Russell Brand: Knighthood, a Robot Butler and an Ostrich

Russell Brand's done a number of ads for HP TouchPad, but this is the funniest one, I think, in which he has his "robot butler" check the status of his knighthood? "Again?" and wonders what he should do about that ostrich. "It's been here a month." Similar to the Lea Michele and Manny Pacquiao ones, but I find Russell a whole lot more entertaining.

Mayhem: Raccoon in the Attic

I'm a fan of these "Mayhem" ads from Allstate, starring Dean Winter (formerly of 'Oz') as random acts of mayhem that your insurance might not cover. In this one, he's a raccoon rampaging through some unfortunate homeowner's attic. "I've already had, like, four babies," he say, right before ripping out the electrical wiring and chomping on the insulation. Almost makes you want to sign up for Allstate home insurance (even if you're a renter).

Come Snuggle With Mama!

In this ad for Sears Optical, a nearsighted woman goes into her backyard to call her cat in for the night and doesn't realize that it's a raccoon following her inside instead. "Come snuggle with Mama," she says. It's funny because everyone baby talks their pets just like that (admit it!).

Happy, Sad Objects

Such a great commercial: Everyday objects -- a purse, a sink, a mug of coffee -- seem to have sad or happy facial expressions. It's part of American Express's "Don't Take Chances, Take Charge," service that replaces items bought with their card. It's so simple and yet so elegant and (dare I say) kind of moving. The music (Suite No. 1 For Solo Cello In G Major by J.S. Bach) probably helps with that.

1982 Chanel No. 5 Ads "Share the Fantasy"

Two classic Chanel No. 5 ads from 1982. The first one ("Blue Sky") is directed by Ridley Scott, who would also direct "Blade Runner" that year. The second one is probably the one people remember more, with "Charles" and "Catherine" and the shadow of a plane flying over San Francisco's TransAmerica Building. In the first one, we see the plane's shadow fall over a woman lying at the edge of a pool. The song, "I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire," in the second one is by The Ink Spots.

Mr. Jiggles! (Doggy Day Care Bissell Ad)

I haven't seen this ad for a while (it's from 2005) but it really is terribly cute. A woman tells us she runs a doggy day care and that "things can get a little hectic, not to mention messy." Cut to a sad, shameful chihuahua who lets out an embarrassed little whimper when the woman chides him for peeing on the carpet. "Mr. Jiggles!" And then it's the Bissell ProHeat 2x to the rescue.

The video itself is not embeddable, so here's an image of Mr. Jiggles that will take you to it. This is not exactly the same ad that ran in U.S. markets, by the way. The woman's voice is dubbed with a much deeper one, perhaps for the U.K. market? (The link takes you to a "Telly Ads" site.)

Scooter-Riding Couple in Malaysia

There's something about this little ad, about a couple riding a scooter in Malaysia, that feels like a foreign film. Maybe that's over-stating it, but it's cool, urban and romantic, even though it's promoting Shell's "Let's Go" program about "using energy more efficiently." According to this forum on AdTunes, it's an original song by Eclectic called "Moving On."

And here's a blog by the guy who plays Kim about filming the commercial.

Gas for Life

This cool commercial shows one extremely hot guy as he tanks up, year after year after year, through the tight tees, the eventual pot belly, the Hawaiian shirts and finally the cane. Gas for Life, promises 76.

Dachshund Says 'Rub My Belly!'

This lovable doxie just wants her belly rubbed. Voiceover by David Duchovny.

Poseidon Mural: "Don't Paint Me!"

A guy is hypnotized by the Poseidon mural left behind by previous tenants in this Glidden Paint ad. "Don't paint me," Poseidon says, but the girlfriend (or wife) puts an end to that with a fresh paint roller.