16 Commercials That Aired at the Worst Times

Timing is everything in advertising, and sometimes, commercials completely miss the mark. These commercials remind us that bad timing can make even the best ad feel awkward, cringeworthy, or unintentionally funny. Here are the moments when ads showed up at the worst possible times.

1. 1. KFC’s “Finger Lickin’ Good” During a Disaster Report

In the U.K., viewers were stunned when KFC’s upbeat “Finger Lickin’ Good” ad followed a tragic news report about a deadly accident. The happy jingle and close-up shots of fried chicken felt painfully out of place. People immediately took to social media to point out how insensitive the timing seemed. It became a textbook example of how automated ad scheduling can backfire in a big way.

2. 2. Domino’s Pizza Ad After a Crime Scene Show

A British crime drama cut to a commercial right after a bloody crime scene, only for a Domino’s Pizza ad to pop up. The cheerful “Two for Tuesday” offer clashed horribly with the grim images that had just aired. Viewers could not decide whether to laugh or look away. Even Domino’s later admitted that it was one of the most unfortunate ad placements imaginable.

3. 3. State Farm’s “Like a Good Neighbor” After a Car Crash Scene

During a late-night movie marathon, State Farm’s familiar jingle kicked in seconds after a fiery car crash scene. The audience barely had time to process the explosion before hearing “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” It made the brand look like it was capitalizing on disaster, even though it was pure coincidence. The irony turned the ad break into an internet meme for weeks.

4. 4. Toys “R” Us Ads After Horror Movies

Back in the ’90s, local stations sometimes ran Toys “R” Us commercials right after late-night horror movies. The happy “I don’t wanna grow up” song followed scenes of screaming victims and haunted houses. Parents complained that their kids were getting mixed messages before bedtime. It was a reminder that timing is everything when airing children’s ads.

5. 5. Jenny Craig Diet Ads on Thanksgiving

During Thanksgiving football, Jenny Craig’s weight-loss commercials aired between food ads for turkey, gravy, and pumpkin pie. The irony did not go unnoticed. Viewers joked that the universe was calling them out mid-meal. It became a holiday tradition to laugh whenever a diet ad popped up between bites of stuffing.

6. 6. Lexus Luxury Car Ads During Saturday Cartoons

Kids watching Pokémon or SpongeBob in the early 2000s were occasionally hit with luxury car commercials for Lexus. The ads showed couples driving through scenic mountains while soft jazz played. It was clearly not aimed at the juice-box crowd. Parents found it amusing that Lexus thought 10-year-olds were a target demographic.

7. 7. Dignity Funeral Homes Ad After Sitcom Laughs

One minute, audiences were laughing at The Office; the next, they were watching a Dignity Memorial funeral home commercial. The sudden switch from humor to death talk was jarring. Viewers described it as “emotional whiplash.” It showed how even a serious ad can feel inappropriate when paired with lighthearted content.

8. 8. Sandals Resorts During Blizzard News

During live blizzard coverage, local stations accidentally ran Sandals Resorts commercials. As reporters warned people to stay inside, the ad showed sunny beaches and frozen cocktails. The contrast was almost cruel. It became one of the most unintentionally hilarious ad placements ever broadcast.

9. 9. Skittles “Taste the Rainbow” After Tearjerkers

Nothing kills the mood of a sad movie faster than a Skittles commercial. After emotional scenes in films or shows, the hyperactive “Taste the Rainbow” slogan would blast through TVs. It replaced tears with awkward laughter. The candy might be colorful, but its timing often was not.

10. 10. Negative Campaign Ads During Sitcoms

In 2016, campaign ads full of dark music and angry narration often aired during sitcom reruns like The Big Bang Theory. Audiences enjoying harmless jokes were suddenly hit with grim political warnings. The switch in tone was so sharp that people muted their TVs until the break was over. Networks later adjusted scheduling after viewer backlash.

11. 11. Dawn Dish Soap After Food Network Cooking Shows

After watching chefs whip up gourmet meals, Food Network viewers were often greeted by a Dawn dish soap commercial. The bubbly sponges and greasy pans instantly ruined the fantasy. It reminded everyone that cooking also means cleaning. Even Dawn leaned into the joke in later ads, calling itself “the unsung hero of every recipe.”

12. 12. DraftKings Gambling Ads During Family Movies

During family movie marathons, DraftKings sports betting commercials slipped into ad breaks. Parents scrambled for the remote as odds, bets, and cash prizes flashed across the screen. It was a far cry from the lighthearted Disney films they expected. Complaints poured in about “inappropriate” commercial content for younger audiences.

13. 13. Budweiser Ads After Rehab Documentaries

After serious documentaries about addiction and recovery, stations sometimes aired Budweiser’s “Grab Some Buds” commercials. The upbeat music and shots of cold beer looked painfully tone-deaf. Viewers questioned how anyone approved that lineup. It was a PR misstep that brands still use as an example of what not to do.

14. 14. Verizon Wireless Ads During Blackout Coverage

During the power outage news coverage, Verizon’s ad boasting about “staying connected” aired between updates. The irony was not lost on viewers who had no service. It felt like the universe was trolling them. Even Verizon could not have predicted such unintentionally funny timing.

15. 15. Bank of America Ads After Market Crash Reports

When the 2008 financial crisis dominated headlines, Bank of America commercials still ran as usual. The cheerful tone about “building your future” felt painfully out of sync with the news. People at home found it hard to take the message seriously. The timing made the bank look disconnected from reality.

16. 16. Bowflex Fitness Ads During Midnight Food Shows

Late-night viewers watching dessert specials on Food Network suddenly found themselves facing Bowflex fitness infomercials. One moment, they were craving brownies; the next, they were being told to “transform their body.” The mixed messaging was hilarious. Many people admitted they just kept eating and ignored the guilt trip.

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• commercials
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