Dead guy in a little ad

[Askthepizzaguy]

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/directv-res...nable-ads--729

Some viewers are upset with DirecTV's newest commercial, a recreation of a scene in "Tommy Boy" that combines new footage of David Spade interacting with Chris Farley, who died of a drug overdose in 1997. In the classic scene from the 1995 comedy, a present-day Spade dismisses Farley's antics with the sarcastic remark, "Never gets old." Viewers on YouTube called the spot "distasteful" and a "stupid idea."

Okay, so David Spade stars in a commercial for DirecTV with his deceased friend Chris Farley.

I know these guys were close friends, and I'm sure that Farley's death had a big impact on Spade. If Spade didn't think it was in bad taste, and the executor of Farley's estate gave approval, what is the problem? And personally, I think the commercial was cute and kind of funny.

I'm not neutral on this; I think that anyone who complains about Farley being in an ad is being a big crybaby. This isn't something truly disgusting, like having footage of Adolf Hitler and editing it such that he was selling Kosher meat*. This is a comedian doing a funny spot with his dead comedian friend, who I'm pretty sure would approve of both the tone of the ad and appreciate being celebrated and remembered post-death. Come on now, Billy Mays keeps selling things and he's dead! We put men dressed as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin in our advertisements. What is the controversy? Unless the executor of the estate has a problem with it, it's free speech to me.

Big thumbs down to the YouTube viewers. If you disagree with me, try to help me understand your position. Tell me why it is offensive, if you would please.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

*Which I would consider both ironic and an insult to Nazis, and thus it would be absolutely hilarious, even if it would be in bad taste.