In this hilarious commercial, the legendary John Cleese takes the reins with a sarcastic twist, telling viewers that they shouldn’t even bother watching the ad. But in classic Cleese style, he doesn’t just stop there—he gives the audience every reason why Compaq is a great choice for their computing needs, all while dismissing the typical fluff of most commercials. His deadpan delivery and self-aware humor make this one a memorable classic.
The Formula (That Works at Any Budget)
Self-Deprecating Humor = Instant Engagement – Right from the start, Cleese humorously tells viewers to skip the ad, immediately setting a playful tone. It’s a refreshing way to get attention and make viewers feel like they’re part of the joke.
→ Lesson: Be self-aware and don’t take yourself too seriously. If you make fun of the typical ad formula, it can build rapport with your audience.
Breaking the Fourth Wall – By addressing the viewer directly and admitting that this commercial is probably just another boring pitch, Cleese breaks down the traditional advertising wall, creating a feeling of inclusivity.
→ Lesson: Don’t be afraid to acknowledge the audience’s skepticism and turn it into an advantage.
Clever Product Placement – Even though Cleese spends much of the ad mocking the concept of advertising, he still highlights the key features of the Compaq computer, positioning it as the smarter choice without overtly pushing the product.
→ Lesson: Focus on making your point with humor and subtlety rather than heavy-handed product promotion.
Witty, Fast-Paced Dialogue – The script is sharp, fast, and full of wit. Cleese keeps things light and quick, making sure there’s no room for the viewer to get bored.
→ Lesson: Keep the pacing energetic and engaging to avoid losing your audience’s attention.
Humor Breakdown:
The humor here is dry, witty, and self-aware. John Cleese delivers his lines with deadpan precision, poking fun at the very nature of advertising while still subtly selling the product. It’s a perfect blend of sarcasm and understatement, with Cleese pulling the audience in with his charm and humor rather than traditional hard-sell tactics.
Final Verdict
This ad is a prime example of using clever humor to defy the conventional rules of advertising. John Cleese’s performance is pitch-perfect, and while the ad pokes fun at the industry, it still manages to deliver a strong, memorable message about the product. It’s one of those rare ads that stands out as both entertaining and effective.
Brave-o-meter score:
B-8 | R-7 | A-9 | V-8 | E-7
BRAVE – 7.8/10
Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: Compaq
LinkedIn: HP LinkedIn Page
