Safestyle UK – Frank Sidebottom
21 January 2008 by SilkyFrank Sidebottom – what’s he all about then?
Maybe he’s a Marmite comedian and there’s certainly plenty of people who love him fanatically but I’m not one of them.
I just don’t get Frank Sidebottom. I’ve never understood the joke. Why the papier mache head? Why Little Frank? Why the keyboard and songs? No, I don’t get it.
I know that this declaration might lead to people trying to tell me how great he is in the comments but, please, don’t bother. Trying to explain why you think a comedian is funny to someone who doesn’t think they’re funny is a bit like trying to explain to a friend why you fancy their Mum. They might understand but they’re never going to agree.
Frank Sidebottom is undeniably Northern though with his broad Manchester accent and a songbook full of tributes to Timperley. Which is probably why he fits in so well to the Safestyle UK adverts – a company that too is very true to it’s Northern roots.
Previous *stars* of their adverts have included Ken Morley from Northern soap opera Coronation Street, that Northern bloke who shouts “Buy One Get One Free” and Northern 80′s comedy legends Cannon and Ball:
And to be fair to Safestyle UK they’re probably making the best of a bad job. Double-glazing salesmen still have to battle with the reputation for being failed vacuum cleaner salesmen and having so few morals that they’d make the average paedophile “tut” loudly and disapprovingly shake their head. So why try too hard when you are always fighting a losing battle?
Which is possibly why the Safestyle ads always seem to be low-budget, slightly tawdry affairs (their enthusiastic use of the cringe-worthy “BOGOF” abbreviation is a case in point) but combining it with, the now very has-been, Frank Sidebottom has really sunk the adverts to a new low.
I mean, Frank Sidebottom. What’s he all about then?
Anyways, as I was saying, what I really like about your mother is the playful glint in her eyes, the tenderness of her touch and her absolutely, staggeringly, massive breasts….
(PS: I can’t find an online version of the Frank advert yet but as soon as I do, I’ll post a link to it)
Just How Bad is this Ad?
(20 votes, average: 4.45 out of 5)
15Responses:
Keith
Said on the 22 January 2008
I still like Cannon and Ball, but have you noticed how everyone in these commercial shouts at the top of their voices and repeat themselves I said repeat themselves.
Barry
Said on the 24 January 2008
The “I said you buy one, you get one free!” troll like gentleman who used to feature in these adverts is an ex employer of mine.
He is one of the owners of an ambulance-chasing legal service in Didsbury, Manchester.
Many is the time I stop and remember him goosestepping round the office to ‘Baggy Trousers’ by Madness.
I lasted 3 weeks.
Twat.
David
Said on the 12 August 2008
I am equally baffled as to what Frank Sidebottom is all about. Love Vic Reeves Big Night Out, John Shuttleworth, Count Arthur Strong, Snuffbox, The Mighty Boosh so I actually prefer humour thats is different and edgy but this Sidebottom character is just creepy and unfunny.
Jamie
Said on the 16 August 2008
Frank Sidebottom is a legend. End of.
He really is !!
David
Said on the 17 August 2008
No he’s not. End of
Brodie
Said on the 3 September 2008
I have over 800 (watch 400, get 400 free) of these babies to upload and can even arrange a autograph session with the director!!
Ps: the acronym BOGOF was created for a safestyle ad back in 96
King Wiz
Said on the 6 September 2008
…what? Safestyle did NOT create BOGOF you cretin.
Xai
Said on the 5 October 2008
Legend indeed – definitely end of!
me
Said on the 28 November 2008
A little known fact but absolutely true – BOGOF was originally created for a safestyle ad back in the mid 90′s – its now so entrenched within everyday sales offers people seem to think its been around forever
If King Wiz stoped taking the stuff he’d be less of a cretin
benny jenks
Said on the 3 January 2009
INGRATES!!!!!!!!!! HOW COULD A GENIUS OF FRANK’S CALIBRE APPEAR ON THIS LIST
F**KING BAFOONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Russ The Webmaster
Said on the 22 March 2009
well frank………. he is a comic genius, if people don’t get it then they are the ones who should be slagged off not the adverts….. Frank not funny…… go to one of his gig’s take the kids! that’s right take the kids you will all find it funny…….. AND THATS THE DIFFERENCE!!!!!
robert
Said on the 29 August 2009
fited by cowboys
Another Ad Hater
Said on the 29 August 2009
Safestyle = FAIL!
The latest ad tells us to “READ THE RED WRITING” but I’d rather read the small white writing at the bottom of the screen and gasp in shock at the fucking ridiculous HIGH RATE of the APR! 24.6%?! WTF?!
Now just look at how much more you have to pay. Example price is £3,300 and you have to pay like £65.83 per month for the next 120 MONTHS or 10 FUCKING YEARS! Then the actual price you have to pay is £8,034.60 PLUS £75 acceptance fee. That’s like more than DOUBLE the original fucking price! How do people fall for this shit? You might as well be taking out a fucking loan!
B.O.G.O.F? No, I’d rather this advert would F.U.C.K.O.F.F!
In the end, Safestyle UK are a bunch off CON ARTISTS!
CovertJellyfish
Said on the 2 October 2009
The only thing I want to know is “Do they have a gadget which closes the blinds automatically for you?”
yes
Said on the 12 May 2010
Frank sidebottom owns your ma, and is legendary end of.
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