Ignore the clunky dialogue and focus on the executional idea, the top tier production values (video below)..

…and the project itself, which has an interesting history.

Professor and Jenkins are rather like Aleksandr Orlov and Sergei, whose campaign reached 21 commercials in December, when Aleksandr and Sergei found a meerkat pup named Oleg on their doorstep, and decided to raise him as their own pup. That’s what happens when your campaign has run for five years, yes VCCP?

Professor and Jenkins sponsor Safeco insurance. But the client is TBS, a cable and satellite channel in the USA. The Sponsor Shop is TBS’ agency. It approached Gifted Youth about creating an original comedy concept that could carry multiple branded shorts on TBS.

Gifted Youth is the boutique creative commercial production division of Adam McKay and Will Ferrell’s Funny Or Die.

It also has an extensive dollhouse collection. So now you know where the executional idea came from. Gifted Youth reckons it is “swarming with enthusiastic directors, producers, and effects artists with a passion for unique comedic storytelling.” [Shame about the writers.] So now you know how the project came about.

Professor and Jenkins made their debut appearances in November last year, sponsored by Domino’s Pizza. Watch the spots here  and here.

The new instalment was sponsored by Safeco. The two figurines are where they were left last, in Professor’s pocket-sized mansion. The unappreciated Jenkins is still at Professor’s side. At Jenkin’s suggestion to switch to Safeco for auto coverage, the foppish Prof begins lists off the endless insurance possibilities for all his hoity-toity toys, including a personal bullet train and sedan chair.

The dialogue between Professor and Jenkins, voiced by Upright Citizen Brigade veterans, Joe Hartzler (Jenkins) and Joel Spence (Professor), was captured pre-shoot so that director, David Tindale, could incorporate the many improvised lines the two of them came up with.

Gifted Youth partnered with Therapy Studios for the second time, for editorial, color grading and sound design…and Visual Creatures for motion graphics.

Without the visual cues of moving mouths, it was up to editor, Kristin McCasey, to heighten the comedic effect of Professor and Jenkin’s exchange.