Too Much Information
August 12, 2007 by Jacqueline L. Jones
Am I getting old or do today’s commercials share a little too much information? I’ve been embarrassed since advertisers started airing commercials about feminine hygiene products about 30 years ago.
Last week I just turned down the sound during the latest Viagra commercial, which aired a group of middle-aged musicians singing “Viva Viagra” to the tune of, you guessed it, “Viva Las Vegas.” Another commercial soon followed with a gentleman bemoaning the trials and tribulations of constipation, and praising the cereal that helped him get back on track. A commercial for women’s underwear soon followed. The ad for herpes medication would’ve been too much for one night.
Sure, I know these are all situations and products that affect everyday life, but do we have to discuss them over dinner? Do we need color graphics and a rock band to get the point?
I’m not advocating a return to the dark ages, where so-called civilized people didn’t discuss such matters, but can we please find a different forum? If not, I may start investing in companies that manufacture products to fight indigestion.
I got one for you! My daughter got control of the remote and was watching something on MTV or VH1 regarding how much the stars paid for homes, clothing, decor… stuff like that (like I would care). I happen to walk by and see this girl addressing “guy/boy/man I almost slept with,” and went into rather graphic detail about his not wanting to wear a condom and what he was missing out on. I’m with you! Keep the personal stuff off the airwaves! We parents already have too much explaining to do!
And we wonder why today’s youth are having so many problems. When they are bombarded with messages that trivialize and glorify such potentially dangerous situations, most don’t have the maturity to filter out the nonsense. I don’t know how any of them live through adolescence.