Sometimes TV ads infuriate me to the point of madness...

[Blueridge]

I guess I feel so old and cranky about this, but the more I think about it the madder I get. We don't have our TV on much, so maybe I'm just too sensitive. For weeks I've been annoyed by some new orange juice commercial that features a lovely woman practically having an org@sm over drinking her glass in the kitchen. Come on! I won't buy that junk. The most recent commercial for Hardee's restaurants is just way over the top, IMO. Have you seen it? This beautiful woman strolling along a street and settling down on some steps to *enjoy* her saucy western burger. It's apparently hot that day as her tanned skin has a hint of shininess. So there she is, leaning over with her b@@bs spilling out from her very low-cut dress. She yanks up her skirt, almost exposing her panties. She licks off spilled sauce very seductively from her wrist and hand. The final straw was the announcer saying it was 'more than just a piece of meat', which implied to me what they think of beautiful women. I just sat there spellbound that a commercial for a stinkin' hamburger could stoop so low. I was so angry to see this stupid ad repeated over and over that I went to their websight (where they had the ad prominately displayed) and carefully worded a complaint. So, do ads like these make you shudder? Should I just grow up and get over it, or possibly just throw a brick at the TV screen? :D

Ginger

[Twinmom]

I'm with you, Ginger. We tape most of our programs now and skip the commercials. That's our best line of defense!

[The Girls' Mom]

Yep. It's bad. There's a reason that we rarely turn on the TV anymore. I feel like an old fart because all we watch is Jeopardy and Antiques Roadshow! lol. It's hard to watch anything decent on TV any longer. We've banned the TV for the kids pretty much, except for DVD's we have.

[plansrme]

The one featuring dancing girls in hot pants stuffed with boxes to give them square, but still scantily-clad, behinds??? It's for their KID'S meal! The final line is something like, "Booty is booty." Completely inappropriate.

 

Terri

[Snickerdoodle]

That's why we don't have a TV. Frankly, I can't imagine paying to have advertisements come into my house like that. We do fine watching occasional DVDs on our computer.

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

The DVR/TIVO was the best invention ever. I don't watch much TV live anymore. It's not because I think the ads are bad (I've been to Europe) but because it saves so much time. I would rather give 15 minutes to something *I* want/need to do than to corporations who are getting enough of my money regardless of if I watch the commercial or not.

 

Oh- the Hardee's commercial is Padme (sp?) from Top Chef on Bravo. My dh loves her- heck, I even think she's hot.

[Blueridge]

I just had the thought that perhaps all this deluge of filth may be for a grander purpose. We are not yet prepared for the digital conversion in June, since we have an ancient television and live in the sticks...Maybe I am being 'encouraged' to simply do away with the set altogether. Food for thought~

Ginger

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

The one featuring dancing girls in hot pants stuffed with boxes to give them square, but still scantily-clad, behinds??? It's for their KID'S meal! The final line is something like, "Booty is booty." Completely inappropriate.

 

Terri

 

We love that commercial and think it's hilarious. The song was actually really popular a few years ago. You couldn't escape it.

 

I don't understand what is wrong with the word booty. That's what my daughter (7) and most of her friends (8-12) call it - either booty or biscuit- because they don't want to say "butt".

[Highereducation]

I'm with you on this one.

 

Another thing that really disturbs me happened a few times while I was watching a hockey game with dd. I'm a die-hard hockey fan - have been since I was a little kid - and dd is following in my footsteps. Anyway, aside from the fights (which have been explained to dd in the context of the honor system that exists in the game and she doesn't really pay any attention to them), hockey is marketed as "entertainment" and promoted by the NHL as "family friendly." Yet, several times as we have watched games, commercials for horror movies have come on that were incredibly offensive to me and very frightening for a child to see. Luckily dh knew the second the commercial started that the content was not good, but if he hadn't been there, I shudder to think of the images that dd would have seen.

 

I wrote an email to the NHL to complain. I haven't seen those kinds of commercials on a game broadcast in a while, but I'm still very wary.

[Night Elf]

I'm a rather open parent and don't shield my children from much. But I agree that many of these commercials are absolutely over the top. It's disgusting.

[abbeyej]

That's actually one of a long-running series from Carl's Jr/Hardees (depending on where you live). Yeah, it's repulsive. (Part of why I love my DVR! We just fast-forward through commercials, or watch some shows on OnDemand, so no commercials at all...)

[Nestof3]

Not having TV reception, I don't have this problem, but I did see the Hardees one as there was a news special about it on Fox News. I emailed the company to complain. Not that they care. I agree that it is inappropriate, and quite frankly, if that woman ate at Hardees that often, she probably wouldn't look like that. I bet she gagged after eating it. :lol:

 

I guess I feel so old and cranky about this, but the more I think about it the madder I get. We don't have our TV on much, so maybe I'm just too sensitive. For weeks I've been annoyed by some new orange juice commercial that features a lovely woman practically having an org@sm over drinking her glass in the kitchen. Come on! I won't buy that junk. The most recent commercial for Hardee's restaurants is just way over the top, IMO. Have you seen it? This beautiful woman strolling along a street and settling down on some steps to *enjoy* her saucy western burger. It's apparently hot that day as her tanned skin has a hint of shininess. So there she is, leaning over with her b@@bs spilling out from her very low-cut dress. She yanks up her skirt, almost exposing her panties. She licks off spilled sauce very seductively from her wrist and hand. The final straw was the announcer saying it was 'more than just a piece of meat', which implied to me what they think of beautiful women. I just sat there spellbound that a commercial for a stinkin' hamburger could stoop so low. I was so angry to see this stupid ad repeated over and over that I went to their websight (where they had the ad prominately displayed) and carefully worded a complaint. So, do ads like these make you shudder? Should I just grow up and get over it, or possibly just throw a brick at the TV screen? :D

Ginger

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

if that woman ate at Hardees that often, she probably wouldn't look like that.

 

That is exactly what my dd said when she saw that commercial!

[OnTheBrink]

For weeks I've been annoyed by some new orange juice commercial that features a lovely woman practically having an org@sm over drinking her glass in the kitchen.

 

Funny, I love that commercial, but I never got the idea that she's "orgasmic" over the orange juice. The woman is Kyra Sedgwick and she's older than I, but still looks really great and can move around like a 20 year old. I'm envious! I'll pay attention next time it comes on and see if my envy has been clouding my ability to note the sexual overtones. :)

 

I understand about inappropriate commercials, though. The Hardees commercials are too much.

[plansrme]

We love that commercial and think it's hilarious. The song was actually really popular a few years ago. You couldn't escape it.

 

I don't understand what is wrong with the word booty. That's what my daughter (7) and most of her friends (8-12) call it - either booty or biscuit- because they don't want to say "butt".

 

It's not the use of "booty" to which I object, but (1) the hot-panted ladies' shaking theirs all over a commercial for kids, and (2) focusing a kid's commercial on the behinds of a bunch of adult women. Using women's behinds to sell food to kids??? That's the best they could do?

 

Terri

[OnTheBrink]

OH, I thought of another one that really bugs me. It's the Hillshire Farms lunchmeat commercials. They're stupid and cheesy, and I swear in one commercial, the woman is saying "That's some serious meat you're s*ck*ng." I know it's supposed to be "stacking" as the man piles the meat on the sandwich, but if that woman is saying "stacking" she needs some serious enunciation help.

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

It's not the use of "booty" to which I object, but (1) the hot-panted ladies' shaking theirs all over a commercial for kids, and (2) focusing a kid's commercial on the behinds of a bunch of adult women. Using women's behinds to sell food to kids??? That's the best they could do?

 

Terri

 

Well, the ladies dancing are wearing costumes. Costumes are a part of entertainment. You don't see people wearing costumes to go grocery shopping, to the library, or to church. The kind of girls/women who would wear shorts like that in public are not the kind of girls/women who generally end up with happy, full lives. The dancers have square things stuffed in the back of their shorts and are actually making fun of the highly sexualized music video that goes with the original song.

 

Also, the commercial is not for kids. It does not run during children's programming- only at night during programs intended for adults. I think we also saw it during a sporting event.

[Nestof3]

Ginger, you honestly just need to decide how you are going to handle television. You will most likely continue to see ads that infuriate you -- I cannot imagine ads becoming less "saucy." And, you will not find everyone agreeing about whether the ads are inappropriate, but that does not mean they are not or that you have to change your opinion.

 

There are various solutions for this. Some have mentioned taping without commercials.

 

When my husband watches the World Series (we plug the rabbit ears in for it), he turns the TV off when commercials come on.

[Moxie]

I can't stand the commercial for the Hub where the woman emails her family that they are having paella for dinner. The teen sends back a video that he doesn't know what it is and isn't eating it EVER. Being a good mom, she orders him a pizza. I, on the other hand, would have emailed back that the I was letting him know what time I expected him for dinner, not asking his opinion. And I'd probably remind him that this is not a restaurant.

 

The Hub looks kind of cool, though.

[cathmom]

Take heart - I just read the book "Buy-ology" and apparently sex does not sell. It's too distracting - people focus on the gorgeous person and not the product/company.

 

To see if this was true, I asked my dh a day or two after seeing that Hardee's commercial what company it was for. At first, he wasn't really thinking LOL. Then, he said Taco Bell. Then, he finally remembered it was Hardee's.

 

Hardee's has been obviously marketing to young men for a long time. They don't care if it offends you probably.

 

But, honestly, unless you are going to see that woman at Hardee's, I don't get why that commercial would make you want to go there!

[Blueridge]

I have really appreciated your responses! It makes me feel less cranky. :) I will admit that I did indeed formulate a careful complaint letter...but I also admit to using the term 'horny toads' when referring to their marketing department. :tongue_smilie::tongue_smilie: OK, a moment of hormone imbalance perhaps. It made me feel better, anyway!

Ginger

[Kim in Appalachia]

If we see one while watching tv with my oldest two, I make sure I point out why it's nasty. I want them to understand why it's rude or inappropriate. After that they usually turn away or change the channel if it comes on. (There are a few I don't explain, but just turn off. :blush:)

[plansrme]

Also, the commercial is not for kids. It does not run during children's programming- only at night during programs intended for adults. I think we also saw it during a sporting event.

 

nm

[KidsHappen]

I am usually pretty tolerant of tv commercials and pretty liberal in my tv watching (I don;t watch frequently but do watch some risque stuff - Rome & The Tudors - some I am not particularly sensitive) but some of this stuff leaves me either speechless or quite snippy. The Hardees series leaves me with my mouth agape while ED commercials always elicite sarcastive remarks. Luckily, my youngers seem to be oblivious and don;t neccesary watch prime time tv so it is not as much of a problem as it could be. I second either Tivo or the cable boxes that allow you to record. WHen I visit my dd, I never have to watch commnercials.

[BigMamaBird]

I can't stand the commercial for the Hub where the woman emails her family that they are having paella for dinner. The teen sends back a video that he doesn't know what it is and isn't eating it EVER. Being a good mom, she orders him a pizza. I, on the other hand, would have emailed back that the I was letting him know what time I expected him for dinner, not asking his opinion. And I'd probably remind him that this is not a restaurant.

 

The Hub looks kind of cool, though.

 

Oh I am with you on this one!! I don't even know that kid and I wanted to drop kick him.

[Academy of Jedi Arts]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/10/earlyshow/main4934181.shtml?source=RSSattr=Entertainment_4934181

 

"Burger King responded by saying the ad is aired "only during shows targeting adult audiences" and "is intended to show that even adults can have fun."

 

Apparently, the organization that is heading the "backlash" (pun intended lol) also urged parents to send letters to Scholastic to stop them from publishing children's books about Bratz dolls.

 

Here is the original music video in case anyone missed the 90's (it's okay, my husband did too)

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--2147288

[Jenny in Atl]

Netflix... :D I will admit to watching Lost, but we turn off the volume during the commercials.

[sassenach]

Have you seen the Quiznos toasty torpedo commercials? "Put it in me," suggestive is not even the word.

Edited April 17, 2009 by Shannon831

[Mommy22alyns]

I'm with you on this one.

 

Another thing that really disturbs me happened a few times while I was watching a hockey game with dd. I'm a die-hard hockey fan - have been since I was a little kid - and dd is following in my footsteps. Anyway, aside from the fights (which have been explained to dd in the context of the honor system that exists in the game and she doesn't really pay any attention to them), hockey is marketed as "entertainment" and promoted by the NHL as "family friendly." Yet, several times as we have watched games, commercials for horror movies have come on that were incredibly offensive to me and very frightening for a child to see. Luckily dh knew the second the commercial started that the content was not good, but if he hadn't been there, I shudder to think of the images that dd would have seen.

 

I wrote an email to the NHL to complain. I haven't seen those kinds of commercials on a game broadcast in a while, but I'm still very wary.

 

 

 

I have the same issue with baseball games. Games that are broadcast during the afternoon on channels other than ESPN still carry heavy advertising for Viagra and Levitra. I want my young kids to be able to watch and enjoy baseball - I don't appreciate having to dive for the remote every time the game breaks for a commercial. Because I sure don't want to explain ED. :glare:

[alegnab]

That's partly why we don't have cable TV anymore. We could control the shows we watched on TV, but we couldn't control the advertisements. When we moved 7-1/2 years ago, I talked dh into going without cable TV for a while to see how it goes. We're still without it. We have no TV reception. I love it! We have plenty of things to watch. Our local public library has a wide selection of DVDs. We watch mostly 1930's-1940's movies and 1950's-1960's TV shows. Dh's boss sent him on a trip after we had been without TV for three years, and there was cable TV in his hotel room, so he watched it. After he came home, he told me that I'd be shocked at how much trashier TV had gotten in just those three years. He said he was glad that we no longer had reception.

[DawnM]

I hate commercials. I hate watching live TV and try to avoid it if I can....I do still watch live TV for Lost because I just can't wait for it to be taped!!!!!

 

Sometimes DH and I will purposefully start watching off of tivo 10-15 min. after it has started though so we can ff through commercials.

[Laurie4b]

I saw that Hardees commercial during the NCAA basketball tournament and was totally appalled. Because our boys watch sporting events on TV, we've taught them to turn away during commercials. This is actually a good skill to be applied in a lot of places. We cannot protect them from what they might see or run into but we can teach them what their response should be. (Of course mine was to stare at the TV with my my jaw dropped!)

[cin]

Have you seen the Quiznos toasty torpedo commercials? "Put it in me," suggestive is not even the word.

 

 

Oooh, I *HATE* that commercial. It is so over the top. It goes beyond suggestive. It is flat out sex-talk.

[Nestof3]

I hate commercials. I hate watching live TV and try to avoid it if I can....I do still watch live TV for Lost because I just can't wait for it to be taped!!!!!

 

Sometimes DH and I will purposefully start watching off of tivo 10-15 min. after it has started though so we can ff through commercials.

 

Sounds like previews to movies. So often everyone has their eyes closed until the movie starts.

[Nestof3]

I saw that Hardees commercial during the NCAA basketball tournament and was totally appalled. Because our boys watch sporting events on TV, we've taught them to turn away during commercials. This is actually a good skill to be applied in a lot of places. We cannot protect them from what they might see or run into but we can teach them what their response should be. (Of course mine was to stare at the TV with my my jaw dropped!)

 

Yep, we start teaching that to our boys when they are little. Today, my husband picked up his Seadoo (jetski). The showroom connects to the shop, and he asked if he could close the shop door. They have posters of nude women all over the room.

 

Our 19 year old was with him. They were talking about some part, and my husband said, "Yeah, if only it were a couple of inches longer," and the man retorted, "That's what my wife says."

 

Then, he was straddling the jet ski and said, "I feel like I'm making love to a jetski."

 

ugh :glare:

[Guest janainaz]

It drives me nuts, too. My son is 9 and I don't want him exposed to it. I don't want watch it either. What bothers me is that it bothers me and I know it bothers a zillion other people and none of us use our power to put a stop to it. I remember walking passed a Van's store in a California mall 5 years ago and reading a sign that said in big, huge, capital letters, "Ready, Sex, Go" and feeling so infuritated that I wanted to walk in and rip the sign out of the window. It makes me feel powerless and I'm not.

 

My husband and I really want to yank the TV altogether ....and the computer (yes, have one, but use it for better purposes).

[Miss Sherry]

I would like to have a TV set up with a screen that just goes blank and the audio goes off during commercials. I tend to just tune them out now and don't even "see" alot of them , they drive me nuts.

[Mothersweets]

That's partly why we don't have cable TV anymore. We could control the shows we watched on TV, but we couldn't control the advertisements. When we moved 7-1/2 years ago, I talked dh into going without cable TV for a while to see how it goes. We're still without it. We have no TV reception. I love it! We have plenty of things to watch. Our local public library has a wide selection of DVDs. We watch mostly 1930's-1940's movies and 1950's-1960's TV shows. Dh's boss sent him on a trip after we had been without TV for three years, and there was cable TV in his hotel room, so he watched it. After he came home, he told me that I'd be shocked at how much trashier TV had gotten in just those three years. He said he was glad that we no longer had reception.

 

Our family does this, too! And yes, it is amazing how tv commercials just gets worse and worse.