Addressing Some Comments on my Foreground Extras Post

Wow, I kicked up a lot of dust with my Foreground Extras post.

My P.O. box was filled with cologne-scented¹ postcards challenging me on many claims I made, so let’s address them.

Argus Tracks of Providence, RI writes:
STRONGLY disagree that Mr. Rudd is a “Foreground Extra” in the Super Nintendo commercial. He’s clearly the protagonist of the commercial, despite not having words. Would you say Charlie Chaplin is a foreground extra in City Lights because he has no dialogue?!! Get REAL.

Argus, you have really hit the target with your insightful observation. I retract my claim that Paul Rudd was an extra. As you say, he was the protagonist, the main character of the advertisement. Thanks for reaching out.

Poultice Hawthorne of Decatur, Georgia writes:
In the Yahtzee commercial I distinctly heard the blonde woman say the word “Yahtzee” so this would not fit your own definition of an extra as someone who has no speaking lines.

We’re going to have to agree to disagree on this, Poultice. It may appear that the blonde woman is screaming “Yahtzee”, but clearly the majority of the people are mouthing words that you do not hear. The music and voiceover dominate the commercial, and any dialogue or voices of actors is faint and asynchronous. Also, this woman is not given any more screen time or importance than the other actors, and as such, I am still going to categorize them all as Foreground Actors. Thanks for commenting.

And finally, Dave Wombercromble of Seattle, WA writes:
Thank God that piece of shit Kissinger is dead. May he rot in hell forever. To quote the astute Anthony Bourdain:

“Once you’ve been to Cambodia, you’ll never stop wanting to beat Henry Kissinger to death with your bare hands. You will never again be able to open a newspaper and read about that treacherous, prevaricating, murderous scumbag sitting down for a nice chat with Charlie Rose or attending some black-tie affair for a new glossy magazine without choking. Witness what Henry did in Cambodia – the fruits of his genius for statesmanship – and you will never understand why he’s not sitting in the dock at The Hague next to Milošević.”

Dave, this is not really appropriate. Please keep your comments to the post at hand, Foreground Extras. Nevertheless, thank you for your contribution.

XO Splotchy

¹ There was a mishap a few weeks ago with the delivery of a cracked bottle of sample cologne, so it’s possible the postcards themselves were not scented.

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