It’s Time to Retire Chuck, Samuel, and Spike
It’s hard to let go of traditions. That’s what the Charles Barkley, Samuel L. Jackson, and Spike Lee Capital One commercials feel like at this point.
For years one of the underrated parts of March Madness was getting a fresh batch of these commercials to be aired throughout the Tournament. The commercials consist of the unlikely trio encountering numerous comical situations on the way to each year’s Final Four.
The commercials usually consist of a simple but effective script. Barkley plays (“plays”) the airhead, saying something ridiculous then Jackson and Lee get on him about it while Barkley defends himself.
This setup has made for some great comedy and fantastic little bits. My personal favorite was from 2017 when Barkley is driving carpool and announces they have arrived “In the Annapolis” instead of Indianapolis, where the Final Four was that year.
On top of the terrific punchlines was the unmistakable chemistry the three have developed over the years. Even on some bits that weren’t quite as funny, the trio sold the idea of their friendship well.
But, this year I’ve come to a realization, the commercials have run their course. In this year’s batch of ads the Barkley liners lack the zing of years past. Jackson and Lee’s reactions to Barkley feel like they’ve about run out. Capital One seems to have used up all of their good bits. After watching Barkley make ridiculous comments for the last handful of years, I’m finding him to be more annoying than funny.
The chemistry is still there. It hasn’t become a matter of the group getting tired of each other. They just can’t make up for the subpar writing this year. The best commercial this year has been the Jim Nantz bit, in which the group finds out Nantz uses his announcing voice when he’s at home also. Most years that would be one of the worse commercials of the bunch.
So after years of chuckles and some full out laughs, it’s time to move one. The Barkley, Jackson, Lee trio have provided us with some of the best sports commercials of the past ten years. But it’s time to hang up the suits.
