Study #1
Product: Dr. Bob’s Herbal Ecstasy
Subjects: Doug (34) and Tina (31)
[Introduction]
Doug: It’s funny, because I work in the music business and Tina is —
Tina: I’m an editor at a fashion magazine and we have this joke.
D: We say that we’ve got the sexiest jobs out of all our friends, but we’re too stressed out to have sex.
T: This should be interesting. It would be nice to have something to help us get in the mood.
[After fifteen minutes alone.]
Doug: Can you feel anything?
Tina: I just felt you touch my arm when you said that.
D: I mean, do you feel this stuff working at all?
T: Not really.
D: My neck feels weird. Like I have a little bit of a sore throat.
[After thirty minutes alone.]
Tina: They’re making us get every client lunch approved before we expense it now.
Doug: Really? The label told us we can spend exactly one third of what we used to get for pre release CD promotion on any client. Even if they’ve got a video in high rotation; one-third across the board.
T: Jesus. Really?
D: Isn’t that stupid? A year ago they were practically begging us to spend as much as we could on promotion.
T: It’ll all blow over at some point. Everybody just has to sweat it out.
[After one hour alone.]
Tina: Does your neck still hurt, honey?
Doug: Kind of, yeah. I might just go to sleep.
T: Blind Date is on.
D: Oh, okay. Cool. I was thinking we missed it.
[Couple retires to television and then to sleep.]
Study #2
Product: Blue Moon Soda with Yohimbe PassionBoost
Subjects: Steve (45) and Connie (42)
[Introduction]
Steve: We have definitely slowed down a little after having children.
Connie: I like the idea of trying something like this.
S: We were only going to have one.
C: So, do we just drink it and kind of wait for something to happen?
S: But then everyone tells you these ‘only child’ horror stories.
[After fifteen minutes alone.]
Connie: I feel like I have more energy.
Steve: [nods]
C: Maybe like I have more stamina.
S: Big commitment, kids…you know?
[After thirty minutes alone.]
Steve: I mean, I still can’t believe we’re the adults in the house, you know?
Connie: Oh, this is nice. I feel very stimulated.
S: [looks at watch]
C: I wonder what would happen if we drank two each.
[After an hour alone.]
Steve: I don’t think that ever changes. I think some people will always look in the mirror and see themselves as the child and not the parent, you know?
Connie: Honey did you finish yours?
S: What? The soda thing? Yeah.
C: How do you feel?
S: It tastes weird.
[Couple retires to sleep after checking in on the children]
Study #3
Product: Rising Sun All Natural Performance Enhancer (Made in Japan)
Subjects: Sam (70) and Bea (59)
[Introduction]
Sam: In my day, you didn’t buy anything from Japan.
Bea: Back then we only bought American.
S: You buy from the Japanese and they used the money to buy ammunitions to shoot my ass.
B: Oh, he’s not going to be in the mood for romance if you get him thinking about that war.
[After fifteen minutes alone.]
Sam: What the hell do they want us to do, again?
Bea: I think we just see if this vitamin pack makes us feel…
S: The vitamins we just took?
B: Yes, the vitamins we just took. That’s why were supposed to be alone now.
[After thirty minutes alone.]
Sam: Most vitamins will take a week or two to make much of a difference.
Bea: Oh, I wonder if they’re going to leave us alone in here for two weeks.
S: Dear God, the Japanese finally got me right where they want me.
[Both start laughing.]
B: Well, I feel thirsty. Do you think they would be interested in knowing that their vitamins make me thirsty?
[After an hour alone.]
Bea: All these things have put me in the mood for is a glass of water.
Sam: Maybe that’s what they’re looking to do.
B: Well, it’s working.
S: See this way, I get up like a gentleman and get you a glass of water and you fall in love with me all over again, sweet Bea.
B: Oh, Sam you couldn’t be a better catch.
[Couple embraces, laughing, and spends a very passionate romantic evening together.]