10 Incredibly Shameless Product Placements In Well-Loved TV Shows

9. The Walking Dead €“ Hyundai

Walking Dead Hyundai For the most part, the Walking Dead depicts a zombie apocalypse pretty realistically. Yes, I'm aware that the previous statement is something of an oxymoron, but hear me out. What I mean is this €“ over the course of three-and-a-half seasons, we've not only seen Rick Grimes and his group of survivors decline morally, ethically and socially, we've also seen them physically and aesthetically decay too. While folks looked somewhat cleaner in season one, as time has gone on personal upkeep seems to have joined moral-righteousness on the sidelines. Simply put, everybody looks dirty, and so they should €“ this is a zombie apocalypse, ragged threads and sweat-encrusted hair are part of the territory. Yet strangely, there's one object which remains pristine throughout, regardless of what this harsh, walker-filled world throws at it €“ Rick's Hyundai Tucson. In case you didn't guess, Hyundai sponsor The Walking Dead and they sure do like they car staying spotless and sellable. However, its sparkling presence couldn't be any more at odds with the show's message €“ the theme of desperate survival looks all well and good when Carol scrounges water from a ramshackle collection system, but it sure does take a hit when we see the Grimes patriarch mosey on by in a clearly washed car. It's all a bit incongruous, really €“ I get the need for good presentation, but wouldn't that water be better used keeping the plague victims hydrated? It's a wonder the Prison haven't rebelled against Rick and his car-washing ways sooner. Plus, I'm pretty sure the car models keep updating, which either suggests the Prison's caught in some sort of time loop, or Hyundai's production line has remained curiously unaffected by the whole world-ending thing.
Contributor
Contributor

Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League. You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.