DirecTV's 'Poltergeist' ad is dead wrong

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Bill Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 08:31 PM EST

You're still posting about this weeks after they yanked the ad? What. Ever.

Get a life. And grow up!

Cyn Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 04:48 PM EST

You have to be KIDDING.

Of all the things in the world, THIS is what a bunch of "adults" have to worry and post about??

Get lives.

In the end, it's not hurting you or national security so who the hell cares? Those in charge of Heather's image gave their okay. End of Story.

And Craig T Nelson's career is over because he appeared in a tv ad? What. Ever. I guess that means EVERY actor's career is over. God forbid the man just try to make a living. Not everyone in that town makes $20 mill a pic.

Joe Sat, Nov 1, 2008 at 09:24 AM EST

This was also a concern by direct TV so they got Heathers family involved!!! Case closed!!!

In October 2008, DirecTV began airing a national TV advertisement developed by Deutsch (part of the Interpublic Group of Companies) that featured O'Rourke's famous "They're here!" scene from Poltergeist blended with contemporary footage of her costar, Craig T. Nelson intended to mimic the film. After the advert drew criticism from bloggers and columnists for exploiting the deceased 12-year-old,[17] DirecTV responded in a Q&A session with readers of The New York Times; Jon Gieselman, the senior vice president for advertising and public relations at DirectTV, explained that O'Rourke's family "was involved in the spot from start to finish. [and that] Heather’s mother not only approved, [...] she also commented that Heather’s inclusion was a wonderful tribute to her daughter."[18]

Joe Sat, Nov 1, 2008 at 09:16 AM EST

WTF!!! You guys are overlooking the only real death that these commerials are exploiting....the acting career of Craig T Nelson, its been dead for years but do you hear anyone crying and whining over that?

Isabella Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 10:57 AM EST

"I don't get what everyone's so offended over... it's Craig T. Nelson hawking a product, and it happens to be from a famous movie in which one of the actors has since died." ........two actors, actually. Dominique Dunne (Dana, the older sister) was murdered by her boyfriend. Two more actors died of illness or complications from illness in the second movie, I believe. That being said, the commercial is in bad taste.

Suggestion Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 10:18 PM EST

The problem here is people are getting lost between being "offended" and something that is in bad taste. I don't think Kristen is overly sensitive becuase she recognized the ad as being in bad taste. I thought it was in bad taste too. But the point she was trying to make got muddled in this "offended" thing - look, it takes a lot to offend me. That's not to say that it's impossible to offend me, in fact, some of the ridiculous posts on this topic are downright offensive. But this ad was not offensive. It was, however, simply in bad taste.

Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 09:39 PM EST

I was the last person to post. I just wanted to clarify something. I think that the dead deserve our respect, sure. I just don't understand why this commercial is disrespectful. Neither a dead child nor a living child has the ability to consent to something like this. Even if this commercial had been done while she was still alive, it would have been her parents who would have given permission. Besides, it's not like they were exploiting her death. Only people who are familiar with her and the Poltergeist "curse" will even know she's dead. They didn't draw attention to that fact. Why wouldn't her parents be fine with it? They didn't have a problem with her acting in the movie. So why would they mind her likeness being in a commercial that was a spoof of that movie?

I think people are only looking for something to be offended by.

Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 05:05 PM EST

Why are people more offended by the use of this clip after Heather's death than they were by the use of her in a movie while she was still alive? Yes, she's dead, which means she cannot be hurt by this. The ad wasn't even disrespectful to her. If you think that the ad devalues her, then maybe you think the movie did too. And guess what, she made the movie when she was five or six and still alive and, therefore, still capable of being hurt by fame and celebrity.

I think it's sad that she spent her whole childhood in the movies and all that anyone insists on remembering about her is her tragic death. That's what's pitiful. She sacrificed a normal childhood for our entertainment and yet people would rather remember her for her death than her life.

P.Dot Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 05:12 PM EST

Everyone is entitled to their opinions on what is tasteful and what is not. I personally feel that this ad just isn't in in poor taste at all. If they had CG'd the girl and had her appear as herself ("Hi, I'm Heather O'Rourke, and I'm here to talk to you today about DirecTV...")THAT would be inappropriate, obviously. But she appeared as her CHARACTER, exactly the same as everytime someone watches the film, and her voice/likeness wasn't altered at all. Without question it is sad when a child passes away, just as it is when anyone does. But the character she played is not dead and doesn't cease to exist because the actress who played here dies, nor should it. Argue all you want about whether or not the producers/actors from the films are sellouts for agreeing to these ads, but to me the use of a character from a film where the actress who played her, sadly, happened to die at a young age is irrelevant.

Alex Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 02:04 PM EST

Hey Kristen-

Were you equally offended when you saw that they were using Chevy Chase's dead career to sell satellite dishes?

You're awful. lighten up.

Amy Sat, Oct 25, 2008 at 11:26 AM EST

I have to say the first time I saw this I was offended. I love Halloween and this wasn't even in the true spirit. It was just exploiting a dead little girl we all loved in these movies. I really didn't believe Craig T. Nelson would ever stoop this low. I thought he had more class then that. There are a lot of other movies out there they could have used. They could have used other actors from the movie too. I agree with one of the other people that posted their comment here that her mouth doesn't look quite right when she says "their here". Not to mention Craig T. Nelson looks a little odd too, that hair looks very bad. The commercial creeped me out, but not in the way i think they intended. People that think this commercial is ok must have have never dealt with the lose of a child in their life. You never get over it. Whether they are yours or not. This is not a good way to honor her memory. The movies are enough. Using her to sell a product is too much.

Billy Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 08:09 PM EST

It's obvious that those of you who think this is in "poor taste" HAVE no taste.

Billy Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 08:08 PM EST

What a bunch of babies. They still sell Poultergeist on DVD as well. Horrible! Get over it.

johno Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 04:06 PM EST

I just think a dead child should be off limits. In fact this ad makes me want to cancel my direct tv which i might do if they don't pull it off. sadly her family decided to worship the almight dollar and pimp a dead child out like that and that just is so wrong on many levels. Not comparabile to other dead celebs in ads (although I think that is wrong to) because this is a child who never got to grow up

Simpsons Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 11:04 AM EST

Sara, jeez, talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous. Obviously they are not using a dead child in the LITERAL sense! The reason people are put off by the commercial is becuase of the crass nature of capitalizing on the likeness of a child who has died.

Sara Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 07:45 PM EST

They are not using a "dead child" to promote their product. They are using footage from a movie, and the child acting in the scene has since died. Yes, using an image of a "dead child" would be wrong. Using a clip of a live child from a movie (even if said child has since died) is not something to be outraged over.

SuperME Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 07:38 PM EST

I found it really quite horrifying that that DirecTV would stoop this low. The whole idea of the "haunting" combined with the image of the dead kid with her hair blowing around in the darkened bedroom - it's just a weird commercial that creeps me out every time I see it.

iHate Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 09:39 AM EST

This commercial annoys the crap out of me! When the little girl says "they're here" her mouth moves all weird and it doesn't look like that's even what she's saying. Next time it comes on, watch it on mute and see if it looks like she says "they're here". It doesn't. I don't know why but it annoys me so much! Not to mention the fat that the commercial is played all day everyday on ESPN which is what I'm always watching, so I'm sick of it! All those DirecTV ads suck. I hate when companies come up with some commercial idea, think it's the best idea ever and make like 10 different versions of that same gimmick, when in reality the idea sucks. RAGE

John Walz Sun, Oct 19, 2008 at 06:16 PM EST

I thought it was pretty bad. I emailed them through their investor relations website to inform them of my distaste. I would recommend this if you feel the same way. If they think it effects their sales, they won't do it again. It's all about the money.

Steve Sun, Oct 19, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

Making money off of a dead child is wrong! End of story.

A.J. Sun, Oct 19, 2008 at 05:19 AM EST

Well, I happened to see the Poltergeist DirectTV commercial a minute ago and decided to look up online how they made those ads. I got how it was done now but I also came across this discussion. Let's be honest here: Heather O'Rourke died 20 years ago, 20 YEARS!!! Quit acting offended that her mother approved of that commercial. Maybe she got over her daughter's death? Ever think of that? Ever think that losing a child IS NOT an eternal sorrow? Everyone is different. People gets over tragedies in their own way.

Patron Zero Sun, Oct 19, 2008 at 01:49 AM EST

Frank Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 06:45 PM EST

Again, the MOTHER of Heather O'Rourke not only approved of the ad but thought it was a terrific tribute to her daughter.

The MOTHER of Heather O'Rourke is still receiving residual payments for her daughter's films, of course she's going to approve anything that keeps those cheques coming in.

Big Red Sat, Oct 18, 2008 at 10:22 PM EST

Jim, you are clearly a moron and you have no idea of what you are talking about. Please stick to things that you know, and stop pretending that you have an IQ above 45.

Jim Sat, Oct 18, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

Bob, it's not about it being offensive it's about it being in bad taste - moron! Obviously it's in bad taste to use to use a DEAD CHILD to hawk a product! Are you really that clueless that you cannot understand that?

Bob Bobberts Sat, Oct 18, 2008 at 11:57 AM EST

I don't get what everyone's so offended over... it's Craig T. Nelson hawking a product, and it happens to be from a famous movie in which one of the actors has since died.
I just don't see the problem -- should this movie cease to exist because Heather Rourke is dead? Should stores stop selling it? Should the studio who made it lock it away in a vault? Any time someone buys or rents it, a profit is being made by somebody.
And would it be less offensive if a movie from the early 40's was used in which every actor is likey deceased?

Dave Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 04:59 PM EST

You people who defend this ad are just too funny! It's not a matter of whether the mother signed off on the ad, which I am sure she did for a handsome price. It's not even a matter of being "offended." It's a matter of whether using a dead child to hawk a product is a good idea. Anyone with half a brain is going to agree that it is not, and that doing so is objectionable and in very poor taste. That is the only point being made here. If you don't agree that this ad is in bad taste you have a screw loose, period. Or, you simply have bad taste! Nothing more need be said on this. Next!

Frank Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 06:45 PM EST

Again, the MOTHER of Heather O'Rourke not only approved of the ad but thought it was a terrific tribute to her daughter.

kizer Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 04:26 PM EST

Its a commerical for gosh sakes people. Static, no TV working it was meant to be a Joke and you guys/gals take it so seriously.

So should I stop watching every show that has dead actors/actresses in them? Wow I guess none of us should of watched the newest Bat Man since the Joker he died too Huh? Oh did we all forget how he died? So lets all nominate him for an academy award. Oh thats right we can't do that because hes dead it would be rude.

B Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 04:13 PM EST

I love when people get offended by this stuff. It lets me know what I can look forward to once I don't have to worry about the mundane things in life like...my kids, the economy, my health, and those who I care about.

So once I become invicible, have unlimited wealth, and figure out a way to make decisions for my children in situations that can have negative impacts on their lives for them, I know what I can worry about after that.

Loosen Up!

Susan Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 03:03 AM EST

I cannot believe 'upper management' actually allowed this to air! (and for this long!) Talk about a low class, heartless, plain old stupid, company! If 'they' had any feelings would have dropped that horrible commercial right after the first complaint! They couldn't have used a stand-in girl similar to the guy/gal in bed? They are not the original actors from Poltergeist. This sweet little girl became ill and died. A real tragedy. They should show her and her family respect. Shame on Direct Tv for being so money cold! A very warm and classy company for sure. Can't wait for next commercial ... wonder which suddenly deceased actor they'll use? Bunch of idiots. Thank you all for agreeing with me, Direct Tv made a very poor choice and actually should apologize to all in audience.

Kitten Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 12:11 AM EST

I too saw the ad and felt very uncomfortable. I can't even explain my instant revusion or why I felt it but it was there anyway. I didn't and don't like the ad. Something unseemly about using that little girl. Just had to say a prayer for her and her family.

Patron Zero Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 11:28 PM EST

Wow, actual necrophilia on network TV after no one said it could be done !

Rob Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

D. Gregory,

You don’t need to be hypersensitive to appreciate how this commercial transcends the boundaries of good taste. You just have to consider the commercial in the broader context of other commercials that have capitalized on the likenesses of dead celebrities. There have been a few of them but there are two key differences here: 1) Heather O’Rourke hardly had attained the level of iconic celebrity that characterized Gene Kelly or Frank Sinatra, and 2) none of the dead celebrities appearing in commercials have been children.

Heather O’Rourke had known relatively little stardom besides Poltergeist. There’s absolutely NO need to use her likeness in a commercial. They could have used any girl and any movie. The only purpose of using THIS girl and THIS movie is to shock the viewers with a repulsive and creepy image that will get them talking and ultimately get the DirectTV name out there. That amounts to sheer exploitation and nothing more. It is absolutely grotesque.

D. Gregory Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 02:23 AM EST

I agree… This is creepy and it smacks of exploitation. I kind of felt the same way when they used old footage of Gene Kelly dancing to sell something. I mean, some ad guy thought this up and SOMEONE thought it was a good idea. But you gotta wonder what Heather O’Rourke would think of her image being used to shill Dish TV… Just seems disrespectful to me. Of course, it would be great if SOMEONE would cancel their Direct TV service as a means of sending a message. But no one will do this… We’ve become a nation of unpricipled TV addicts. I mean, sure, we’ll complain. But who is going to cancel their TV service???

v cates Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 08:37 PM EST

Please remove the ad from t.v...Direct t.v. sells itself..

Jim Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

The mother of the child gave approval that the ad be done. She felt it would be a way of honoring her daughter.

Deutsch creative in New York did the ad. His comments can be found here.

http://blog.infinitemonkeysblog.com/?q=node/5642

Scroll down to the producer's comments

lzizzle Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 12:29 AM EST

Hello! Craig T. Nelson has No Soul, doing this commercial with the image of poor little Heather. Shame on him, does he really need the money that bad??

jcs Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 08:21 AM EST

I felt the same way the first time I saw this commerical. I love PopWatch because there are always people who feel the same way I do about things!

nick Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 05:05 PM EST

my problem is not so much the use of a dead child for their marketing campaign, but more so that the commercial is just downright stupid and has no real plot to it. DirectTV will put out anything these days to sell their product. i say the main problem is just a lack of creativity.

Fran Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 11:34 PM EST

I totally agree... I think this commercial is in VERY bad taste... I guess it offends us BECAUSE she was so young, and if I'm not mistaken, she died shortly after she was in these movies... I was just really taken aback by it... Do we know... is that REALLY Craig T.???? Love him... but that would be disappointing!!!

mkra Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 05:20 PM EST

while it's tragic that heather died at a young age..i don't think it's a big deal that they used this clip.it's actually great that they are using it because it shows that it's still loved and popular..it's honoring her not exploiting her. should we not play any music written by dead composers?? should we not put athletes in a hall of fame after their deaths?? should we not create any historical fiction stories whether in text, movies, or shows??

gerard Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 02:19 PM EST

If we got rid of every single commercial that used dead actors/actresses, we'd be left with nothing creative. I found it to be extremely clever. So...that being said, Kristen, perhaps you should just shut the f*ck up.

cinnarose Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 09:41 AM EST

I'm guessing that the child's next of kin had to give them permission to do this, and considering how well they took care of her when she was alive, it's not surprising they allowed this. Golddiggers are always golddiggers.

tee Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:22 PM EST

how about it's a career killer for any of these actors to shill for directv an ruin a scene from their past movies...

tee Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:21 PM EST

how about it's a career killer for any of these actors to shill for directv an ruin a scene from their past movies...

Louise Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 09:09 AM EST

Thanks for writing this. I have been complaining about that commercial every time I see it.

bimmark Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:58 AM EST

Geez, glad there were others out there bugged by this too! It is just wrong. Doesn't Craig T. make enough scratch from "Coach" reruns? Did Heather's family really approve this?

d Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 12:36 AM EST

I don't think it was in poor taste. I think it was very creepy and a little scary.

Alex Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 12:09 AM EST

Kristen-

I bet you're really fun at parties. Your SOUL DIED?

Lighten up.

Michael Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:48 PM EST

To answer the question, the stars (Craig T. Nelson, Sigourney Weaver, Robert Patrick, etc.) RESHOT the scenes and the footage was then combined with the origninal footage via CGI. Personally, I don't find the ad in poor taste - dead celebrities are used and have always been used in advertising.

Ryan Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 09:55 PM EST

Thank you! That commercial really bothered me too.

Mikey T. Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 07:40 PM EST

If this is your biggest gripe about what is on television. I have pity for you. Seriously. Who pays your bills Kristen Baldwin? Oh, that's right. The world's largest media and entertainment conglomerate TIME WARNER! I'm sure DirecTV and Time Warner are not doing business with each other. Oh, wait. They are.

Do your homework before you spout off again.

And, just keep telling yourself that you didn't SELL OUT every time you deposit that TIME WARNER check!

Karoline Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 07:24 PM EST

I find it interesting that there's been so much disagreement here on whether this ad is objectionable or not because it features a young actress who died way before her time. The key point is that viewers have a gut reaction to something like this, and that reaction will dictate how they feel about the product being advertised. My opinion of DirecTV immediately went negative upon seeing Heather O'Rourke in that ad - can't really explain why, it just doesn't seem right. Did it not cross anyone's mind at DirecTV or their ad agency that people would not like this commercial?

kim in kentucky Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 06:33 PM EST

I guess they're counting on most people not knowing that she died (how long has it been?)

tiffany Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 06:23 PM EST

I had kind of an unsettled feeling when I first saw this, too. Couldn't they find another memorable Craig T. Nelson movie to re-make for the commercial? Oh, I guess not.

But really, a dead child should be off limits when shilling something she didn't live long enough to see or experience.

megan Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 06:04 PM EST

i'm glad i'm not the only one that was totally weirded out by this commercial. the first time i saw it i said something to my bf about it the others actually haven't really bothered me though i do think they're stupid. but i think showcasing a dead child to hock your satellite service is in poor taste. i wonder if directv bothered to notify her family about this and if they approve.

Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 05:49 PM EST

I am so glad you posted this! I had the same reaction when I saw the commercial. It's just lacks class. It's not clever or witty, and it seems to be capitalizing on the tragic death of a young performer. All in all I saw BOO! direcTV

Jim from Saint Paul Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 05:23 PM EST

Who cares?

peaches Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 05:00 PM EST

I saw it for the first time last night and I was kinda offended as well.

Brett Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:58 PM EST

This is the first one of the DirecTV ads to use a movie with a performer who's passed away. Because of the young age at which Ms. O'Rourke passed, coupled with the subject matter of the Poltergeist film, it just makes the commercial unsettling and a little creepy. Nobody was as put off by the appearance of John Wayne in a commercial with R. Lee Ermey a few years back, though Fred Astaire dancing with a vacuum cleaner probably sounded great to the ad executives - not so great to the viewing public.

What's next: Getting Clint Eastwood to ask the perp if he "feels lucky" 'cause he's got DirecTV? (Can you imagine trying to eliminate forty years of age from Clint's visage?)

raven Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:44 PM EST

Yeah, DirecTV commercials get on my nerves, always exploiting classic movies to promote there product and annoyingingly s**ty custemer service.

Gurtz Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:36 PM EST

Though I don't necessarily think the ad is in poor taste BECAUSE Heather O'Rourke is no longer with us (sad as that is!), I DO take offense at DirectTV cheapening (even ruining) movies that I love. Every time their ad using Aliens or Terminator 2 comes on, I have to quickly change the channel. I do not want these scenes to be forever associated in my mind with DirectTV. Also, shame on everyone who agreed to allow these movies to be cheapened like this. Did the original actors do voice overs? SHAME!

Dianne Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:33 PM EST

P.Dot: Heath Ledger was a grown man who played with drugs, and it killed him. Heather O'Rourke was a little girl who had a stomach perforation that killed her. There's a difference.

P. Dot Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:25 PM EST

So by your logic, The Dark Knight was in poor taste because Heath Ledger passed away???? This commercial is totally harmless. RELAX I say! It might be different if the ad had come out shortly after she passed away, but its been DECADES! In no way are they capitalizing on/exploiting her death, plus the average TV viewer probably has no idea that she passed away. Honestly, the only thing that I find shocking about this is that anybody found it offensive in the least.

These ads are "spoofing" classic movie moments. This is a classic movie moment. Period.

doopey Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:20 PM EST

Isn't equally tacky and tasteless for EW to entitle this article "DirecTV's 'Poltergeist' ad is dead wrong". Dead wrong? Really, that's what you're going to go with? Pot, meet kettle.

Dianne Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:16 PM EST

Oh, I forgot! She wasn't a little girl who died a painful death -- she was a child born to be in a "tasteless" commercial later in life. Thanks for putting things in perspective.

ranger99 Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 04:08 PM EST

Totally overblown - I loved the movie, I knew that O'Rourke was dead, but I thought nothing of the commercial being in bad taste. In my opinion, all commericals are just a varied degree of tastlessness!

Get over it!

Sadie Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 03:59 PM EST

This was a poor choice. Everyone who watches POLTERGEIST today thinks about the fate of that poor little girl. It's an honor to her memory to watch the movie itself. It's just plain wrong to use her iconic image to sell a product, especially in the way these DirecTV ads have been doing it. Instead of "how'd they do that?" it become "why'd they do that?"

JaniceM Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 03:44 PM EST

My first response to this ad was surprise. Heather O'Rourke was such a beautiful little girl, who died tragically at a young age. Just seemed wrong, somehow.

I don't think it makes me oversensitive. It just seems unnecessary.

Jennifer Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 03:28 PM EST

The first time I saw it I thought the choice was a little odd, but I didn't find it "wrong" or "offensive." The shots of the little girl are straight from the movie; it's not like they manipulated HER image to make her shill the product, dance with a vacuum cleaner, etc. The "They're heeere" line is a very famous scene in movie history. If something similar was done with a scene of Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" or Leslie Howard in "Gone with the Wind" would people be as upset? They both died young; are their famous movie scenes forever off-limits as well?

t3hdow Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 03:08 PM EST

To the posters who found no wrong with the ad, it's fine if you feel that way, but by no means does this mean the rest of us are oversensitive by finding something wrong with it, nor does it mean we're sidelining it over more important tragedies (it's a mere footnote compared to the recent economic troubles). However, if the most common reaction to an ad elicits negative reactions, that's probably not a coincidence. Also, it's ridiculous to suggest Poltergeist should be pulled as a comparison to exploiting the death of a child. Many people work on a film and it would be unfair to them for sales to halt because of an untimely young death. Doing this commercial years after the fact for a DirectTV ad...not so much. Those are two completely different things.
Still, if the family's cool with the ad, there's no point boycotting it, but it still sounds like a poor idea.

Nahara Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 02:57 PM EST

I used to think I was too sensitive, thanks to those who had issues with the ad, I now know that I am not. I had no issue with this ad. Honestly, I didn't even think it was her. Plus, if it's true that her family had to ok it..then you should be upset with them, not DirectTV.

Al Fredo Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 02:45 PM EST

I am pretty shocked at the majority response to this. Although I clearly know that Heather O'Roarke has been dead for awhile, it didn't for once appear to me that this was trying to exploit her. For one, this is an ongoing campaign - so not an isolated incident. Second, it's an iconic moment within the movie. And third, her character wasn't tampered with (only CTN's character was recreated).

Man, of all the nonsense going on in the world there should be plenty of other more legit things to be getting people riled up.

Megan Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 02:39 PM EST

Wow. Well then we should really have protested those Gap ads with Audrey Hepburn in them. Because you know, she's dead. What a load of crap. I can't believe someone was actually offended by this stupid Direct TV commercial.

eric Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 02:18 PM EST

This did not deserve it's own page and article blurb. If you were seriously offended at this ad because O'Rourke has passed then you seriously need to get some damn skin.

Evan Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

Hold up the kid is dead? Well by god we should rip copies of Poltergeist of the shelf. For shame on these people for using a well known movie to profit. I am sorry but this is just not a big deal. There are so many other things that are far worse. Using a movie to get people to buy things is not one of them.

Snarf Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 02:05 PM EST

Tacky. Yet at the same time a little over sensative perhaps? Ah, the PC 80's and 90's progenetor of a future generation of sucky-babies.

David Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

Heather's mother signed off on this. In fact, she found it a tribute to her daughter. So do I. Don't forget that "Poltergeist III" was released after Heather passed away, and it's been 26 years since the original film was released. The focus of the ad is Craig T. Nelson anyway, not Heather. It's a well done ad.

Check out my site for more info:

www.poltergeist.poltergeistIII.com

Phil Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:40 PM EST

I was watching tv the other night with my sister and this commerical came on and we got to talking. Did Heather's parents have to approve or because the commercial technically is a licensing of the movie, did they have no say? But then again, their daughter has been dead for many years, perhaps they were hard pressed for money in these hard financial times? How could Craig T. Nelson have agreed to this?? I have a feeling since its based on a movie, the commercial was licensed by whomever retains the rights to the POLTERGIEST movie, but yes, since its an ad for DirecTV we can def. point a finger at them. DISTURBING, and NOT in the entertainment should be in October kinda way!!!

Eric Friedmann Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:32 PM EST

While the ad can definitely be considered tasteless, I am hardly shocked or surprised. Ever since I saw the movie poster for CLOVERFIELD, I have simply come to accept tastelessness as something synonomis with movies and TV; like peanut butter and jelly.

By that same logic, it hardly shocked me at all when Bill Clinton put his c*ck in Monica Lewinsky's mouth in 1998 or when Elliot Spitzer got caught paying $4,200 for p*ssy last winter!

Jill Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:25 PM EST

I wasn't really offended but I did think it strange. I was more surprised that Craig T. Nelson would stoop so low. But I felt that way with the commercials with Bill Paxton and Sigourney Weaver.

Ned Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

I can understand being offended if the O'Rourke family was against the commercial, but they're not. They signed off on it. If you're offended by this, you should be offended each time they choose to re-air the movie itself. After all, they are profiting off of a dead child.

Larry Mondello Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:11 PM EST

I thought the same thing when I first saw this ad. The other DirecTV ads I didn't especially like, but this one borders on offensive since that young actress has died.

Phil Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:06 PM EST

not agreed. I have no problem with the commercial.

Marci Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:06 PM EST

I really don't see any problem with it. How many people actually know the little girl is dead in real life? Cuz I didn't.

You know, I'm finding that I read popwatch less and less because many of the posts seem to be overreactions to some innocuous little thing like this (and the post the other day about "sleeping beauty").

Mari Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 01:05 PM EST

I thought it was in poor taste the first time I saw it, and can you imagine being her mother, turning on the TV, and seeing your dead child in a TV commercial...this is one ad I think Direct should pull from the air.

Coltseavers Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:54 PM EST

You people are nuts...its a recreation of a scene in a movie, that's it. Lighten up.

Dr. No Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:53 PM EST

The fact that "Coach" agreed to this commericial too, shows how far his career has crumbled.

God awful commercial.

cruzilla Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:50 PM EST

One of the differences with this v Astaire or Nat King Cole ad (which I also dislike) is that she was 13 when she died, not an adult what had lived a full life. I guess I prefer not to put a statute of limitations on mourning a life lost too young. It's not like we're just watching the work she performed while she was alive (e.g. Poltergeist has stood the test of time as a great horror film) but let's leave it at that.

pai Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:47 PM EST

Tom and Tina... it's not that they did something particularly wrong. But if you look at something at your gut reaction is ICK, then they're not really doing a great job of selling their product. So far this message board shows that viewers have overwhelmingly not felt right about what they saw. Maybe that should have given the company pause.

tina Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:33 PM EST

Hmm. Well, count me among the minority who didn't think anything was wrong with it. They're not poking fun at her, but at the movie. It's all in context. Also, she's been gone now for a loooooong time. As someone else pointed out, they've used Fred Astaire, too. Natalie Cole *sang* with her dead father. Frankly I was more offended by Celine and the holographic Elvis, because it was creepy.

Gre Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:19 PM EST

Good God, I thought that too. Shame on DirecTV, shame on Craig T. Nelson.

Sage Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:09 PM EST

I thought the same exact thing... so what if they thought they found a perfect moment in a film to parody?!?! The main focus of the scene is A DEAD LITTLE GIRL. are they retarded?

Liz Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:04 PM EST

I was extremely offended when I saw these adds. What was the pitch? "Okay, we are going to parody the scene from Poltergeist where the girl says, "They're here". Sounds good, right?" "I thought she was dead." "She is." "Oh, okay, super."

Corinne Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:56 AM EST

I know right! Did NO one remember that she was dead when they decided to make this?

Gretchen Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:54 AM EST

My sister and I said the exact same thing when we saw it. Very distasteful

Fangirljen Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:51 AM EST

I said the same thing to my husband a few nights ago, very poor taste. I went to Elementary School with Heather and her sister Tammy, for two years, she always seemed sad...that's all I think about every time that commercial comes on.

Tom Brazelton Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:45 AM EST

Wow. Am I the only one that doesn't have a problem with this? I thought it was in context with the rest of DirecTV's "hijack the movie" campaign. I think you guys are over-reacting. It's not like they changed the words coming out of O'Rourke's mouth. She's incidental to the scene.

t3hdow Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 11:44 AM EST

The DirectTV spoofs are fine with me, but using a dead child actress is pretty damn tasteless. It's also odd, considering what DirectTV did with the Back to the Future. If they had the good sense not to use Michael J. Fox for that one (because of Parkinson's disease), where did it go when using Poltergeist for a commercial?