| 1 | ->''“Enough with the blatant sucking up...let’s get to the blatant shilling!”'' |
| 2 | -->-- '''Wrestling/TripleH''', ''Wrestling/WWESmackDown'' |
| 3 | |
| 4 | A plug is where a work or individual mentions a product in order to promote it. An Enforced Plug is a plug that is contractually required. |
| 5 | |
| 6 | As such, an Enforced Plug will usually be delivered awkwardly or ham-handedly. They’re often delivered at the end of the show or after a segue. The writers might actively resent having to write the plug and [[WriterRevolt try to make it as ridiculous as possible]]. {{Parodie|dtrope}}s are common, but they can run afoul of a variant of PoesLaw; actual Enforced Plugs are often so ridiculous that you can’t tell if it’s a parody or not. |
| 7 | |
| 8 | This was a ubiquitous practice MediaNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfRadio. It was also common in the earliest generation of TV shows, many of which had started on radio. These days, it serves as one of many ways to conduct ViralMarketing. The plug can be for a sponsor’s product, or a product offered by the show’s producer, which can include [[TheMerch tie-in merchandise]], theme parks, or other shows. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | A subtrope of ProductPlacement and a supertrope of ProductPromotionParade. Compare NowBuyTheMerchandise. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | ----- |
| 13 | !!Examples: |
| 14 | |
| 15 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 16 | |
| 17 | !!Straight examples: |
| 18 | [[folder: Anime and Manga ]] |
| 19 | * Kogorou Mouri from ''Manga/CaseClosed'' has never shown to be interested in manga, so it is especially suspiciously uncharacteristic of him when he suddenly mentions ''Manga/PsychicSquad'' (a manga also published by Shogakukan) out of nowhere when discussing {{Teleportation}} with his daughter and her friend. |
| 20 | * A recurring scene seen multiple times in the earlier seasons of ''Anime/CardfightVanguard'' is characters mentioning in a more or less casual way that the last card that was just played comes from the latest Booster Set, stating the set's name out loud. The most blatant case is in a early episode of the Asia Circuit arc, when Aichi and Kamui are shocked by seeing that Rekka already has a full Angel Feather deck the day after the launch of the set introducing the clan. |
| 21 | [[/folder]] |
| 22 | |
| 23 | [[folder: Comic Books ]] |
| 24 | * The ''ComicBook/MarvelComics2'' makes frequent mention of [[Ride/UniversalStudios Universal’s Islands of Adventure]] theme park in Orlando, which has a whole section dedicated to the Marvel Universe. |
| 25 | [[/folder]] |
| 26 | |
| 27 | [[folder: Film ]] |
| 28 | * ''Film/MacAndMe'', a 1988 ''[[Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial E.T.]]'' knockoff, saw what ''E.T.'' had done with Reese’s Pieces, subtly but prominently working the brand into the film. ''Mac and Me'' had no delusions of subtlety, however, being a virtual two-hour advertisement for [=McDonald’s=] and Coca-Cola. |
| 29 | * In a similar vein to ''Mac And Me'', ''Film/MyLittleBossings'' was largely panned for having its stars shill for whichever brands they were endorsing at the time without any sort of subtlety or justification. Though somehow the audiences and Creator/VicSotto himself didn't seem to mind, as long as the audiences are entertained and [[MoneyDearBoy it made millions]] at the box office, never mind the BrokenAesop that ensued in its simultaneous showcase of Filipino virtues and commercialism. |
| 30 | * A few of Creator/BertIGordon's movies feature not-so-subtle advertising for his other work -- ''Film/AttackOfThePuppetPeople'' has the main characters Bob and Sally go see ''Film/TheAmazingColossalMan'' at the drive-in at Bob's request, complete with footage of the film, while posters for both (and a shameless plug of ''Puppet People'' in the dialogue) can be seen in ''Film/EarthVsTheSpider''. |
| 31 | * ''Film/CatWomenOfTheMoon''. TheCaptain allows each member of the crew of Earth's first rocket to the Moon to make a brief radio broadcast. One of them praises the engine lubricant they used, then reveals to the others that he took a kickback from the company that produces it to make the plug. |
| 32 | [[/folder]] |
| 33 | |
| 34 | [[folder: Live-Action TV ]] |
| 35 | * When Kings Island Amusement Park first opened in Cincinnati in 1973, several shows started plugging it. ''Series/TheBradyBunch'' and ''Series/ThePartridgeFamily'' each had episodes that amounted to 30-minute plugs for the park. And a few episodes of ''Series/LetsMakeADeal'' offered a trip to Cincinnati as a prize, alongside daily passes and concession stand vouchers for the park (which was, at the time, really the only reason to visit Cincinnati). |
| 36 | * ''Series/MythBusters'' would do this in commercial break bumpers in later seasons, including short segments where they bust myths like “the new Jetta Foobar Turbo is smelly and noisy because it’s a diesel.” |
| 37 | * ''Series/XPlay'' tends to plug an online game rental store numerous times during each show. They try to mix it up to keep it interesting, but after the first hundred times, it’s grown very thin. |
| 38 | * Call-in voting for talent shows always mentions what telephone company is sponsoring the phone lines. |
| 39 | * Most home improvement shows are sponsored by a national hardware store chain (such as Sears for ''Series/ExtremeMakeoverHomeEdition''), and the hosts will always find a way to show that all the tools they’re using to remodel and restock the house are from that chain of stores. They’re usually not very subtle. |
| 40 | * ''Series/BurnNotice'' tends to do this with its cars; it’s very easy to tell which automaker is sponsoring the show at any given moment. It also leads to scenes where the crew uses a super-Hyundai to bust into something and Sam and Fi pause the action to talk about how great a car it is. |
| 41 | * TV shows from UsefulNotes/The50s and earlier tended to be extremely blatant with their Enforced Plugs. Most people associate ''Series/ILoveLucy'' with this trope; several episodes would have their plots hijacked for several minutes in favor of an {{infomercial}} for the sponsor’s product. But that was actually subtle for its time; [[http://www.archive.org/details/georgeburnsandgracieallen this episode]] of ''Radio/TheBurnsAndAllenShow'' was more typical. |
| 42 | * In a similarly extreme example, at least a number of programmes in UsefulNotes/{{Bangladesh}}-based ATN Bangla are [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9VeQqSlZIg ludicrously]] [[https://imgur.com/a/qayCeIP overfilled]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlQ19YlY3gI with ads]] for their sponsors, from the on-screen graphics to the set itself. While this isn't seen as an issue in their home country, in the UK where advertising laws are more stringent, it became the [[https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/51411/obb253.pdf butt]] [[https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/45648/obb254.pdf of]] [[https://www.bizasialive.com/atn-bangla-rapped-advertising-news-show/ numerous]] [[https://www.bizasialive.com/atn-bangla-rapped-for-product-placement-error/ complaints]] from Ofcom who clearly isn't pleased with the in-your-face advertising the shows throw up at expatriate Bangladeshi viewers. ATN tried to reason with the authorities in that the goods in question [[NoExportForYou aren't being sold in Europe]], but the agency wasn't convinced as ''it still is'' product placement, regardless of whether the products and/or services are available in the UK or otherwise. |
| 43 | * Sponsored programs are quite common in some countries such as the Philippines, where they essentially serve as thirty-minute commercials for the companies involved. Notable examples of these include ''Series/{{Jollitown}}'' and ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropang_Potchi Tropang Potchi]]'', sponsored by Jollibee[[note]]A Philippine fast-food chain in similar vein to [=McDonald's=][[/note]] and Columbia International Food Products[[note]]A confectionery company in the Philippines[[/note]] respectively. |
| 44 | * ''Series/{{Eureka}}'' was hit badly with Enforced Plugs in its third season. The only way the writers could explain the constant, obvious, jarring references to Degree for Men deodorant was to have the [[TyrantTakesTheHelm new leader of Global Dynamics]] reach a sponsorship agreement with [[CelebrityParadox the in-universe company that produces the in-universe Degree for Men product]]. |
| 45 | * ''Series/{{Psych}}'' has had a few jarring [[ProductPlacement Product Placements]]. One gets the impression that Shawn Spencer’s writer didn't particularly like advertising Dunkin’ Donuts and [[WriterRevolt did his best to make sure it was jarring, random, and blown off by other characters]]. This practice escalated in later seasons, mostly with food products and chains like Panda Express, usually {{lampshaded}} as [[MoneyDearBoy a means to pay the bills]]. |
| 46 | * ''Series/{{Bones}}'' has been known to do this; characters will frequently pause the action to extol the virtues of whichever car they’re driving, one episode was essentially an episode-long plug for ''Film/{{Avatar}}'', and the episode “The Finger in the Nest” infamously shows the characters giving up and asking Cesar Milan, TV’s “Dog Whisperer”, to solve the case for them. |
| 47 | * ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' is infamous for its product placement, leading to awkward dialogue where every mention of a car or phone is a plug of some kind, and a character is nicknamed "Product Placement Pete" for his frequent delivery of these plugs. Its most infamous episode in this respect is “Hero”, where the aforementioned Pete gains superpowers and goes AxCrazy by chewing tainted Stride gum; the plug essentially took over an entire episode, although it didn't exactly paint the product in a great light. |
| 48 | * Creator/{{ABC}} is owned by Creator/{{Disney}}, and many shows aired on the network will spontaneously plug other Disney properties or [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks its theme parks]]. They would often even force shows’ producers to do what amounts to an episode-long Disneyland {{infomercial}} where the characters visit the theme park and have an unreasonably good time. Many shows did this disturbingly straight, like ''Series/StepByStep'', ''Series/FullHouse'', ''Series/FamilyMatters'', ''Series/ModernFamily'', ''Series/TheMiddle'' -- the list goes on. |
| 49 | ** On ''Series/AmericasFunniestHomeVideos'', many clips randomly feature Disney character or franchises, and the grand prize is always a trip to a Disney park. |
| 50 | ** The producers of ''Series/{{Roseanne}}'' didn’t take too kindly to being forced to do a two-part Disneyland episode. So [[WriterRevolt they immediately followed it up]] with an episode entitled "Springtime for David" -- where one of the characters gets a job at a second-rate [[ThoseWackyNazis German-themed]] [[SouvenirLand theme park]] named Edelweiss Gardens, and gets brainwashed into their army of [[GettingSmiliesPaintedOnYourSoul perpetually happy park mascots]]. |
| 51 | ** Franchise/TheMuppets had a Disney World special, titled ''Film/TheMuppetsAtWaltDisneyWorld'', where JustForFun/StatlerAndWaldorf complained as they usually do -- but about the place having nothing to complain about. |
| 52 | ** ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'' did a Disney World episode specifically to promote the opening of Animal Kingdom and its Lodge resort (the latter of which wouldn’t open for another three years). |
| 53 | ** ''The Chew'' did a yearly taping on location at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. |
| 54 | * Given that they're 80%-owned by Disney, Creator/{{ESPN}} absolutely loves this trope, really. ''Series/SportsCenter'' tends to be littered with plugs for pretty much every movie Creator/{{Disney}} (who owns 80% of the network) wants to hype up, and even some non-Disney ones. |
| 55 | ** Since its players are right within its demographics, ESPN's coverage of the Little League World Series was previously peppered with intro and bumper packages cross-promoting [[AdoredByTheNetwork/{{Disney}} Disney Channel's current obsession]], such as the Music/JonasBrothers or ''Film/HighSchoolMusical''. From 2010 to 2012, it was ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' themed, complete with a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVoVbyT8uQQ baseball-themed version]] of the usual TitleThemeTune. They have since dropped this aspect in favor of a more conventional presentation. |
| 56 | -->'''Candace''': [[CatchPhrase/PhineasAndFerb Mom! Phineas and Ferb are taking over the Little League World Series again!]] |
| 57 | ** In 2015, ESPN aired a montage of college football highlights to shill ''Film/TheForceAwakens''; the Big 12 Conference politely reminded ESPN that NCAA rules prohibit student athletes from appearing in commercial promotions. |
| 58 | ** The 2015-16 College Football Playoff semi-finals were also [[https://mashable.com/2015/12/31/college-football-playoffs-espn-disney-we-get-it/ awkwardly promoted on several Disney properties with little to no relevance to sports.]] Creator/{{ABC}}'s soap opera ''Series/GeneralHospital'' featured a scene with two people at a bar touting their preference for watching the College Football Playoff Semi-Finals, December 31st on ESPN (For the first time on New Year's Eve!) instead of going to a New Year's party. Said discussion took place in front of a poster for it, and they were also dressed in shirts reading "Who's In?" -- ESPN's marketing tagline for the CFP. [[Creator/DisneyChannel Disney Junior]] got in on the action with a "Little Experts" segment with hot takes by the TargetDemographic (one of them liked [[WesternAnimation/JakeAndTheNeverlandPirates Jake]] better), and Creator/{{Marvel}} [[https://twitter.com/PickSixPreviews/status/682600031279550464 even did promotional comic book covers]]. |
| 59 | ** To return the favor, ESPN wound up plugging ABC's New Year's special ''Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve'' during the games as well; the Orange Bowl had host Ryan Seacrest report from Times Square during the halftime show, and during the Cotton Bowl, ESPN put up a graphic near the end of the first half [[http://247sports.com/Bolt/ESPN-wants-football-fans-to-know-Demi-Lovato-is-taking-the-stage-42427178 advertising]] that you could watch a performance by Music/DemiLovato (who is ''also'' signed to Disney-owned Creator/HollywoodRecords, killing two birds with one stone) on ''New Year's Rockin' Eve'' at that very moment. Michigan State fans were likely relieved that they could watch America's most popular New Year's special instead of the CurbStompBattle that ensued (Alabama won 38-0!). If contradictory marketing was part of the plan, it definitely worked: ratings for the 2015 semi-finals were worse than the ones held only 364 days prior, and the organizers eventually decided to move the semifinal games off New Year's Eve in years when the Rose and Sugar Bowl games aren't hosting the semi-finals (the Rose and Sugar Bowl games are always held on January 1, or January 2 if the former falls on a Sunday, regardless of whether they are hosting semi-finals or not). |
| 60 | * ''Series/{{Chuck}}'' has frequent plugs for sandwich chain Subway; in later seasons, it’s almost OnceAnEpisode, as Subway was instrumental in promoting the show and keeping it on the air. This led to the plugs becoming almost a RunningGag. It was even almost {{lampshaded}} in “Chuck vs. the First Kill”, where Morgan is asked to bribe his boss with [[TrademarkFavoriteFood his “favorite thing”]] and gets him a Subway chicken teriyaki footlong -- but his real favorite thing is just donuts. |
| 61 | * The Nissan Versa in ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' started out as creative and original product placement, but later cars degenerated into this trope. |
| 62 | * Later episodes of ''Series/{{Monk}}'' had ridiculous and incongruous plugs. One late episode had the characters investigating a crime in a remote backwoods town but staying at a conveniently located and immaculately-kept motel, which was particularly jarring as this is the classic setting for a HellHotel. |
| 63 | * ''Series/TheWestWing'' pulled it off much more subtly (and hilariously); when asked to do a Thanksgiving-related plug, they had the president call up [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQsvcs9IB8A Butterball's advice line]], pretending to be an ordinary citizen. |
| 64 | * Like most other talk shows, ''Series/TheDailyShow'' frequently sees guests whose purpose on the show is just to promote their latest publication or project, and like most other talk shows, Jon will naturally end each interview by plugging it. Unlike most other talk shows, the more self-aware the guest is about this, the more likely the plug will be {{lampshaded}} (and the conversation itself will go OffTheRails). |
| 65 | * One episode of ''Series/GilmoreGirls'' was devoted to shilling the Sidekick, a contemporary mobile phone. It was a painfully obvious plug; Rory’s dad buys her a sidekick and spends half the episode going on about how amazing it is and texting her constantly. But since he’s TheScrappy, he was probably the worst possible choice to promote the phone, which had bombed hard by the time the episode aired. |
| 66 | * ''Series/MenOfACertainAge'' has Chevrolet as a major sponsor, and the plot of one episode revolved around creating a commercial for Chevrolet’s latest model. It started as a straight plug, but it then devolved into a series of zany viral spots on Terry’s recommendation. |
| 67 | * Several episodes of ''[[Series/DragonsDen Shark Tank]]'' have plugs for T-Mobile shoehorned in extremely awkwardly, with all the subtlety of a car alarm. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWWHVrK5BhE See for yourself.]] |
| 68 | * “''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'' was brought to you by [product]!” was often heard at the end of the first two seasons of the show. By the time the third season had come around, Creator/RodSerling was shilling Chesterfield Cigarettes (with mild filters, not mildly filtered) to the audience after telling them about next week’s show. |
| 69 | * During the blind auditions, the various international versions of ''Series/TheVoice'' will often go on location to profile a contestant. When they do this outside the US, the lead-in to these profiles will just be various shots of the contestant and their hometown. In the US, though, it’s mostly shots of Carson Daly’s Kia Sorrento as he drives it to the location. The US version is also taped at Ride/UniversalStudios Hollywood, and near the end of each season, there’s usually a segment showing the finalists enjoying the park. |
| 70 | * National Geographic’s ''Series/BrainGames'' was gradually taken over by plugs for Acura luxury cars. It wasn’t too obnoxious at first and these segments were at least separated from the main show (being placed with the actual commercial breaks), but inevitably, they started creeping into the episodes themselves. |
| 71 | * ''Series/WaltDisneyPresents'' typically showed a 30-second trailer for Disney's latest theatrical release after the credits. |
| 72 | ** One episode, "Disneyland Goes to the World's Fair", had Walt mentioning one of his sponsors, Eastman Kodak, during a segment about history of photography and as having a pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair (right next door to Disney's ''Ride/ItsASmallWorld'' attraction). |
| 73 | * The Argentinian kid soap ''Floricienta'' had in almost every episode some more or less explicit plug for whatever Disney Channel Argentina was airing at the time, usually using the main character's two younger brothers as the pluggers. Examples include them looking at their almost-complete collection of Disney and Pixar [=DVDs=] to choose a film to watch and ultimately setting on ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles1'' or when one of them gets a ''Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder'' live stunt show in the house as a birthday gift. |
| 74 | * The December 5, 2019 episode of ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' had a category built around the recently-debuted Creator/DisneyPlus show ''Series/TheWorldAccordingToJeffGoldblum'', featuring video clues read by Goldblum himself. |
| 75 | * ''Series/TwentyOne'' frequently paused the game so the game show host could talk about the product. |
| 76 | [[/folder]] |
| 77 | |
| 78 | [[folder:Podcasts]] |
| 79 | * Podcasts will typically plug their sponsor during the show; as on-demand audio programs, there isn’t really a better way to advertise. A huge percentage of such plugs -- especially for Leo Laporte’s TWIT network -- are for Audible.com, which sells digital downloads of audiobooks (which are likely to appeal to the podcasting crowd). Creator/{{Netflix}} is another common sponsor, as is longtime TWIT sponsor Squarespace. |
| 80 | * ''Podcast/{{Serial}}'' saw [=MailChimp=] getting a lot of mileage out of their plug for the email newsletter service, to the point that "[=#MailKimp=]"[[note]]a reference to a section of the ad where a person has trouble pronouncing the service's name[[/note]] became a meme among fans (though the archived versions now include ads for Audible instead). |
| 81 | * ''Podcast/MyBrotherMyBrotherAndMe'' has gone through a few sponsors at this point, but the longest-running is their partnership with online sex toy shop Extreme Restraints. While enforced, the plugs fit remarkably well with the show’s tone and content, enough that when Extreme Restraints allowed their partnership to lapse, the fans demanded the ads ''back''. |
| 82 | * Creator/BillBurr has a tendency to nitpick and poke fun at his sponsors on the ''Monday Morning Podcast''. The sponsors apparently don't object to this, perhaps understanding what they were in for when they sent an ad copy to Burr. His plug for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl5JDzvkEA0 Shari's Berries]] (and the hilarious FreudianSlip near the end of it) is one of the most well-known bits from his podcast. |
| 83 | * While ''Podcast/EscapeFromVaultDisney'' is the rare podcast that has no traditional sponsors, Tony will occasionally halt the show midway to plug something one of his friends is involved with, usually either a charity event or the yearly [=FuMP=]Fest, a comedy music festival partially ran by frequent guest Music/TheGreatLukeSki. |
| 84 | * ''Podcast/MurderInHR'' is sponsored by Gympass, a corporate fitness/wellness solution, and it's frequently mentioned by characters in the podcast. In one notable scene, a character working for a company's HR, tells a long story about his company adopting it and how great it's been for everyone. |
| 85 | [[/folder]] |
| 86 | |
| 87 | [[folder: Professional Wrestling ]] |
| 88 | * Enforced Plugs are common on bigger TV events. Between matches, commentators will sloppily segue into a plug for the upcoming Pay-Per-View event, a sponsor’s product, the latest movie starring one of the wrestlers, the WWE Network, whatever. Commentators on independent shows will often employ even sloppier plugs for their upcoming live shows. Like many sports broadcasts, recap or highlight segments will have a sponsor. |
| 89 | * {{Averted|trope}} by Wrestling/CMPunk; many fans believe his love of Pepsi is another marketing element, but it’s a real TrademarkFavoriteFood; he just legitimately loves the stuff. |
| 90 | [[/folder]] |
| 91 | |
| 92 | [[folder: Radio ]] |
| 93 | * Political talk radio shows have become notorious for the awkwardness, suddenness, and ubiquity of their Enforced Plugs. Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, and Radio/RushLimbaugh all do it, but the late Paul Harvey was the uncontested king of this. In Limbaugh’s case, it’s particularly annoying since the plugs also reach listeners who’ve signed up for his “Rush 24/7” service to avoid the ads. And it could get hypocritical, too, like when Hannity would criticize the government’s bailout of US automakers and then plug GM cars. |
| 94 | [[/folder]] |
| 95 | |
| 96 | [[folder:Sports and other live events]] |
| 97 | * Enforced plugs are endemic on sports telecasts. Pretty much every segment or statistic now has its own sponsor (''e.g.'' “the AFLAC Trivia Question” or “the Jeep Drive of the Game”). Commentators are also frequently made to plug other programs on the same network (perhaps as a way of making use of time already dedicated to station identification). Similarly in the Philippines, boxing matches are filled to the brim with enforced plugs for various products, some of them niche goods such as construction supplies and household chemicals thinly disguised as statistics for the boxers' performances or a highlight from the match. |
| 98 | * Most sports venues now have a sponsor; many newer buildings have no way of referring to them ''other'' than the sponsor names, which sometimes makes it awkward to refer to them in casual conversation. Some old venues like Madison Square Garden have sufficiently iconic names that defy this trope, so they sponsor the court or field instead rather than the building itself. |
| 99 | * Many sports teams or athletes will have sponsors advertising on their uniforms. In a few situations, sports teams will go even further and name themselves after the sponsor outright (''e.g.'' the New York Red Bulls or the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters). |
| 100 | * Blatant advertising is particularly prominent in motor racing, where uniforms, vehicles, and tracks are festooned with ads, cameras will go out of their way to film the ads, and the winning driver will shill for his/her sponsors. |
| 101 | ** UsefulNotes/NikiLauda shrewdly used the baseball cap he wore since the Nürburgring accident to sell ad space for sponsors, a notable one being Italian food company Parmalat. At one point Lauda was even offered ''€1.2 million'' for the privilage of having their company logo grace the ex-Formula One driver's headpiece. |
| 102 | * [[UsefulNotes/AmericanFootball College football]]’s post-season games nearly all have sponsors; sometimes they just attach their name to the game (''e.g.'' “the [Sponsor] Fiesta Bowl”), but sometimes the whole game is named after the sponsor (''e.g.'' “the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl”, although these are slowly going out of fashion). Commentators must refer to these games in this format. |
| 103 | [[/folder]] |
| 104 | |
| 105 | [[folder:Websites]] |
| 106 | * Website/CollegeHumor has done this, most blatantly with Trojan condoms. One short (an animated Valentine’s Day one starring Cupid) was so JustForFun/{{egregious}}ly rife with the ProductPlacement for Trojan that nearly all the comments on the video were complaints about it. |
| 107 | [[/folder]] |
| 108 | |
| 109 | [[folder:Web Videos]] |
| 110 | * ''WebVideo/TheGreatWar'': Many episodes are sponsored by outside parties, typically military history themed video games. Host Indy Neidell usually gives them their requisite ShoutOut during the PleaseSubscribeToOurChannel segment at the end of the videos. |
| 111 | * When ''WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay'' tore apart the Xbox One launch title ''VideoGame/FighterWithin'' and its Kinect controls, [[ExecutiveMeddling Machinima]] tacked a 10-second Xbox One ad onto the beginning of the video. |
| 112 | * ''WebVideo/HotOnes'': Each episode always ends with host Sean Evans inviting the guest to look into a camera and "tell everyone what you've got going on." Due to his vague wording, many guests don't understand that they're supposed to plug their product, forcing Evans to prompt them more overtly. |
| 113 | [[/folder]] |
| 114 | |
| 115 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 116 | * A particularly poignant example is in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Duckman}}'' episode "Short, Plush and Deadly". Duckman is running away in terror from a monstrous Fluffy and Uranus across a RopeBridge while carrying an injured Cornfed. But then Duckman [[AttentionDeficitOohShiny stops and notices]] that there is a pack of Mentos on the bridge. He pops one in his mouth, and then grins in approval [[BreakingTheFourthWall at the camera]] as '''[[{{Slogans}} Mentos: The Fresh Maker]]''' shows up on the screen. The action scene then screeches back into gear as Fluffy and Uranus abruptly show up and corner Duckman on the bridge. |
| 117 | [[/folder]] |
| 118 | |
| 119 | !!Parodies and InUniverse uses: |
| 120 | |
| 121 | [[folder:Anime and Manga]] |
| 122 | * Parodied and lampshaded in the ''Manga/AssassinationClassroom'' anime. When Fuwa tries to encourage her friends to buy the latest volume of a certain ''Magazine/ShonenJump'' detective series, the scene cuts to a gigantic ad for ''Manga/MajinTanteiNougamiNeuro'', Matsui's previous work, while a message encouraging the viewer to pick up the 12-volume compilation scrolls through the background. This does not go unnoticed by her friends. |
| 123 | -->'''Kayano:''' That's nasty!\ |
| 124 | '''Nagisa:''' Subtle product placement, Fuwa! Pay more attention to ethics in marketing! |
| 125 | [[/folder]] |
| 126 | |
| 127 | [[folder:Film]] |
| 128 | * In ''Film/TheTrumanShow'', the protagonist’s entire waking life [[TrumanShowPlot is secretly a TV show being produced and filmed in real time.]] Since there are no commercial breaks, ProductPlacement is done during the show; this is accomplished by having the actors playing his family and friends delivering plugs in his presence (or by focusing on InUniverse advertising, such as when the businessmen brothers bail Truman up outside his office building next to a prominently-displayed poster for Kaiser Chicken). An inappropriate and out-of-place plug is eventually one of the things that cues Truman in to the fakeness of his life. |
| 129 | * Parodied in ''Film/TalladegaNightsTheBalladOfRickyBobby'': NBC is covering the climactic race, and it can’t resist showing why [[FunWithAcronyms it stands for “Nothing But Commercials”]]. The network cuts to a commercial in the middle of Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard’s cars crashing (followed by an actual Applebee’s ad in the middle of the movie). But even after the race coverage returns, the crash is still happening. This scene could also be seen as a TakeThat towards NBC (which, at the time, had been known for airing excessive amounts of commercials during NASCAR races). |
| 130 | * ''Film/KungPowEnterTheFist'' has some blatant and self-referential Taco Bell product placement: |
| 131 | -->''“Oh, Taco Bell, Taco Bell, {{product placement}} with Taco Bell. El Chorito, Macho Burrito!”'' |
| 132 | * In ''Film/DemolitionMan'', set TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture, Taco Bell is now the only restaurant left in the entire country (and possibly the world). Oddly, when shown outside the U.S., it’s Pizza Hut instead. |
| 133 | * Both ''Film/WaynesWorld'' films parodied the ProductPlacement phenomenon. In the first film, Wayne objects to selling himself out while simultaneously showing off a series of real-life products and [[BreakingTheFourthWall mugging for the camera]].[[note]] Rather metaliciously, this was necessary in order to secure funding to finish production. [[/note]]. The second film has a similar scene parodying a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yW6vObBOVE memetic ad from the 1970s]] where he randomly and inexplicably extols the virtues of Cassandra’s laundry detergent. |
| 134 | * Halfway through ''[[Film/AttackOfTheKillerTomatoes Return of the Killer Tomatoes]]'', the director announces that they don’t have enough money to finish the movie, so the actors suggest that they start doing plugs to get more money. From that point on, the movie is strewn with blatantly obvious advertisements, until the protagonist finally irritably asks, “Do we have enough money to finish this turkey yet?” |
| 135 | * In-universe, ''Film/TheCatInTheHat'', pauses the movie to shill Ride/UniversalStudios’ theme parks. |
| 136 | * In ''Film/{{Evolution|2001}}'', the alien invasion is stopped by Head and Shoulders shampoo, and the film ends with the main characters doing a commercial for the product -- but it’s full of BadBadActing, and one of the characters even holds the bottle back-to-front. |
| 137 | * In ''Film/AChristmasStory'', Ralphie has spent weeks getting enough Ovaltine proof-of-purchases (despite hating Ovaltine) to get the Secret Decoder Ring and find out the secret message on the ''Little Orphan Annie'' radio show. Once he's got the ring, he finds out that the secret message is an advertisement for Ovaltine. |
| 138 | --> '''Ralphie:''' ''(reading the secret message)'' "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine." ''Ovaltine''? A crummy ''commercial''? Son of a bitch. |
| 139 | * ''Film/TheShadow'' parodies how the original radio shows would often stop the action to do this....by ''having the BigBad ask the hero where he got his tie.'' |
| 140 | [[/folder]] |
| 141 | |
| 142 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 143 | * Parodied in Bill Anschell’s short story ''[[http://www.billanschell.com/cadenza.html Searching for Glory at the Cookin’ Cadenza]]'', where a simple request horribly misunderstood leads to an incredibly awkward and unintentional Enforced Plug. |
| 144 | * The ''Literature/ThursdayNext'' series has a lot of seemingly out-of-nowhere references to something called the Toast Marketing Board. ''One Of Our Thursdays Is Missing'' reveals that [[spoiler:this is because when the ''written'' Thursday, who “plays” the first-person narrator of the ''Thursday Next'' books, briefly visited the real world, she took a big check from the Toast Marketing Board in exchange for inserting references to it into the series.]] |
| 145 | * In ''Literature/BubbleWorld'', even before she learns the truth, Freesia grows annoyed with the plugs for Tracey’s Coffee. |
| 146 | * ''After a Few Words'', by Creator/RandallGarrett. Two crusaders break off from fighting the Saracens to smoke an anachronistic packet of ''Old Kings'' cigarettes. Turns out they're in a virtual reality simulation that the cigarette company is sponsoring. Though the advertising man complains that the cigarette tastes better in the simulation than ''Old Kings'' do in real life. |
| 147 | [[/folder]] |
| 148 | |
| 149 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 150 | * In ''Series/{{Extras}}'', Music/{{Coldplay}} frontman Chris Martin makes an appearance on Andy Millman’s sitcom after expressing “interest” to him and his producer (read: he wants to shill Coldplay’s new “greatest hits” album). Andy argues that having a random celebrity appearance would be an obvious plug and make no sense. The producer completely ignores Andy and [[ExecutiveMeddling accedes to all of Martin’s demands]]. Martin appears on the show wearing a T-shirt with the album cover on it, and Andy is forced to ask on camera when it would be released. Critics savage the show and [[MisBlamed blame Andy]] for trying to “prop up his lame duck of a sitcom.” |
| 151 | * An episode of the Canadian reality series ''Series/KennyVsSpenny'' had the two lead characters facing off in a contest to see who could win the most money. MagnificentBastard Kenny thinks up the idea of selling airtime on the show and earns over $5000 in sponsorship deals. Unfortunately, his contract with the producers requires that all ad revenue be shared equally between Kenny and Spenny, which negates any advantage from the scheme. |
| 152 | * In one episode of ''Series/ArrestedDevelopment'', [[Advertising/TheBurgerKing Burger King]] spontaneously takes over the show. This leads to characters involuntarily blurting out Burger King plugs mid-speech, the camera jump-cutting to a Burger King restaurant, and the narrator openly extolling the virtues of Burger King. And in one scene, two characters go to Burger King to try and convince them to buy an Enforced Plug on their ShowWithinAShow. |
| 153 | * ''Series/TheColbertReport'' often parodies this trope, as Creator/StephenColbert shamelessly plugs random products on his show. He interrupted [[http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/232016/june-25-2009/commonsense-health-care-reform-infomercial a segment about health care]] to plug Sierra Mist, and he once spent an entire week on location in “Chili-delphia, the city of brotherly crunch,” in an effort to plug Doritos. That last segment reveals that Colbert is usually not even paid for the plugs -- he tries to fix that but quickly accepts a deal in exchange for a lot of Nacho Cheese Doritos. |
| 154 | ** A RunningGag in Creator/JeffGoldblum's occasional speechifying appearances over 2009-10 was his shoehorning in a plug for ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent'', which he was toplining at the time, near the end of each speech no matter what it was about (President Obama killing a fly during a TV interview, nasal spray, ''his own passing'', etc.). |
| 155 | * On ''[[Series/ThirtyRock 30 Rock]]'', the writers for the ShowWithinAShow are asked to plug a General Electric product and suddenly start talking about how great Diet Snapple is. |
| 156 | --> '''Liz Lemon:''' That Verizon Wireless service is just unbeatable! I mean, if I saw one of those phones on TV, I'd be like, “Where is my nearest retailer, so I can... get one?” ''[strained grin at camera]'' [[NoFourthWall Can we have our money now]]? |
| 157 | * ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' was no stranger to product placement; most often the product was just in the background. When it wasn’t, though, it was always done in a strange way where the product wasn’t shown ''quite'' as favorably as a blatant plug would. For instance: |
| 158 | ** Jerry would randomly and blatantly offer other characters a Snapple; they would always decline. |
| 159 | ** Kramer and Jerry are watching a surgery and accidentally drop a Junior Mint into the patient with none of the surgeons noticing, which inexplicably and miraculously saves his life. |
| 160 | ** A Kenny Rogers’ Roasters restaurant opens across the street from Kramer, but the light from its massive sign shines into his apartment, bathes everything in a red glow, and keeps Kramer from sleeping. |
| 161 | * In one very memorable episode of ''Series/IveGotASecret'', Harpo Marx was the guest star, his secret being to pantomime various common phrases (for example: he puts jam on a light bulb and pretends to eat it, so he’s having a “light lunch”). For his last phrase, he took out a copy of his book ''Harpo Speaks'' with a hole drilled through it, took the missing piece, and put it in the hole -- he’s “plugging his book”. |
| 162 | * On ''Series/TopGear'', Jeremy Clarkson needed to drive a car owned by Music/PinkFloyd drummer Nick Mason; he would only let Clarkson drive it if he plugged Mason’s book. Product placement and advertising are banned on Creator/TheBBC, so Clarkson drove around trying to “[[BlatantLies subtly work]]” references to Pink Floyd and the book into his car review. |
| 163 | --> '''Clarkson:''' In fact, I think the only thing better looking than [the Ferrari F60]... is this book, ''Inside Out'', by the drummer from Pink Floyd. |
| 164 | * On one episode of ''Series/WhoseLineIsItAnyway'', Wayne Brady stops a “Hollywood Director” [[ShowWithinAShow scene-within-a-scene]] to hold up an imaginary can of Coca-Cola next to his face while turning to smile at the camera. |
| 165 | * ''Series/HomeImprovement'': The ShowWithinAShow ''Tool Time'' is sponsored by the in-universe company Binford Tools. Tim will stand behind Binford's products, and has no problem promoting them on his show. However, in one episode, Tim is told to plug a new product that he thinks is terrible, and is torn between his honesty and his obligations. He eventually trashes the tool on-air and even puts his boss on the spot by roping him into it. However, a positive spin is still put on it, by saying that Binford prides itself on making only the highest quality tools, and that when a tool doesn't pass the test, it doesn't go to market. They then proceed to destroy the prototype. |
| 166 | * ''Series/StargateSG1'' had an episode where the team was part of a race [[RecycledInSpace In Space]], which was intercut with shots of two commentators, who at the end of each scene would awkwardly segue into an advertisement for an in-universe product. |
| 167 | * ''Series/BeakmansWorld'' threw one in as a gag when discussing electrical plugs: |
| 168 | -->'''Beakman:''' Here's a lamp plug, this is a plug for a toaster oven, 'Be sure to watch "Beakman's World" right here on this station'; [[{{Pun}} this is a plug]] for our show... |
| 169 | [[/folder]] |
| 170 | |
| 171 | [[folder:Podcasts]] |
| 172 | * Every episode of ''Podcast/SporadicPhantoms'' has a ridiculous advertisement for something from the ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' universe. The first episode has one for Dealin' Dan Hawke's car sales, and the trio complain that it goes against their environmentally-friendly values, but they need the money. |
| 173 | * ''Podcast/WritingExcuses'' has a regular plug around the 7 to 8 minute mark. When they lack a sponsor for a particular episode, they are either shill their own books (the other ‘casters hum in the background when this happens) or resort to comedy, including “Buy Dan Bacon” and “Pants”. |
| 174 | -->'''[[Creator/BrandonSanderson Brandon]]:''' This week’s ''Writing Excuses'' is brought to you by Pants. Pants: You put them on your legs.\ |
| 175 | '''[[Webcomic/SchlockMercenary Howard]]:''' Well, put them all the way up!\ |
| 176 | '''Dan:''' Pants: Put them back on, please. |
| 177 | [[/folder]] |
| 178 | |
| 179 | [[folder:Professional Wrestling]] |
| 180 | * Wrestling/DGenerationX are the masters of shamelessly blatant advertising. When Wrestling/ShawnMichaels needs to cut off Wrestling/TripleH, that was usually an invitation for [=HBK=] to “smoothly transition into a shameless plug”. |
| 181 | * "This episode of ''WWE Raw'' is brought to you by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBAXWZ6vLRc fruity, fruity, delicious, fruity SKITTLES!]]" |
| 182 | * At ''Wrestling/{{D|ramaticDreamTeam}}DT White Flight in Nagoya 2011'' there was Umemura Personal Computer School Sponsored Match between Danshoku Dino and Masa Takanashi |
| 183 | [[/folder]] |
| 184 | |
| 185 | [[folder:Radio]] |
| 186 | * ''Radio/TheJackBennyProgram'' was fond of {{lampshad|ed}}ing its Enforced Plugs; after all, it frequently called itself “The Grape Nuts and Grape Nuts Flakes Program, starring Jack Benny!” Among the ways it did so: |
| 187 | ** Announcer Don Wilson would interrupt sketches to shill the sponsor’s product, to the characters’ annoyance. In later years, when the program was sponsored by Lucky Strike cigarettes, Don would get the Sportsman Quartet to shill the product in song OnceAnEpisode -- always against Jack’s will, and usually with his shouted protests in the background. The ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' short [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7LlYonA8g based on the show]] parodies this practice. |
| 188 | ** Don wasn’t averse to mistreating his plugs himself: |
| 189 | -->'''Jack:''' And now, a word from our sponsor. Take it, Don.\ |
| 190 | '''Don:''' “Jell-O.” Take it, Jack. |
| 191 | ** And some episodes also {{lampshaded}} the enforced nature of the plug. For instance, from this sketch spoofing ''Literature/TheHoundOfTheBaskervilles'': |
| 192 | -->'''Don:''' ''(as the doctor)'' He was always sure to eat his Jell-O.\ |
| 193 | '''Jack:''' ''(as Franchise/SherlockHolmes)'' Make a note of it, Watson.\ |
| 194 | '''Kenny Baker:''' ''(as Dr. Watson)'' “[[BreakingTheFourthWall Commercial taken care of.]]” |
| 195 | * ''Radio/FibberMcGeeAndMolly'' tended to {{lampshade|d}} the trope to pieces. Midway through each episode, the [=McGees=] would encounter announcer Harlow Wilcox, who would quickly shift discussion of any topic to extolling the virtues of Johnson’s Self-Polishing Glo-Coat floor wax, or whichever new household cleaner SC Johnson came up at the time. Fibber or Molly would usually groan and go “HereWeGoAgain”. |
| 196 | * ''Radio/APrairieHomeCompanion'' would have fake commercials parodying this trope, as evidenced by their usual appearance after a TraumaCongaLine-type story. A character would be on the brink of death when the story segues into a plug for Bebop-a-Rebop Rhubarb Pie or Powdermilk Biscuits (in the big blue box!). |
| 197 | [[/folder]] |
| 198 | |
| 199 | [[folder:Web Original]] |
| 200 | * In ''WebAnimation/TheLeetWorld'', after [[spoiler: winning the first season]], the counter-terrorists return in Season 2 with advertising contracts with [[MegaCorp WolfCorp]], resulting in Westheimer and Chet occasionally inserting plugs for fictitious companies like “Sir Spice-a-Lot’s Chicken” and “Koala Cola” into conversations. |
| 201 | * ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'' spoofed this, with Linkara’s robot double pointing out a plug, and Linkara snapping, “Shut up, hippie! He gave me a discount!” |
| 202 | * On ''Blog/KeepBeachCityWeird'', when experiencing some WritersBlock, Ronaldo resorted to being one of many sponsors for Guacola, an avocado soda he spat back up the second he had it. The best Ronaldo can say is that "[[DamnedByFaintPraise technically, it is edible]]" and has supplementary use as mortar or to clog a drain. There's also mention of the company being a subsidiary of an industrial adhesive maker and in a lawsuit with 17 states. |
| 203 | [[/folder]] |
| 204 | |
| 205 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 206 | * An episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Sealab 2021}}'' parodies the trope with numerous, gratuitous, increasingly jarring plugs for “Grizzlebee’s”, a fictional amalgam of casual family restaurants such as Chili’s and TGI Friday’s. The entire episode turned out to be an episode-long plug for the movie ''Tinfins''. |
| 207 | -->“Try Grizzlebee’s new onion wings with maple-honey ranchapeño sauce!” |
| 208 | * Parodied in one ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' short starring Daffy Duck as a sadistic radio quiz show host and Porky Pig as the [[strike: victim]] contestant. Every few minutes, Daffy would randomly plug “Eagle Hands Laundry”, to Porky’s increasing annoyance. |
| 209 | %% * The ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' episode "Boost Mobile", ''shockingly'' contains Enforced Plugs. |
| 210 | * ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] an Enforced Plug for Burger King. Stan and Steve discuss about how to expose the truth about peanut butter in a ''Film/NationalTreasure'' WholePlotReference at a Burger King restaurant, and Steve asks him why they were at a Burger King. Stan tells him that [[ProductPlacement the laws of TV economics have changed]]. It might refer to Burger King’s status as one of the show’s original sponsors. |
| 211 | * Parodied in the ''WesternAnimation/{{Freakazoid}}'' episode [[Series/MissionImpossible "Mission: Freakazoid"]]. The show opened with the announcer saying, “This episode is brought to you by Anubis Markets, a division of Osiris Foods. However, this will in no way affect the contents of today's story.” But the story was periodically interrupted with Anubis Markets ads, and at the end, all the characters turned to the camera and delivered an extended ad for Anubis Markets (“Food so good you can eat it!”) |
| 212 | %%* A ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' ChristmasEpisode parodies this, especially early and late in the episode. |
| 213 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife", the family participate in a reality show, which involves Marge lives with a British man in Connecticut. Lisa visits her on a FOX-sponsored flight by Frito-Lay. |
| 214 | -->'''Lisa''': And I'm required to say ''[unenthusiastic]'' "Come to the cool ranch and rope in flavor. Yee-haw." |
| 215 | [[/folder]] |
| 216 | |
| 217 | ---- |
| 218 | ''This page has been brought to you by: '''TropeCo/TropeCo'''®! For all your AppliedPhlebotinum needs!'' |
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