There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture.
We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image; make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity.
For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear.
A friend was a teen during the 60’s. She was into expressing individuality and dressing accordingly, of which all her peers did the same. She said that sometimes, she just wanted to wear a nice dress. Then she would get all kinds of grief from her peers at school.
The now defunct Laura Ashley chain of stores were selling an “emotional experience”, according to their last CEO. Which may explain why the chain is now defunct.
Expressing your individuality by wearing name brand clothing with their logo emblazoned on it, providing free advertising for which you’ve already overpaid for!!!
I always loved Mr. Watterson’s depiction of television. The frenetic effluence of outrage-inducing tripe and “buy this now!” advertising is perfectly encapsulated by a jumping box spewing grawlices.
A TV commercial is more likely to influence me NOT to purchase a particular product. There’s a particular burger place… What’s their motto? Something about ‘Fallen Arches’, or the like. Anyway, I haven’t spent a dime there in decades.
So he’s a rebel just like everyone else. Lots of that going around while conforming mindlessly by what they are told by the Ministry of Truth rather than what the see and experience.
Then you’ve got people who think like Hobbes’ to the extreme; bragging so much about how corporations and the media will never ever be able to brainwash their smart selves, to the point they almost end up acting like the person in the ad. Ya just can’t win.
I’ve been wondering – how do we convince commercial directors that shoving someone’s face right up into the camera lens is fine for youtube but is really annoying on any screen larger than 15 inches?
I like how Hobbes’ height changes when he becomes “real”. When he’s a stuffed animal I’m pretty sure he’s around the same height as Calvin. But here he’s tall enough to stand behind the chair and look over it.
This is SSSSOOOOO true! My favorite right now is for the medical practice chain that has a senior coming our of his car, straw-hatted, sport shirt open to his sleeveless tee, DANCING his way into the doctor’s office, being handed a cup of…something, presumably coffee, dancing into the exam room, TAP DANCING on the little stool that helps you up onto the exam table, and LINE DANCING WITH THE STAFF on the way out. This is absolutely moronic and I have to question the attitude of this practice toward their target audience that they think this would resonate with them. I wouldn’t touch this practice, no, make that I wouldn’t let THEM touch ME, with a ten-foot pole.
The budding consumers are sitting ducks for the marketing blitz. The advertiser’s can make the tv rise up and express the point to perfection. Love Bill’s version of switched on buzzing tv.
BE THIS GUY 12 months ago
I’m being defiant by not watching tv.
codycab 12 months ago
Another career idea for Calvin!
C 12 months ago
There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture.
We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image; make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity.
For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear.
Alexander the Good Enough 12 months ago
Oy! The more things change, the more they stay the same, only worse. Now we have “influencers.”
old_geek 12 months ago
A friend was a teen during the 60’s. She was into expressing individuality and dressing accordingly, of which all her peers did the same. She said that sometimes, she just wanted to wear a nice dress. Then she would get all kinds of grief from her peers at school.
So much for individuality.
snsurone76 12 months ago
Isn’t Calvin too young to be watching ads for Viagra??
orinoco womble 12 months ago
The now defunct Laura Ashley chain of stores were selling an “emotional experience”, according to their last CEO. Which may explain why the chain is now defunct.
rshive 12 months ago
Hobbes and the advertiser have different ideas.
sandpiper 12 months ago
Cal proposes. Hobbes disposes.
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member 12 months ago
Expressing your individuality by wearing name brand clothing with their logo emblazoned on it, providing free advertising for which you’ve already overpaid for!!!
johndifool 12 months ago
Rule-Abiding Rebel
The Old Wolf 12 months ago
I always loved Mr. Watterson’s depiction of television. The frenetic effluence of outrage-inducing tripe and “buy this now!” advertising is perfectly encapsulated by a jumping box spewing grawlices.
Havel 12 months ago
Before my retirement as a teacher, if a student asked me to sign their yearbook, I’d write, “May you stay unique in your conformity”.
g04922 12 months ago
Calvin is totally controlled by TV and mass marketing….
tremaine53 12 months ago
A TV commercial is more likely to influence me NOT to purchase a particular product. There’s a particular burger place… What’s their motto? Something about ‘Fallen Arches’, or the like. Anyway, I haven’t spent a dime there in decades.
Count Olaf Premium Member 12 months ago
So he’s a rebel just like everyone else. Lots of that going around while conforming mindlessly by what they are told by the Ministry of Truth rather than what the see and experience.
jagedlo 12 months ago
Leave it to Hobbes to be the refreshing voice of reason!
Schmoozr 12 months ago
Then you’ve got people who think like Hobbes’ to the extreme; bragging so much about how corporations and the media will never ever be able to brainwash their smart selves, to the point they almost end up acting like the person in the ad. Ya just can’t win.
tripwire45 12 months ago
Politicians now do the same thing on social media.
jmcenanly 12 months ago
Behind the camera, the director is telling this guy what to say, how to say it and what to do while he’s saying it. He’s basically a puppet.
More Coffee Please! Premium Member 12 months ago
God how I love this comic strip!
Troglodyte 12 months ago
Cal, just remember that you are you and truly unique…just like everybody else. :D
LightWarriorK 12 months ago
“The Mysteries” is supposed to arrive tomorrow! So excited!!
Zebrastripes 12 months ago
The ads are obnoxious, gross, lewd, crude, condescending, loud, intrusive, etc.
In a one hour show ads take up 20 minutes+ and counting….
Now pharmaceutical ads are making mini musicals about meds. And serious diseases …what kind of SICK AND WRONG minds do this?
Redd Panda 12 months ago
Show the world that you are a free and independent mind.
Get some tattoos, an Apple phone, et C.
Just-me 12 months ago
Shades of the Marlboro Man cigarette ads.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member 12 months ago
I feel bad for the old Malbrough man.
eced52 12 months ago
CNN explained in a comic strip.
aerotica69 12 months ago
I’ve been wondering – how do we convince commercial directors that shoving someone’s face right up into the camera lens is fine for youtube but is really annoying on any screen larger than 15 inches?
The Wolf In Your Midst 12 months ago
Kids these days! Back in my day, we only got shadows projected on a cave wall! And we liked it!
rugeirn 12 months ago
What ad was this?
wndflower1 12 months ago
wow! just like watching the news today!!
locake 12 months ago
I notice all the ads for trucks have men with the deepest voices ever. They have to make sure the audience knows they are a Real Man.
Angry Indeed Premium Member 12 months ago
More marketing madness.
hornacek 12 months ago
I like how Hobbes’ height changes when he becomes “real”. When he’s a stuffed animal I’m pretty sure he’s around the same height as Calvin. But here he’s tall enough to stand behind the chair and look over it.
rasputin's horoscope 12 months ago
Somewhere, sometime I heard that it’s possible to go “television-less”
barry.whitten 12 months ago
sounds a lot like what we call influencers today
ElJorro 12 months ago
The only commercials say is: “BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!”
chinook12345 12 months ago
Gen Z in a nutshell!
Bilan 12 months ago
Let’s not forget that if you buy this car, you’ll have wonderful outdoor adventures.
thedogesl Premium Member 12 months ago
Works even better in politics.
willie_mctell 12 months ago
I read the Hidden Persuaders when I was a kid. One thing I learned is that a primary subtext of ads is to promote consumption in general.
dwdl21 12 months ago
wow, 131 comments…lol
Dr_Fogg 12 months ago
Is the maverick a huckster or an influencer??
dogday Premium Member 12 months ago
This is SSSSOOOOO true! My favorite right now is for the medical practice chain that has a senior coming our of his car, straw-hatted, sport shirt open to his sleeveless tee, DANCING his way into the doctor’s office, being handed a cup of…something, presumably coffee, dancing into the exam room, TAP DANCING on the little stool that helps you up onto the exam table, and LINE DANCING WITH THE STAFF on the way out. This is absolutely moronic and I have to question the attitude of this practice toward their target audience that they think this would resonate with them. I wouldn’t touch this practice, no, make that I wouldn’t let THEM touch ME, with a ten-foot pole.
Laurie Stoker Premium Member 12 months ago
Yeah, I’m with Hobbes on this one.
deatherage 12 months ago
CIGARETTES
hagarthehorrible 12 months ago
The budding consumers are sitting ducks for the marketing blitz. The advertiser’s can make the tv rise up and express the point to perfection. Love Bill’s version of switched on buzzing tv.
FreihEitner Premium Member 12 months ago
Be a rebel just like all the other rebels, not by being true to yourself but by conforming to the socially accepted ideal of a rebel.
Strange, that way of thinking never landed for me.