Before Better Call Saul, there was Mr. Show. The brainchild of Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, who would go on to another legally themed show in Arrested Development, Mr. Show produced some of the greatest comedy sketches of all time. And one of their greatest centered on a pair of ad executives pitching GloboChem, a soulless multinational, on a series of ads to shore up the company’s image that all followed the hackneyed style of contemporary advertising… but with jarringly unnecessary profane. The last one just zoomed out to show the Earth from orbit — the image corporations unimaginatively embrace to convey either a worldwide approach or because their contribution to environmental and human misery is less visible from there.
That skit is top of mind after seeing GloboChem’s real-life Biglaw analog, Jones Day, put out an introductory video on their website. Roll On Friday has a shot by shot breakdown that cannot be matched, so you should definitely read that. But in a nutshell, Jones Day clearly hired some ad executives who asked what exactly it was that Jones Day did and when they heard it was stuff like this, and this, and this, they responded, “Well, screw that, let’s just put entirely random stock footage together and hope it flies.” And then they contemplated the existential dread that follows first learning about Jones Day.
Why are they watching the Space Shuttle? As well-oiled as the revolving door between Jones Day and the Trump administration is, NASA is one of the agencies their alumni aren’t running. See what I mean about the superficial corporate imagery? Mission control is a team, so this conveys that Jones Day is a team too! In a way that actual Jones Day footage never could because… stuff like this.
Just to be clear, Jones Day is just a 5-year-old boy being asked what they want to be when they grow up. It’s a fitting homage to how Jones Day likes to say anyone can be firefighters, like when Jones Day partner Kevyn Orr took over Detroit in an undemocratic coup executed by Michigan’s governor and filled the drastic loss of experienced firefighters by rush training a bunch of people. Very meta.
There’s a symphony orchestra in there for some reason too. What a glorious acid trip we’re on together!
The only thing it’s missing is a cute, non-threatening mascot like Pit Pat. Where’s Don McGahn when you need him?
Bonkers Law Firm Website: Jones Day goes large [Roll On Friday]
Earlier: Investigation Into Jones Day Reveals ‘Endemic Culture Of Sexual Inappropriateness’
Jones Day Files For Sanctions In Ongoing Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
Jones Day Responds To Critics With Standard Petulant Hissy Fit
Donald Trump’s Amazing Cease & Desist Letter
Lawsuit Alleges Jones Day Doctored Firm Picture To Make Attorney Look More Caucasian