Hmm...that's pretty persuasive, jdr. I'm typically a useability freak myself - achieve the desired end-goal as smoothly and as quickly as possible. However, there is something kind of cool about creating an ancillary experience at the same time (in this case, having some off-beat copy to read and maybe chuckle over). I dunno.
On second thought - heck. You're right. It's all about commerce.