Humour Cafe

Eye Catching Advertising Stunt

Once upon a time they were a common feature during soap operas in the 1950s.

But now Channel 4 has invoked the spirit of a bygone age with a live TV advert.

In a bid to try to stop the trend of viewers switching over when adverts come on the broadcaster planned an eye-catching advertising stunt.
The team of skydivers, jumping despite heavy cloud cover - forms the letter H

At 8.10pm on Thursday, during an advertising break for dinner party show Come Dine With Me, 19 skydivers, each with cameras took centre stage.

They had only three minutes and 20 seconds to spell out a message to viewers in a series of challenging formations over Madrid.

The £500,000 stunt, to promote Honda, featuring a team of international sky diving champions, has been given the go-ahead by Spanish officials.

But they had to keep an eye on the weather as forecasters were predicting rain when the action was due to take place.

Channel 4 has said no risks would be taken and that a rehearsal, filmed on Wednesday, would be used in its place if the live jump could not happen.

Broadcasters are increasingly likely to resort to attention grabbing tactics like this to get people to watch adverts.

The spread of personal video recorders like Sky+ means many can now simply skip the adverts, to avoid being given the hard sell.

The advert, inspired by Honda's phrase "If it's difficult it's worth doing" heralds the company's new advertising campaign, which launches on June 1.

The idea was developed by Channel 4 who is desperately trying to up its advertising revenue.

Last year the broadcaster revealed its first operating loss since 1992, with a fall in the number of people watching adverts.

The team of expert sky divers included European champion Phil Curtis, four world champions and nine national sky diving champions.

The advert, lasting 3 minutes and 20 seconds, saw the skydivers racing against time to make sure the commercial message reached British TV viewers.
Mission accomplished: Just in time before they have to pull their rip cords, the team forms the letter A

Andy Barnes, sales director, Channel 4, said: "This concept breaks the boundaries of the 'perceived' confines of TV advertising, which is something Channel 4 is striving to do."

The advertising market is already set for major changes in the coming months.

Regulators are expected to allow the introduction of some product placement in British TV shows.

On top of this Ofcom is looking at whether programmes could be allowed to be interrupted by scores more advertisements under a revamp of legislation.

It put forward proposals which could see an increase in the frequency and length of commercials on screen.

One option is allowing 30-minute shows programmes such as Coronation Street to double commercial breaks to two per episode or three for a 60-minute show.

What a bunch of Muppets

Watching TV classic The Muppets, do you ever think the furry puppets remind you of someone?

While most of Jim Henson's creations are based on creatures from the animal kingdom, their strikingly human characteristics and quirky personalities are remarkably similar to many of our favourite celebrities.

The most obvious likeness was between Big Brother 3 contestant Jade Goody and feisty Miss Piggy.

The former dental nurse was likened to Kermit's love interest by the press during her time on the reality show in 2002.

Troubled rocker Pete Doherty is the spitting image of Muppets character Crazy Harry.

The Babyshambles frontman appears to share personality traits with the pyrotechnics expert, who famously blew things up at the climax of a Muppets episode - he's known for his wild, unpredictable behaviour.

Down to his unkempt, scraggy hair, indie-style wardrobe, heavy bags under his eyes and a pale demeanour, Pete is a dead ringer for Crazy Harry.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Alistair Darling shares a remarkable amount of personality traits with Sam The Eagle, despite the obvious similarity of their heavy-set, black eyebrows - or a mono brow in Sam's case.

As the national symbol of the United States, Sam the Eagle feels a great deal of responsibility for his country and tries to keep order amongst his unruly Muppets - just as Alistair would do in his position of Chancellor.

With his cuddly appearance and friendly demeanour, Gavin & Stacey star James Cordon can be likened to one of the most popular Muppets Fozzie Bear.

Just like James, Fozzie is a comedian. But while James has fans in hysterics in the BBC comedy, Fozzie is subjected to heckling by disgrunted audiences listening to his terrible jokes.

Benidorm star and comedian Johnny Vegas reminds some of Junior Gorg - the youngest of the Gorg family from Muppets spin-off Fraggle Rock.

Both Johnny and Junior share a wide girth and a prominent chin and a scraggy hairstyle.

As prince of the universe, dim-witted Junior Gorg spends his days doing chores for his parents and planting radishes - a distant lifestyle from beer-swilling Johnny.

Troubled singer Amy Winehouse shares a few characteristics with The Electric Mayhem drummer Animal.

Both have musical talent, have a distinctive style and are known be quite vocal about their feelings.

While Amy's behaviour has been erratic over the last few months, the singer would stop short of eating her drums, as Animal is often predisposed to munch on his instruments.

Friday Night Project host Alan Carr shares a few physical attributes with Rizzo The Rat.

While Rizzo's eyesight appears to be just fine, the pair are noted for their prominent front teeth.

Other Muppets who share facial features with celebrities include Kermit The Frog and Coronation Street actress Helen Worth; Scooter and Chris Evans, Dr Bunsen Honeydrew and U.S. actor Willie Garson; daredevil Gonzo and Adrien Brody and The Electric Mayhem guitarist Janice and fashion designer Donatella Versace.
TV stalwarts: Coronation Street actress Helen Worth (Gail Platt) and Kermit The Frog
Ginger and proud: Bespectacled radio host Chris Evans and backstage gofer Scooter
Sex And The City star Willie Garson and resident Muppets scientist Dr Bunsen Honeydew
Romantic and daring: Adrien Brody takes on daring acting roles, while Gonzo prefers to go one step further and shoots himself out of cannon balls
Blonde-haired and luscious lipped: Hippy guitarist Janice has the same make-up style and hair at Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace

Indiana Jones has fallen prey to internet pranksters in this series of hilarious virals

Many entries have chosen to use star Harrison Ford's advancing years as inspiration for a remake of the long-awaited sequel Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, which hit UK cinemas last week.

Much ado has been made of Ford playing an action hero at the age of 65.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Lost Teeth: The old crusader in a toothless wonder hobbling around on a zimmer frame

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival over a week ago and has been met with mixed reviews from critics.

Ford has ignored comments about his age and critics, saying: "I expect to have the whip turned on me. I'm not really worried about it.

"I work for the people who pay to get in. They are my customers and my focus is on providing the best experience I can for those people."

Viral website FreakingNews.com has asked users to send in their digitally-altered images of past and present Indiana Jones movies and this is what they came up with
The quest for the denture tablets: Indiana Jones is seen reaching for Steradent - known for cleaning dentures
At home on the range: A retired, portly Indiana Jones passes his days chasing rabbits
Bush baiting: An anti-George W Bush artist had fun with this faux movie poster