Bingeing on your favorite TV shows and movies can be a blast, but the existential emptiness that follows after finishing a season—or a whole series—can be sheer hell.
Need help? Netflix has the solution: Pick something new to watch.
But which title would be just right? you ask. "The List," a 90-second spot from TBWA\Chiat\Day, explores this particular strand of first-world angst with a self-consciously kooky pair who need a fresh TV show or movie to stream.
Will it be Bloodline? Peaky Blinders? Narcos? Sense8? Jim Gaffigan: Mr. Universe? Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work? How to Get Away With Murder? Nikita? The Carrie Diaries? Murder She Wrote? Heathers? Ferris Bueller's Day Off? Saved By the Bell? Glee?
The dude in the commercial trots out a seemingly endless string of possibilities as he and his gal pal—they're "best friends"—do yoga, play cards, bounce on a trampoline, climb trees, sunbathe, take a cooking class and go clubbing, among other activities. (When do they even have time to watch the tube? Does anyone still call it the tube?)
Meanwhile, our heroine despondently mulls the options, distracting us with her distant resemblance to Alyson Hannigan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and How I Met Your Mother—neither of which appear on the list, in case you wondered.
Clay Weiner's wry, breathless direction drives home the silly spot's punch line, which we didn't see coming. Then again, we aren't nearly as sharp as we used to be, probably because binge-watching so much TV has muddled our brains.
Anywho, bottom line: This video won't help you pick a new show. It serves more to magnify a common problem, then flagrantly showboats the scope of Netflix's selection. But if you've just finished a binge and don't know what to watch next, you can always take up this fun and useful DIY project while trying to decide.
CREDITS
Client: Netflix
Agency: TBWA\Chiat\Day
Fabio Costa: Executive Creative Director
Matthew Woodhams-Roberts, Dave Horton: Creative Directors
Liz Cartwright, Stephen Lum: Associate Creative Directors
Peter Bassett: Director of Production
Kristin McCarron: Producer
Tyra Hillsten: Brand Leader
Sarah Lamberson: Brand Director
Desiree Perez: Brand Manager
Steve Smith: Associate Brand Manager
Rohit Thawani: Director of Digital and Social Strategy
Gary Klugman: Planning Director
Emilie Arrive: Senior Digital Strategist
Lauren Maddox: Digital Strategist
Mimi Hirsch: Senior Business Affairs Manager
Production Company: Biscuit
Clay Weiner: Director
Shawn Lacy: Managing Director
Holly Vega: Executive Producer
Lisa Stockdale: Producer
Editorial: Rock Paper Scissors
Christjan Jordan: Editor
Pieter Viljoen: Assistant Editor
Helena Lee: Producer
Telecine: The Mill
Adam Scott: Senior Colorist
Mix: Lime
Joel Waters: Mixer
Joanna Taylor: Producer
A52: Finishing & VFX
Heather Johann: Producer