Convenience store Cumberland Farms (informally known as Cumby’s, Wikipedia informs me) has released their latest #icedhoffee advertisement, in which David Hasselhoff sings about his thirst and how it is quenched with 99 cent Cumberland Farms iced coffee. His voice sounds like Bruce Springsteen’s, evoking July days of yesteryear (Would you sing along if this were on the radio? I think so.), while the green screened beach-centric scenery couldn’t be more kitsch-perfect.
On CNN New Day, anchors said the ad sparked “just a touch of outrage” online. I hardly think the cited tweets count as outrage, but apparently they were enough to incite the Hoff, who called in to the show. “Did you ever think [the ad] would take off like this?” The inquiring anchors wanted to know. Hoff says no, and rightfully so since 150,000 views is nothing on Youtube. But then Hoffster goes on to say that life is what you make it and amidst all this reality TV he’s happy to provide some respite for our wearied souls.
Everything “Thirsty for Love” stands for is bad: Cumberland Farms coffee is maybe slightly more refreshing than stagnant subway water, and it’s ridiculous the Hoff is making so much money parodying himself. But the ad is self-aware enough that it is fun, and judging by the related hashtag’s stream on Twitter, people are participating in the campaign for that: we all love to make fun.