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Monday, August 24, 2009

Brett Favre: Waffling Traitor or Comedy Genius?

We should probably know better than to toss red meat into the shark tank, but we just can't help ourselves.

Everywhere we've gone this past week, someone has stopped us to talk about Brett Favre suiting up for the Minnesota Vikings, what it means for football loyalties in the city and whether Green on Gold violence will break out in the stands during the Nov. 1 game at Lambeau like this was a Civil War-esque brother vs. brother scenario among Packers fans.

Also, judging by Facebook status messages we spied on the day NFL Jesus returned ... yeah, some folks are looking forward to passing a hardcore jug of Haterade around come Oct. 5.

At Channel Surfing, we're only interested in things we can control. Frankly, that means watching old No. 4 on the big screen for that must-see game in Minneapolis and loving every minute of the over-the-top circus that will ensue during ESPN's wall-to-wall coverage. Chris Berman's Metrodome-sized head might explode from all the excitement. Seriously. We're totally pumped.

Now, if you're so sick of the dude you feel compelled to smash your computer screen right now, Sears is here to further rub your face in Favreapalooza 2009! We noticed this weekend that the Waffle King of Mississippi began appearing in the company's much-buzzed about ads -- the ones that were "secretly" filmed in Schaumburg, Illinois back when Favre was still "retired" in July.

As you can see below, the ad pokes fun at Favre's once-sympathetic, now highly irritating penchant for indecision regarding his pro football career. Pretty cut-and-dried stuff -- or nothing that'll put Favre in the Keith Hernandez Pro Athlete Hall of Fame for Comedy.

According to wire reports, the commercial was originally scheduled to air in September, but it would appear the date was moved to capitalize on all the Favre fervor (or is that fevror?) happening right now. Anyway, the final punchline was sold in AP stories as being a "big surprise," though judging by the outtakes footage (also below) it looks like they went with the safe choice.

For instance, when asked by the Sears sales rep (Brad Morris from The Second City in Chicago) about the TV screen staying green, Favre quips, "I used to like green." Morris follows with, "Well, what if it were purple?" to which Favre responds, "tempting."

Tempting to the tune of a revenge-soaked $12 million, perhaps?

For the record, the outtakes footage was pretty hilarious to us, particularly when Morris gives him the high-pressure sales pitch (causing Favre to crack) and when Favre responds with "poor fella" when Morris tells him that someone else claiming to be No. 4 was in the store earlier. Then again, we can make such bold, heartfelt pronouncements because we don't feel as though a beloved family member just stabbed us in the back because Titletown's Chosen One is now playing for the Vikings.

So Packers fans, what was your first reaction when you watched the commercial? Did you get a hearty chuckle and call it a day? Will you now boycott Sears because they're enablers in this sordid Shakespearean drama? Or did you just curl into a fetal position on the floor and cry into your hand-stitched "Brett + Packers = 4 Life" blanket from 1996?

Let us know below ... you know, as long as you can refrain from calling someone "gay," or use curse words we'll have to delete, or basically do anything that makes you appear to have the communication skills of a second grade bully with an overactive pituitary.





-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com

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17 Comments:

Hilarious. Its great that he can make fun of himself. Everyone needs to lighten up. He'll always be our HOF QB.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 1:40 PM  

I'm working through my grief stages, and I'm not quite at acceptance yet. He coulda put on ANY other color besides purple--but noooooo.But the ad is funny and it helps that he's self aware in this regard.He wants to see if he has the cajones to get one more ring, the Vikings can do it for him fast, and in 10 or 15 years we'll remember the good times and forget this ever happened. DJW Minneapolis

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 3:29 PM  

great commercial! i wonder what the folks who are crying would say if told they were not only no longer wanted at their place of employment but that they could not work anywhere else based on the fact that they USED TO BE WANTED??

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 3:46 PM  

Hey, Brent, I like you. Wait... no I don't. Eah.. maybe I do. Nope, changed my mind again. You and Minnesota deserve each other. Just try to avoid any love boats on their "Land of 10,000 lakes." I know how you like to avoid the media and all the attention that comes with it. Such a humble man.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 4:23 PM  

Brett might think this is funny, but those of us having to endure the Brett Favre sagga this is kind of rubbing salt in the wound

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 6:23 PM  

Brett can only lose by playing with the Vikings. Even if he beats the Packers he will lose the fan support he has had in Green Bay and that has been really something. That's too high a price to pay for sticking it to Ted Thompson. It's just a sad situation.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 7:31 PM  

I live in Denver and the folks out here are even making fun of him. He'll be remembered more for his retirement, er, lack thereof, then he will for his playing days. Sad. He could have drank for free for the rest of his life in Wisconsin. Now he'll have to pony up like the rest of us.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 7:39 PM  

I appreciate Favre's sense of humor in this but it doesn't seem to fit his words in some of the press conferences. He's made it known that Packers fans should understand and almost respect his decision, as if he's had no say in how this whole thing played out. I'm not a Ted Thompson lover (I do support the Packers) but he had to move on once Brett made the initial retirement. It's sad to see him in a Vikings uniform and it seems like this is what he always wanted. That goes against everything I thought about Favre, wanted or not by the Packers after he retired the first time.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 10:13 PM  

Happy to watch Brett anytime. Green Bay didn't appreciate what they had and true colors are showing.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 10:37 PM  

Settle down folks. Brett will do just fine for us here in Viking land. When put to the the test it looks like your all fair weather fans. MN is ten times your state of yours. We're going all the way with Brett Farve.

All that counts is the one who wins last. Enjoy the season.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 24, 2009 at 11:33 PM  

^^^ Fair weather fans... who's the one playing in a dome?!?! If you're the voice on MN on here so far, you're not making anyone else from MN look to good.

Back on topic though, I saw the commercial come on and changed the channel right away. I'm just glad he's someone elses problem and not ours anymore.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 25, 2009 at 12:29 AM  

must say I laughed when I watched this then I remembered the drama of the past few years. Any one who cheers for him in any way in purple is NOT a packer fan.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 25, 2009 at 1:20 AM  

Brett's motivation is revenge on the Packers. And for what ? Putting the Team ahead of his on again off again retirement that was seriously bad for the Team.

Brett is carrying around some bad JuJu on this one. I for one, hope the Packer D plants him the ground and makes his retirement decision for him. I am a Packer fan for life but this feals like a shot at us fans, so back at ya Brett...

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 25, 2009 at 7:09 AM  

I am a packer fan. always will be. Did the idiots in green bay forget how they hated mcmahon and welcomed him to green bay? did that change chicago's love for him. that's the same with green bay. I love brett and will watch him where-ever he plays. that will not change all the great memories i have of him.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 25, 2009 at 7:15 AM  

Packer fans have the good memories of him. But remember the last time he took a team to the Superbowl was over 10 years ago. Since then when the heat (in the playoffs) he has melted like snow in August. Look up some of the crushing interceptions he has thrown at playoff time. Against teams like the Eagles in OT, Rams he threw 7 to the wrong team, and the last pass he put up as a Packer... in OT against the NYG. He has never wanted to practice against the men he goes and practices against the high school team in Mississippi. Good Luck keep TJack warmed up, the Vikes will be needing him.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 25, 2009 at 2:20 PM  

Hey, I just want to thank every commenter here for remaining civil and staying on subject without resorting to childish insults or insensitive slurs. Nice to see you guys can play nice at Channel Surfing and not resort to the gutter tactics at some of our other sites.

It's a just a game, right? Thanks, folks. You've restored my faith in online, anonymous debate.

-- Tom

By Blogger Press-Gazette blogger, At August 25, 2009 at 4:53 PM  

He doesn't play for you so why would he care if he lost fans there?
You can all be bitter about it if you would like, but its a waste. During the last years of his career he made a valid point, he wasn't listened to or treated fairly. That organization made it clear that they didn't want him. So he wants to play in the same division on a team that has real talent and a shot and you can't cope? That's lame.
You'd wanna move on too if it were you, if you loved the sport as much as he.

Deal. If he wins for the Vikings or not he still deserves a shot.

By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 28, 2009 at 11:56 AM  

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