For the love of L. Ron Hubbard, please stop those soap opera commercials! They're embarrassingly bad. The viewer feedback has been overwhelmingly negative (is that why I can't post new comments?) You have to be losing business over them not to mention respect. Who would trust a lawyer who doesn't know how much damage several years worth of hideous commercials has done to his practice.

Your commercials make me leap for my remote.

A non-amused Nashvillian.
10/29/07

Ok... As a local writer/film maker, I found faults with the series... actually MANY faults with the series...

And then it happened. I was up really very late, with a bout of insomnia, not long ago when I was fortunate(?) enough to have the entire series, each episode, played back to back...

Holy cow! I didn't know what to do with myself. It was like fingernails down a chalkboard. My skin was crawling, BUT it sucked me into the story! "What are you doing to yourself?" I think, "Turn it off and go to bed!"... But no. I couldn't. It was like a car wreck on the highway. I found myself as a "rubber necker" to your series. It sucked me in even more than those kid shows, like Teletubbies, the Wiggles, or those really weird Baby Genius DVD's have a tendency to do. I did have a weird look on my face the entire time, but couldn't, for the life of me, do anything until the series was over.

I had time to think it over and more came to me. I've been one of those people who rolled their eyes, and made comments about the single episodes when released. But, I found myself anxiously awaiting the next episode, like a release of a new state quarter. Amazing. What is happening to me?

And then I logged onto the site and saw the feedback. WOW! Yeah, it was no Citizen Cane, but REALLY?!? I have my faults with the series too, but REALLY?!? It reads like this series kicked a baby or something... like Bart Durham took away a dog from a family who is friends with a talk show host, and wouldn't give it back. I couldn't believe the effect it had on people.

And that's when it ALL dawned on me. Yeah, you kids knew what you were doing. Brilliant. I'm reluctant to say keep up the work, but if there's a second installment, I've got some ideas for your script! Ha! Ha!

You guys take care,

K. Scruggs
Nashville, TN
10/23/07

I just wanted to make a comment about your soap opera. It makes Nashville look like the joke that it is and atty's look like snakes. I've seen you and you expensive sports cars at the mb meetings; why don't you spend money on the homeless; etc. instead of this cheesy infomercial? It degrades lawyers, you are the laughing stock of TN all the way to the bank!

Tammy
09/17/07

Well, I have just watched the complete series and read the feedback. While I have to agree that the series is really cheesy, I don't see why there is so many negative comments. The acting is very poor, as is the script, but so what? It's kind of funny! I just don't see why people are offended. They need to loosen up. I think it was a great idea. It seems to me that this was supposed to be a mock soap opera, not a serrious daytime drama looking for an Emmy. Best of luck in the future!

Derek M. Heap
09/13/07

With all of the negative publicity this commercial is getting from the residents of Nashville, how are you responding to those comments? Also, what positive feed back have you received? Will you consider ever doing anything like this again or will you stick to the average commercial for a law professional?

On another note, I think that the series you had produced, was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. The idea was excellent, but the production was poorly done, and all of the speaking actors should have never passed through audition.

In conclusion, I am not blaming the production on the firm. The company you went through had no creativity, and absolutely no personality. This series, with all of its flaws, could have been made better under $10,000.00 using local novice actors with the right director. Good luck to you on your next mini film. If you would like some assistance with the next one, I would be happy to give you the numbers for some very talented, but affordable production people.

Ray Wright
09/12/07

Nice try, but you really should keep to ambulance chasing and leave the soap operas to professionals.

Willie Frazier
09/10/07

How could one of the most outstanding law firms in Tn. conceivesuch an idiodic idea of your soap opera. I'm so sick of seeing it!!!! It is an embarrassment to you and your company. I feel very sorry for you. Please don't make another as it is a laughing stock.

Karen Jeffers
09/08/07

I'm sure you're aware that this project has become a huge laughing stock. Because of the poor quality of writing, directing and (especially) acting, only a hard-core cynic could even enjoy it for it's kitsch value.

By associating our town with this feeble mess, it just fuels the fires of prejudice that Nashville is a tasteless hick town.

If you had sincerely wanted to do a decent job with this, you could have, at least, hired one of the many world -class production companies in town and used some of Nashville's professional actors. Sadly, people that view this, will think that this reflects the level of talent and professionalism in Nashville.

As it is, this all comes off as a very cheesy vanity project.

With a little more thought and effort this project could be fun. Go ahead and purposely make it a goof and maybe you can salvage something from, what I feel does a real disservice to the professional entertainment community of Nashville.

Nashville deserves better and we demand it.

Matt Carlton
09/07/07

I am surprised that an attorney such as yourself, with a good reputation, would lower his standards to this stupidity. The so-called actors stink. They need to find a real job. The dialog is so stupid. I can't stand the episodes and cannot wait until the final one airs and hopefully this will be the very last!

A. Kozak
09/05/07

I wish I could have found the option to make a comment online, but I'm happy to have the opportunity to voice an opinion here.
This "commercial"/soap opera is one of the worst things I've ever seen. Not only is the acting HORRIBLE, but it takes AWAY from the "product/service" being advertised!!!! Until I just looked on the web site, I didn't know WHO or WHAT product/service was being advertised. It's senseless and I believe that it caused Bart Durham to LOSE future business. God knows, if I ever need an attorney, I sure would NOT call them, STRICTLY because of this stupid, senseless commercial. I actually feel embarrassed for them.

Sally
08/30/07

I am a resident of the state of Tennessee and a follower of our Savior. I also watch television and see your ads.

What I want you to know is that anyone who will air such stupid slime as the "Nashville Soap Opera" and think he is doing the community a service is NOT someone I want representing me in a court of law. I find the little bit of that "series" which I have seen to be offensive, prurient, disgusting, and just plain stupid.

C.F. Castleberry
Parsons, TN
08/27/07

I am sure that Bart Durham will NEVER see this, As soon as you read it I am sure that it will end up in the nearest trash can.

This commercial is the worse that I have ever seen. I am sure that any third grade class could do as well. The actors are NOT professional in any way. This commercial does not help the firm of Bart Durham in anyway. In fact, it makes the firm look cheap and very unprofessional. A run of the mill firm.

It saddens me to think that a former Marine would be involved in such a phony affair.


R. E. LaPOINTE, Sr. USMC (Retired)
08/23/07

I truly hope when you tell us there is only one episode left, that it is promise. We change channels when it comes on. I don't have much faith in lawyers who have to advertise. Please hurry up and get it over with.

J Smith
Murfreesboro, Tn
08/16/07

 I hope you won't lump this in with any other negative comments about your Soap Opera campaign. For the record, I do hate it, but as a marketing professional in the city of Nashville, I am EXTREMELY fascinated by the whole deal.

Just tonight did I visit the site for the first time, and I read all of the comments posted from viewers. Overwhelmingly they are negative. And not just a little negative...A LOT negative. So negative that I'm wondering how the campaign is still on the air.

Again, I ask about this with all sincerity, as one marketing professional to another. Do you have some feedback or research that shows the campaign is working? Are the negative comments on the web site the exception, not the rule? Or are you okay with the negative comments, because you think they reflect the fact that "at least the commercials are getting attention"? What is the general feeling among the Durham's about the campaign? Do they like the results it is generating? Or are they just full of pride from being on TV like this?

I eagerly await your response. Please shed some light so that I can solve this in my brain...I'm just looking for the insider's view that will help me understand why this campaign lives on.

Many thanks! And best of luck in your future endeavors! 

John Carney
08/15/07

I see your commercials for this so called soap- and i have watched parts of episodes. I can't watch the entire ommercial/soap because I find the entire thing soo bad.
The actors are bad, the script is bad and I find it hard to believe a attorney is sponsoring it. I would be embarrassed. It so un-professional.
When I look for an attorney I look for someone that is PROFESSIONAL with character.

When will this thing be over so I can stop flipping channels everytime it comes on

Anonymous
08/09/07

I wanted to comment about the soap opera, more specifically to respond to Mary's post about truck drivers. I, too, grew up in a family of truckers and I married a man who was a driver. Unfortunately, I was married to one of the 10% who are just cowboys with an 80,000 pound horse. I'm talking about those who drink, smoke crack, snort cocaine, and frequent the lot lizards. And yeah, they are there. Just spend an hour parked at a truck stop parking lot and watch what goes on - you'd be amazed!

While 90, maybe even 95% of these guys are decent and hard working, one bad apple does spoil the whole bunch. And, when they are the cause of destruction, the destruction goes way beyond the imagination. I don't see that truck drivers get any more bad publicity than anyone else, I just know from experience that when they mess up, it's almost always major and hurts a lot of people. And for the 10% I mentioned above, they couldn't care less.

Keep up the good work Mr. Durham!

Lisa Martin
07/29/07

Please stop these horrible shows. They are so annoying I change channels when one comes on. To make it worse, your company is now identified this junk as associated with Nashville. I believe this offends many citizen of Nashville.
I try to mute the tv when this utter bull comes on. How stupid. What must the visitors to Nashville think about us after seeing this crap?
If I ever need to hire one of the local pitbulls- it will not be the Durhams- purely on the basis of this idiotic swill.

Russell Dunn
07/27/07

While I can appreciate law firms trying to garner new business by placing advertising on television, as someone who's been in the production field for almost 20 years, I can safely say that this probably one of the worst campaigns I have seen to date. The quality of the scripts, the horrific acting, the plot-lines are just substandard, unprofessional, and taxing to watch.
Personally, because of the commercials, my respect for Bart Durham and Assoc. has declined, and I would hesitate to hire them to represent me for any reason.
I hope that Bart Durham and Assoc. will realize that the Nashville Soap Opera campaign is probably doing them more long term harm than good.

Please consider developing a new commercial campaign.

Retta Hatfield
07/27/07

I try to mute the tv when this utter bull comes on. How stupid. What must the visitors to Nashville think about us after seeing this crap?
If I ever need to hire one of the local pitbulls- it will not be the Durhams- purely on the basis of this idiotic swill.

Leigh
07/27/07

The content of commercials is largely ignored in my household. That is the time we talk to each other or replenish our snacks and drinks. Things are different when Coach Foster's story comes on!!! Grandma holds her bladder, the kids hush, and everyone watches the tube. Ask any of us who we will call if there is trouble and we will answer unamiously BART DURHRAM!!!!

Julia
07/20/07

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