What's your take on commercials these days?

I mean, seriously.... most commercials I see are the absolute epitome of stupidity. These multi-million dollar companies hire these marketing agencies to come up with the "best" way to sell their products or services, then these ads go through meetings, focus groups, and the approval of the company, and eventually to our TV sets. Is everyone just trying too hard to be funny and unique? Are these agencies on contract, leaving no option to reject these dumb ideas? I really can't fathom a bunch of guys sitting at a board meeting, while the idea is pitched to them of a guy in a bathtub calling himself Spongebob Nopants, and saying "YES, THAT'S BRILLIANT!!!" You got an answer, an opinion, or even another really dumb ad idea? I'd love to hear it.....