Though it’s only a speaker box that cheerfully takes your order at drive-through burger chain Checkers, you can’t help but feel a little sorry for the male voice trapped within the red metal housing. To Floridians familiar with Checkers’ fast-food advertising, the vocal, live-action speaker box is known as "Speakerman" and in this :30, he’s clearly been wronged.
Speaking up for himself, Speakerman asks his boss, "When do I get a shot at being assistant manager? I’ve been here longer than that new guy, Joey." The manager responds, "You’re not ready."
Speakerman protests, rattling off his credentials which include consecutive honors as employee of the month; an achievement documented on a Checkers restaurant wall with a row of pictures of the speaker box, each captioned by an "employee of the month" sign.
Even worse, why is Joey being groomed for manager? Clearly a dim bulb, Joey is seen struggling to properly operate the drink dispensing machine. He doesn’t seem to grasp the concept that you have to put the cup under the dispenser before pressing the button to pour the soda.
Outraged, Speakerman wants to know how he can be passed over for promotion in favor of someone so "stupid." The question seems rhetorical until the boss offers a more plausible explanation: "Because he’s my son."
Reversing his field, Speakerman remarks, "Did I say "stupid?’ Well, I meant "stupid’ in a good way." The Checkers’ logo appears as an end tag.
This comedic take on nepotism came out of Miami agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky. The ad shop team included: creative director Alex Bogusky, copywriter Bill Wright, art director Andrew Keller and producer Sara Gennett Lopez.
Chosen by the agency to direct the :30 was Tim Godsall, who recently signed with Farmland Studios, Hollywood (SHOOT, 12/11/98, p. 7). Himself a former agency creative in Canada and the U.S., Godsall has a reel comprised of some spots from a largely unscripted campaign for Canadian department store chain Eaton’s via Toronto agency Roche Macauley & Partners, and some humorous spec ads; among the latter was a pair for Burton Snowboards which became part of The Art Directors Club of New York’s recent "Young Guns" exhibition showcasing emerging talent.
Godsall’s Farmland support team on "Request Denied" included exec. producer Scott Gardenhour. Gardenhour subsequently exited Farmland over a dispute with company principals, directors Jeff Gorman and Gary Johns (SHOOT, 12/18/98, p. 7).
Mark Plummer served as DP on the spot which was cut by Jeff Sternberger of Jefferson Edit, Miami. Flame artist was Tammy Feldman of post/effects house Post Edge, Miami Beach. Steve Johnston of Outpost Audio, Miami, was audio effects editor/mixer.
"Request Denied" began airing regionally in January.
-Millie Takaki
Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. Explore Generations, Old School vs. New School, In “Poppa’s House”
Boundaries between work and family don't just blur in the new CBS sitcom "Poppa's House" starring father-and-son comedy duo Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. They shatter.
"It's wonderful to come to work every day and see him and some of his kids and my sister and my brother and nieces and nephews. They all work on this show. They all contribute," says the senior Wayans. "I don't think there are words to express how joyful I am."
Wayans plays the titular Poppa, a curmudgeonly radio DJ who's more than comfortable doing it his way, while Wayans Jr. plays his son, Damon, a budding filmmaker who's stuck in a job he hates.
"My character, Pop, is just an old school guy who's kind of stuck in his ways," says Wayans, who starred in "In Living Color" and "My Wife and Kids."
Pop yearns for the days when a handshake was a binding contract and Michael Jordan didn't complain if he got fouled on the court. Pop laughs at the younger generation's participation trophies.
"It's old school versus new school and them teaching each other lessons from both sides," says Wayans Jr., who played Coach in the Fox sitcom "New Girl."
"They (the characters) bring the best out in each other and they're resistant initially. But then throughout the episode they have revelations and these revelations help them become better people," he adds.
The two have worked together before — dad made an appearance on son's "Happy Endings" and "Happy Together," while son was a writer and guest star on dad's "My Wife and Kids." But this is the first time they have headlined a series together.
The half-hour comedy — premiering Monday and co-starring Essence Atkins and Tetona Jackson — smartly leaves places in the script where father and son can let... Read More