X

Galaxy S8 gets mercilessly flamed by Stephen Colbert

Commentary: The fire jokes won't die, as the late-night host presents a parody ad.

Chris Matyszczyk
2 min read

Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives.


samcolb.jpg
Enlarge Image
samcolb.jpg

Burn?

The Late Show/YouTube screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

Is this flaming joke a little old by now?

Haven't we enjoyed enough titters at Samsung and its exploding Note 7?

Not as far as Stephen Colbert is concerned. The "Late Show" host released what he believes should be the marketing message for the new Galaxy S8 and it's something of a burn.

In the ad, we see beautiful shots of the phone coupled with less-than-pretty messages. The core design strategy of this phone, says the ad, is to prevent it from catching fire.

So you won't be a human torch, your hair won't catch fire and your phone won't be a ticking time bomb.

Dear Stephen, phones don't tick.

Still, here Samsung wants you to know that your phone won't make your head melt "like that guy in 'Indiana Jones.'"

Sadly, the Galaxy S8 does have some other properties that may disturb you -- at least according to this ad.


I fear Colbert, despite his recent ratings successes, might not have enjoyed his finest minute here. John Oliver has already produced his own spoof ad, in which all Samsung products blow up.

Then again, Apple critics still make jokes about holding the phone wrong, so perhaps we should simply accept that some calamities stick. Even if, that is, Samsung's brand image seems to be recovering.

Why, it's even taken the bandages off the Note 7 and reportedly re-releasing a safer version in Korea.

Oh, but if one those catches fire...

Tech Culture: From film and television to social media and games, here's your place for the lighter side of tech.

Batteries Not Included: The CNET team shares experiences that remind us why tech stuff is cool.