Too bad I don’t eat subs because I’d really like to boycott Quiznos. I am being stalked by the imaginary talking toaster commercial. Every channel I turn to I am assaulted by that inane and insulting ad about the audible hallucinations a guy named Brian hears during a therapy session. The imaginary toaster tells Brian to “tell this quack about the toasty, toasty $1 sub sale,” while the psychiatrist tells Brian that “the toaster isn’t real, Brian.”

Very funny. Ha-ha. Hallucinations are just knee-slapping hilarious! Brian stretched out on a recliner and the stereotypical stern therapist with bushy gray hair, spectacles and vest – how original! Quiznos’ nailed every psychotherapy stereotype – “quack” – the recliner – straight-out-of-central-casting therapist, the “how does that make you feel?” inquiry and the perpetually amusing “hearing voices” gag. Good job, ad writers. Very clever.

Add insult to injury by running the dang thing during every commercial break of every show I watch. Enough already! Quiznos is known for its off-beat commercials. Last year they insulted gays with the homoerotic Toasty Torpedo ad, in which our friend the sultry, masculine talking toaster asked a sub maker named Scott to “Put it in me.”

I am all for push-the-envelope creativity. Jealous beauty on the bench – kinda funny. Old lady eating $5 bill – funny. Sponge moneys – very funny. But Quiznos missed the mark with this one. Mental illness jokes just aren’t funny anymore. It’s time to pull out of the hot, manly talking toaster ad arena.

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From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (August 30, 2009)

    Last reviewed: 29 Aug 2009