I saw the fireworks on the BBC, and I was shocked to see ads for Wicked included in the celebration. I wonder if the people who were there saw the green and purple fireworks and actually understood the reference. In any case, I hate this style of imposed advertising, and as a result, I would never watch the movies. I hate it now.

by AnxiousAn

26 comments

  1. I love wicked but agree it was slightly jarring – however it probably paid for some of the display. Plus, it’s important to note that both the films were made in the UK, employing thousands of people including myself for a year. Also the lead star Cynthia Erivo, is British born and bred and is now an A-list celebrity who is insanely talented and finally having her moment. You don’t have to like Wicked, but it is important to be proud of things that are made in the UK. Not much is any more.

  2. Was the image actually visible if you were there in person or was it only superimposed on the TV? I could not work out how it was made if it was there in person, but superimposed on TV is a bit direct advertising for the BBC

  3. Yes, I don’t have anything against the movie but the whole Christmas/New Years sponsored stuff starting with Regents street lights and ending on some Stranger Things Christmas tree is driving me crazy.

  5. The whole display has turned into cringey naff nonsense where ads like this don’t feel out of place. Ever since Covid where it was all about the nhs & peace & love with drones.

    Now it’s aimed at tourists and telling everybody how wonderful England is, when it actually means London. Hey come visit us, your phone wont get stolen & you wont be stabbed & we don’t launders billions of pounds for the world’s despots.

    How about going back to just doing a great fireworks display & some cool drones without a load cheesey messaging.

    Even the jet2 jingle was in there. Give me strength!

  6. Not a city for genuine, widespread community anymore.

  7. Not to comment specifically on Wicked, but more generally I don’t understand why people seem so very angry about it this year. “Product placement” has been part of London festivities for years – the earliest I remember is 2007 when the Enchanted film was all over the Oxford Street lights. I’m sure it happens every year but I’ve never before seen such a huge backlash about it.

  11. The whole thing around “ Wicked “ is just wrong. Absolutely terrible, dark vibe going on around both the film and the actors. I’ll never watch it, purely because tptb are pushing it so hard. The fact it was involved in a supposed “ Celebration “ is both suspicious and sadly, unsurprising given the current darkness in the world and the people who control it.

  12. it’s not even a very good movie. it’s an unnecessary 2 part film that’s nearly twice as long as the stage performance with all sorts of self masturbatory bullshit going on within.

    the movie was SO pleased with itself that it forgot to make me give a fuck.

  13. genuinely so tired of seeing wicked everywhere saw it found it crap its literally just theatre kid hype nothing more

  14. I thought as was a bit cheep really, and detracts from the whole nye

  15. There marketing plan was a big mistake. I’ve heard no one talk about the movie but I’ve heard lots of people complain about the over the top marketing.

  16. I liked it. Much prefer shite movies paying for public events rather than my taxes

  18. Personally, I’m exhausted from being sold to, nonstop, everywhere, all the time. I have the privilege of being able to afford premium versions on my content subscriptions to avoid ads (so I have few subscriptions but when I do, I’m trying my best to avoid the constant sales pitch interruption)

    So yes, when the ticket prices of a show like this are so high, ffs we don’t want more ads. Like someone else here already said- make it ad-sponsored and free or ad-free and ticketed.

  19. I just wanted to enjoy the fireworks… not an ad….

  20. I love wicked as a theatre fan and I was hugely impressed with the movie adaptations after having low expectations ect ect I adore it and I never watched the nye show but this is so strange and feels so capitalistic? Like what has wicked got to do with this

  21. Oh well. Wait a little while and something else will come along to annoy you.

  22. Sadiq is an egomaniac, he was probably easily convinced by their team and wanted another personal touch to leave on the show

  23. This is what end stage capitalism looks like. Same with the New York NYE celebrations being sponsored by kia and having the logo blasted everywhere.

  25. Waited at ally pally for ages to see the fireworks, then as soon as it hit midnight 4/5 women lit massive torches/flares in front of us and we couldn’t see jack all

  26. I have no interest in Wicked and hate ads. But this wasn’t actually projected on the eye thankfully, it was just on the TV broadcast.

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