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Double Vision: Sears portrait wars -- 'Step Brothers' vs. Parker & Stone

Jul 22, 2008, 06:00 AM | by Mandi Bierly

Categories: Advertising, Double Vision, Film, Who Else Remembers This?

Stepbrothers_l_2 I can't be the only comedy whore aficionado who looks at the poster for Step Brothers (left), featuring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, and is reminded of a certain classic late '90s Comedy Central promo shot (right) of South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Am I?

Who did it better?

SouthPark4602 Sun, Jul 27, 2008 at 10:46 PM EST

Matt and Trey for being original.

Jenni Sun, Jul 27, 2008 at 03:45 PM EST

"Step Brothers did it better... The South Park guys are trying too hard to look funny... didn't pull it off."

I would rather a picture be trying too hard than the actual movie be trying to hard like you know Step Brothers is going to be. It's the same people doing the same movie just in a different location.

In other words, Trey and Matt win because their actual product they are promoting is worth watching. They know a stupid picture shouldn't be the only thing funny about it.

Anthony Sat, Jul 26, 2008 at 11:06 PM EST

Oh, Matt and Trey by miles. Matt's hair and expression are the clencher.

Nena Sat, Jul 26, 2008 at 07:18 PM EST

Please don't compare that a-hole Will Ferrell to the South Park creators.

Anon Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 07:48 AM EST

Will Ferrell is fail. South Park is far superior to anything Will Ferrell has ever done.

Myers MIller Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 04:10 PM EST

Step Bros. did is better, but Stone and Parker did it first. They win originality. Kudos.

Dee Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 11:33 PM EST

Neither. Flight of the Conchords decked out all in acid-wash denim for their Sears portrait wins, hands down!

Zeke Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 05:43 PM EST

all yall that vote stone and parker dont know anything when yall see it ... i do like south park but come on were talking about A Night At The Roxbury!!!!

Raven_Moon Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 04:13 PM EST

The South Park one is hilarious.

Crystal Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 10:41 AM EST

I must second Ceballos that Step Brothers takes it because of the theater "stills." No matter how many times I see it, I laugh.

KateDFW Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 10:28 AM EST

Just for the "fro" alone, you gotta give the picture props to the boys from Southpark!

Jenn Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 10:14 AM EST

Subtler doesn't always mean funnier. Plus, I'm pretty sick of Will and John. Their photo looks almost normal for one of those shots and that just makes it bland. Parker and Stone win. Especially with Stone's painfully forced kind of smile.

Emily Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 10:02 AM EST

The look on Will Ferrell's face is classic. It's like he's watching the photographer hold a toy up just above the camera to get his attention.

wildecat Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 09:56 AM EST

The shot of Ferrell and Reilly looks scarily like a Christmas card photo I had done of my two boys - only their vests were red and green argyle in honor of the season. One of my college friends totally called me on it - "Matching vests, Cath? Really?? REALLY?!?" I ceased to be cool in his eyes (or anyone else's, no doubt) after that.

ML Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 09:55 AM EST

George Tekai and Masi Oka did it the best.

paige Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 09:54 AM EST

the south park guys may win the originality award but ferell & reilly are much more subtle therefore much more funnier. especially reilly- look at that mug and tell me you dont chuckle... i think this is the first time i wanted to see a movie because of a poster...

dan jones Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 09:40 AM EST

Most blatant rip-off since Adam Sandler's movie -- You Don't Mess With the Jesus... I mean, the Zohan.

donner Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM EST

Ha! I forgot all about that SouthPark photo...good call, Mandi...

The Step Brothers poster looks more real, but I'd rather watch Bigger Longer Uncut than the movie...

Tenna Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM EST

Sorry. The Step Brothers one definitely looks plain and not as funny to me. Trey and Matt made me laugh like mad when I saw that picture the first time all those years ago and it makes me laugh as much now. It's so THEM. Step Brothers looks like it's trying a boring and sedated version of Trey and Matt's classic doof-shot.

d Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM EST

are you kidding? the south park guys did this waaayyy before will ferrell so they win simply for being original and its simply funnier

Ceballos Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:25 AM EST

Clean sweep so far...it's "Step Brothers" They also get extra points for the promo shown in movie theatres where it looks like it's just the portrait still, but then Ferrell and Reilly start bickering.

Coach's Mistress Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 08:16 AM EST

No argument from me. Step-Brothers win it.

Winona Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 07:53 AM EST

Matt said it before I could - he's right: Ferrell and Reilly got it right. And are far better-groomed, too.

Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 06:53 AM EST

MATT you are correct! The South Park guys are trying TOO hard!

Matt Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 05:58 AM EST

Step Brothers did it better... The South Park guys are trying too hard to look funny... didn't pull it off.

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