Premier Inn - Big Time with Lenny Henry

21 February 2008 by Silky

“Hey, I’ve found something small time” Lenny Henry shouts to his manager.

Much to my amazement, it wasn’t his own reflection in his Premier Inn hotel room’s bathroom mirror but the bill at reception.

He then pulls a face as if he’s finally crapped out the funniest line he’s thought up in 25 long, mirthless years:

Note to Premier Inn: When trying to promote your updated, re-branded, and all together shiny budget hotels don’t use Lenny Henry as your figure head. A man who hasn’t been big time since the day before he first appeared on New Faces back in 1975 (OK, that’s unfair he was very funny as Trevor MacDoughnut on Tiswas but, honestly, that’s about it).

This advert stinks of cheapness, it really does.

12Responses:

Joanna Butler

February 22nd, 2008 3:38 pm

lol Trevor McDoughnut.

i’m suprised they didn’t have him dressed up as Theodore T.Wildebeest in these adverts.

very cringeworthy.

mind you, being married to Dawn French he probably does stay at these hotels to get some room in the bed.
Dave

February 22nd, 2008 8:16 pm

Something else small time the viewing figures for his last show.
Jonny Chestwig

February 24th, 2008 5:58 pm

“Some bread for my ‘companion’?” Is there something Mr Henry isn’t telling us? I wonder precisely when the last time he stayed in a Travelodge was. The man’s entire career is based on doing an impression of his mum with a carribean accent, about as funny as cot death.
Tristan

March 1st, 2008 1:25 pm

Hey guys you are all too harsh.

However this advert is terrible, why do it Lenny. The money was huge I’m sure but why not insist on a little sign off on the script.

PS if you did sign off that sctript you are nuts! Get Dawn to proof read next time.
andy w

May 5th, 2008 6:29 pm

who is the other guy in the ad who carries the suitcases at the end? was an actor but haven’t seen him in ages on the box
Dave

May 6th, 2008 2:34 pm

Andy I think it’s Nicholas Ball, he’s been in loads of stuff, last time playing a geriatric football hooligan in Eastenders.
Steve

May 7th, 2008 3:19 pm

I read somewhere that for the bit where he’s lying on the bed that they had to use a specially designed super king-size bed because he’s so fat now that he made their normal beds look too small.
Sorbus

May 12th, 2008 12:10 am

“Good afternoon sir?”

Daytime fun in a travel tavern? Surely not the kind of customer they want to show…

I wouldn’t want check in any earlier than need be in a place like that!
Bex

June 13th, 2008 9:31 am

TRAVELODGE ALL THE WAY!!! But is he on such a downer in his carreer that when his manager got him a room in that shithole he didn’t rip up his own contract…poor poor Lenny! OMG they could have done a McCain -style ad with Joseph and the Technicoloured Dream Coat…”Things aren’t going well, hey, locked up in a cell”…perfect if I say so myself….
mazie

August 4th, 2008 11:57 am

who honestly thinks that 78 a night at the PI I stay in is a SMALL price? christ…….its soooooooo expensive…
Alex Yarnell

August 4th, 2008 12:30 pm

Where did it all go wrong Lenny?
Baz

September 1st, 2008 8:50 am

I really didn’t get the advert and thought it was rather forgetable!