Are ‘Real People’ Parodies Really Funny? Or Really Mean?
Comedy duo skewers Chevy commercials — and despite the clips’ popularity, we’re kind of p.o.’d about it!
For some, the comedy team of Ali Shahriari and Dave Irwin have sunk to a new low by skewering Chevy’s much-loved “Real People” commercials in a series of online parodies. You know those “Real People” commercials: a bearded hipster with a clipboard in a massive warehouse shows “average” Americans the newest vehicles and points out Chevy’s many awards. Usually there are lots of big doors opening and huge trucks appearing from nowhere. Shahriari and Irwin have decided those real people aren’t acting “real” enough and have instead edited Irwin into the videos to show how people would really react in such situations. Are they gut-busting funny? Or just mean-spirited?
Under the company name Zebra Corner, their YouTube page has amassed 64,000 subscribers and their video views total almost 6 million. Of their 10 produced videos, five of those rip on Chevy. In the videos, Irwin — aka “Mahk” — spouts sarcastic zingers in a tough-guy Boston accent.
In “If ‘Real People’ Commercials Were Real Life – CHEVY Awards,” the clipboard guy asks a panel of typical car buyers, “What does quality mean to you?” To which some respond, “performance” and “craftmanship.” Mahk’s comeback? “Not a Chevy!” Ouch! Despite the dig to our favorite brand, the video has hit 1.85 million views.
Related: Chevy-Obsessed Amiri King is N.S.F.W. But He’s also T.F.F.!
Coming in second with 1.82 million views is the duo’s “If ‘Real People’ Commercials Were Real Life – CHEVY Emoji Ad.” The real people laud the all-new Chevy Cruze with a “hot” flame emoji and a “magical” unicorn sticker. Mahk’s emoji? A steamy turd. “It’s the poop emoji. Because it’s a piece of shit.”
The comedy duo even rip on a Spanish Chevy commercial in their “If ‘Personas Reales’ Commercials Were Real Life – CHEVY Silverado.” As the men around him speak in Spanish, Mahk says, “Okay, I got ‘Chevy,’ ‘midnight,’ and ‘Silverado’ that time. I think I’m really picking up some Spanish here!”
The comedy team also rip on “Deal Dash” ads, The Bachelor TV-series, and even beloved kids movie Milo and Otis. Decide for yourself if you think they’re really funny here.
These clips may be popular, but we’re kinda pissed. We love Chevy! And because of that, we are definitely bigger fans of this guy’s comedy!
