PSA: If you're watching the Super Bowl with kiddos, be on the lookout for the awful Carl's Jr. commercial

[milovany]

Many may not share my opinion, and that's fine, but I find this commercial to be completely over-the-top inappropriate and I am disgusted that it's being aired during an event that will have millions of families and kids watching. 

 

So just in case you haven't heard about it, here's your friendly PSA.  Watch out.  Be ready with the clicker.  If it doesn't offend you, feel free to carry on, but I'm glad I knew about it ahead of time and figure many of you would want to know about it, too.   

[KrissiK]

Thanks for the heads up. I get so tired of certain other commercials - like the ones for ....uhhh.... male problems.  I don't know what my kids think about them, if they even think about them, but I get very embarrassed and irritated when they are on.

 

Carl's Jr. has never been known for their wholesome commercials, though.

[sassenach]

Carl's jr commercials have been raunchy for years. So gross.

[Lisbeth]

Luckily, no one in our house wants to watch the Super Bowl. However, now I am dying to see the scandalous ad! Not particularly seemly of me as a Mormon.

[freeindeed]

Carl's Jr./Hardee's does have such raunchy ads. Plus, if someone really eats their food on a regular basis, there's no way that person would look like the people in their commercials.

[Serenade]

I just googled that commercial.  Oh my goodness, that's disgusting.  It's practically porn, IMO.  

 

Ugh.  My DH and I don't usually watch the entire Super Bowl, especially not the commercials because we are off running errands.   I really don't need my teen and tween boys to see this.  Makes me want to just not watch the Super Bowl, period.

 

 

[momacacia]

Wow! That's worse than the Victorias Secret commercial that gets a 2-minute warning! Duh!

 

The BMW Katie Couric commercial is really cute, though. :) "what is @?"

[Jan in SC]

Which commercial is it? They all are rather ridiculous, but the sausage one is crazy! It said it was banned, but that might be from another year.

[happi duck]

Thanks for the warning! We'll be with a group so it's nice to know of a potentially embarrassing ad.

 

To me, the worst part of that ad is the guy with the hose and the guy shaving ice...I just hate that particular type of innuendo for some reason...maybe it feels especially objectifying?

[Jan in SC]

Now I'm confused- when I google it, most of them seem to be parodies. Which are real?

[SparklyUnicorn]

There are none of those places around here and I've never seen any of their commercials.

 

 

[Word Nerd]

Which commercial is it? They all are rather ridiculous, but the sausage one is crazy! It said it was banned, but that might be from another year.

It's a girl walking through an outdoor market, and it looks like she's taking a nude stroll because of where various boxes, fruits, and other items are placed or held up to cover her body. At the end she is uncovered to reveal a teeny bikini.

[AnIslandGirl]

Eh, we see more skin here at the beach, so I'm not bothered in the least. Even my dd11 watched over my shoulder and just said, "What's the big deal, we're all naked under our cloths... and she isn't even naked!"

At least she's wearing something.

[Word Nerd]

Eh, we see more skin here at the beach, so I'm not bothered in the least. Even my dd11 watched over my shoulder and just said, "What's the big deal, we're all naked under our cloths... and she isn't even naked!"

At least she's wearing something.

I'm more bothered by the leering reactions of the men she passes by.

[Serenade]

I'm more bothered by the leering reactions of the men she passes by.

 

Yes, this is it exactly.  it's a very degrading commercial.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Eh, we see more skin here at the beach, so I'm not bothered in the least. Even my dd11 watched over my shoulder and just said, "What's the big deal, we're all naked under our cloths... and she isn't even naked!"

At least she's wearing something.

 

Yeah honestly I find football more offensive than that.

 

LOL

[AnIslandGirl]

I'm more bothered by the leering reactions of the men she passes by.

 

It's no different than the Diet Coke commercial a few years back with topless construction workers and the ladies oogling them. I certainly didn't see a thread to boycot Diet Coke because it objectified men.

Double standard.

[Word Nerd]

It's no different than the Diet Coke commercial a few years back with topless construction workers and the ladies oogling them. I certainly didn't see a thread to boycot Diet Coke because it objectified men.

Double standard.

Um, excuse me, but I never said one word about boycotting anyone. You're reading a lot into my rather mild "bothered by." FWIW, I didn't like the Diet Coke ad either.

[AnIslandGirl]

On the other thread about super bowl commercials, someone else mentioned it was "boycott worthy". I was just quoting you about the leering reaction comment (and that it goes both ways)

[Scrub Jay]

Yeah honestly I find football more offensive than that.

 

LOL

 

LOL, I was thinking the same thing!

 

[regentrude]

It's a girl walking through an outdoor market, and it looks like she's taking a nude stroll because of where various boxes, fruits, and other items are placed or held up to cover her body. At the end she is uncovered to reveal a teeny bikini.

 

Yeah, after the uproar I expected something scandalous. That was disappointing.

 

I do not understand why it would be a problem for children to see a woman in a bikini.

 

[Word Nerd]

I don't think it's any worse than a lot of SuperBowl commercials in recent years, but I call hooey on the notion that there's nothing even remotely suggestive about that commercial. It isn't simply about "a woman in a bikini."

[unsinkable]

I don't think it's any worse than a lot of SuperBowl commercials in recent years, but I call hooey on the notion that there's nothing even remotely suggestive about that commercial. It isn't simply about "a woman in a bikini."

:iagree:

 

If it was just about a minimally clad woman, the shots would have revealed she was wearing the bikini immediately.

[MFG]

I don't think it's any worse than a lot of SuperBowl commercials in recent years, but I call hooey on the notion that there's nothing even remotely suggestive about that commercial. It isn't simply about "a woman in a bikini."

I agree that it is suggestive but in such an over-the-top way that it is basically a parody of itself. I thought the old Paris Hilton car wash ad was sexier. This was just silly.

[Tammi K]

Meh. Someone said it's practically porn. I don't see that.

 

Suggestive, yes. But, The Simpsons did the same thing with Bart on a skateboard many years ago. Nothing new here.

 

I was personally more disturbed by the way she bit into the burger. She's going to wearing it down her front if she's not careful.

[Word Nerd]

Meh. Someone said it's practically porn. I don't see that.

 

Suggestive, yes. But, The Simpsons did the same thing with Bart on a skateboard many years ago. Nothing new here.

 

 

There was a similar scene in Austin Powers too.

[regentrude]

I don't think it's any worse than a lot of SuperBowl commercials in recent years, but I call hooey on the notion that there's nothing even remotely suggestive about that commercial. It isn't simply about "a woman in a bikini."

But to a child there would be absolutely nothing suggestive about it unless the adults choose to make an issue out of it.

[Scrub Jay]

But to a child there would be absolutely nothing suggestive about it unless the adults choose to make an issue out of it.

 

Bingo.

 

[marbel]

But to a child there would be absolutely nothing suggestive about it unless the adults choose to make an issue out of it.

 

What about pre-teens and young teens?   They are certainly old enough to get the innuendo. 

 

Maybe I'm the only one whose kids get a bit squirmy around scenes like that, and not because the adults make an issue of it.

 

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

What about pre-teens and young teens?   They are certainly old enough to get the innuendo. 

 

Maybe I'm the only one whose kids get a bit squirmy around scenes like that, and not because the adults make an issue of it.

 

Then again is it not true to real life?  Do people not at one point or another in their life try to attract others? 

 

I guess I don't see the point in being upset about every little thing out there. 

[Tenaj]

Many may not share my opinion, and that's fine, but I find this commercial to be completely over-the-top inappropriate and I am disgusted that it's being aired during an event that will have millions of families and kids watching. 

 

So just in case you haven't heard about it, here's your friendly PSA.  Watch out.  Be ready with the clicker.  If it doesn't offend you, feel free to carry on, but I'm glad I knew about it ahead of time and figure many of you would want to know about it, too.   

 

Thanks for letting me know about this.  We have a house full of boys and I'm really annoyed that I can't even let them watch football without being diligent about what commercials come on during it.   We've already banned TV Land because of their commercials and I'm getting close to the same conclusion about sporting events.

[albeto.]

But to a child there would be absolutely nothing suggestive about it unless the adults choose to make an issue out of it.

 

That's how I took it, too.

[Word Nerd]

But to a child there would be absolutely nothing suggestive about it unless the adults choose to make an issue out of it.

I think that's wishful thinking. My mom assumed a lot of things went over my head as a kid that didn't. Even a small child can understand what the ad implies. "Why is she naked?"

[DawnM]

But to a child there would be absolutely nothing suggestive about it unless the adults choose to make an issue out of it.

 

 

My teen boys would beg me to turn it off as they would be embarrassed.

[Jenny in Florida]

Now, see, I thought it was kind of funny.

 

When my son was littler, he would have been equal parts amused and embarrassed by such an ad. We just wouldn't have made a big deal about it.

 

Honestly, I would be a lot more concerned about my kids cheering on the violence most folks take for granted in professional sports than I would about either or both of them seeing a mostly naked woman.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I think that's wishful thinking. My mom assumed a lot of things went over my head as a kid that didn't. Even a small child can understand what the ad implies. "Why is she naked?"

 

Even if it implies why is she naked, do kids tend to care about nakedness as much as we do?  My kids surely do not. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

My teen boys would beg me to turn it off as they would be embarrassed.

 

I think it's messed up to be embarrassed by bodies.  And I'm as messed up as the rest of you.  My husband isn't though.  He isn't phased in the least.  He didn't grow up being told he should be embarrassed by this stuff.

[Scrub Jay]

Honestly, I have more of an issue about this than a silly ad.  I think celebrating a sport that can be so dangerous to its players is a bigger deal than an annoying commercial.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Yeah bunch of overgrown men jumping on each other.  How is that not embarrassing?

 

I know some people do like football.  I really don't get the allure. 

 

 

[regentrude]

I think that's wishful thinking. My mom assumed a lot of things went over my head as a kid that didn't. Even a small child can understand what the ad implies. "Why is she naked?"

 

But a child would simply find it silly that the woman does not wear more suitable clothing to go shopping - unless the adults have made a big deal out of nakedness.

 

The whole ad is just silly, because it is ridiculous to use (implied or actual) nudity to advertise burgers.

But oh man, they DID achieve exactly their goal: everybody is talking about it.

[regentrude]

What about pre-teens and young teens?   They are certainly old enough to get the innuendo. 

 

... and look at each other and groan "that's sooooo dumb".

[Scrub Jay]

... and look at each other and groan "that's sooooo dumb".

 

Exactly.  And it can be used as a teaching moment if you think your kids would benefit from that.

 

And then follow it up with a discussion on how ridiculous it is that her face is perfectly clean after taking a bite out of such a messy looking burger.  I mean, COME ON! <_< :wacko:

[SparklyUnicorn]

... and look at each other and groan "that's sooooo dumb".

 

Are you sure?  They might become spontaneously pregnant or fall into a life of drugs and then prostitution.

[Scrub Jay]

Are you sure?  They might become spontaneously pregnant or fall into a life of drugs and then prostitution.

 

OK, that just made me burst out laughing.  Kudos.

 

[Word Nerd]

Are you sure? They might become spontaneously pregnant or fall into a life of drugs and then prostitution.

Yes, because that's exactly what those who object to the ad fear.  :001_rolleyes:

 

 

[Clear Creek]

Thanks, OP, for the info.

 

When I saw and heard the secular media calling the ad "raunchy" I knew that it was going to be salacious. We won't be watching the half-time show, and we'll be using a DVR for the game. Commercials like that will be skipped.

 

Babies and toddlers might not "get it" but everybody else will. I consider the sexual objectification of women to be very harmful and offensive. 

 

I find sexual objectification of women in order to sell a product absolutely deplorable. I hate that in an advertisement for a burger, my son will get the clear message that women are there to be ogled; as simple objects for unrestrained lust. I hate that in that same advertisement, my daughters will get the message that they need to give the impression that they are unclothed and that they must have a certain body shape in order to get the attention of men. Because if you watch in the background of the commercial, there are plenty of other fully dressed women with completely normal body types, and they are not getting the attention that the scantily clad woman is getting.

 

[albeto.]

 I consider the sexual objectification of women to be very harmful and offensive. 

 

In general, I agree with you. However, in this case, I think the alternative offered, philosophy based on patriarchal theology, is measurably worse. I think there exists a real trend that correlates negative and dangerous behavior toward women and patriarchy, much more so than objectification (which, ironically, is an integral component of patriarchy, imo). I think if this actress didn't have the physical attributes she did (young, pretty, large, bouncy breasts), the commercial would have been interpreted more in the vein of the Emperor's Clothes, and the awkwardness of seeing someone naked in public. I can only imagine that children who are not raised to assume an objective moral value with sex would not see it as "objectification of women," but as the silliness of being naked in public. Older kids would be naturally more likely to find certain physical attributes physically attractive, but watching the reaction of the adults in their life would model the socially appropriate reaction they would eventually adopt. Ideally, that would be one that compartmentalizes and separates physical attractiveness from behaving on sexual impulses (or from publicly processing this difference in the form of Beavis and Butthead level jokes). Men and women learn to work and live with physically attractive people all the time, it's a life skill that doesn't need to be "weird" to be practiced and valued.

[Scrub Jay]

I find sexual objectification of women in order to sell a product absolutely deplorable. I hate that in an advertisement for a burger, my son will get the clear message that women are there to be ogled; as simple objects for unrestrained lust. I hate that in that same advertisement, my daughters will get the message that they need to give the impression that they are unclothed and that they must have a certain body shape in order to get the attention of men. Because if you watch in the background of the commercial, there are plenty of other fully dressed women with completely normal body types, and they are not getting the attention that the scantily clad woman is getting.

 

And doesn't it make it a perfect teaching moment?  I know I would discuss it with my 9 year old daughter if she saw the ad.

 

I say this as a proud, liberal feminist.

 

Like I said, I have much more of an issue with teaching kids that the NFL/football is fine to watch and support when 1/3 players will deal with a TBI. 

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Yes, because that's exactly what those who object to the ad fear.  :001_rolleyes:

 

I'm sure they don't.  I'm exaggerating.  But really since when is the Super Bowl and the Super Bowl commercials known for being wholesome family programming?  Commercials are about getting people to buy stuff.  Look how much we are talking about this and most of us haven't even seen the damn thing.

 

I never even heard of Carl's Junior. 

 

Ok except on the Idiocracy movie.  And with a title like that, you can imagine what the movie must be like (although hopefully you have seen it because it is hilarious). 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Many commercials use obnoxious tactics to get one to buy something.  You are a caring mother so you want to buy Jiff peanut butter.  You are a good dad who won't take a sick day so you use Dayquil.  You don't dare want anyone to see your wrinkles so you plaster them with Olay.  On and on.  But seriously you can't think well enough for yourself to realize it's just a tactic playing into some sort of fear you have or something that rankles your chain?

 

I'd think it would be a good time to point out to my kid that commercials use these tactics to get one to buy stuff.  You can't really avoid these things because they are everywhere.