HIGH POINT, N.C. -
There are numerous stores in the Piedmont like Red House Furniture. The downtown High Point store is locally owned and run by people who describe themselves as 'everyday furniture guys.'
Unlike most similar stories, a satirical commercial about Red House has gone viral, turning employees named Richard (Big Head) and Johnny (Ten Gauge) Hill into internet stars.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday night, the spot has been viewed more than 311,000 times in its first week posted on YouTube.
"It is surprising," said Johnny Hill, a.k.a. Ten Gauge, the store's credit manager. "I really didn't know it was going to be this big."
"I was just shocked, just shocked," said salesman Richard Pina, a.k.a. Big Head.
Red House Furniture brags about having a diverse clientele. Rhett and Link took that idea and ran with it.
"Look at the sofa," Pina said in the commercial. "It's perfect for a black person or a white person."
"This mattress is perfect for a white person or a black person," added Hill.
The 90-second spot was produced by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, who also sing the jingle throughout the commercial. The commercial is a parody of other local furniture ads, which often feature bizarre characters and silly slogans. McLaughlin and Neal's Web site lists the pair as a North Carolina-based comedy team known for their Internet videos and creating viral campaigns:
Microbilt, Red House's credit company paid for production as a test market.
"I knew we'd get some response to it, but I didn't know our phone would ring off the hook everyday all day," said Steve Patalano, Red House VP.
The challenge now is to turn the Web buzz into real customers.
"I knew we'd get some response to it, but I didn't know our phone would ring off the hook everyday all day," said Patalano.
"Thank you for calling Red's Furniture," Hill, answering one of the many phone calls. "Do you sell to Arabic people? We sell to all people."
This isn't the only commercial Rhett and Link, the self-proclaimed 'Internetainers', have shot and edited in High Point.
The pair also produced an Internet commercial featuring a Cuban gynecologist-turned American car salesman for TDM Auto Sales on South Main St. in High Point.
YouTube: Funny Furniture Commercials
Unlike most similar stories, a satirical commercial about Red House has gone viral, turning employees named Richard (Big Head) and Johnny (Ten Gauge) Hill into internet stars.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday night, the spot has been viewed more than 311,000 times in its first week posted on YouTube.
"It is surprising," said Johnny Hill, a.k.a. Ten Gauge, the store's credit manager. "I really didn't know it was going to be this big."
"I was just shocked, just shocked," said salesman Richard Pina, a.k.a. Big Head.
Red House Furniture brags about having a diverse clientele. Rhett and Link took that idea and ran with it.
"Look at the sofa," Pina said in the commercial. "It's perfect for a black person or a white person."
"This mattress is perfect for a white person or a black person," added Hill.
The 90-second spot was produced by Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, who also sing the jingle throughout the commercial. The commercial is a parody of other local furniture ads, which often feature bizarre characters and silly slogans. McLaughlin and Neal's Web site lists the pair as a North Carolina-based comedy team known for their Internet videos and creating viral campaigns:
Microbilt, Red House's credit company paid for production as a test market.
"I knew we'd get some response to it, but I didn't know our phone would ring off the hook everyday all day," said Steve Patalano, Red House VP.
The challenge now is to turn the Web buzz into real customers.
"I knew we'd get some response to it, but I didn't know our phone would ring off the hook everyday all day," said Patalano.
"Thank you for calling Red's Furniture," Hill, answering one of the many phone calls. "Do you sell to Arabic people? We sell to all people."
This isn't the only commercial Rhett and Link, the self-proclaimed 'Internetainers', have shot and edited in High Point.
The pair also produced an Internet commercial featuring a Cuban gynecologist-turned American car salesman for TDM Auto Sales on South Main St. in High Point.
YouTube: Funny Furniture Commercials
