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Dean Cain Stars in Awkward Internet Explorer Ads

by Leila Brillson on June 26, 2009 at 01:18 PM

Somewhere in the land between 'uncomfortably funny' and 'trying too hard' sits Microsoft's new commercials promoting Internet Explorer 8. Choosing Dean Cain, the ex-football player who made his acting debut in 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,' to play a William Shatner-like straight man is an odd choice, especially given Apple's adorably nerdy spokesman Justin Long.

But the video's style, which feels distinctly viral, along with Cain's over-pronounced, tight-lipped delivery is comedically awkward (see the G.R.I.P.E.S version to watch Cain magically emerge from behind a chair). Playing a late night lawyer type who flips through books absentmindedly, Cain's ungainly turtlenecks steal the limelight.
Clearly Microsoft is gunning for the Internet-savvy crowd, creating videos that are designed to produce buzz rather than, say, sell a lifestyle (see Intel's enlightened commercials). And the choice for Dean Cain? He might not be the most obvious, but if gawky guys like Shatner can sell Priceline and Bruce Campbell can do Old Spice, why shouldn't send soap opera Superman plug IE8? [From: Buzzfeed]






Tags: dean cain, DeanCain, internet explorer, internet explorer 8, InternetExplorer, InternetExplorer8, microsoft, viral, Web

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