Joel McHale is making a nostalgic return to his roots with a brand new advertising campaign for Seattle’s Best Coffee. The award-winning comedian, well-known for hosting the comedic talk show The Soup and portraying the self-absorbed Jeff Winger in the beloved sitcom Community, is set to reprise his iconic role in the much-anticipated movie adaptation. More recently, he has garnered attention for his portrayal of Chef David in the acclaimed series The Bear and leading the FOX comedy Animal Control, where he also serves as executive producer.
The campaign, titled “May Smoother Coffee Bring You Smoother Days,”provides McHale the chance to reconnect with his Washington roots while starring in a series of lighthearted commercials. These ads promote the brand’s new flavor, Campfire S’mores, and depict various characters struggling through challenging days until McHale appears to offer them a comforting cup of coffee, significantly improving their experiences.
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In light of the campaign’s launch, Joel McHale shared insights in an interview with ScreenRant, where he discussed his longstanding relationship with coffee and expressed admiration for the creative efforts behind the commercials, particularly their emphasis on practical effects. Additionally, he touched upon his recent debut in Yellowjackets, his apprehensions about revealing too much about the show, and thoughts on the long-awaited Community film.
A Surreal Full-Circle Experience with Seattle’s Best Coffee
“I Don’t Know What I Did Right In Life…”
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Long before he achieved fame, McHale grew up on Mercer Island, Washington, where he was involved in local comedy, including the sketch show Almost Live!. His first job was managing a coffee cart, Sam’s Espresso, which was the only coffee option available on Mercer Island at the time. This early love for coffee made taking on the Seattle’s Best campaign even more special for him.
Reflecting on his unexpected role in the campaign, McHale recounted, “When Seattle’s Best Coffee approached me, and I told my wife, she was like, ‘Can you believe it?'”He added, “I drink so much coffee and a lot of this coffee. Being from Seattle, I’ve always participated in the local coffee culture, and Seattle’s Best is one of the pioneers that have influenced it since the 1970s.”
The humor continued as McHale humorously suggested a special pop-up coffee cart on Mercer Island, where he playfully declared, “I can make coffee like you won’t believe!”He eagerly praised the Campfire S’mores blend, calling it a “really tasty coffee”that genuinely brings to mind “graham crackers and chocolate toasted.”
“Before the Seattle coffee culture showed up, America was drinking swill…I want to shake 20-year-olds that are just drinking these beautiful cups of coffee, like, ‘Do you realize how good you have it?'”
Impressed by Comedic Concepts & Practical Effects
“The Kitchen Going Nuts Was Something to Behold.”
Though McHale is known for his improvisational skills, he praised the writing team’s comedic vision in the Seattle’s Best campaign, noting, “It was surprisingly good – which doesn’t often happen in sponsorships.”He appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with fellow comedians Boyd Vico and Brett Stevens, allowing room for adding jokes and enhancing the script.
Among the standout moments of the shoot was a recreated high school photo of McHale, complete with a humorous mullet. He also highlighted a scene featuring a chaotic kitchen with a talking refrigerator, praising the production team’s commitment to practical effects, stating, “The kitchen going nuts was something to behold… it was really impressive.”
McHale also mentioned his appreciation for practical effects as it allows both the crew and audience to share a more tangible experience. He quipped, “I love this physical stuff happening in front of the camera,” defending practical effects while acknowledging the beauty of CGI when used appropriately.
“Neal was on top of it. Like in Animal Control, we incorporate real animal rescues and puppets, in addition to CGI. But here, everything was practical and built for the shoot.”
Nervous Yet Excited for Yellowjackets Press
“Everything Was A Secret, Every Script You Get is Watermarked.”
McHale’s Seattle’s Best Coffee campaign coincides with his appearance in season 3 of Yellowjackets as Kodiak, a guide assisting the main characters. As fans of the show already know, his character is fated to be one of the victims, as revealed in previous seasons.
Despite his excitement for the project, McHale expressed anxiety about press engagements due to the show’s secretive nature. He humorously described the precautions taken to prevent leaks, joking about the production team’s efforts to conceal details and move the entire set frequently.
Nonetheless, he cherished the opportunity to work with the Yellowjackets cast and crew, describing them as “super cool and fun.”He reflected on the similarities of this experience to his time on The X-Files, where secrecy was equally paramount.
The Optimistic Participant Regarding the Community Movie
“It Probably Won’t Be the End of the Beloved Show”
For two years, McHale has faced the persistent question regarding the much-anticipated Community movie’s production status, especially since Peacock greenlit it in September 2022. Although delays due to his commitments to Animal Control and last year’s Hollywood labor strikes have arisen, he remains hopeful that the film will progress soon, stating, “We have the money, and that was a gigantic hurdle.” He predicts filming could begin in the fall of 2025, depending on schedules.
The community’s fans have also speculated whether the film will be the series’ conclusion, particularly given the tagline “Six seasons and a movie.”McHale indicated that while the film could potentially wrap up storylines, he and several co-stars are interested in continuing after the movie, hinting at possible further explorations:
“I don’t know what it would look like, but obviously the movie would have to inform a lot of that. I’m game, and I know a few others are too.”
Discover More About Seattle’s Best Coffee’s Campaign & Flavor
Seattle’s Best Coffee is excited to unveil their new campaign featuring Joel McHale, aimed at celebrating both new packaging and the introduction of Campfire S’mores Flavored Coffee. This initiative integrates years of roasting expertise with a contemporary twist, promising unique flavors and quality in every cup.
As part of the effort, the campaign “May Smoother Coffee Bring You Smoother Days,”showcases McHale, who not only originates from Seattle but is also a coffee enthusiast. The humorous spots illustrate how Seattle’s Best Coffee eases the burdens of everyday life, providing relatable solutions to common day-to-day challenges. Created by the LA-based agency HAYMAKER, the campaign is set to air across national television, digital channels, and social media platforms this spring.
The brand’s vibrant new packaging now features color-coded flavor panels, engaging hand-drawn illustrations, and detailed tasting notes, making it more accessible for consumers. The latest offering, Campfire S’mores, presents a smooth-roasted blend infused with notes of toasted marshmallow, milk chocolate, and honey graham cracker, catering to a diverse range of taste preferences.
Source: ScreenRant Plus