A Listener Provides a Humorous Update on the Robert Jarvik Lipitor Commercial

Friday, February 22

Dear Dr. Hoffman -

Thank you for extending my life.

Recently, you referenced on your program the Lipitor commercial promoted by Robert Jarvik. You interestingly noted that although Dr. Jarvik appears a jock in the commercial, he may actually be more of a couch potato (these are not your exact words).

Well, I just saw the new Robert Jarvik - Lipitor commercial. In this updated version, there was no jogging or canoeing to be seen. The extent of Dr. Jarvik's activity was tossing a stick & holding a drinking cup. The dog running after the stick proved the more active of the two. I couldn't help but wonder if Dr. Jarvik even has a dog (I guess I'm now a bit cynical as to the truth in advertising).

I had a good laugh.

Jean (Brooklyn)

COMMENT: Thanks, Jean, for your timely and amusing update. Yes, I saw the most recent commercial, and apparently it was hastily cobbled together in reaction to a Congressional investigation which just disclosed that Robert Jarvik used a body double to depict his rowing exploits in the previous iteration of the Lipitor ad. He does, however, ably toss a stick to the dog, an exploit implicitly facilitated by the statin drug he claims to be taking.

Dr. Hoffman