Apple’s fan-favorite short film series “The Underdogs” has made its comeback — and this time, the quirky office crew is taking direct aim at one of the most infamous symbols in computing: the Windows Blue Screen of Death.
The newest installment in the long-running ad series blends sharp humor with familiar office chaos, using the “Blue Screen” as a foil for the Mac’s reliability and Apple’s signature creative storytelling. The short premiered this week on Apple’s YouTube channel, continuing a campaign that has evolved into a cult favorite among both fans and professionals.
A Familiar Office Crew, New Chaos
The Underdogs first debuted in 2019, following a scrappy group of coworkers pitching wild ideas under impossible deadlines — all powered by their Macs. The new episode picks up right where they left off: the team is back in their chaotic open office, working through the night on a critical project when disaster strikes.
Their Windows-powered competitor, seen on a nearby video call, suffers a total crash — a bright blue error screen filling the display as the call cuts out. The moment plays for laughs, but the message is unmistakable: while others reboot, the Underdogs keep creating.
This latest short maintains the fast, cinematic pacing that made the series stand out, filled with Apple products in natural, work-oriented contexts — from MacBook Air laptops running Final Cut Pro to iPhones used for quick document scans and collaborative FaceTime brainstorming.
Humor With a Point
Apple’s creative team has long used humor to draw a contrast between Mac and PC, but this episode’s timing feels deliberate. With new M5 MacBook Pro models on the horizon and macOS Sequoia gaining traction, the company is reinforcing one of its oldest marketing messages: Macs just work.
Rather than relying on technical comparisons, the short leans into storytelling. The script plays like a modern workplace sitcom, complete with snappy dialogue and visual gags that underscore Apple’s pitch — fewer interruptions, more creativity, and technology that disappears into the background when it’s needed most.
The Blue Screen moment is not subtle, and it’s not meant to be. Apple’s message lands with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing its audience: professionals who have been burned by unexpected crashes at the worst possible time.
From Commercial to Cultural Icon
Over the years, The Underdogs has become more than a marketing series. Its characters and tone reflect a universal workplace experience — late nights, team pressure, and the relief of things finally working as planned.
This episode continues that legacy, using the Blue Screen gag not as mockery, but as recognition of a shared frustration. It’s the classic Apple strategy: empathy through humor.
Unlike traditional ads, The Underdogs are long-form, with cinematic production quality and genuine character arcs. That formula has helped the series transcend product marketing and enter pop culture territory, shared widely across social media and corporate Slack channels alike.
Reinforcing Apple’s Business Identity
While Apple has historically been known for its consumer appeal, the Underdogs campaign plays an increasingly important role in its business strategy. The series positions the Mac not just as a tool for designers or developers, but as a reliable backbone for modern hybrid workplaces.
Apple’s growing suite of productivity features — from macOS Sequoia’s Focus Mode to cross-device Continuity features — underpins this identity. In this latest short, those integrations are visible throughout, from AirDropping files mid-meeting to sharing edits across devices without missing a beat.
Even the comedic “disaster” moment with the rival team doubles as a metaphor for Apple’s broader narrative: less downtime, fewer crashes, and technology that empowers creativity rather than interrupting it.
A Confident Swipe at the Competition
Apple rarely calls out competitors directly, but the Windows Blue Screen reference is unmistakable. It’s a nostalgic callback to the company’s “Get a Mac” campaign of the 2000s, which famously featured the laid-back “Mac” and the bumbling “PC.”
Here, though, the tone is updated for a new era — more playful than mocking, more workplace comedy than rivalry ad. The result feels fresh, even as it channels a familiar message: reliability and creativity win.
A Viral Hit in the Making
Within hours of its release, The Underdogs’ newest episode was trending across social media, with fans praising its humor and production quality. Many noted how effectively Apple uses storytelling to highlight everyday frustrations with technology without overtly selling products.
The blend of comedy, relatability, and subtle product placement keeps The Underdogs format engaging — a reminder that even in 2025, Apple remains unmatched in merging entertainment with marketing.
