Hotels.com rom-com themed commercial with two men

[bcla]

I've heard this is rather controversial because of the theme. I've seen this on TV and it shows up a lot as a YouTube ad. Not that there's anything wrong with the basic subtext of two men talking about their relationship, but there seem to be a lot of complaints that it initially sounds like a gay man is asking someone else to leave his family, only for Captain Obvious to swoop in and tell him to just go use Hotels.com to attend his buddy's bachelor party anyways.

Then there's the joke about his anatomy. The guy running out is Chad Michael Murray, who I only remember from his role in Agent Carter.

 

[fla4fun]

I must be tired, but I don’t see anything controversial. I just don’t think it’s one of their better commercials. I miss the commercials with the pugs . . .

 

[wenrob]

I do so anything controversial about it either. I thought it was funny.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've heard this is rather controversial because of the theme. I've seen this on TV and it shows up a lot as a YouTube ad. Not that there's anything wrong with the basic subtext of two men talking about their relationship, but there seem to be a lot of complaints that it initially sounds like a gay man is asking someone else to leave his family, only for Captain Obvious to swoop in and tell him to just go use Hotels.com to attend his buddy's bachelor party anyways.

Then there's the joke about his anatomy. The guy running out is Chad Michael Murray, who I only remember from his role in Agent Carter.

Where are you hearing/reading "a lot of complaints"?

 

[bcla]

I do so anything controversial about it either. I thought it was funny.

I heard a few complaints that it was a bait and switch. It initially looks like it’s a gay couple where one is asking the other to leave his family for him, when it’s just two straight friends getting way too emotional about whether it’s OK for him to ditch his family to attend a bachelor party in Vegas. Some gay viewpoints were why couldn’t they just make it a gay couple.

 

[disneychrista]

People are too serious, too sensitive, just too.

I thought it was funny.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

That’s not controversial, that’s just good wholesome humor. Two thumbs up from me.

 

[E&Cmom]

This is the time I saw it and couldn’t figure out anything controversial.

 

[RedAngie]

This would go right over the heads of those who might find it offensive or controversial.

 

[nw6675]

Maybe this is the controversial commercial we should be addressing?

Every time I am watching the Food Network...there it is. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[_19disnA]

Maybe people should watch the entire 30 second commercial the OP is referring to before getting 'upset'. Thought the shouting/the over the top acting was just a poorly made TV commercial trying too hard to be funny. People on social media seem to have nothing better to do then get upset over things...............LOL. Don't recall ever seeing it on TV.

Those new laxative commercial I have seen on TV and they just seem like a dumb way to advertise something.

 

[bcla]

Maybe people should watch the entire 30 second commercial the OP is referring to before getting 'upset'. Thought the shouting/the over the top acting was just a poorly made TV commercial trying too hard to be funny. People on social media seem to have nothing better to do then get upset over things...............LOL. Don't recall ever seeing it on TV.

Those new laxative commercial I have seen on TV and they just seem like a dumb way to advertise something.

Maybe "controversial" is the wrong word. But this has turned into the subject of a lot of conversation especially given the gay subtext to the jokes in the commercial and the flip in the commercial that they're not really a gay couple.

I certainly have no issue with gay couples being portrayed in TV/movies/commercials. They book hotel rooms too.

I wasn't really aware of much of Chad Michael Murray's work except as Jack Thompson on Agent Carter.

I suppose he was kind of a go-to recurring character actor on teen angst shows like Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, and Dawson's Creek. And this, where the apparently had him in one more scene in the rain.

 

[elgerber]

When I first saw the commercial, I thought they were a couple and I thought it was great, then I saw the end. Nothing controversial. I love the commercial because I like CMM and hey, he's in the pouring rain!!!

 

[sam_gordon]

the flip in the commercial that they're not really a gay couple.

Actually you don't know that. They only reference the guy in white leaving "his family". They don't say wife. They may not be a couple, but they could be gay. Again, so what?

 

[mmouse37]

I thought it was funny and doesn't bother me at all. The whole point of the commercial is to not overthink the trip at all and just book it with Hotels.com. I thought it was clever how they portrayed it.