“Maybe I want more elbows?”

Receiving emails like that one, from Lauren Olson, is one of the great pleasures of being the Fake Ad Czar. Olson is referring, of course, to the Fake Ad for the drug Eveavrin on page 85 of the May issue. The possibility of growing extra elbows was just one of the side effects listed in the ad, which prompted 201 correct responses from clever Fake Adders.

“Nice ad, full color too,” wrote David Karl. “You’re wasting your talents at the Observer. You should send your resume to Saturday Night Live.”

And Megan Eagle wrote, “I have enjoyed looking for the ads for many years. They often make me chuckle or groan, but the ad for eveavrin (a way to treat dry skin due to dryness by restoring natural levels naturally) had me laughing out loud! The small print captured the absurdity of the way advertisers comply with requirements to mention negative as well as positive effects of products. Missing was only the oft heard on TV ‘may cause … and even death.’ Thanks for a good laugh.”

Our winner was Kristal Serna. Kristal, please let us know where you would like to take your gift certificate.

To enter this month’s contest, find the fake ad in the June issue and follow the instructions in the box at the bottom of the back Page. The fake ad always contains the name of last month’s winner in some form.by Jay Forstner.