Real Men of Genius
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Real Men of Genius is a popular long-running humorous series of one-minute-long American radio advertisements for Bud Light beer created by Bob Winter, a copywriter at DDB Chicago. Each sixty-second ad pays mock tribute to an "unsung hero". The series began in 1999 and was originally called Real American Heroes. The name was changed after the 9/11 attacks, as Anheuser-Busch felt that they could not morally continue to use the term "hero" in that context after so many people had performed what many felt to be genuine acts of heroism. As of 2006, over 100 installments in the series have been produced. Winter's campaign has since become the most award-winning radio campaign in the history of advertising. Television versions have also been produced of some of these spots beginning in 2003. The first two TV versions were "Mr. Footlong Hot Dog Inventor" and "Mr. Really Bad Toupee Wearer".
The ads feature a somber-but-sarcastic announcer (Pete Stacker) and an unctuous rock singer who echoes the announcer's sentiments over schmaltzy "dramatic" piano music. The rock singer's vocals are by original Survivor lead singer David Bickler (who oddly enough met Survivor co-founder Jim Peterik while doing commercial jingles in the mid 1970s) and is known for such songs as Eye Of The Tiger, Poor Man's Son, Caught In The Game, American Heartbeat & Rebel Girl. The music, designed to spoof the 1980s power ballad and 1980s advertising, was composed by Sam Struyk and Sandy Torano at Scandal Music, Chicago. A female gospel-style chorus is also heard in many of the ads.
The popularity of the series, which is seen as a parody of 1980s beer advertising (including Budweiser's own from that era), led to many of the commercials being traded on peer to peer file sharing networks.
Starting in 2006 some of the commercials were recorded as 30 second spots. This was done to accommodate the desire of Clear Channel Radio and other radio companies to air shorter commercial breaks.
In the fall of 2006, Anheuser-Busch sponsored a comedy tour titled "Real Men of Comedy" starring John Heffron, Joe Rogan, and Charlie Murphy. This tour featured the announcer and singer from the Real Men of Genius commercials performing several of their famous commercials at the beginning of the show.
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[edit] Influence on popular culture
Parodies of the series have been created, including:
- The George Washington University Law School Law Revue parodied the ad with a version called "Real Men of Law School."" [1]
- At one point in the movie Meet The Spartans, a parody is done called “Mr. Warmongering Latent Homosexual”
- Juxtaposition, a Virginia Tech men's a cappella group parodied the popular ad with their version called "Real Hokies of Genius".
- The online film site atomfilms.com features a video entitled "Real men of the Empire"[2], in which a fictional "Corellian Ale" company in the Star Wars universe pays tribute to "Mr. Death Star Gunner".
- SeaWorld plays parodies of the "Real Men of Genius" commercials during a few of their shows - these too are produced with the same voice actors and have the same lyrics (except of course the Mr. Genius).
- A Minneapolis radio station, after 9/11, parodied the ads with real F(bleep)ing S(bleep)bags, featuring Osama Bin Laden as the subject.
- Radio shock jock Mancow parodied "Real Men of Genius" on his radio talk show, calling it "Mr. 18-Wheeler Mother Trucker."
- Radio talk show host Glenn Beck parodies the ads as "Real American A-Holes".
- In his latest CD, "Never Scared" Chris Rock spoofs this with "Real People of Ignorance". There were 2 installments of this: "Mr. Friend of a Rap Star" and "Ms. Girl With A Tattoo On Her Pussy".
- "Real Otaku Heroes," celebrating bizarre parts of anime fandom.[3]
- Real Men of Genius have also recorded parodies of these ads for the Bob and Tom Show.
- Rep. Mark Green, the Republican candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in 2006, had a radio political attack ad called Wisconsin Men of Greed which questioned Governor Jim Doyle's tax policies. The political ad used the same style as the Real Men of Genius ads, though with a different announcer (Doug Jeffers) and singer than the Bud Light campaign [4].
- An ad series called "Real Scouts of Genius" was produced by members of the staff of Yawgoog Scout Reservation sporadically since 2006.
- Other political attack ads in Minnesota and Texas also took on an imitative theme of the Real Men of Genius ads in the closing days of the 2006 midterm election campaign [5] [6].
- Voice actors Vic Mignogna and Steven Blum have started producing "Real Fans of Genius", which parody stereotypical anime fans.
- The G4 television show X-Play once parodied this segment using people who have done bad things in designing video gaming; the segment was called "Real Buttholes of Gaming", and two of these aired in the same episode, which aired in the summer of 2005.
- During some Sea World employee training videos, certain job positions are presented in the commercial format
The singers of "Real Men of Genius" also make appearances at professional sporting events to perform tributes to home teams and fans in the commercials' format. Known appearances include:
- Bank of America Stadium, with a song dedicated to all the Carolina Panthers fans.
- Reliant Stadium, dedicating a song to all Houston Texans fans.
- Invesco Field at Mile High, with a song for Denver Broncos fans.
- Edward Jones Dome, with a song for St. Louis Rams fans.
- Safeco Field on May 18, 2007, where they performed a song dedicated to Seattle Mariners fans and the city of Seattle. Earlier that same day, they performed two songs live on The Men's Room early afternoon radio program on Seattle's local rock station, KISW-FM.
- LP Field in Nashville where they paid tribute to Coach Jeff Fisher's headset as well as the Titans fans.
- On 93.7 The Arrow a classic rock radio station in Houston, Texas where they paid tribute to radio morning show hosts "Dean and Rog"
- On April 18, 2007, they performed an ode to Sacramento Kings fans referring to them as "fans of genius" due to their well-known loyalty to their team, and willingness to stay until the end of the game. The mock-tribute was also meant to poke fun at the Los Angeles Lakers (who were playing the Kings that night), as Lakers' fans are stereotypically believed to be more interested in talking on their cell-phones and leaving early to beat the traffic, than actually watching the game.
- The Real Men of Genius singers did a song for Sportsradio 610am in Houston named "Mr. Preposterous Trade Proposer". This song was aired quite frequently for several months.
- A television commercial advertising the fourth episode of Meerkat Manor's third season parodies the Real Men of Genius ads.
- Following the widespread banning of dodgeball from schools nationwide, and Rod Ryan's, a Houston disc jockey for 94.5 The Buzz, proactive formation of the Houston Dodgeball Association (HoDA), a Real Men of Genius commercial was made saluting Mr Dodgeball Resurrector.
- Real Estate Blogger Dr. Housing Bubble writes a recurring set of articles entitled "Real Homes of Genius".
- In the browser based MMO, Urban Dead, players have taken to sending out radio transmissions parodying Real Men of Genius, except about annoying players in game, such as Combat Revivers
[edit] List of Known Commercials
2000 commercials
- Mr. Bass Plaque Maker
- Mr. Bowling Shoe Giver Outer
- Mr. Bumper Sticker Writer
- Mr. Chinese Food Delivery Guy
- Mr. Driving Range Ball Picker Upper
- Mr. Fake Tattoo Inventor
- Mr. Foot Long Hot Dog Inventor
- Mr. Fortune Cookie Fortune Writer
- Mr. Garden Gnome Maker
- Mr. Giant Foam Finger Maker
- Mr. Hawaiian Shirt Pattern Designer
- Mr. Inspirational Poster Writer
- Mr. Jelly Donut Filler
- Mr. Losing Locker Room Reporter
- Mr. Major League Infield Raker
- Mr. Male Football Cheerleader
- Mr. Outside the Stadium Peanut Seller
- Mr. Parking Attendant Flashlight Waver
- Mr. Pickled Pig's Feet Eater
- Mr. Pit Crew Water Bottle Squirter
- Mr. Pro Wrestling Wardrobe Designer
- Mr. Professional Movie Extra Guy
- Mr. Putt Putt Golf Course Designer
- Mr. Really Bad Toupee Wearer
- Mr. Supermarket Deli Meat Slicer
- Mr. Underwear Inspector #12
- Mr. Wrecking Ball Operator
2001 commercials
- Mr. All You Can Eat Buffet Inventor
- Mr. Camouflage Suit Maker
- Mr. Company Computer Guy
- Mr. Edible Underwear Maker
- Mr. Experimental Medications Tester
- Mr. Golf Ball Washer Inventor
- Mr. Hockey Organ Player
- Mr. Horsedrawn Carriage Driver
- Mr. Male Fur Coat Wearer
- Mr. Nudist Colony Activity Coordinator
- Mr. Professional Figure Skater
- Mr. Professional Movie Extra Guy
- Mr. Renaissance Fair Performer
- Mr. Restroom Toilet Paper Re-Filler
- Mr. Supermarket Free Sample Guy
- Mr. Wedding Band Guitar Player
2002 commercials
- Mr. Airport Baggage Handler
- Mr. Athletic Groin Protector Inventor
- Mr. Beach Metal Detector Guy
- Mr. Boombox Carrying Rollerskater
- Mr. Centerfold Retoucher
- Mr. Fancy Coffee Shop Coffee Pourer
- Mr. Fancy Restaurant Valet Guy
- Mr. Giant Inflatable Pink Gorilla Maker
- Mr. Giant Taco Salad Inventor
- Mr. Handlebar Mustache Wearer
- Mr. Hollywood Plastic Surgeon
- Mr. Parade Float Driver
- Mr. Silent Killer Gas Passer
- Mr. Souvenir Snow Globe Maker
- Mr. Sports Fan Face Painter
- Mr. Tiny Thong Bikini Wearer
- Mr. Tuxedo Shop Tux Renter
- Mr. Used Car Lot Auto Salesman
2003 commercials
- Mr. Airline Meal Chef
- Mr. Art School Model Guy
- Mr. Baseball Designated Hitter
- Mr. Books on Tape Inventor
- Mr. Cargo Pants Designer
- Mr. Civil War Battle Re-Enactor
- Mr. Cruise Ship Entertainer
- Mr. Discount Suit Salesman
- Mr. Dishonest Cable TV Hooker Upper
- Mr. Furniture Assembly Manual Writer
- Mr. Giant Pocket Knife Inventor
- Mr. Grocery Store Cart Wrangler (TV)
- Mr. Homemade Pontoon Boat Maker
- Mr. In the Car Nose Picker
- Mr. Major Highway Line Painter
- Mr. Movie Theater Ticket Ripper Upper
- Mr. Multi Colored Sweater Wearer
- Mr. Next Day Carpet Installer
- Mr. Pet Toy Designer
- Mr. Pro Sports Heckler Guy
- Mr. Push Up Bra Inventor
- Mr. Really Big Pet Snake Owner
- Mr. Really Large Body Building Guy
- Mr. Really Stinky Breath Breather Outer
- Mr. Really, Really, Really Bad Dancer
- Mr. Street Lamp Bulb Screwer-Inner
- Mr. Way Too Much Cologne Wearer
2004 commercials
- Mr. Accordion Player Guy
- Mr. Adult Film Movie Actor Guy
- Mr. Animal Husbandry Expert
- Mr. Bathroom Stall Dirty Joke Writer
- Mr. Clip on Tie Inventor
- Mr. Discount Airline Pilot Guy
- Mr. Doctor Tree Surgeon
- Mr. Excited About Storms Weatherman
- Mr. Extra, Extra Strong Glue Maker
- Mr. Gangsta Rapper Posse Member
- Mr. Gas Station Sandwich Maker
- Mr. Ghetto Car Driver
- Mr. Guy Wearing a Poncho
- Mr. High Protein Diet Guy
- Mr. Hot Stock Tip Advice Giver Outer
- Mr. In the Park Cartoonist
- Mr. Miniature Train Modeler
- Mr. Motorcycle Side Car Rider
- Mr. New Shoe Tissue Paper Stuffer
- Mr. Over The Top Carb Counter
- Mr. Oversized Fanny Pack Wearer
- Mr. Personal Space Invader
- Mr. Portable Toilet Cleaner-Outer
- Mr. Reality TV Show Star
- Mr. Really, Really Tight Jean wearer
- Mr. Restaurant Food Critic Guy
- Mr. Tiny Dog Clothing Manufacturer
- Mr. Warehouse Shopping Club Member
- Mr. Way too Much Team Clothes Wearer
2005 commercials
- Mr. "Kiss Me I'm Irish" Pin Wearer
- Mr. 80 SPF Sunblock Wearer
- Mr. After Halloween Costume Shop Salesman
- Mr. Backyard Bug Zapper Inventor
- Mr. Basketball Court Sweat Wiper Upper
- Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower Outer
- Mr. Department Store Mannequin Dresser Upper
- Mr. Egg Nog Inventor
- Mr. Electric Carving Knife Inventor
- Mr. Frozen Turkey Helpline Guy
- Mr. Gasoline BBQ Starter
- Mr. Humongous Pumpkin Grower Guy
- Mr. Jean Shorts (JORTS) Inventor
- Mr. King of the Karaoke Mic
- Mr. Labor Day Inventor
- Mr. Las Vegas Trip Taker
- Mr. Law Enforcement Cavity Searcher
- Mr. Mail-Order Bride Orderer
- Mr. Moped Souper-Upper
- Mr. Nosebleed Section Ticket Holder Guy
- Mr. Overzealous Foul Ball Catcher
- Mr. Paranoid of the Ocean Guy
- Mr. Supermarket Produce Putter Outer
2006 commercials
- Mr. Apartment Next to the L Tracks Guy
- Mr. Artificial Tree Maker
- Mr. Boneless Buffalo Wing Inventor
- Mr. Cell Phone Holster Wearer
- Mr. Enormous SUV Driver
- Mr. Exotic Cowboy Boot Wearer
- Mr. Fantasy Football Manager Guy
- Mr. Hair Gel Over-Geller
- Mr. Half-Time Shooting Contest Contestant
- Mr. Holiday Gift Regifter Guy
- Mr. Hot-Dog-Eating-Contest Contestant
- Mr. Indecisive Food Orderer Guy
- Mr. Really Big Golf Club Maker
- Mr. Really Loud Cell Phone Talker Guy
- Mr. Ultimate Philadelphia Sports Fan
- Mr. Way-Too-Proud-of-Texas Guy
2007 commercials
- Mr. Automatic Tax Extension Filer
- Mr. Baseball Stadium Glove Wearing Guy
- Mr. Basketball Shoe Designer
- Mr. Blue Aluminum Bottle Maker
- Mr. Chazz Michael Michaels (re-release of 2001's Mr. Professional Figure Skater, but specially branded for the 2007 film, Blades of Glory)
- Mr. Chicago Bears Fan
- Mr. Doggy Day Spa Operator
- Mr. Good Luck Chuck Wedding Guest Number Four
- Mr. Local Texas Football Hero Guy
- Mr. Overly Competitive Touch Football Game Player
- Mr. Over-Zealous Foulball Catcher
- Mr. Oxygen Bar Inventor
- Mr. Professional Sports Leg Cramp Rubber Outer
- Mr. Refuses To Turn On His Air Conditioning Guy
- Mr. Retired Professional Football Player - inspired by Mike Golic of ESPN Radio
- Mr. Rolling Cooler Cooler Roller
- Mr. Stadium Scoreboard Marriage Proposal Guy
- Mr. Taxi Cab Over Accesorizer
- Mr. Tollbooth Collector
- Mr. T-Shirt Launcher Inventor
- Mr. Unathletic Sports Radio Talk Show Host - inspired by Mike Greenberg of ESPN Radio [1]
