TNT's Charles Barkley said he felt a "little overexposed" during the NCAA men's basketball tournament last March and vowed that it "won't ever happen again." In addition to his studio duties for CBS and Turner, Barkley starred in commercials for Capital One and CDW that ran during tournament games. Appearing on an ADAGE.com online video taken during Advertising Week, Barkley noted the networks aired the commercials "too much," but said it was "100% my fault." Barkley: "I can't ever let that happen." He discussed his career as a commercial endorser and noted his ads for Nike were his favorite because he has "been with Nike the longest." He called the '93 "Role Model" ad the "best commercial I ever did" and the one he is "most proud of." Barkley: "I want these young black kids not to all think they're going to play pro sports. They've got to get their education, that's really the key. ... I'm hoping the 'Role Model' commercial started a great debate, but to this day that's the thing I'm most proud of." Meanwhile, Barkley noted of current athletes, Broncos QB Peyton Manning and Clippers teammates Chris Paul and Blake Griffin make the "best spots." He said, "Guys are learning the only way a commercial can be successful is if it's funny. I figured that out a long time ago. A lot of guys made bad commercials trying to be too serious. I think if you make people laugh that's the best commercial" (
ADAGE.com, 9/25).
