Join us Sept. 24 in NYC to connect with execs from Digitas, Claire's, Marriott, Havas and others
Comedian Billy Eichner is acting more irritated than normal. At issue is a new Capital One ad that has the comedian claiming the bank has “ripped off” his show, “Billy on the Street.”
The ad in question, seen below, imitates his style of accosting strangers in the street with pop culture questions and quizzing them. In this case, however, it’s hosted by comedian Ross Matthews who asks people about the benefits of Capital One credit cards and closely mimics Eichner’s frantic mannerisms.
It’s time for street trivia! Hint: @helloross has some trick questions up his sleeve.https://t.co/SMJDruUako
— Capital One (@CapitalOne) June 16, 2016
Eichner took notice, accusing the brand for stealing his format that he’s turned into a popular cable show on truTV, pointing people to a typical segment of his. “Yet another Billy on the Street ripoff. I usually ignore but this one is SHAMELESS and PATHETIC. (And not funny),” he tweeted.
He later took a shot at Matthews and Capital One, using more pointed words:
Hey @CapitalOne & @helloross – don’t steal from my fucking show. This is stolen intellectual property. FUCK YOU. #GoodbyeRoss
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) June 17, 2016
Matthews responded, noting that man-on-the-street style interviews aren’t exclusively under Eichner’s jurisdiction:
.@helloross Perhaps u didn’t but ur new friends @CapitalOne certainly did as they reached out to my agents about this campaign. HAPPY PRIDE.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) June 17, 2016
Eichner’s fans took notice too, slinging similar comments towards the brand and Matthews. “Do you love Billy on the Street? Do you wish it was turned into a shitty commercial? Have we got news for you!,” a fan tweeted at Capital One. Another mused: “Hacky ripoff.”
Capital One didn’t respond for comment about Eichner’s accusations.
More in Marketing
Perplexity is betting big on creators
AI companies face a tricky sell: to convince creators to advocate for a technology that many fear could threaten livelihoods.
Marketers are using AI search concerns to argue for higher media budgets
Brands with long consideration journeys, like insurance and cars, are paying close attention to shifting search behaviors. They’re using that concern to make their case for more media dollars.
In Graphic Detail: Inside the scramble to measure a brand’s AI visibility
Marketers are catching on that AI doesn’t rank their brands, it decides whether it gets brought up at all. That shift is already reshaping how the industry works.