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A Viral Slap in the Face

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( 5 votes)

By Felicia Williams February 06, 2007

An online sketch comedy troupe is claiming that Budweiser stole their “slap in the face” concept and used it in their Superbowl commercial, Bud Light: Slapping.

Slapping Sketch (Whitest People)

Honestly, the similarities are rather striking. Much like The Whitest Kids U'Know's online short, the Bud Light ad uses the concept that in the world of friendly gestures, the “slap” is the new “pound.”

The Whitest Kids U'Know responded to the Super Bowl ad on their website saying, “this has happened to us a couple times before but this one is pretty blatant.” The New York-based comedy troupe released their “Slapping Sketch” in June of last year and it can be viewed on their website, YouTube, and collegehumor.com.

So, the question is, did Bud really conceive this slapstick dick-and-fart idea all on their own? Personally, I think that slapstick violence, in general, is fair comedic game. Pie in the face, slipping on a banana peel, etc --- there are thousands of examples of cheeky violence throughout the history of comedy, and no one can really claim ownership. But, if the ad execs at Bud were aware of and directly influenced by the Whitest People short, I think that the comedy troupe is owed their due-credit and at least an apology.

Decide for yourself; here's the Bud ad (the Whitest People video can be found above):

Whitest Kids Probably Were Ripped Off

Posted by Wicked Awesome Films at 06:26PM February 06, 2007

We here at Wicked Awesome Films are big fans of The Whitest Kids U Know. In fact, we just saw their live show here in LA a couple weeks ago and they were great. We too have been asked whether somehow our sketch "Punchy" inspired this commercial. I tell everyone, "it's not close enough". I would say that it's not the physical humor that's been imitated or (gulp) ripped off here, but the connection as to WHY the slaps to the face are happening - and both the commercial and the original sketch tout the slaps as "the new thing". So, because of this, I think I have to standby the Whitest Kids here. Way too close of a concept. And you know what? These guys are so hilarious that to make up for any misunderstandings, Budweiser would be stupid NOT to pay them to do a SERIES of their own commercials. They're just that funny. (But so are we, so hire WickedAwesomeFilms too okay?)

A way to express yourself

Posted by Anonymous User at 10:27AM February 07, 2007

I agree with WAF. If in the Bud commercial they were just slapping each other for comedic affect, fine, totally pie-in-the face stuff. But it was the WKUK sketch that is based on slapping, kicking, etc. being the new way to express oneself. Who knows what to do. I say make a big stink so the WKUK get free publicity. Nothin wrong with that.

All Hail The Whitest Kids!

Posted by Anonymous User at 12:51PM February 07, 2007

I will be very interested to see how this plays out. I personally think Jay-Z was behind all of this.

The Whitest Kids U' Know have a hilarious album. The folks at What Are Records put up a free mp3. This one would be a little more shocking for Budweiser to rip off.

http://whatarerecords.com/whitestkids/discography.html

Kevin Smith's slappers was the 1st

Posted by Anonymous User at 05:43PM February 13, 2007

Saw this back in November www.mtvu.com/on_mtvu/sucks_less/episode2.jhtml
Kevin Smith @ UCLA kids started the slappers craze.

The Whitest Kids Sketch is 3 years old

Posted by Wicked Awesome Films at 01:00PM February 21, 2007

The Whitest kids sketch is or near three years old. I know I saw it in 2004 when I first heard of them. That beats Kevin Smith and his "class" at UCLA.

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