Some people go through hard times. It’s a fact of life. And it is Wonderful Pistachios who showcases some of the most unfortunate souls we’ve come across in advertising.

Take Benny, who was raised by wolves that were hired by his parents. Or how about Jim, whose third wife ran off with his second wife. And then there’s Dale, whose orphanage left him on the doorstep of another, less accredited orphanage. The list goes on, but there seems to be hope for these sad individuals. When they eat tasty, protein powered Wonderful Pistachios, they start feeling like champions.

If you ask us, this is a clever way to use athletes in your commercials. The fact is, not every football star is great on camera. Many times, endorsements like these turn out to be awkward and unflattering. But the way Wonderful Pistachios used Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is pure genius. They diverted the attention away from the athletes with awkward people with even more ridiculous backstories. You almost don’t notice how uncomfortable the football celebrities feel on camera. And even if you did, you don’t care because it fits the situation perfectly.

So the next time you need to create a seasonal advertisement with high profile sports figures, consider creating a humorous ad that has bizarre humor baked right into its core. And if you’re idea flops, don’t feel bad. Because when you feel better about your snacks, you feel better about yourself.

Have an opinion? What did you think of this Wonderful Pistachios ad?