Talk To Frank – Pablo The Dog – A Darker Side to Coke
9 December 2008 by SilkyHere’s the latest Talk To Frank advert that – just like the drug it’s warning the youth of today about – has got the media buzzing their nuts off:
Yes, everyone in the media is talking about this advert – at least, they were on The Wright Stuff yesterday. Amazingly, Matthew Wright criticized the advert for being “condescending” – which is a bit like TV’s Worst Adverts critisizing the advert for “not being funny”.
Anyway, one thing that’s got the average Daily Mail reader vomiting blood into their cereals is the fact that this advert took 1 million of our hard earned, tax payers pounds to make. What’s more it’s aimed a 15 to 18 year olds, who had their good-for-nothing parents given them more jolly good thrashings when they were young wouldn’t be doing drugs in the fist place!
It’s a bloody outrage!
But it seems like a pretty good investment, after all, it can’t be cheap to teach a dog to talk and surely he can be used for other things… what’s that?
It’s not a real talking dog?
Oh, well don’t I feel rather foolish now? I wonder how much of the million they wasted before they realised the dog just wasn’t going to speak? I wonder if it was more or less than they paid David Mitchell?
Although I think the ad depicts the darker side of the cocaine trade in a pretty engaging way I’m not – and this will come as a massive shock to some of you – a 15 to 18 year potential coke user.
So what do you think?
Do you think that this advert will put you off ever trying coke or was it a massive waste of tax payers cash that does nothing patronise, you poor ickle sweetie pies?
Will this advert make you think twice about trying coke even though you were poised with a rolled up tenner half way up your nostril when it came on the tele or will it make you want to slice a dog in two just to see if you can get it in to a club?
Tell me, young folk!
TELL ME!
(In the comments below).
Just How Bad is this Ad?
(41 votes, average: 2.37 out of 5)
48Responses:
lisa
Said on the 9 December 2008
I think this advert is ridiculous!
I dont think in any way, it puts you off wanting to take drugs and in actual fact it makes a total mockery of it!!
Stinky
Said on the 10 December 2008
Anti drugs adverts don’t work full stop. At least this one has a cute little dog and David Mitchell in it.
Aw.
Blossom
Said on the 10 December 2008
Hmmm the only people this advert is going to make go “OH NO THE HORROR” are the type of people who would never touch drugs anyway. In fact I reckon the stereotypical hoody, knuckle scraping teenager stood next to a bin full of burning grannys (And yes I have stolen that phrase from somewhere but can’t recall where) would think that snorting dead dog dust was well cool and hard…
Also anti ANYTHING adverts never work with me.. just like whenever the stop smoking ads come on and usually REMIND me its time for a fag!
Bloss
JIM
Said on the 10 December 2008
This advert is fucking brilliant you moron. It’s better than reading you’re bollocks article.
Furthermore, why have a website about TV’s worst adverts? Why not get a life or at least bitch about something else.
I only visited this site to find a video of this quality advert so I can watch it AGAIN.
Silky
Said on the 10 December 2008
Thanks for the comment, Jim.
Could you do me a favour? Could you point out to me the bit the bit where I “bitch” about the Pablo the Dog advert?
I’m too moronic to see it…
Ciara
Said on the 10 December 2008
To be honest, I kinda like this advert. “I picked up the phone… somehow”. I enjoyed that line.
However, both why and how the dog is cut open and presumably dead initially and then talking to Frank alive and well towards the end is somewhat confusing. If I have misinterpreted this scenario then I am a fool.
So yeah, I suppose I actually came to the conclusion there that I’m indifferent. I’m not like Jim though, I love this website.
Silky
Said on the 10 December 2008
That line made me laugh too, Ciara. Oh and I’m glad you like TWA
Simon Breadbin
Said on the 11 December 2008
Hurrah for Jim. Imbued with the confidence of the truly ignorant, he doesn’t put a foot wrong……evAr. As if this patronising pile of arse is going to put anybody off. The script should read, ‘Coke is overrated, pricey as hell, turns you in a boring arsehole and makes your nose hurt the next day. After a couple of goes you’ll either lose interest like most people do or you’ll find yourself sucking your dealer off for half a gram, in which case you’re irredeemably shit and deserve to die anyway’.
Marsten
Said on the 12 December 2008
Personally, I think this advert is totally awesome. So much so that it’s totally sold me on the idea of doing coke, I’m definitely going to try it now!
Simon
Said on the 12 December 2008
I love it, it’s like a Peepshow out-take, but they should have used Super Hans as well. Perhaps he’s being saved for the one about crack.
Sizel
Said on the 12 December 2008
I dig this add. Condescending, trivialising and light hearted, it beats the hell out of being brainwashed by all the cold and flu remedies out there.
Can’t wait for the Crack Whore Kangaroo ad…
Pete
Said on the 14 December 2008
Let me start by saying I’m by no means a drug addict, but I have enjoyed (and probably will enjoy in the future) lines of coke here and there in moderation.
As a “user” (for want of a better term) I was rather shocked to find out that they use animals to bring the stuff into the country, I think you’d have to have a heart of stone to not be upset by that, however after that rather shocking start, the whole thing seems to be almost a little tounge in cheek.
I found myself laughing hysterically at the:
“Can you lend us a tenner?”
“…No, I’m a dog…. obviously”
Perhaps it’s just my sense of humour, but if you’re trying to persuade young people to not do drugs in the first place, I wonder if coming at it with a sense of humour is the best angle. To be honest, I’m not really sure if you can stop a curious person taking drugs without showing them stuff far too graphic to ever be on television in the first place. It’s a tricky problem…..
Oh and I would just like to say regarding “…..their good-for-nothing parents given them more jolly good thrashings when they were young wouldn’t be doing drugs in the fist place!”. I was raised very well by my parents, I (like to think I) have a very good set of morals, and also wherever and whenever I can I always consider others before my self and try to do “the right thing”. Not everyone that casually enjoys drugs can be labled as some hapless waste of space in a track suit who’s only concern is getting their giro and bunging it up their nose as soon as possible.
Finally, I don’t advocate the use of drugs. To each their own, some people will, some people won’t. I just wanted to pass on my opinon, the ad hasn’t changed my stance on Cocaine.
Pete
joe
Said on the 15 December 2008
I’m upset David Mitchell would be in such a shit advert to be honest… I think a bit of coke might cheer me up.
Marty
Said on the 18 December 2008
I think it’s fine, it IS conscending, but that’s the whole point. It’s mocking the whole thing, it’s saying “Look how stupid all this drug malarky is, it’s not big and it’s not clever.” The use of David Mitchell’s recognisable voice is somewhat effective as we (those who watch it anyway) relate it to his Peepshow character (who happens to not be into drug-use), who also tends to point out who stupid and ridiculous things are.
Whilst I agree that a television advert attempting to put us off drugs is never really going to make a difference, and I was surprised to read that it cost that much to make, the ad is different. And I have no real problems with it.
rob c
Said on the 19 December 2008
personally I think coke is for mugs
Ciara
Said on the 21 December 2008
Pete, I don’t know who you are, but you’re pretty hilarious and I agree.
samn
Said on the 21 December 2008
The advert is good – i like the humor. It’s not made to stop people doing coke — how can a 30sec ad do that?! It’s to get you onto the talk-2-frank website.
And to be honest, it would stop me doing it — i like animals, and dont like the idea that a little dog got cut up to have coke.
jonty
Said on the 2 January 2009
there is absoulty nothin wrong with this advert
its brilliant pablo the dog then i pick up the fone somhow lol
but anyway its good and funny
Stan
Said on the 6 January 2009
I like this ad
using the guy from peepshow i think is effective as his character wouldnt know shit about drugs. the dogs perspective is obviously that of an innocent nature, and the way he interprets things is quite funny i think.
No, adverts wont stop drug abusers.. we know this, to all those stating the obvious
I think the mockery of it is a good angle to go at, as its basically asking ‘what the fuck are you doing to yourself. idiot’ – yet the condesending part is less obvious coz it’s coming from Pablo! Bless his little spilling guts.
Stan
Said on the 6 January 2009
JIM is a bit angry I think, he must feel very strongly for Pablo. he does have charm ..
I Love this site. call it bitching. who doesn’t love a good bitch? to appreciate the good ads you need to recognise the crap thats churned out. A site like this is going to, and has proven to provoke reactions. more interesting I think. Anyone that’s going into advertising MUST have an opinion. I know i get really upset when bad ads come on the screen. in particular loan/claim ads and that bloody Baileys ad with the lips. everything down to the stupid plop noise at the end irritates me!!!
see. opinion! welldone Silky with this site
Chris
Said on the 21 January 2009
I actually quite like this advert… thought it was funny…
what’s the big deal with coke?
Jade
Said on the 22 January 2009
If anything, this advert puts a ‘lighter’ side on drugs – and makes little sense.
But really, if you are going to do drugs in the first place..would an advert put you off?
Georgia
Said on the 25 January 2009
I really like this advert. Long live Pablo the Drug Mule!
Stacey
Said on the 26 January 2009
I think it’s a good advert. It makes you think, is wasting your money and damaging your health worth hurting a dog?
Dave
Said on the 28 January 2009
I think this is disgraceful
Substance misuse worker
Said on the 28 January 2009
I am a Drug and alcohol worker in the West Midlands, and this advert only makes life for those working in the field much harder.
Why? It is a complete and blatant lie.
It starts on the premise that Pablo the dog has been used to smuggle drugs into this country. I don’t think I need to tell even the most strung out substance user out there this one simple fact..
– IT IS FAR EASIER TO SMUGGLE 100 KILOS OF COCAINE INTO THE UK THAN TO SMUGGLE A SMALL DOG INTO THIS COUNTRY-
So why the hell would someone bother putting what would only be a very small ammount of coke into a very small dog and bother to smuggle it through customs?
Even under the “Pet passport” scheme the chances of getting away with what would be an extremely risky, complicated and drawn out scheme with very little financial reward are less than slim.
People, and even children, are used to smuggle substances in this way – and sometimes, yes, they end up sliced open and left for dead in a dingey basement – thats the reality of organised crime for you. Why not show the reality instead of this blatant falsehood ?
Or are we being asked to believe that the dog was surrendered to quarrantine, held for six months and then released back to the importer without the customs officers detecting its presence? All for a few onces of cocaine? Not likely either.
Drug traffickers don’t work that way. I know it, you know it and most importantly the people this advert is aimed at know this too.
This advert isn’t just “bad”, it has done untold damage to the work and reputation of the agencies that are (forced) to be associated with “Frank” and taken away any credibility that “Frank” ever had – And its cost us a shed load of money that could be used elsewhere, nice work “Frank”.
Rule number one when dealing with people, especially substance users in teatment – you have to build trust, you are straight with them and you never lie to them, because one lie could undo years of good work and send someone back to square one, substance users don’t trust people in authority easily and this idiotic advert won’t help one bit. One of the biggest problems in the substance misuse treatment field is some agencies today (especially the NTA – the governing body in the UK) force workers to lie to clients or with hold imformation that could save lives, usually for financial reasons.
And as for it being aimed at “younger” people to discourage using coke – they are no fools either, stop trying to patronise them and mayb’e you get somewhere. If someones going to use coke or any other drug tell them the truth and let them make their own choice. If you are talking about cocaine users (as opposed to “Crack cocaine” users – which is a different ballgame) in the UK most are people who work hard all week and use at weekends. The money this advert cost would have been better spent warning them about the very genuine risks of mixing coke and alcohol than talking pish about dog drug mules.
Substance misuse worker
Said on the 28 January 2009
Just as a follow up to my earlier comment, I have done a little digging on the story behind this advert.
According to the official sources, the story of “Pablo the drug mule dog” is based on a true incident – want to know the truth behind it?
Well, it happened in 2003 and someone cooked up the scheme to obtain “Pet passports” for two pedigree dogs and took them out of the country for a “dog show”. On attempting to return to the UK they had to be inspect by a vet, who noticed the freshly sewn up scars and the bags of cocaine sewn up into the dogs.
“Pablo” didn’t die after being hacked open by some vivious drug dealer in a basement – he died when the vet tried to remove the package and it burst. (The other dog survived the procedure.) About one and a half Kilos of cocaine where recovered.
Well done on telling it like it is there “Frank” !
funky fun
Said on the 1 February 2009
Brrraaaap to Pablo the dog mule……. priceless xxx
Lorraine Seed
Said on the 2 February 2009
This is an excellent advert designed to inform children not to use drugs. This is a real life situation for many young innocent people who are going to be faced with drugs.
I myself know a friend who died of an accidental drug overdose and he was 19 years old.
More information available and help lines are needed so YES it is upsetting for people to see the truth about drugs and drug dealers.
The best advert ever made – Rest In Peace Pablo the drug dealers dog
Nicki
Said on the 3 February 2009
Let’s face it, if you’re paying your TV licence you’re not on coke. If your parents are paying the TV licence because you still live at home, your a student with no money for coke. And if you are on coke, the last thing that’s going to make you stop taking one of the most highly addictive substances on the planet, is a dog with the voice of David Mitchell.
I like the advert, if you ask me it’s pretty hilarious, but as to whether it will stop kids taking coke, I doubt it!
Nick
Said on the 7 February 2009
I’m bleeding… yes… yes you are
That line made me chuckle, along with “Could you spare us a tenner? Well.. i’m a dog, obviously”
pabbers
Said on the 20 February 2009
this is a fantastic advert and it brings humour to what is a sad pathetic situation idiot Labour have let get out of control-more drugs on our streets than ever before
Not good for parents with young kids growing up in this labour ruined country
not only drugs everywhere but HIV spreading- idiot incompetant labour
viva pabbers
pabbers
Said on the 20 February 2009
fantastically written comic lines worth every penneth
cath
Said on the 22 February 2009
Advert brilliant but do not think it will stop people from using. I am a mum of a 28yr old drug addict, she was well brought up, had everything, own house, a kid, a good job, but now the gutter is calling. No amount of adverts, whatever will make these people think or stop. If drugs were legalised in a controlled way, what would happen to dealers and profits?
cath
Said on the 22 February 2009
To the drug workers, well done on a job that must be futile. To hand out methadone knowing that these people sell it on for a bag, or a rock, well done. I have been to the drug team with my daughter, and as soon as these people come out of the clinic, they sell it on, they defy urine tests, how many negatives have i seen, but then witnessed symptoms of drug use hours later. Paranoia, auditory hallucinations, delusions, you want to try living with one of these people, it is scary. Having your own daughter barricading herself in the bedroom thinking someone is in the loft, garden convinced that some one has put something about her on facebook, believe me you would not want to live with that. Oh and lets not forget about the self harming which comes as a package with crack. So if any of you youngsters out their think that coke is cool, believe me you haven’t got a clue.Stay away from it.
darox
Said on the 5 May 2009
This advert is actually hilarious. For the simple fact the dog is so cute & funny
the line.. “could you spare us a tenner?” “ehh? no! im a dog?!” .. that amused me i must admit. But then again it doesn’t make me want to say no to cocaine? In all honesty I think it makes drugs look good rather than bad? The fact the man in the club says everybody’s doing it Pablo? he just makes it look good I think other than bad. there’s more positives than there is negatives. the only negatives in that is that you don’t know what its cut with & you can go a bit paranoid on it. other than that, this advert makes cocaine look cool
CovertJellyfish
Said on the 10 May 2009
See kids, take drugs and you too can write a post like the last one.
Dan
Said on the 3 July 2009
I honestly couldn’t care if this ad puts people off doing coke. All I care about is that I got a laugh out of it.
Thus, this Ad is a Bad Ad because it fails at doing it’s intended job… but… but it’s a Good Ad because it’s funny… err…
My brain hurts.
fleagle
Said on the 29 July 2009
All the ” talk to frank” adverts are just funny, and I cant imagine in any way they would influence people not to do drugs, in fact they are even funnier if you’re stoned.
lasy
Said on the 10 September 2009
I am a dog and im really offended by this i work, well use to work now im retired, but i worked hard all my life and stayed away from drugs.
Lassie
Said on the 12 October 2009
I enjoy the spelling of Lassie above me.
Anyway, FOOLS, the whole point of TalK To Frank is not necessarily just to deter us would-be-coke-addicts from ever touching the lethal stuff. It also has a pretty good service on how to use them safely, advising what to do for over-dose etc… It’s not an anti-drugs company but an informative one, to offer support, information etc.
So, yeah, it is a good advert. I like the dog.
Also like this site. Will help me answer application questions of ‘what’s the worst advert’. Cheers.
Tim
Said on the 14 October 2009
I’m confused is this an anti drug advert or an anti prohibition advert?
satan
Said on the 21 October 2009
Showing videos of people taking coke only want to make you try it, and now you knw how with the advert showing you HOW 2! These frank video shouldn’t b shown unless people who want to find out about coke should watch the video not everyone thats watching T.V. I like to change the channel not to give anyone in my family any idea on how to take it! If you want to stop it really stop it cut it out in films/music/TV it all around us now! and getting pushed on to the young ones.
Daniel Newton
Said on the 23 October 2009
I hate this advert, I donate alot of money to the Dogs Trust to help prevent such things as this happning to dogs, then they go and show this load of shite giving people the idea to hack there dog to death and smuugle drugs!
What really pisses me off also is the fact they have that pratt from peep show narrating, I cannot stand him or his stupid high pitch voice (has this ‘man’ no balls?)
CovertJellyfish
Said on the 23 October 2009
He has freakishly odd balls, apparently…
It’s amazing the number of oddballs in the world.. I thought they always came in pairs….
Anthony
Said on the 20 November 2009
I can so easily visualise the media types in their coke-fuelled brainstorming session that produced this concept.
Dannii
Said on the 14 January 2010
well actually i think its quite good mate
im 16 yeah and i never knew bout this affects and stuff right and it was david mitchells voice that actually made me pay attention to the advert so stop dissin it
Jake Walker
Said on the 29 January 2010
Oh please, “it was david mitchells voice that actually made me pay attention” – well I’m sick of fucking hearing the twats voice and seeing this bloody advert, yes ‘talk to frank’ where all now aware of the effects so please fuck off and stop randomly showing this piece of shit.