It was a pretty disappointing year for Stuporbowl ads, in my opinion. Dorito ninjas, etc. Tough to get much sillier. But, they have to start circulating so here's my favorite so far...
From: fixrman [#2] 8 Feb 12:11 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#1] 8 Feb 12:12
I wasn't bowled over by any of them. I did sort of a mild laughter-type noise at one of them, but it wasn't enough that I remember the ad. So what's that say?
From: BigK (WARLOK29) [#4] 8 Feb 12:27 To: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#1] 8 Feb 13:07
I cracked a smile at a few ads. But I didn't care for the one you posted. Something about portraying men as weak-willed, spineless meat bags that are pacified by shiny vroom-vroom's didn't appeal.
It may have been demeaning to women in there too, but I didn't catch it.
From: worsel [#7] 9 Feb 4:37 To: BigK (WARLOK29) [#4] 9 Feb 8:46
quote:
Something about portraying men as weak-willed, spineless meat bags
You mean you just noticed that now?!
Ads have portrayed men as dolts, morons, idiots and less than bright for decades. Most ads give the impression that, if it wasn't for females (including animals), men couldn't tie their shoes properly.
quote: Something about portraying men as weak-willed, spineless meat bags
You mean you just noticed that now?!
Ads have portrayed men as dolts, morons, idiots and less than bright for decades. Most ads give the impression that, if it wasn't for females (including animals), men couldn't tie their shoes properly.
I think the stereotypes involving Caucasian males are about the only ones that are safe to use in jokes, which is why advertisers use them. Just think about it:
1. Portraying white men as being pudgy and out of shape has been done a million times in commercials. Portraying women as being pudgy and out of shape- you rarely if ever see it. That would draw all sorts of flak from radical feminists and eating disorders groups decrying the ad agency for promoting bulimia and irreparably warping womens' senses of self-image. Portraying non-white men as being pudgy and out of shape has to be done very carefully, lest Jesse Jackson or La Raza think you're making fun of those groups for being stereotypically fat.
2. Portraying men as idiots unable to do simple tasks like making a sandwich has been done to death over the years- see Hardee's/Carl's Jr's last five years' worth of ads. Portraying women as idiots unable to do simple tasks like unclog a toilet are taboo. You'd rile up the feminazis again as they'd say that the ad reinforces evil 1950s stereotypes of helpless women and irreparably warps womens' senses of self-image.
3. Having men in commercials poking fun of their lack of ability to dress fashionably is very common. Nobody dares do that for women, since you'd rile up the feminazis yet again. They'd say that the ad reinforces evil 1950s gender roles of "how women should dress" and irreparably warp womens' senses of self-image.
4. Portraying white men as being horrible dancers, runners, and basketball players is a popular topic in commercials, because you know, white men can't jump or dance. Asians commonly get pegged as un-athletic, geeky, nerdy or convenience store owners. But do you ever even see KFC having a Kwanzaa special? Nooooooooo way.
5. Men are often portrayed negatively in commercials as lusting after expensive but impractical things like bass boats and sports cars and their wife scolds them over it. Do you ever see ads poking fun at women going gaga over expensive jewelry, shoes, and clothes and the husband tells the woman no? No, no no, no no.
I am sure I could think of a bunch of other examples, but you get the gist of what I am saying. We are a safe group to make fun of, so people do. I personally don't care all that much as it just shows that as a group, we are tougher than the others that jump for a lawyer as soon as something that can be even halfway construed as an allusion to a stereotype involving them comes up.
From: leonsk [#13] 9 Feb 19:39 To: worsel [#12] 10 Feb 4:36
As Imnotdrphil said, we are tougher than that, do not need some ACLU "activist" for defender.
There was some commotion recently about the depiction of the military types in the Avatar movie as uncaring, insensitive killers who cannot appreciate the beauty of nature or the goodness of the native life <clutch throat, choke, barf>. The claim was that this was offensive to the US Marines. But I never heard any Marines complain, only some wimp wannabes. The Green Machine just rolls on.
From: worsel [#14] 10 Feb 4:52 To: leonsk [#13] 10 Feb 6:22
Just because I brought it up (actually, it was BigK) does not mean I am complaining. I calls 'em like I sees 'em. As far as the suit goes, every other SIG and pressure group is suing, why should the white male group be left out.
From: Cagey (KGWAGNER) [#15] 10 Feb 5:29 To: IMNOTDRPHIL [#9] 10 Feb 17:11
Every example you give exposes the essential quality missing in the whiners: self-confidence and self-esteem. You can call me stupid, lazy, fat, careless, heartless, confused, whatever - and I don't care. Why? Because I know I'm not stupid, lazy, fat, careless, heartless, confused, whatever. And even if I am, it doesn't bother me. The ones who bitch and want to go nuclear on their perceived attackers are those who have those qualities and are very sensitive and insecure about them. Somehow, they never learned how to work through and eliminate those problems, or in the absence of ability, to say "So, what?"
Not enough Popeye and Bugs Bunny cartoons, too many Barney and Hannah Montana shows, and too much highly remunerative litigation.
I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam! <grin>