Comedians doing ad voiceovers

[shakotan]

I understand celebs putting faces to products, but the number of comedians doing voiceovers now is getting silly.

Bill Bailey doing pain relief gel, Stephen Merchant doing banks, Paul Merton and Stephen Fry doing insurance. Are they all short of cash?

...and why is Rob Brydon doing almost every other fking advert on tv? I'm getting sick of his voice! He's done so many, it even gets confusing figuring out what product he's selling! *

Not really, but you know what I mean

[bigandclever]

They've got to eat fercrissakes

[Balmoral Green]

It might not be them, there are 'voice-a-likes' out there.

[Le Pop]

Who cares? I would do it if anybody asked me. Money is money, as long as it doesnt offend anyone (in fact even if it does), fine by me...

[khevolution]

Unless your on tour or have a recently released DVD, Money for being a comedian isn't fantastic, it is just another of putting food on the table

Recently realised that Jason Manford does the voice-over for the churchill ad's

[Morningside]

Dunno about voiceovers, but Jamie Oliver must have a mouth made of cast iron.

Just watch the advert of him wandering over the hill. He picks a sausage and eats it straight from a sizzling pan.

It must be very hot...Or dont tell me the sound effects have been added later?

TV, you just cant trust it can you?

[Funk]

Balmoral Green said:

It might not be them, there are 'voice-a-likes' out there.

I always assumed this as well. They're not saying it's 'xyz' actor, nor is there any use of their image. I'd guess it's a sound-a-like being used to infer that that celebrity endorses their product.

[StevieBee]

shakotan said:

Are they all short of cash?

You'll be surprised at the level of insecurity there is in that business. Many comedians (and actors) are constantly thinking that their career is about to end so end up hoovering up any work that comes along that pays well.

[Fittster]

Do a commercial, you're off the artistic roll call, every word you say is suspect, you're a corporate we and eh, end of story.

Bill Hicks

[Mr_Yogi]

I few years ago I stumbled upon a website for a voice actor management company for adverts. It listed all their clients ( a lot of famous names (UK); comedians, films stars, well known faces, etc.) and had examples of work for each, video clips of adverts. There were loads of adverts which I recognised, but never considered who was the voiceover. Some seemed obvious as soon as I watched them but others had disguised their voices really well. IIRC Sarah Alexander (the cute one from Coupling) even did a voice over for some cosmetics with an American accent, you would have had no idea it was her!

It was really fascinating, I probably spent over an hour watching frigging adverts

[khevolution]

Sounds interesting, Please do find that website again please!

[Magog]

shakotan said:

I understand celebs putting faces to products, but the number of comedians doing voiceovers now is getting silly.

Bill Bailey doing pain relief gel, Stephen Merchant doing banks, Paul Merton and Stephen Fry doing insurance. Are they all short of cash?

...and why is Rob Brydon doing almost every other fking advert on tv? I'm getting sick of his voice! He's done so many, it even gets confusing figuring out what product he's selling! *

Not really, but you know what I mean

Rob Brydon did a lot of advertising and voice stuff before he ever became a successful comedian. If you'd ever seen him do some of his voiceovers on any chat shows you'd be mightily impressed at how versatile his voice is. I guess a key ingredient to being a successful comedian is about delivery and having good timing and control over the pitch and rythym of your voice, hence why they are suited to doing adverts and voiceovers.

I'm sure there is a part to play psychologically in comedians being seen as trusted and honest to some extent as well, hence why even if you don't know it's them consciously, your subconscious might recognise the voice and assosciate the message with honesty and feeling relaxed/happy. All good stuff if your trying to sell things.

I don't honestly believe there are many people who would turn down thousands, or tens of thousands, for a few hours in a recording studio to protect their 'artistic integrity'.

[Funk]

khevolution said:

Sounds interesting, Please do find that website again please!

Could it be this one?

http://www.piehole.co.uk/advanced

[StevieBee]

Magog said:

shakotan said:

I guess a key ingredient to being a successful comedian is about delivery and having good timing and control over the pitch and rythym of your voice, hence why they are suited to doing adverts and voiceovers

Pretty much.

Trained actors tend to over-act when doing voice overs making them sound like Radio 4 plays. Comedians just learn their art on stage so tend to be much more natural in their delivery.