And now, an unforgettable word from our sponsors (Part I)

Do you know anyone who watches TV just to see commercials? Of course not. In fact, practically everyone is annoyed by commercials. I mean, you’re eagerly waiting to find out if this contestant is going to win the grand prize or if your favorite soap opera couple is going to break up or even if this person is going to be voted off — then suddenly, movie stars or other beautiful people are endorsing softdrinks or clothes. (Of course, not all people in commercials are photogenic...) Most people switch to another channel when there are ads in between their favorite shows. Some people never finish a whole show because they keep switching channels when commercials come up!

Nevertheless, commercials manage to stay in our heads — no matter how irritated we get. We always end up talking about the latest commercials with other people. Sometimes, we find the commercial so great that we end up switching channels just to see it! I’ve been guilty of yelling at my brothers so they can watch my favorite commercials. I just get so excited to share "my" favorite commercial with others that I end up yelling, talking, squealing — the works.

Of course, there are certain commercials that we just love to hate. We know we can’t stand the commercial, but we still watch it just to amuse ourselves or just to raise our eyebrows at it. Watching that thing, even though it’s probably under a minute, is torture. Of course, other people may just like the commercial so we try to endure the torment while they amuse themselves.

Today, there are so many kinds of commercials for us to judge for ourselves. I’m a total addict to the TV, so I usually watch commercials instead of changing channels. I get to watch so many commercials, from fastfood chains to yogurt to feminine wash to telephone services, and each break is a smorgasbord of different products. Ad agencies aren’t just out to sell the products anymore, they’re also aiming to entertain and please you.

First of all, there are the commercials that always make you laugh. The "Hello Billy" commercials always make me laugh, as Billy’s "best friend" pines for him while Billy and Gracia go on and have their happy life together. A recent commercial of Touch Mobile also made me laugh. A guy dances limbo rock and bends backwards lower and lower as the words above get lower and lower. Seeing him just triggered something in me and before the commercial was through, I was laughing my head off. The Pond’s commercial is funny too, when you see that the guy who is taken by the girl’s white complexion is already taken — by another guy!

Another funny commercial is the one advertising a cockroach repellant. I’m sure you’ve seen this one, where two, um, frisky cockroaches start chasing each other and end up in a very risqué position. The words "TIME FOR SOME BIRTH CONTROL" are very appropriate. The commercial itself is simple yet effective. Actually, most commercials that make you laugh are very effective.