliant marketing, guys, brilliant. And it plays in nearly every commercial break on every major network, even on many cable networks, and sometimes plays more than once in each commercial break. Its repetitiveness is Chinese water torture - you know it's coming, you just don't know exactly when.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jackie
Please go after Dr. Z. I would pledge eternal love for you. I so hate those commercials.
2 - DJRadiohead
Tom, bless you. Of course there is nothing about AI that I like but Taylor is currently my least favorite.
Soul Patrol, my ass. That shit is as fake and plastic as Pam Anderson.
3 - Michael J. West
All I can think every time I see the commercial is "Poor Taylor. He thought American Idol would make him a star, and instead it got him a gig that's usually reserved for aging has-beens?"
4 - rad
I don't see it too often and I think it will be done soon. It is just a commercial and is easy to ignore so I don't see what the big deal is about a commercial. I doubt it will hurt him because people have short attention spans.
5 - Rebecca
I seee it ad naseum on NESN. I hate it! If he points his finger up one more time I'm going to scream! the guy can't dance.
6 - Lindsey
You must be a couch potato with absolutely nothing to do but watch TV. I've seen this commercial one time, and I thought it was a cute commercial. Taylor will continue to have a career, not because he won American Idol or because he did a car commercial, but because he is a singer/songwriter/musician who has been pounding the pavement for the past ten years. He's paid his dues.
7 - phyllis
I have not seen this commercial, but I must ask--whatever are you watching on summer tv that puts you in front of the little screen for hours and hours???
Seriously, if you have seen the commercial this many times, perhaps you should be blogging more or enjoying other bloggers or if you can take the summer heat and humidity, get out for some walks...
8 - JD
I LOVE the commercial and haven't tired of seeing it yet. I'm sure if Taylor reads this article, he'll be crying all the way to the bank. Taylor's new CD is going to be awesome. Apparently he will be writing some of his own songs, and I've heard some of the ones he has written in the past. Great stuff. Very talented musician and singer -- plays guitar and harmonica. Give the guy a chance. One commercial does not make or break a musician. Buy the next CD -- you won't be sorry.
9 - Idle-wandering
Word! Except I was sick of Hicks before the show was over. Just one thing--Aiken is six foot one. Skinny, yes, little pixie, no. (Most people would look tiny next to Ruuuuuuuben!)
10 - Debbie
Dude, just use your mute button, geez.
11 - CJ
I like Taylor Hicks. Ford is oversaturating the airways with the ad. My husband promised me it would be over after the 4th of July. Well, it's not. To top that off Chevy has come up with a similar sounding ad. I don't think it will hurt Taylor. Please no dissing of Clay. We are anxiously awaiting his new CD, and Rubens.
12 - Joy
and yet... You're using Taylor Hicks' name to attract viewers to your blog. You and Ford are both smart.
13 - Caro
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do NOT spend all my time in front of the TV but have seen this commercial way too many times. Won't buy a Hicks record OR a Ford!! BTW, "little pixie" Aiken: I thought he was 6'2 :-). And his career as well as Ruben's and some of the others continue. Word still out on Hicks.
14 - Grizelda
Dude - you think you're over the top on this? Taylor is HOT sh*t now - get used to it - use your mute button if it bothers you - I happen to LOVE it, myself. He's one handsome dude!
I'm sure Taylor's crying *all the way to the bank* - getting paid a ton each and every time that commercial is run.
15 - Sherry L
I've seen this commerical maybe 3 or 4 times. The promotion ends this month, and then you'll probably never see it again.
I like Taylor, and we all know ads are a part of the AI package. Give him a chance to prove himself, before writing him off.
I don't think this commercial will affect his album sales, and I doubt the song will appear on it. It's not even a full song, it's just a one minute "jingle."
16 - georgehr3
You can't be serious. Is this the biggest problem you have in life? I cannot imagine a 30 second ad on television controlling my thoughts and time, or agonizing over a car commercial.
If I do not like someone I don't waste my time thinking about them. Some of you really need to get a life.
17 - Anna Creech
It appears that the Taylor Hicks fans have descended upon this opinion essay to tell you to "get a life." Looks like they missed the point. I enjoyed reading your witty jab at poor marketing decisions. Thankfully, I have chosen to live without a television in my life, so I have been spared the torture of repetitive and irritating commercials.
18 - Jewels
First time I've ever seen a commercial reviewed. It is interesting (not) how so much vitriole, usually from the male sector is still being directed towards Hicks.
Snark is fun, true, and you've found a name brand target for your blog. Utilizing Taylor Hicks' name draw attention to your cleverness with putting words together brilliant.
Regarding Mr. Hicks'dancing abilities, I like what I see when I watch the man. He won the reality show, A.I., not Dancing with the Stars it's doubtful he could navigate through the paso doble.
I will concede to your rant regarding doing a Ford ad, not normally a musician's aspiring, "hot" venue, but, as is pointed out in a few posts above me, I'm sure Mr. Hicks is enjoying his bank balance.
My words for Taylor; Groove on Soulman.
19 - Soulthingirl
Poor baby. Deal with it. Taylor's the next Elvis.
20 - charlie
Tell me Tom... shorts to tight, have a fight with the wife before you attacked Taylor Hicks? Taylor's good and he's going to do just fine. The commercial is nothing..... Is this your best shot? You need to work on your own game and stop shooting down young people working hard to make something of themselves. By the way, I'm a "SOUL PATROLLER" so watch out what you say about our man. There's a lot of us out here and we won't let Taylor fail. You got fans like that?? I think you just turned green....oops.
21 - Maggie
FYI, Hicks didn't choose to be in the commercial, that slot was reserved for the winner of the competition, be it him or another contestant. Having won, he was obligated by contract to do the spot.
The ad is slated to run through the end of July, when the promotion for Ford ends. You have only a couple more weeks to "endure" the ad, or better yet, stop watching commercials.
BTW, I called three of the Ford dealerships in my area and found that since this campaign began sales are up for all three.
22 - Karen
Taylor's cool in my world. That's why there's chocolate and vanilla, dude. By the way, have you looked into taking anger management classes? I mean, sheesh!
23 - CS
Taylor is one handsome dude, in my opinion, and, if you don't like the commercial, then turn the station. It'll probably be on that one too, and, will drive you totally, madly, insane. Taylor Hicks is here to stay, so, deal with it, or turn off your tv, and, ride a bike. Who knows? Maybe he'll be doing some commercials for bike ads in the future. Wouldn't that be wonderful? And, he'll dance, sing his soulful sounds, and, point his finger at you through all over again. Don't you just love it? I do.
24 - Skylight
I get it, you aren't a Ford person?
25 - empath
The commercial is annoying, but only temporary. I blocked it out so hard that I didn't even notice it was sung by Taylor Hicks until a couple of days ago. A very amusing post.
Not as amusing, however, as the delusion of someone thinking that Taylor Hicks is the "next Elvis". Whoa. I don't even like Elvis and I know that that is just INSANE.