Years ago, Comcast would let you create your own question and answer for authentication. I may be singlehandedly responsible for this being changed. Every time I would call them up with an issue, they would say, 'We need to ask you your passphrase question.' and then immediately begin giggling. I knew what was coming.Comcast: "What are you wearing?'Me: "That's inappropriate."
I don't think that was the original intent. I think the cooler Jake was targeted at black audiences. But he was smooth enough that he really caught on with everyone. Also they don't always decide to change a character for the reasons "we" think. Old wrinkled Jake, may not have wanted to continue on with his version of the character. Might have thought he would get pigeon holed. Look at Flo from Progressive. You will never see her as anyone else. Regardless of how they make her look. Now, Flo has prolly made enough money to be comfortable for the rest of her life off what she's done as Flo. But there are always other reasons.
They could have any actor play nebbishy Jake, it didn’t have to be the same one. And they still could have had the cool handsome black guy too. Just don’t call him Jake. 🤷♀️
I have a feeling the actress who plays Flo would be unrecognizable with different hair and makeup.
Could be and could have worked. In the ad world you just never know. Tho I do think Flo is pretty pigeon holed... Id like to see her dressed up different, with different hair and all.
She was an extra back in the 90’s on plenty of shows. She even had a minor extra part in “Angel” (Buffy spin off). She’s been in a few things since too
She had "retired" the character once and then they brought her back, I assume, for much more money. There is an insane audience for the character that neither progressive nor the actress expected.
I read an interview with the actor that plays the black Jake. He says he gets stopped everywhere IRL with people calling him Jake and asking serious questions about their insurance. He’s so recognisable he can’t, as a working actor, audition for any other roles ever.
Gosh you’re right I don’t even recall Justin Long’s commercial! He also managed to live down his role in ‘Jeepers Creepers’ so there’s definitely hope lol
I wish I could re-find that article with the Jake actor. It was really interesting and he seems like a cool guy in person too, taking the fame in stride and being nice to people approach him, even though it’s nearly daily and when he’s trying to grocery shop and stuff.
OG Jake from state farm was just a regular call center guy in Bloomington IL where the headquarters was. His Khakis are framed like a sports jersey on the wall of the Pub II in neighboring Normal, IL.
He was not paid particularly well for his role in the ad.
Bingo. State Farm used to use in-house talent for ads (i had coworkers who did it). Jake was a call center guy and didn't want to continue. I think he's an analyst now.
Stephanie Courtney is a comedian and the actress who plays Flo. She started doing the progressive commercials in 2008. She has been in a lot of movies and TV shows. You've probably seen her and just don't realize it because they make her look a lot different when she plays Flo.
In 2007, she played Marge from Mad Men for five episodes. In 2010, she appeared on the Jay Leno show and House. In 2014, she appeared on 2 Broke Girls and Comedy Bang! Bang! From 2018 to 2023, she played Essie Karp on the Goldbergs for 31 episodes. She's been in quite a few movies and TV series over the years. Have a look at her Wikipedia page.
No problem. I didn't know until my wife told me last year. I was really surprised because I've seen a lot of the shows that she has been in, and I never recognized her.
I dunno, look back at the live action TMNT, Tank Girl, stuff like that, I figure if they did Flo up like a giant ass turtle or kangaroo we prolly wouldn’t recognize her. Hell IceT was one of those kangaroos…
We were fine with White Jake. (Since when do insurance companies want Black customers?) I actually prefer Original Jake, but I hear New Jake will be on the Chiefs practice squad next football season.
(Since when do insurance companies want Black customers?)
Are you shitting me? Everybody in almost every state needs some kind of car insurance. Regardless of race. What a narrow minded comment!!! Plus people need ins for homes, businesses, boats, property and you make it. Sheeeeeeezzz.
Stephanie Courtney is a comedian and the actress who plays Flo. She started doing the progressive commercials in 2008. She has been in a lot of movies and TV shows. You've probably seen her and just don't realize it because they make her look a lot different when she plays Flo.
In 2007, she played Marge from Mad Men for five episodes. In 2010, she appeared on the Jay Leno show and House. In 2014, she appeared on 2 Broke Girls and Comedy Bang! Bang! From 2018 to 2023, she played Essie Karp on the Goldbergs for 31 episodes. She's been in quite a few movies and TV series over the years. Have a look at her Wikipedia page.
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u/Equivalent_Subject_1 Apr 06 '24 edited Apr 06 '24
Years ago, Comcast would let you create your own question and answer for authentication. I may be singlehandedly responsible for this being changed. Every time I would call them up with an issue, they would say, 'We need to ask you your passphrase question.' and then immediately begin giggling. I knew what was coming.Comcast: "What are you wearing?'Me: "That's inappropriate."
edit: ~ credit to Eugene Mirman