The classic GEICO commercial featuring the now iconic camel and the even more iconic “Hump Day” song has been a staple of commercial television for years. But recently, another ad featuring clogging has been gaining popularity and drawing viewers’ attention.
The commercial stars the Tucker family, comprised of Greg and Maria, their children Bailey, Garrett, Olivia, and Grayson. In the commercial, we see them clogging in a grocery store to the beat of an upbeat traditional folk song. Clogging is a type of folk dance that originated in Lancashire cotton mills and coal miners in Northumbria and Durham during the 19th century. The dancer’s footwear is used percussively to create audible rhythms by striking the heel or toe against a floor or each other. While it may look like simple foot-stomping, there’s actually a great deal of skill involved in executing clogging steps correctly.
The GEICO commercial perfectly captures this unique form of dance perfectly as we watch the Tucker family effortlessly performing intricate steps while displaying genuine joy at beig able to do so. It’s inspiring to watch them dance with such enthusiasm despite the fact that it was part of a commercial shoot. We can only imagine how much fun they must have had doing it!
The fact that GEICO chose to feature clogging in its latest commercial speaks volumes about their appreciation for this unique art form. By showcasing this traditional style of dance in such a modern setting with such skillful performers, GEICO has undoubtedly opened up many people’s minds to what clogging is all about — having fun while making music with your feet!
The Clogging Family Featured in the Geico Commercial
The clogging family featured in the Geico commercial is the Tucker family. The family consists of Greg and Maria, who are married, and their three children: Bailey, Garrett (15 years old), and twins Olivia and Grayson (11 years old). The commercial was especially meaningful to Vawdrey, due to his own tendency to spontaneously break into clogging while out at the grocery store. All of the photographs featured in the commercial were actual pictures of the Tucker family.
The Popularity of Geico’s Commercials
The most popular Geico commercial is undoubtedly the ‘Hump Day’ ad, which has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States. This commercial features two office workers standing in front of a whiteboard discussing whether it was Wednesday or ‘Hump Day’. The ad then cuts to a camel entering the room and saying “it’s Hump Day!” This simple, yet hilariously effective commercial quickly became one of GEICO’s most recognizable ads and has been parodied by various other media outlets, cementing its place as one of the most popular commercials ever created.
The Art of Clogging Dance
Clogging is a traditional form of folk dance that originated in the 18th century in Britain and Northern Ireland. It was frst performed by cotton mill workers in Lancashire, England, and later spread to Northumberland and Durham in northern England. Clogging is characterized by its use of wooden-soled shoes with metal taps on the heels and toes that create a loud rhythmic sound as the dancer moves. It is usually performed solo or in pairs, with dancers keeping time with their feet while performing intricate steps and turns. The dance has been seen at many festivals, folk dances, and concerts over the years and continues to be popular today. Cloggers come from all backgrounds but are most often found among people of Irish or British heritage.
What Type of Dance is Featured in the Geico Commercial?
Clogging is a type of folk dance that originated in the Appalachian Mountains of the United States. It combines elements of tap dancing, Irish jigging, and other forms of traditional dance. Clogging involves striking the heel, toe, or both against a hard surface such as a floor or each other to create audible rhythms. The dancer’s footwear is used percussively to create these rhythms and many choreographed steps are included in clogging routines. Clogging routines ofen involve complicated footwork and intricate movements that require strength and agility. The Geico commercial features several professional cloggers performing an upbeat routine with frequent heel clicks and intricate steps.
Actor in New Geico Commercial
The actor in the new Geico commercial is DC Glenn (DC The Brain Supreme), who is an Atlanta-based hip-hop artist. He is part of the rap duo Tag Team, which also includes Steve Gibson (Steve Rolln). DC and Steve are seen in the commercial, singing their song “Scoop There It Is” and performing humorous dance moves while a voiceover extols the virtues of GEICO’s services.
Who Is the Hot Blonde in the Geico Commercial?
The hot blonde in the Geico commercial is Swedish-born actress Helena Mattsson. Mattsson has been acting since 2004 and is best known for her roles in the films Species: The Awakening (2007) and 7 Lives (2011). She also appeared on CW’s hit show “Supergirl” as well as ABC’s “Desperate Housewives.” In addition to her film and television work, Mattsson has also appeared in several commercials, most notably the Geico commercial where she plays the role of a flirtatious woman in a nightclub.
The Most Iconic TV Commercial of All Time
The most famous TV commercial of all time is undoubtedly the 1979 Coca-Cola spot featuring Pittsburgh Steelers legend “Mean” Joe Greene. The commercial opens in a locker room where a young boy offers Greene his bottle of Coke. In return, Greene tosses him his team jersey and the famous line “Hey kid, catch!” The commercial ends with Greene drinking the Coke with a smile on his face. This iconic spot has been remembered for decades and remains one of the most recognizable commercials ever created. It has been recreated numerous times and was even parodied by oher brands such as Budweiser and Nike. To this day, it is still widely regarded as one of the best and most memorable commercials ever made.
The Nationality of Clogging
Clogging is an amalgamation of many different cultural influences. It is believed to have originated from Irish step dancing, which is called Sean-nós dance. However, it has also been heavily influenced by English, Scottish, German, and Cherokee step dances, as well as African rhythms and movement. Through this combination of cultural influences, clogging developed into its own art form and eventually evolved into tap dance.
The Origin of the Name ‘Clogging’
Clogging is an Appalachian-style dance that has its roots in traditional European, African and Native American cultures. The name of the dance comes from the Gaelic word “clog,” whih means “time.” This refers to the use of taps or clogs on the dancer’s feet, which create a rhythmic beat. Clogging originated as an informal folk dance in rural working-class communities and was often performed at social gatherings and celebrations. As it spread through Appalachia, clogging became more structured and incorporated elements of line dancing, Irish step dancing, square dancing, hip-hop and jazz styles. Today it is a popular style of folk dance that emphasizes footwork over upper body movement.
Popularity of Clogging
Clogging is most popular in North East England, particularly in Northumbria. It is a traditional folk dance and musical form that dates back centuries and has been passed down through generations. Clog dancing is often seen at festivals in this region, where it is typically performed to traditional folk music. Clogging can also be seen in other parts of England, such as Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Derbyshire. Clogging has become increasingly popular over the years and can now be found in many areas around the world including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Difference Between Clogging and Tap Dancing
Clogging and tap dancing are both rhythmic forms of dance, but the two differ in their technique. Clogging is a form of folk dance that involves tapping, sliding and stomping of the feet to create a percussive sound. The movements are typically more flat-footed than tap dancing, with the dancer performing with an up-and-down body motion and making the most noise with their heels. Tap dancing, on the other hand, involves creating musical rhythms by using metal plates called taps attached to shoes. The dancer creates sound wile they move by striking the floor or another surface with their feet, which are typically on the balls of their feet. Both clogging and tap dancing require skillful footwork, but each has its own unique style and sound.
Conclusion
The GEICO clogging commercial is a testament to the timelessness of folk dancing. Not only did it feature the traditional Lancashire clogging style, but it also highlighted the Northumbrian and Durham coal miners’ version of the dance. The Tucker family, with their lively and infectious performance, helped to make the commercial an instant classic. Clogging remains an integral part of many cultures, and this commercial is a reminder of its importance. With its mix of humor and nostalgia, it truly captured the spirit of folk dancing and will be remembered for years to come.
