Alec Baldwin and Charles Barkley Strike Up March Madness Bromance for Capital One Two wrongs somehow make a right
Capital One pitchman Alec Baldwin gets an assist from Charles Barkley in new ads from DDB Chicago and Tool director Erich Joiner timed to the NCAA's March Madness tournament, of which the financial firm is a prominent sponsor. In one spot, the pair perform goofy schtick during a sports broadcast, with the Round Mound's tent-size underpants held up to ridicule. In another, they attend a basketball game, where Sir Charles keeps snacks warm inside his jacket and reveals, "It's like a little hot-dog steamer in there"—which is frankly something I never needed to know. All this sporty-bro-bonding is kind of strained and silly, but overall the tone is probably in tune with the target audience. Besides, Baldwin's slimy smile and smug delivery never get old. And Barkley's dazed and indifferent acting style is a hoot—it's as if he can't collect his check and get off the set fast enough. They're like a puffy, middle-aged Odd Couple, and their combined charisma—though not much else—keeps the proceedings from becoming the commercial equivalent of an air ball. More spots and a behind-the-scenes clip after the jump.
- Embattled P&G CEO Out, Replaced by Predecessor
- The Guardian to Consolidate Web Properties Under One Domain
- JCPenney One of 10 Brands Predicted to Die in Next Year
- Are You Young and Male? Discovery Says This TestTube's for You
- NSA Media Creates Alliance With Wishabi
- Dwell Media Hires New Head of Digital From Yahoo
- FTC May Not Be Done With Google Yet
- Top Digital Publishers Praise Yahoo's Tumblr Deal
- Rapture-Palooza Star Anna Kendrick Is Addicted to Reddit
- JCPenney One of 10 Brands Predicted to Die in Next Year
- Microsoft Humiliates Siri in Biting Parody of Apple's iPad Ads
- Ad of the Day: Dodge
- Group of Web Video Companies Band Together to Ensure Ads Are Viewable
- Time.com Is on a Hiring Spree
- Embattled P&G CEO Out, Replaced by Predecessor
- Atlanta's Most Infamous Stripper Pimps Charity Advertising Contest
AdFreak is your daily blog of the best and worst of creativity in advertising, media, marketing and design. Follow us as we celebrate (and skewer) the latest, greatest, quirkiest and freakiest commercials, promos, trailers, posters, billboards, logos and package designs around. Edited by Adweek's Tim Nudd. Updated every weekday, with a weekly recap on Saturdays.


Email
Print







