TOP TEN LIES TOLD BY MADISON AVENUE THIS SEASON
When it comes to advertising, I wouldn’t consider myself a prude. I didn’t have a problem with the T.O. / Desperate Housewives spot a few weeks ago, and in fact found it quite clever, although upon further review the acting of both Terrell Owens and Nicolette Sheridan could be considered offensive.
But so far this holiday season, I have had to roll my eyes at the subtle and not-so-subtle messages being pitched to us during commercials. It would be even funnier if it wasn’t deadly, these lies and half-truths. Here are some of the messages we’re taking in and allowing our children to take in (in no particular order):
1. Asians, at least the ones LeBron James encounters, are mysterious and/or sinister.
2. Getting a car for Christmas is not out of the ordinary.
3. Gift-giving is all about making the other person feel bad that they didn’t get you as nice of a gift as you got them.
4. If you drink beer, hot women will want to have sex with you.
5. In households with teenage children, dads are squares and moms are the cool ones.
6. It’s all about the shoes.
7. Real men drive big, rugged cars.
8. Shiny diamonds are the best way to demonstrate fidelity to your wife.
9. Your choice of alcohol is the number one determinant of how happening your social life is.
10. Your woman will love you more if you buy her expensive jewelry.
When it comes to advertising, I wouldn’t consider myself a prude. I didn’t have a problem with the T.O. / Desperate Housewives spot a few weeks ago, and in fact found it quite clever, although upon further review the acting of both Terrell Owens and Nicolette Sheridan could be considered offensive.
But so far this holiday season, I have had to roll my eyes at the subtle and not-so-subtle messages being pitched to us during commercials. It would be even funnier if it wasn’t deadly, these lies and half-truths. Here are some of the messages we’re taking in and allowing our children to take in (in no particular order):
1. Asians, at least the ones LeBron James encounters, are mysterious and/or sinister.
2. Getting a car for Christmas is not out of the ordinary.
3. Gift-giving is all about making the other person feel bad that they didn’t get you as nice of a gift as you got them.
4. If you drink beer, hot women will want to have sex with you.
5. In households with teenage children, dads are squares and moms are the cool ones.
6. It’s all about the shoes.
7. Real men drive big, rugged cars.
8. Shiny diamonds are the best way to demonstrate fidelity to your wife.
9. Your choice of alcohol is the number one determinant of how happening your social life is.
10. Your woman will love you more if you buy her expensive jewelry.
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