Commercials on US TV: one third about junk food that make you sick, one third about pharma products that are supposed to cure, one third about lawyers who tell you to press charge against junk food and pharma companies.

He may be joking, but he addressed a very serious topic, how commercials brainwash people.

The greatest cultural shock of my life was when I arrived in North America the first time in 1984 and saw the farmaceutical commercials. I thought they were unbelievably unethical, and I still do. It tells a lot of Ismo’s genius that he can derive comedy from them.

The side effects of watching ISMO clips: improved mood, sudden bursts of laughter, and belly pain (from all the laughter).

His little grunts and sighs and groans make him so human and relatable and likeable!

Its a valid point. I've seen some of those commercials - they always end with "Ask your doctor about xantaclonoxita" or some drug. Why the hell would i need to ask my doctor about that?

I stopped watching TV like 20 years ago and only watch it occasionally when visiting friends or my parents. and WOW! the amount of stupidity, commercials, brainwashing and more stupidity is really astonishing. how can people stand this?

He's actually right. I stopped watching TV in 'Murica after my 1st trip. Those commercials are so bad. One time, there was an advert for a drug for reckless foot symdrom. I started to feel that I had that disease and I'm a paraplegic!!!

I'm going through some major health problems. I'm not really enjoying anything anymore, but Ismo is pretty much the only person able to still make me laugh.

I've started watching the FOX live NASCAR broadcasts over the internet recently, and that is true. Half of the commercials seem to be for medicine and the other half is fast food. Maybe just have less of the latter so you wouldn't need so much of the former?

I've always said that comedians speak kernels of truth and Ismo just spit out a solid nugget of advice.

I can relate. United States tv medicine commercials are always a weird thing to Europeans... 😂

Ismo makes you wanna learn his language just to go watch his homeland content

I have never heard of a more educational comedy in my life. Thx Ismo!

I was inspired by all the side effects 🤣🤣🤣

I absolutely love that ISMO can illuminate this in such a humorous way. I live in Canada, and thus have been exposed to a lot of American TV, and it's still mind blowing when I see prescription drug advertisement to the general public. I think "how the hell is this legal?" and then realize that they also allow unlimited private and corporate money in political advertising and it all comes back full circle. In Canada we even have strict laws about how pharmaceutical companies can "advertise" directly to doctors.

That was one of the best monologs i have ever heard on so many levels, mostly comical but deep (ass) well

Ismo is a breath of fresh air in a stale world

"That was not the TV..." *reps*

Genius. Netflix needs this guy. They have so many mediocre stand up comedians, they need Ismo.

DUDE ! ! ! You are by far one of the most hilarious comedians of this day and age. In a world where hate and division is so prevalent, you sir are at the top of my list of favorite comedians of all time! Thank you !

I'm canadian, and he's right; American TV is so weird to watch because it's half pharmaceutical commercials

The most inexplicable for me is when they talk in a highly positive way about a drug without ever actually saying what it is supposed to do AND THEN ENCOURAGE YOU TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT IT. I"m pretty sure that doctors are getting pretty sick about patients wanting them to explain what some completely *random* drug does.

As a Norwegian living in the US, I also gave up watching US television. It felt like 75% was commercials to me. And oh my God all those pill commercials. Initially when I came I could not fathom why all Americans I met where so knowledgable about drugs. I had reflux and nobody in my native Norway knew anything about that or the pills to use. In the US it felt like anybody on the street could list 5 different pills suitable for that condition. It was like being in a country where everybody had some sort of medical degree. After watching American television, I began realizing why everybody in the US is so knowledgeable about drugs. That is what they spend most of their time learning about. Especially pain killers. My God Americans know their pain killers and gobble them like candy. The insane pain killer usage in the US suggest that all those ads are not healthy at all. I am not kidding. I actually predicted the opioid crisis BEFORE it happened. I told myself: "All this painkiller usage is going to very wrong some day."

I Googled my symptoms and I found that I’m 13 months pregnant!

those laughs he makes in between are lovely.

He's not wrong. Funny, but not wrong. I don't think Americans truly realize just how bizarre it is to have TV commercials for things like pharmaceuticals, or lawyers e.g.. I suppose it's ironic, that in the country that brought you "the war on drugs", all manner of legal dope can be pushed on prime time TV. I guess pharmaceutical commercials are just a side effect of not having universal healthcare 🤷‍♂

He's got the best timing.

So true!! 🤣 The commercial be like "you may not even know you have it but that's a symptom! Talk to your doctor and ask if buying our drug is the solution to get you some side effects today!"

Sending love from IRAN. You are the one making me laugh.

Fantastic observational humour and delivery.

this is wonderful! I came to this video for a college assignment about pharmaceutical commercials and my thoughts are identical to him! I just have to convert all of this to a minimum 2 sheet job! LOL

I wish he’d release more English standup. His style of comedy is very unique and hilarious.

100% true. I'm glad to see a comic who's sharing some revealing insights about corporate media. And badass hilarious t'boot!

I agree. I try to with pay for commercial free or mute the commercials as often as possible. It’s something that should be on. We shouldn’t be advertising drugs, the doctors should be the ones to recommend what we need.

Ismo delivers yet again!

Ismo “is mo” funny than most other comics. Hauska jätkä! 🇫🇮❤️

The United States and New Zealand are the only countries in the world that permit the advertising of prescription drugs to the public 🧐

A commercial just can't be the first point of contact for treating high cholesterol. "Ask your doctor about Lipitor!" or something similar. The Finnish saying of going up a tree ass first is an appropriate description for this 😂

new ismo content is truly one of god's gifts

Such a great comedian! Part of what makes him funnier is the break in his voice while telling his jokes.

I love that a pretty cliche subject can be so funny and fresh through Ismo's perspective. He's infectious.

Haha that is a very good point about prescription medicine!! Love your jokes!

Awesome as always.

Ismo this joke aged like fine wine 🏅

Hilarious as always ISMO😂 From Norway 🇳🇴

In Australia, we have a few medication commercials for basic things like Panadol or Sore throat lozenges or indigestion but not many and they don't have these weird disclaimer voices at the end with the side effects. The first time I saw one of these U.S commercials it was very weird and confronting.

I don't even understand why these commercials are allowed. Commercials for car tyres, ok, I suppose. But those pills you can buy without a doctor's diagnoses... If you combine some of those, you can go from quite healthy to... quiet dead ? Less living ?

Don't forget all the injury lawyer commercials as well.

Hit the nail on the head. EDIT: THANK YOU FOR THE NEW UPLOAD! You’re one of my favorite comedians.

The first time I saw American TV and those medicine commercials, I thought it was some kind of joke. Very bizarre commercials indeed...

Ismo is such a clever and observant comedian. Everyone loves him.

This guy is really really funny 😂😂😂. I start watching his clips. Brilliant.

One of the funniest comedians I’ve heard in a LONG time. I really enjoy your content brother. The world needs more laughs right now. Thank you for bringing laughter to us all.

My favorite part of these commercials is when they say "do not take ____ if you're allergic to ____" when it's some new drug that just became available

Ismo, you are one of the funniest people I've ever known. Thank You for sharing your gift!

He is a comic genius !

A very well structured routine! So much did I laugh that I barely had time to catch my breath. You were funny 4 years ago, but now you are hilarious. Keep it up!

Your comedy is always brilliant, so spot on 🤣

Ismo you're fantastic, keep up the great work.

Kiitos Ismo :) Oot niin maailman hauskin koomikko.

This is extremely good observation comedy. Bravo Ismo, you made me think. I also have that strong urge now!

I really enjoy ISMO delivery style

wow I was just thinking this yesterday.

Commercials are why I don't watch tv anymore

"I was inspired by the side effects". As a Dutchman, I can totally relate to that.

when he said he was inspired by the side effects, 😂

Yes you go to see a doctor for a headache here and they give you 20 different kinds of pills to take. Lol 😆

Now I understand why there is so much hate on "big pharma" in the US.

Okay, I just had a realization. I have seen many short videos of this comedian on KZfaq and enjoy his humor. But something kept tickling at the back of my brain making me wonder why he sounds so familiar, as if telling me that his foreigner in a foreign land act reminds me of something very similar that I've seen and heard in the past. And just now listening to him talk, I suddenly realized who he reminds me of. He reminds me of Balki Bartokomous from the Greek Island of Mypos! His tone and way of speaking reminds me so much of Balki from "Perfect Strangers". The only thing that's missing in his act is the celebratory Mypos "dance of joy".

Nail on the head, always!

We’ve banned commercials for tobacco product, but not big pharma ads. I expect my doctor to know about what drugs I may, or may not, need. The whole concept of marketing drugs to the “public” is unfathomable. Just another example of how screwed up this country is …

What a genius this guy!

As someone from Finland also, the idea of advertising prescription drugs on TV is truly ludicrous. Like... Why?

Thanks for sharing this with us Ismo, much appreciated!

love your work! much love from austria!

And my husband says Finns are serious :) I guess he forgot there is at least one funny guy (who we saw on tour in CA)!

Hahaha. You're one of my favourite comedians

ISMO is the BEST comedian these days! Sorry ISMO that was a compliment! 😂

Funniest man alive! Would love to see him some day.

Love your stuff Ismo! Thanks so much. Hope to see you ‘in person’ (hah, “Alive) someday!

Brilliant conscious humor as always..love it!!!

Those ads have been on American tv for decades. I have been saying for decades " if you wish to live do not take this".

literraly, the US and New Zealand are the only two countries on the surface of the Earth to allow prescribed drug commercials.

This is the funniest comic on earth (perhaps in the galaxy)! He could make the description of a blade of grass make me pee myself!

I love your humor! Hoping you will come to the US to tour again soon...

Clever. On so many levels ISMO . Love it! ;-) :-)

He nailed it. In a one minute commercial they spend 30 seconds talking about how great the drug is and the last 30 seconds listing how it can harm you.

That's some funny azz shi#!!🤣🤣 I love this comedian, and also his accent is cool! And he's telling some true/ funny stories in his shows, which some of us can relate to.

Ismo, I like your material. You're a good guy!

Bravo ! Bravo ! Clearly a most intelligent observation 👍👍so very true 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I can't wait for this guy to make it so Southern Calif, he is sooooo funny

One of the most brilliant criticism skits of the pharma complex!

True. I hate farmaceutical commercials. You are not supposed to go to the doctor and tell them what to prescribe. I also came from another country and such commercials are unthinkable.

The commercials are out of control here in the US. Live TV is basically unwatchable.

"i was inspired by the side-effects" 😂

and before the commercial break, you will be told what will happen. After the break, will tell you what happened before the break. Actually, the series makes very little progress per episode.

Omg Ismo makes me cry laughing every time!

Magnificent! Thank you!

ISMO combines on-point witty commentary about the crazy things in modern life, with a genuinely human kindness. It's a counter-march on a lot of modern standup which is hard, unforgiving and bitter.