Laughing My Ads Off: When funny goes too far: 17 of the most controversial print ads

I like jokes. I like humour. I also like dark humour, but I get how that's not a thing for everyone. This is why it's usually a bad thing to use it in advertisements, like Millward Brown said. That being said, some companies do try to make the jump to the realm of dark advertising. Some are funny, some are shocking, most take it too far. I usually make a pun in between the pictures I show, but that would be inappropriate for these.

It's an ad for anti-glare TV's, which still doesn't make it okay.

The ones where kids are the victim always hit harder, because they come across more defenceless.

Speaking about being defenceless. Barnardo's is a children's charity that wants to stop child abuse. The ads brought a lot of controversy, but Barnardo's responded that they won't stop using the ad because this topic needs the attention. I respect that view.

An ad for a problem that shouldn't even exist. Senior suicide*. Just visit your grandparents, people.

(claiming that band name)

Ah! Religion. Always a great topic to joke about.

I feel like I'd be a lot more offended at this if I was an American.

I love an ad where they use really powerful eyes. It makes an ad appear so much more personal.

Ew. Ew Ew Ew Ew Ew.

This ad for laser hair removal got a lot of controversy in America (where else?) for reasons I don't understand.

Another one I don't understand the controversy of. If this was an ad by the garbage disposal company, I'd understand. But the company is a foundation against racism. That, to me, only strengthens their point.