I don’t know if I have a warped sense of humor or if so many others are way too serious and humorless… But I really liked the Groupon ad about Tibet with Timothy Hutton. My wife and I thought it was hilarious and one of the best of the Super Bowl.
Today I see how people in China are all upset, and CNN gave it a C+ rating and called it tasteless. I’m not one for Tibetan food (honestly though my only exposure to Tibetan food is what Eddie Murphy ate in Golden Child) but if they had a Tibetan food place in Dallas I would totally go now because of the commercial.
It just seems to me that some people take Tibet way too seriously. “Tragedy plus time equals humor” is the old adage. Besides if you go to Groupons website they are actually helping to raise money for The Tibetan Fund. Obviously this isn’t a purely altruistic gesture but it is nice.
In a roundabout way it does bring the light back on Tibet without being heavy handed or emotionally sappy. Besides, I don’t think the joke was at the plight of Tibet – the laugh was because of the juxtaposition between that and saving money.
Imagine if I said “Ghenghis Khan led his army of Mongols into history as they torched their way out of Mongolia across Russia and into Europe. These invasions shaped the culture of Europe, but what has really shaped my culture is getting a groupon for half off at Ghengis Mongolian Grille. Now when I eat my freshly seared shrimp and beef I’m reminded that these conquests weren’t all bad.”
Okay, so I won’t be getting a call from Madison Avenue. But seriously folks, lighten up.
P.S. I just reread where it said they were directed by Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman). These films are an acquired taste for people with discernment (that’s a nice way of saying people with “sophistication” – I won’t spell it out less I make people feel stupid). This explains a lot. Having said all that I should also mention my wife and I love these movies. Side splittingly funny and clever.
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