BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?

Subject: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,Anonny Mouse
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:06 PM

Is Geico a U.K. founded company or something? New commercials have the little Gekko sounding like quite the London gent. So is this the new "cute"? What gives? Or do we just like Anglophile Insurance for our "autos"?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:11 PM

The Brits were talking about it earlier, I think...unless that was a frog...the commercial may have originated there...I think it's cute

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:26 PM

Hmmmm. Very interesting. I had him pegged as from the land of Oz.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: artbrooks
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:27 PM

Boston

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Once Famous
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:39 PM

You mean he's not Pakistani?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 11:09 PM

Geico was orginally the Government Employees Insurance COmpany and insured pretty much only federal government employees - my in-laws have had this insurance for about forty years.

Geico = Gekko = lizard = British. Were I British I would be offended to be considered a reptile.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,Anonny Mouse
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 11:19 PM

Ah yes--the Government Employees Ins. Co.-makes sense. British lizard-doesn't make sense. Wouldn't be offended if I was a British Lizard. GEICO has "Esteban" doing commercials--and he's a snake! LOL ("handbuilt, quality guitar just like a Martin D-41"-right).

Other commercials I think are really creative are the Capital One ones-no Brit gekko tho.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: CapriUni
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 12:36 AM

When that series of commercials started, the gekko's voice was an imitation of Kelsey Grammer's Fraiser voice, when that show was at the top of the ratings. And then it changed all of a sudden. I think they were at risk of getting sued, maybe.

So they switched to another voice, and, I presume, they wanted one that the predominantly American audience would instantly identify as upper class and educated (such as the character of Fraiser Crane), while still being generic enough so that the lawyers couldn't come after them.

Hence, he's a now a Brit.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 02:03 AM

OK. Y'all say he is British, so I'll accept that. May I ask from what district? It ain't the Queen's English.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 03:16 AM

ebbie, I'm with you...he sounds more Australian to me and I love the commercials. Very creative; I'll bet they've won few Clios with it.

He's even got his own blog.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: gnomad
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 03:48 AM

I wouldn't worry too much about us Brits being offended by being compared to a lizard.   We might be puzzled, but lizard is pretty mild compared with some of the terms we have used about others.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:05 AM

Never heard him myself,but he could be from Earls Court-West London.Used to be known as Little Australia,for obvious reasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:34 AM

He is not a proper 'gent' - his accent is not upper class by far. ANyone care to peg his peculiar accent?

He sounds kinda like Adam Ant. For all we know, Adam Ant IS doing the voice. I heard from some gal i know that he does work as a voice-over actor for cartoons.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:43 AM

Not seen the ad.. but am annoyed to be called a gekko.... it's not even one of the British lizards.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:46 AM

By the way - the voice of the Geico Gecko used to be deeper and more distinguished with a true upper class accent. Now he's a regular bloke with a sassy sort of voice. Clips his vowels too.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:56 AM

Perhaps he's had a couple of other things clipped too!

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:58 AM

It's always good to keep your vowels open.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 06:09 AM

Eating "British lizards" should help one do that.Perhaps he's Essex Man, via Mid Atlantic.This was used by D Js in the 60s.Bloody awful!

David

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 07:18 AM

I thought El Gecko was a Geek?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 08:32 AM

Oh dear Paul, just couldn't resist it could you?

El Gioko ☺

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 08:43 AM

strikes me as an aussie voice - which would be more appropriate for a gekko then british - and some of the word choices scream stereotypical aussie as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: JennyO
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 08:51 AM

Haven't seen the commercials. Being an Aussie, I'm rather interested to hear him now - is there a link to it anywhere?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 10:03 AM

I too thought Aussie and just don't get it. Especially now that he is sending a plague of salamanders down on us to sell insurance.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 03:08 PM

My Rog said he reminds him of Les Barker, a bit, but I still think he's Aussie.

Some of their ads are available for viewing on this page, but I am not sure if any of them have the latest "voice" of the Gekko!

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,Anonny Mouse
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 04:04 PM

Well, as of 4:00 P.M. it's ON (Fox news--don't go apoplectic!!). Maybe it IS Australian-although he has yet to say put some "shrimp on the barbie." (a dead giveaway to us non-Brits!). Anyway, Mr. Gekko is on a LOT--and even seems to replacing David Spade, the chub-guy, Esteban, etc. I find his Brit accent "comforting" whether high Brit, low Brit, whatever. Seems they've found a new Brit spokes-gekko for their ads. Y'all will have to get over it, I guess. HAHAHAHAHAHA.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 04:23 PM

He's Cockney, fer-cryin'-out-loud! He sounds like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Australian would make sense, but he must have moved to London as a wee newt. I think the lizard who licks his eye ("forget the theatrics") is funny. I also think the commercials with the human dude were about as Christopher Guest-ish as a commercial could get. Unjustifiably serious.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 04:55 PM

According to a website HERE the voice is that of "Dave Kelly." Not sure if that is current, though. The article at that link has links to even more of the commericals; if you scroll down you'll see them.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: bobad
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:19 PM

Better Adam Ant lend his voice to a gecko than his name to a urinal.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:45 PM

Lots of American programs and ads seem to think a Brit accent of some sort lends class.....I don't know how they choose. Why not a Maine or Georgia accent?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: bobad
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 07:12 PM

You did say class, didn't you Bill ?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 07:51 PM

And, understandable?:->

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From:
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 01:30 PM

My sister and I have a running argument as to who provides the voice over for the Geico Gekko. I say it's Ricky Gervais from the BBC's British The Office. She says absolutely not. Does anyone know?? Please email me at [e-mail].
Thanks, Sharon

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 03:15 PM

Anybody who wants to look it up might want to spell it 'Gecko'.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: MMario
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 03:22 PM

or not - see gekko

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 03:50 PM

The ads are rather cute, and they have changed the voice a couple of times. I don't watch enough to be sure whether I've seen the most recent ones.

The use of "English" accents in ads is fairly common in the US. Advertisers seem to think it makes their spokescritter/person sound "sophisticated." It also avoids "regionalizing" them, as would happen if they used a distinguishable "US regional" accent. The "proper Bostonian" (a. la. John Kennedy?) is unintelligible to some "deep south" residents, and makes some whole regions mad when they hear it. The real Nor' East accent, as from Maine, is unintelligible to almost everyone elsewhere. Large parts of the US immediately assume that any "southern" accent implies illiteracy (a. la. Lyndon?).

The use of a vaguely distinguishable "European English" accent is a compromise. In most cases it should not be offensive to those real speakers of some "Brit" or "Aussie" dialect; although the continued use in advertising could associate such inflections with always coming from someone who "says a lot without saying anything" ... (But it may be too late to object by now.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 04:23 PM

South African, perhaps?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Bert
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 06:21 PM

Yes Jeri, he does sound a bit like Spike, but I think his accent is a little too soft to be a true Cockney.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: ranger1
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 06:31 PM

My vote is for Cockney. Definitely not Aussie or Kiwi. And those weren't salamanders, those were anoles.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 08:55 PM

"Geckos make a unique chirping sound, from which their name comes.

THE STORY OF THE GEKKO

"Gecko" is the common name for any of about 65 species of small lizards of the family Gekkonidae. They can be commonly found in tropical regions worldwide." From MMario's link

Seems that article can't even agree with itself.

And here an encyclop(a)edia weighs in- it has it both ways:

"Gekko gecko, commonly known as the Tokay Gecko, is a nocturnal arboreal gecko native to tropical Asia. They are abundant, ranging from northeast India and Bangladesh, throughout Southeast Asia, to Indonesia and western New Guinea. Naturalized populations (introduced via the pet trade) are also found in Florida and Hawaii in the United States. Their native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and they also frequently adapt to human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey."

It goes on to say that the Tokay has an unusually louf voice but it doesn't mention its accent.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 07:52 AM

Ouch, that is a nasty accent, from nowhere on God's earth! Bit of cockney, Australian, South African, etc. The key, I think, is that he's an 'uptalker' - the voice goes up at the end of the phrase, unlike Brit actor Terry-Thomas who would say 'well hell-looow'

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 01:13 PM

Ouch, that is a nasty accent, from nowhere on God's earth

Maybe that's the point....

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 06:28 PM

Jan, born in London, who has seen those commercials several times, confirms that the gecko's accent is, in fact, Cockney.

She's also seen the Estaban commercial quite a few times. Anonny Mouse is, unsurprisingly, oversimplifying. She says Estaban says his guitar is modelled on the Martin quoted, especially in appearance--but he makes no claims for quality of sound to compare with the Martin.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 06:35 PM

Basically, Jan does not think Estaban is a snake. Proof would be needed. Even people who do infomercials are innocent til proven guilty.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Naemanson
Date: 28 Jan 06 - 07:15 PM

Huh, the last one I saw I thought it was Australian.

We have lots of gekkoes in our house. They do chirp but more importantly they eat bugs. They are in the lawn too and you can see them fleeing when you walk. Fast little critters.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 12:17 PM

Jan says she's actually sick to death of being mistaken for Australian ( she's been in the US 5 years now). It's fairly evident that most Americans really can't tell English accents apart. The interesting thing is that her accent is not even close to Cockney. I can confirm as an American that to me Cockney and Australian do sound fairly similar. She can't understand why I can't tell the difference easily. I would bet that it boils down to the English accents most Americans would have heard--primarily in the movies---and that's Cockney and BBC/ Queen's English. So for Americans, if it's not one, it's likely the other--that's what most Americans would guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 10:10 PM

LMAO......Prior to ever seeing this thread, Karen and I decided he was an Aussie but I figured it was because for the past few years we have had a love affair in the US with all things Australian......and Amish.

Many of you will remember the great success of the "Amish-Australian Pitchfork Moustache Tuner." I have only a few hundred thousand left so you need to order right away!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jan 06 - 11:28 AM

Spaw, perhaps you'll find it profitable to get back into the production shed. I know so many Amish men with moustaches and so many others - both men and women - who can't seem to tune their instruments that I would like to gift them with this handy tool. I assume you discount for a case lot? Please advise soonest.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: open mike
Date: 30 Jan 06 - 12:18 PM

oz

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jan 06 - 12:35 PM

Is it possible that individual versions of the Gecko/Geico commercial are still playing? I am in Alaska - our styles lag behind and linger longer than those on the US east coast, for instance. (Question: Are your kids still wearing pants with the crotch down at the knees? Ours are. {{Second Question: When they pee, do the boys pull up the pants so they can get at the zipper, or do they pee over the top?}}

I am wondering whether we might be viewing an earlier version of the Gecko?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,Carolyn
Date: 04 Feb 06 - 09:15 PM

There is no way he is an Aussie, he is a Brit and speaks with a cockney accent, I am a Brit, I live in the US and just won a bet with my son who swore he was an Aussie. The voice is that of Dave Kelly by the way. The commercials are cute and funny and not insulting what-so-ever, love the "pie and chips!"