Posted on 02/17/2005 1:26:35 PM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
In this PC age of advertising, there is one group who can still be made the butt of jokes with total impunity: middle-aged white guys.
The latest installment was on display in a commercial I just caught. A befuddled guy is sitting on the couch, fiddling with the TV remote. His roughly 11-year old daughter enters, and he tells her he can't seem to switch to a given channel.
"Of course not," she curtly informs him, "it's been blocked." She goes on to inform the ignoramus that most channels can be blocked via the remote or by calling the cable company.
He asks whether channels can be unblocked, and once again she condescendingly explains they can, then snidely adds:
"But you're going to have to get Mom's permission."
He calls out for his wife. She enters, and he imploringly asks her if he can watch the channel. She glances at the screen, gives a curt "No!" then exits.
Another day in the life of Bumbling, Stumbling White Guy.
Yes, yes, I know: "don't be so touchy. I thought it was funny. Chill out. Relax." etc. Look, I have no problem if this was an equal-opportunity thing. But it does bug me that if the tables were turned cries of outrage would echo throughout the land.
No, I didn't say anything remotely like that, but your response would make any liberal proud. Even here, no subject that touches on race can be broached lest someone jump up and start interpreting what was "really" meant. I don't care what color people advertise products. I buy based on the merits of the product. That does not, however, mean that I can't comment on my observation that the marketing world is now becoming consumed with political correctness.
MM
White Chicks is stereotyping, but I mentioned spoofing because it was intentionally spoofing the Hilton sisters. That was the Wayan brothers explanation anyway. Besides Soul Man ahd C Thomas Howell in black face. You need to watch BET comedy because white guy comics make controversial comments on there all the time. The audience laughs, and most of it is funny.
Let's start a list of the "white guys" who are made to be buffoons in TV ads.
1. The Maytag guy.
2. The Di-Tech guy.
3. The Budweiser "wazzup" guys
4. Monkeys and dumb white guy with whoopee cushion
Yada yada yada
I asked a legitimate question for clarification. You thought otherwise. I'm sorry.
She was a lazy, mean-spirited parasite, but probably beat Al by a few points in the IQ department. I agree though, that MWC wasn't a good example, because Kelly had the brains of a toad. IMHO that was the funniest thing to come out of HOllywood in a long time, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. But now how about a show where the mom/wife is the bumbling moron (and, if they really want to try some variety, non-blonde)?
But now how about a show where the mom/wife is the bumbling moron (and, if they really want to try some variety, non-blonde)?
The 70's show is close.
Red (the dad) is my hero.
There's the point. I agree, protesting will make no difference, but Madison Avenue will care when men are relevant to purchasing. If men make decisions such as car or phone or appliance purchases, merchants will not want to offend them. If men are respected by their wives and children, who will decide against products that advertise by insulting husbands and fathers (as some women on this thread have discussed), then merchants will change their strategy.
My husband decides on large purchases, and is consulted even on household products, because he is the leader of our family. When I ask him at supper, "I'd like to change from Brand X of cleaning products to Brand Y, for these reasons. Is that okay with you?" then I'm setting an example for our children about who is in charge. When I make up the grocery list and say, "Is there anything particular you'd like us to fix for supper this week?" that's sending a message, too.
Yes, Yes, A brat ruins something, the mom smiles and wipes it up. He needs to be slapped and wipe it up himself.
What about the frenzy of the family in the morning. Wild, as they go to school, and mom rushes off to work. Dad sits there quiet. All over Orange juice or a cereal commercial. That sends a sutle message, that mom is in control.
I remember when "Charlie's Angels" was on tv, it was a standing joke among guys I worked with that they were always beating up, out running, etc. middle aged White Guys.
Wow that's weird. I'd never ask a husband's opinion about cleaning products *LOL*
There's a McDonald's commerical on the radio these days where the husband makes a joke about something and wife threatens to slap him if he keeps it up. Can you imagine if the sexes were reversed?
The only reason ads of this ilk proliferate is because white men hold this society together so effectively, they are a constant target for the wussie "creative" types who produce these commercials.
Be glad to be a target for these morons...as long as we are...you can bet we're pi$$ing them off...:0)
I dunno. Recently I saw a car commercial that centered around an incompetent weatherman, who was black.
It's the principle.
Good point. I've seen that one too. Remarkably, at the end, the black weatherman even gets hit with a snowball thrown by . . . a white guy, albeit a grungy, younger one. The only saving PC grace is that the black guy is shown as a professional - a meterologist - while the snowball thrower looks like some reject from a grunge band. Even so, no doubt, it is a good counter-example to the prevailing trend.
Recently I saw a car commercial that centered around an incompetent weatherman, who was black.
It's balanced by the minivan commerical where mom "saves the day" for stupid dad "who had to buy a motorcycle."
Most annoying commercial on TV.
Soul Man ahd C Thomas Howell in black face
OK, I am officilly an old fart.
Now the main guy is a White guy and his Father (Bo Duke) is also a good guy but just about every good person is a minority of some kind.
Nearly all the people in positions of authority, such as judge, sheriff, doctors etc. are Minorities, that is if you consider Women as minorities.
Sometimes it is almost funny it is so obvious, but still a good show.
LOL well I'm an old fart too then. I personally got offended by the Beach Boys diss but that's just me :o)
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