I am Jack Bauer
August 26th, 2007Correct me if I’m wrong, but the whole 24 phenomenon in the USA goes basically like this:
- Serious show “24” comes out.
- Serious commercials advertise it.
- People watch it serously.
- After a while, the amount of near-death-misses and shouting scenes and repetition makes people enjoy it in a non-serious way.
- “24” remains serious.
- Commercials for “24” remain serious, ignoring the fact that people now enjoy it in a drinking-game kinda taking-the-piss kinda way.
In Japan, the process has been similar but slightly different:
- Serious show “24” comes out.
- Serious commercials advertise it.
- People watch it serously.
- After a while, the amount of near-death-misses and shouting scenes and repetition makes people enjoy it in a non-serious way.
- “24” remains serious.
- Commercials for “24” fully embrace the fact that people watch it non-seriously.
There are some great ads for “24” on now. Here’s the first:
Lyrics (sung by the guy who does Jack’s voice in Japanese): “I am Jack Bauer. I am always in a pinch. I am Jack Bauer. I somehow manage to avoid getting killed.”
There are also versions with the following lyrics (same music):
“I am Jack Bauer. I take orders from no-one. I am Jack Bauer. I get everyone in trouble.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I get pissed off quickly. I am Jack Bauer. I’m going to get everyone in trouble again today.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I do not compromise. I am Jack Bauer. I get everyone in trouble.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I’m quick to anger. I am Jack Bauer. I’m actually a crybaby.”
“I am Jack Bauer. People who don’t confess – I am Jack Bauer – I beat them up.”
“I am Jack Bauer. My mobile is amazing. I am Jack Bauer. My phone bill is amazing too.”
“I am Jack Bauer. My phone bill is amazing. I am Jack Bauer. I’ll pay it with my business expense account.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I hit people right away. I am Jack Bauer. I hit people right away.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I take no orders. I am Jack Bauer. Then people get mad at me.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I’m always up all night. I am Jack Bauer. Sometimes I nod off.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I work hard. I am Jack Bauer. My family life is terrible.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I love America. I am Jack Bauer. China is scary.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I’m good in a pinch. I am Jack Bauer. When it comes to my daughter I’m weak.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I love my daughter. I am Jack Bauer. Therapists piss me off.”
“I am Jack Bauer. I always repeat myself. I am Jack Bauer. I’m always saying ‘Damn it!’.”
“I am Jack Bauer. When suspects don’t confess – I am Jack Bauer – I put my face really close to theirs.”
August 27th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
24? That was the show where they torture a lot of people right?
That’s what you get in a country hell bent on suppressing its sex drive – it just comes out another angle driving people to war and torture!
August 28th, 2007 at 9:18 am
“Torture fantasies” and “navigating Los Angeles without traffic jam” fantasies.