VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

ccpetersen · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:19 am Post subject: VO at WalMart

So, we ventured into Wal-Mart on Saturday because a kindly relative had sent us a couple of Uncle Wally's gift cards. I expected the worst, it being the Saturday after Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised -- for a while. It was actually pretty quiet in there, even with the constant announcements for things like "an associate from guns to register 5 for a price check" (honest!) They were playing nice music and the whole sound system sounded pretty good (not the usual tinny sound with the dynamic range of a pair of tin cans on a string).

So, about the time we were heading to the checkouts, this announcer comes on and does the most amazing "standup" about checking out the fabric sale, the parts sale, the shoes sale, and the leftover Christmas decoration sale -- and ending with a very nice, sincere sounding wish for a happy holiday season and, oh by the way, GOOOOO Pats!!!!

I thought it was pre-recorded, but then I saw the announcer -- a mature lady standing by the service desk holding a microphone.

It was... pleasant. And a nice use of voice-over skills.
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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:41 am Post subject:

hey ... she was talking anyway ... right?
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Bruce · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:50 am Post subject:

I've learned to despise Walmart stores, partially for the aiding Chinese/killing American manufacturing thing, but also the greeters don't greet you anymore, the employees don't smile when they get within 5 feet of you anymore, and most of people on the overhead speakers SHRIEK their announcements in an uneducated, poorly enunciated way. Old Sam Walton must be a spinnin' in his grave.

I go to Target for my bargain shopping. At least they try to be a classy version of a discount store.

B
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I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

mcm · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:47 am Post subject:

There are so many reasons not to go to that store I won't even start to enumerate them- and DB would probably put a stop to it anyway.

But, when somebody gives you a gift card, what do you do? Or worse, when they give them to your children? Both of my kids hate that store and all it represents, but we still went and redeemed the gift cards they got last year.

Sigh. We are not perfect.

glittlefield · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:35 am Post subject:

Just remember, Mary. By the time you get the gift cards, it means someone ELSE has given Walmart THEIR money. You're just using the cards to take items FROM Walmart.

See? Think of it as excused looting... within a predetermined amount...
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bobsouer · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:36 am Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:58 am Post subject:

Color me Target all the way too.
I'll go to Penney's before I'll go to WalMart , and Penney's is 20 more minutes away.

I'm glad to hear about the grand lady doing the announcing, CC!!
It's not an entirely Evil Empire.
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ccpetersen · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:00 pm Post subject:

Well, I have to agree about shopping Wal-Mart -- I don't usually shop there and prefer not to give money to a company that hardasses small companies and sells poorly made crap. =I like Target (Tar-zhay) for my "bargain goods." But yes, the folks sent Wally's cards, so I couldn't very well NOT use them. And it was such a pleasant shopping experience that I was amazed.

Wal-Mart employed my brother for a long time, even though he was having problems with the bottle; the management of his store helped to AA meetings, etc.

Also, just recently, Wal-Mart started selling DH's music on their download site. We were amazed.
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Jon Morss · Guest

cc -- Did you let the lady voicing at Wal-Mart know how you felt about her performance? I'm sure it would have made her happy to know that at least someone listened and enjoyed her intercom antics.

As far as where I shop, I just go where the bargains are. They all sell the same crap coming from the same place. A few years back I had to provide Unix support to the main Wal-Mart facility and they certainly did not impress me. Its amazing that they have stayed in business for as long as they have. I still shop there though.

I still like what South Park did to them.

ccpetersen · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject:

Jon,

I should have said something, but by the time I got past the checkout line crowd, she had gotten involved in a phone call. She was over by checkout 1 and we were at checkout 20, right next to the piles of returns.

cc
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DaveChristi · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

Nice to hear that someone at a retail outlet can say anything over the PA system that sounds intelligent. Most store employees that are made to make regular announcements on the PA use this mic technique:

And have the reading skills of:

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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject:

don't know why - but my 1st thought was:

wonder twins power ... ACTIVATE!
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DaveChristi · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

Sound of ... an unintelligable idiot!

Form of ... a slug!
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The Character Voice Actor

Ed Gambill · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

I once worked with a guy who was the PA announcer for the Port Authority station in NYC. He decided to give acting a shot. You may have heard of him Danny Aiello.

Some of the slug /PA announcer have actually done fairly well for themselves.
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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

i think, probably, the lady at wal-mart and danny aiello are the exception that proves dave's rule. i also heard a carney on the "snowball" ride at the state fair who was really good. seriously. he was funny, articulate and great.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?