‘SNL’s Taran Killam spoofs Brad Pitt’s Chanel No. 5 commercial: hilarious?

Last week, Brad Pitt’s first two commercials for Chanel debuted online. They were met to near-universal derision and laughter. To be fair to Brad (I guess), he probably didn’t have much control in Chanel’s “vision” for his Chanel No. 5 campaign. To be unfair to Brad, he’s a big enough star where he could have had more input, or he could have simply walked away when he realized that he was just going to be staring off into space, yammering about No. 5 being an inevitable revolution or whatever. Here’s the original again:

Anyway, Saturday Night Live got into the fun with FOUR spoof commercials. In the first one, it’s just a straight-up spoof of Brad’s commercial, and I think this one is the strongest, especially when “Brad” says: “I’m sorry – is there really no script? ‘Cause I’ve been talking to myself for like two hours straight and I’m starting to sound insane. What? You want me to sound less coherent? Really? Okay, I can just start making up words? You like that. All right. Is it just me or do I look super homeless? That’s what you want? Rock ‘n’ roll.” (sidenote: I’m sorry these are Hulu videos, I know people outside of the US won’t be able to see them)

In the next three spoofs, the joke gets progressively less funny. Here’s “Brad” selling Taco Bell:

Dog condoms:

Tattoo removal:

Yeah… maybe it would have been funnier with just two commercials? Four seems like overkill. Taran Killam – who stars as Brad in these spoofs – is funny enough, but he could work more on his “Brad-accent”.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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69 Responses to “‘SNL’s Taran Killam spoofs Brad Pitt’s Chanel No. 5 commercial: hilarious?”

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  1. Cherry says:

    I wish I could see the whole thing, but it’s not even available on youtube… Any of youse got a clever link for us European bitches? Pretty please??

  2. mln76 says:

    Meh not very funny…they could have done so much with this and instead it just fell flat…SNL isn’t very funny and hasn’t been for ages and ages…(although I like the Brad Pitt doing the weather skit)

    Personally although I am a fan unlike several people on both sides of the fence I have a sense of humor…These are multi-millionaires as long as the intent isn’t malicious why not spoof them sometimes.

    • HotPockets says:

      I agree. SNL just doesn’t bring it, like, at all. Bring back Mad TV!

      • JenD says:

        The first was funny..then it just got dragged out and lost its “funniness”. That seems the problem with SNL lately – their skits are so long, beating the same joke over and over. If it were shorter, it’d be funnier. Or maybe I just have a shorter attention span.

      • EscapedConvent says:

        @JenD
        Not even lately! I can hardly remember a time when SNL knew when to end a sketch.

  3. Phil E Stein says:

    Tyler Durden is rolling in his grave.

    • pwal says:

      Doubt it… given that Tyler was the figment of Jack’s imagination and oh, yeah… HE WAS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER.

      But let’s follow your thought… a dude who stole lipo fat to make soap and spoke a soliliquoy about a world where antelope are running through a blighted former consumer center would object to this commercial?

      • Phil E Stein says:

        I am Jack’s complete lack of surprise.
        He objected to the consumer culture full stop. ‘we were selling rich women their own fat asses back to them’

  4. Bowers says:

    I know they give to charity etc. but what I read about them sounds pretentious.

  5. dooliloo says:

    *blank stare*

    Sorry but I was expecting something funny, it’s meh at best!.. *sigh*

    Well perhaps we celebitchy peeps here should make our own spoof and send it over to them? We did much better parodies than SNL here!

  6. lucy2 says:

    I agree the first one is by far the best, I thought that one was hilarious. “I’m starting to sound insane” was good, and he kind of captured the dead eye stare.
    They probably should have stopped at 1, but that’s typical SNL – take something funny and stretch it out too long and overdo it.

    • NerdMomma says:

      I agree, they always stretch a joke out way too long. That being said, I’m pretty pleased that they’re using Taran Killam a little bit more, as he is not only funny but completely crush-worthy.

    • Rhea says:

      Agree. The first one is quite funny, but the rest of it seems…forced….

      • Esmom says:

        I laughed at the Taco Bell one. It was a perfect set up, all faux-philosophical and then when he got to “reach the border,” I thought the payoff was pretty damn funny.

    • JenD says:

      Agreed! I pretty much said the same thing, commenting on another comment, then saw yours. I’m glad I’m not the only one!

  7. Bexar says:

    The 1st one was pretty funny (for SNL- I agree the show is generally unfunny now)- the rest not so much- the 2nd one was the best of the last 3. I kinda disagree about “Tyler Durden” not liking these ads- he would LOVE that a guy got $7-10 million for half a day’s work- not quite j*zz*ng in the clam chowder, but close. Of course, Tyler would want the money to be spent on Project Mayhem, not babies and poor people…

  8. Lizzie K says:

    never mind

  9. T.C. says:

    I think Brad’s real ad is funnier than the spoofs. SNL is not very funny to me.

  10. Kim says:

    SNL spoof wasn’t funny.I see the ad has 4.5 million youtube views in one week.Nicole’s ad has 3 million views in 6 years.I guess for Chanel there is no such thing as bad publicity.With all twitter and FB comments it has created a buzz so more awareness I guess.If the ad hadn’t been so weird there would be less attention to product.

    • Tina says:

      Do you really think there’s no such thing as bad publicity? Maybe for reality stars and d-list celebrities, but do you really think Chanel or Brad wanted this reaction? “Near-universal derision and laughter”? People saying he’s a terrible, pretentious actor?

      If they just wanted the video to go viral on youtube (and to be mocked incessantly all week) they could have saved a fortune and just got a piano-playing cat or the star wars kid as their star.

      I say cue full family photo-op in 3…2…1…

      • lucy2 says:

        Agree about bad publicity – we’ve seen careers pretty much shut down with bad publicity – Mel Gibson, Michael Richards, Isaiah Washington, etc. Even someone like Tom Cruise – he’s still working, but all that bad publicity has really damaged his image and brand.

        Of course this is nowhere near that sort of catastrophe – both Brad and Chanel are well established enough to get past people giggling at a stupid commercial that will be forgotten soon, but I agree that’s probably not the response either wanted.
        If all those views translate into sales, Chanel will be happy, but my guess is most of those views are people watching it because it’s unintentionally funny.

      • mln76 says:

        On the other hand if he pokes fun at himself during his KTS promos its just means more publicity for him.
        Just like the people trying to gloss over this the doomsday people sound silly.

      • Tina says:

        @lucy. Oh, I don’t think this will damage Brad’s career at all, but this and the “Leg Incident” have definitely dented the Brangelina Brand.

        @mln, I hope he does poke fun at himself, but he might not be allowed to acknowledge it because of his contract. So long as he doesn’t act like he’s above it all or dismissively say “the people I surround myself with don’t really talk about that kind of stuff”, then he’ll be just fine.

        The industry loves to build you up and bring you down, but fans and “doomsday people” alike will not change their minds.

        I predict most (regular) people will over this by the end of the week.

      • j.eyre says:

        @min76, @tina – I agree, I bet money Brad makes fun of himself eventually. And I would not be surprised if Clooney and Damon et al get in on the act. He may need to wait for the contract to wear down but for any fault Mr. Pitt may have, he has a pretty good sense of humor about himself (IMO).

      • pwal says:

        Given that the JPs trick or treat fairly consistently, you’re hardly being clairvolent.

      • Kim says:

        On GMA a lady from Adweek says this ad is a homerun in terms of publicity for Chanel.If all the gossip about Brad and Angie over the years haven’t damaged their brand this sure won’t. KTS is at 95% on RT.They are still in top 10 of valuable actors despite the Leg.All is good

  11. lisa2 says:

    People act like Brad is killing puppies.. the Chanel commercials are not that bad. The SNL Skit was not funny. I think if the audience that is live watching is not laughing hard then… it didn’t make it.

    Well have at it.

  12. sophie says:

    Conan O’Brien also did a hilarious spoof where pitt was shirtless with a beer belly. They also just showed the shirtless one on GMA and were all laughing at it.

  13. marie says:

    the first spoof made me chuckle, but everything after that sucked.

  14. Mira says:

    The first one is funny. Can’t stream the other videos in Canada.

  15. Adrien says:

    Brad Pitt’s version (the original ad) is (unintentionally) funnier. Sorry, but the screencaps were more hilarious than the SNL videos.
    The problem with Taran’s spoof was that he can’t keep a straight face and was too conscious doing the parody instead of maintaining the Brad Pitt character. Kinda spoils the delivery.

  16. Po says:

    I just really haven’t wanted to watch SNL since the early 90s. Even after a couple of the SNL people have made movies in the last 5 years that I have enjoyed I still haven’t been compelled to watch. U just sit there waiting for a funny skit and sometimes its a long wait.

  17. epiphany says:

    To honest, the real ad is much funnier.

  18. joyce says:

    I saw that on SNL. Very funny.

    Still love the real Brad. The man is sure hot.

  19. roxy750 says:

    I thought this was so funny! Thanks for the laughs this Monday morning!

  20. lama says:

    that was funnier:
    http://nymag.com/thecut/2012/10/brangel … bound.html

  21. Skins says:

    Brad even overacts in commercials

  22. Green_Eyes says:

    Wasn’t impressed w/ the SNL version. Bummer, their spoofs on things are usually pretty funny.

  23. Emma says:

    I really didn’t think the commercial was that bad… It was cheesy and cheap looking but that’s it. This honestly just shows how obsessed people are with Angelina and Brad. Angelina sticks her leg out of her dress slit and that’s all anyone remembers from the Oscars. Brad does a commercial with cheesy dialogue like all other celebrities do and it’s the top headline. And people are saying this kinda stuffs harm their image??? What. It gives them huge press for literally no reason and its not bad press. People are acting like they got caught with a hooker or saying something racist.

    • Esmom says:

      Yes people are definitely fascinated by Angelina and Brad. But I didn’t think the reaction to/fixation on this ad was vicious, at least what I’ve read. It was more like people were surprised and amused that the ad was so incredibly cheesy and that Brad’s acting wasn’t exactly stellar.

      It seems like “the leg” reaction was similar — it caught people off guard because it was not an expected move from Jolie.

      • Emma says:

        Exactly but I see people call those two incidents “bad” publicity. And imply their careers will suffer. I’ve even read people say Hollywood is mad and ignoring Angelina because of the leg situation.

  24. Lmao says:

    The 70s actor Leif Garrett did a spoof and it’s way better than snl’s. he looks like Brad and he’s shockingly a better actor than Brad. Hahaha how hard is it to say a few cheesy lines believably for “one of the greatest actors of our time!”? Lmao

    • pwal says:

      Leif Garrett did a parody? Well, let his comeback commence… no, wait… Leif is going to stay where he is, just like all of the male actors posters like to suggest when Pitt is in the mix. The problem is that posters/pseudo prognosticators just sit on their @$$es and criticize those who do and don’t support those who they claim can do it better.

      In other words, posters/pseudo prognosticators don’t really mean d!ck unless they were a mainstay in someone’s success. Since I haven’t been on this board for too long (1-2years, give or take) and I’ve heard the same criticisms and predictions of Pitt’s failure, which hasn’t come to be, despite the loud, somewhat forced cackles when $hit happens, despite this campaign, I think some of you are profoundly disappointed, made all the worse by SNL not giving you what you want. Maybe they know about the inherent laziness of those who clamored for a parody, hence the lazy execution of this bit.

      • Lmao says:

        Is it really that serious, Pwal? the brangelina’s are consoling themselves with the number of views and saying Brad is laughing to the bank. but after all the hard work Brad and his agents have put in trying to make him a serious actor the commercial did one thing… Took away the smoke and mirrors of Hollywood and laid his bad acting front and center for all to see. For an actor of his stature it should be super easy to believably spit out a few lines. One spoof has the interview with a vampire dialog dubbed over chanel ad and his line delivery is just as bad and cheesy.

        Kim, I had no idea who Leif Garrett was, but his little 2-3 minute spoof showcased his acting talent and yes it is better than Brad’s. Hope he gets some work. I would rather watch a good actor over an overrated celebrity any day. Sorry.

    • Kim says:

      Maybe the spoof will help Leif get a job.Personally I didn’t realize he was still alive. KTS may get some award nominations so Tina and Amy may joke about it.Brad will have to console. Himself with his $7M fee. I feel sorry for him. Being sarcastic of course

  25. TheOneAndOnlyOnly says:

    Watched SNL thought the spoofs were spot on – maybe they did stretch it out; given how bad SNL has been these last few yrs. last week’s ep. wasn’t all bad – it will never be like it was.
    But for the love of GOD, can someone tell me why Bruno Mars isn’t better known guy can sing, In his wikibio he gives props to Elvis,Michael,Jimi,Isley brothers,tempations,etc. – SNL needs more Bruno and NO more Lana Del Rey’s.
    Btw, is brad donating any of this easy Chanel cash to any charities? Just curious.

  26. Anon says:

    People are thinking about Chanel, Brad Pitt can and does laugh at himself. Plus, he’s still hot at his age, can play so many characters. I rather know what Pitt and Jolie are doing for Halloween.

  27. blonde on the dock says:

    I thought the actual ad itself was more comical and rather embarrassing to watch. But this was pretty funny too.

  28. Eileen says:

    Ellen Degeneres did several spoofs of Brad Pitt’s ads on her show and I laughed a lot over them- better than SNL IMO

  29. molly says:

    I feel so sorry for this generation when they think SNL is funny to them. It’s not anymore. You have to be my age to appreciate comedy the way it should be. Just ask any old timer. Brad’s spoof was probable funny to him though, and he now realizes what a dork he was for making that commercial.

  30. Maxine says:

    That Taco Bell spoof. I’m still laughing!

  31. LurkeeLee says:

    YouTube has Brad’s Chanel commercial at almost 5mil views and about 2/3 like it. Everyone is talking about it and various spoofs are adding to the publicity. Unintentional or not, this is huge publicity for Chanel as it has people talking and that’s what is at the advertising core.

  32. Suzie says:

    Brad Pitt is way, way too serious and solemn in the Chanel ad for just a flipping perfume. If you didn’t know he was referring to perfume at first, you’d think he was commenting on some famine in the world somewhere. The ad is downright depressing. He should have been much more upbeat, humorous, tongue in cheek, sparkle in the eye sort of thing.

  33. Kim says:

    The director Oscar nominated Joe Wright is responsible for the tone and Chanel for the script.The ad was shot months ago.Chanel had final approval.Several ad and Branding people
    Say it’s a win for Chanel so hiring. Brad has paid off in terms of exposure

  34. molly says:

    They should have hired Don Draper for this job.