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I know I was disappointed in the one ad that I did NOT see. Wasn't there a big rumor that Apple was going to have an ad in the Super Bowl about a new ipod or a deal with the Beatles?
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With a DVR, I usually skip the commercials, but saw most of them this time in search of the something special ones.
Don't know how many saw the Snickers one--but it's one where two mechanics kiss while eating a Snickers, and then there are in fact 4 different endings to it that you can see on the website, although the one I saw on TV was the ripping out the chest hair as a reaction.
The others are hardly any better--the "Love Boat" one the least, and the wrench probably the worst--but all I found pretty terrible, especially when you view the Chicago Bears players reaction--and to a lesser extent the Colts. You can judge for yourself more about Rex Grossman and Marvin Harrison when you see it, but overall I was stunned that they decided to run it in 2007.
In the Contact Us section, I wrote the company saying how disappointed I was that they would underscore that the only thing to do when however inadvertently in a homoerotic situation was revulsion and/or violence. And then to promote player reactions, transferring the "comic" pop culture back to the Real World--this from guys who spend considerable time naked with each other in showers and lockerrooms, is the height of irresponsible hypocrisy.
It's not like gays can't take a joke. We have for years in numerous TV shows and movies. But to blueprint that the only acceptable reaction is to literally cleanse yourself through violence has horrible echoes in episodes that we all know go on to this day.
It is particularly ironic on the day the NFL celebrated 2 African-American coaches in the superbowl, that a huge company would believe their most successful pitch to the American public is to go back with gay responses that would have been out-of-line before SuperBowl I.
Should we have a commercial now where whites find "funny" ways spit out water they inadvertently drank from a "colored only" drinking fountain?
Satisfying with a Snickers should be the last thing the public does as a reaction to these commercials. You have to wonder what the gay people--well-represented in advertising--had to do with them, and how it made it's way through all the approval processes to air in the most vaunted venue possible.
It makes "wardrobe malfunctions" seem like the truly brief flash that they were.
I'm betting the reaction to this will allow them to claim they did what they set out to do: get attention, while paying nothing more than the $2M it cost to air.
I can only hope the attention battle they won in the short-term only means they're sure to lose the perception war in the end with a more tolerant American public that has moved beyond such homophobic provocations.
The NFL should be asked about this--as clearly their players who represent them--as well as all the commercials around The Biggest Show On Earth have shown themselves to be anything but open and accepting of gays.
The NFL controls even the kinds of signs and celebrations players make after scoring--shutting many of them down for 101 less offensive reasons than what this commercial celebrates. If they can respond to the "damage" caused by an exposed breast, they ought to respond to the much more real damage athletes in particular inflict on those perceived to be gay.
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QUOTE(Brent @ Feb 4 2007, 10:36 PM)
With a DVR, I usually skip the commercials, but saw most of them this time in search of the something special ones.
Don't know how many saw the Snickers one--but it's one where two mechanics kiss while eating a Snickers, and then there are in fact 4 different endings to it that you can see on the website, although the one I saw on TV was the ripping out the chest hair as a reaction.
The others are hardly any better--the "Love Boat" one the least, and the wrench probably the worst--but all I found pretty terrible, especially when you view the Chicago Bears players reaction--and to a lesser extent the Colts. You can judge for yourself more about Rex Grossman and Marvin Harrison when you see it, but overall I was stunned that they decided to run it in 2007.
In the Contact Us section, I wrote the company saying how disappointed I was that they would underscore that the only thing to do when however inadvertently in a homoerotic situation was revulsion and/or violence. And then to promote player reactions, transferring the "comic" pop culture back to the Real World--this from guys who spend considerable time naked with each other in showers and lockerrooms, is the height of irresponsible hypocrisy.
It's not like gays can't take a joke. We have for years in numerous TV shows and movies. But to blueprint that the only acceptable reaction is to literally cleanse yourself through violence has horrible echoes in episodes that we all know go on to this day.
It is particularly ironic on the day the NFL celebrated 2 African-American coaches in the superbowl, that a huge company would believe their most successful pitch to the American public is to go back with gay responses that would have been out-of-line before SuperBowl I.
Should we have a commercial now where whites find "funny" ways spit out water they inadvertently drank from a "colored only" drinking fountain?
Satisfying with a Snickers should be the last thing the public does as a reaction to these commercials. You have to wonder what the gay people--well-represented in advertising--had to do with them, and how it made it's way through all the approval processes to air in the most vaunted venue possible.
It makes "wardrobe malfunctions" seem like the truly brief flash that they were.
I'm betting the reaction to this will allow them to claim they did what they set out to do: get attention, while paying nothing more than the $2M it cost to air.
I can only hope the attention battle they won in the short-term only means they're sure to lose the perception war in the end with a more tolerant American public that has moved beyond such homophobic provocations.
The NFL should be asked about this--as clearly their players who represent them--as well as all the commercials around The Biggest Show On Earth have shown themselves to be anything but open and accepting of gays.
The NFL controls even the kinds of signs and celebrations players make after scoring--shutting many of them down for 101 less offensive reasons than what this commercial celebrates. If they can respond to the "damage" caused by an exposed breast, they ought to respond to the much more real damage athletes in particular inflict on those perceived to be gay.
You've got serious problems Brent to read all of this into one :30 second spot. I thought the Snickers commercial was hysterical, probably one of the few moments I've actually laughed out loud about a commerical. My partner had the same reaction, we couldn't stop laughing.
Lighten up a bit and you may eventually enjoy life and being gay in it.
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QUOTE(billsf @ Feb 5 2007, 08:20 AM)
You've got serious problems Brent to read all of this into one :30 second spot.
Lighten up a bit and you may eventually enjoy life and being gay in it.
I did think the set up was funny.
If you go to their weblink and watch all 4 different endings, clearly they were relying on the same funny setup with 4 distinct endings--all of them much the same in tone and implication. The web redirect after all is called "afterthekiss.com." And if you listen to their posted reactions of the actual Bears & Colts on the same site, they weren't just saying how funny it was--it was how over-the-line and uncomfortable the situation was for "being 2 men" and "it's just not right."
This commercial doesn't make me enjoy my gay life any less--it just makes me realize we still have a long ways to go in the Real World.
If I'm wrong, why don't you start naming all the openly gay NFL players?
My serious problem is with the actual guys who do get beat up for perceived gay activity or orientation. Having recently dealt with the death of a teammate Anthony Castro who was harrassed by other football players even though he was the captain and a big guy, the attitudes expressed by the NFL players after watching the commercial are even more intense off-camera, at high schools all over the country.
I don't have the "serious problem" of being 16, and "couldn't take being called 'f a ggot' any more today and just needed a break."
But I welcome you sending me a signing bonus to be put towards other serious problems!
This post has been edited by Brent: Feb 5 2007, 03:45 AM
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The Snickers kiss commercial was funny until you get to the ending(s), none of which were funny. The casting was a bit odd. Re: Brent's comments. We'll see if GLAAD has something to say about this.
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What is the correct "interpretation" of the Kevin Federline ad?
The general interpretation appears to be that he's imagining he's the "rap star" while working in the fast food place. My interpretation is that he's thinking back to when he really was the "rap star" (in as much as K-Fed was a rap star) and now "circumstances" have reduced him to working in the fast food restaurant.
My interpretation would jibe with the voice over at the end of the spot that talks about a Nationwide annuity could guarantee you income for life, which would only make sense if he had had some money in the first place and made wise decisions with it as opposed to never having any money and just imagining.
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My other half and I laughed out loud just one time, and that was for the Blockbuster add. The rabbit and gerbil are back, this time trying to use a real mouse to get online... it was funny!!! Especially at the end when a reference to plugging it in was made.
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QUOTE(UCLAfan @ Feb 5 2007, 04:22 AM)
Now that the Super Bowl is done, what was your favorite ad for this year?
Not as great as other years, but I liked some of them. No real tear jerker this year except watching the one where the losing teams put away their gear/apparel for another year and the lady Charger fan blows out the candle (maybe hit by a lightning bolt would have been a better take of how Charger fans feel).
In any case, wasn't that upset about the Snickers ad at first take, but guess the ending is pretty homophobic. Just my first take was that it was funny and I think most people I was with felt that way too in a gay/straight mixed crowd. I guess I could have been pissed if I was with a crowd that took it another way and I saw that angle.
I also liked some of the Career Builder training ads because my job sucks right now and I could relate; the fedex ad with the first names "Eileen, Joy, Bob, Mr. Turkeyneck" made me laugh; the blockbuster mouse one was cute; I loved the Chevy all male car wash one--especially the girl covering her eyes asking "Is it over yet?"; the budlight hitchhiker one w/the guy with the axe and the other with the chainsaw (may not be new though?). I love that the guy picked up with the axe was upset they were considering picking up leatherface. I thought there were a couple more, but lost in my thoughts.
Overall pretty boring game. Indy couldn't blow them out early even though they dominated every part of the game except the red zone and special teams coverage. Grossman truly held up to his name. Feel sorry for the Chicago fans--defense played very well but the offense was one of the worst I've seen in recent history. Peyton was boring and surprised he was MVP, but probably more for the season/career than that particular game. Actually agree Grossman should have been MVP or at least honored in the parade in Indianapolis this week.
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That Blockbuster commercial was awesome! Quick question...did that commercial run where the guy proposes to his girlfriend? Was it pretty neat?
Here in Canada we didn't get the commercials, but I caught them all online.
What I don't understand is how people have nothing better to do than to call the TV Station and complain about how they can't see the Superbowl Commercials. I mean, we've NEVER been able to see the commercials in Canada yet people continue to complain...it's just a friggin commercial...commercials that will start running normally within the week.
Just remembered another good commercial...the Grand Theft Auto themed Coke ad....amazing
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QUOTE(Enigma @ Feb 5 2007, 11:01 AM)
Just remembered another good commercial...the Grand Theft Auto themed Coke ad....amazing
All the Coke ads have been playing in movie theaters for months -- even their Black History Month-themed ad was in the theater last month (although on TV the end was slightly changed due to the two coaches). They didn't spend any money to create new ads.
The hosts and callers on local sportstalk radio this morning were all repulsed to varying degrees by the Snickers ad, some saying how they don't want to buy Snickers any more; the female host mentioning that while she was in the kitchen her husband began screaming like he was in pain; one caller decided that all the commercials were directed by homosexual men or people who love talking animals (referring to the Blockbuster and Taco Bell ads). As if a gay man would direct that piece of garbage Snickers commercial...well, maybe one would if he were a self-hating closet case.
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QUOTE(PCC @ Feb 5 2007, 06:23 PM)
Offensive for which group?
Offensive to everyone who had a full stomach. My gut reacted with disgust that one guy invaded the other's personal space. And it looked like they were chewing on a turd. Repulsive.
Secondly it's offensive to gays because the dialog after the realization they'd kissed was, "Quick! Do something manly!" As if two guys can't be real men and kiss.
Probably offended most social conservatives as furthering the gay agenda to depict two guys kissing.
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I just caught the commercial replay on " The View", and it did look like a (gulp) turd! I was mildly shocked and amused at this commercial to be honest. Definitely pushes the envelope.
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I have very mixed feelings on the Snickers ad. I thought it was the typical "gay panic" ad. At the same time, the reaction of the two mechanics was so over-the-top that I could not help but laugh.
The "Quick! Do something manly!" line just had me on the floor.
I do fear young kids and teens ripping what few chest hairs they have to show that they are "manly".
Also, I noticed on the Snickers websire that there are 3 other alternate endings for the ad. Wanna make a bet that the "Love Boat" ending will be on several gay-oriented shows in the future?
This post has been edited by gmjambear: Feb 5 2007, 04:54 PM
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Add me to the "gay mafia," as Cyd puts it in his article, that was offended by the Snickers' ad - but even more so by the web site. Whether it was supposed to mock homophobic straight men or not, the ad and its potential endings simply fail at doing that, IMHO. Rather, they make it clear that if you kiss a man - at least in three of the endings - it is so horrible you have to hurt yourself, beat the other guy, or kill yourself afterwards. Sorry, not funny.
I didn't see the ad until this morning, as I was on an airplane during the game, and even with then ending that aired it certainly didn't make me want to eat a Snickers - why in the name of God would anyone try to eat the end of another person's candy bar???
Oh, and just to answer Cyd's stereotyping, not all gay men believe that "food" equals nothing but plain chicken breasts. I love Snickers, and find them a great pick-me-up when traveling and I can't get full meal in. As for the calories they contain, if you are only burning 280 calories during a 5K, you should get out of the pace car. I burned more than that in 30 minutes on an elliptical trainer this morning, and I wasn't even working out that hard.
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Overall...the super bowl ads sucked. However, my favorite ad was rock, paper, scissors. LOL...that was hilarious!!! It reminded me of my favorite super bowl commerical last year when the guy was commenting on his cell phone's anti theft system and threw it at the guy. I liked the Blockbuster one too with the mouse. Dave and Oprah was cute too.
As for the Snickers commerical, I guess I'm alone on this one because I wasn't offended by it at all. It was just plain dumb. It was a reference to the Lady and the Tramp thing by 2 rednecks that just wasn't pulled off well at all. I don't know where they were going with it or what it had to do with the product they were selling but it was just stupid. It takes a lot more than that to offend me.
This post has been edited by mdterp01: Feb 5 2007, 10:00 PM
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I will be writing to Mars, the Bears, and the Colts. My point will be that the Snickers commercial probably did not affect me, or thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of mature gay men, closeted or not. But its impression on the population of scared-to-death, closeted 15 year old guys cannot be accurately measured. I hope the risk of hurting someone was worth it.
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I thought the Snicker adds was funny- the two guys come across as morons But they must have listened to the criticism because on their website you can no longer view the players reaction which I think is much more homophobic than the add itself.
This post has been edited by jaragonus: Feb 5 2007, 06:10 PM
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"This ad is not remotely gay-bashing. The point of the reaction of the men was so ridiculous that it made the reaction of straight men to homosexual contact the butt of the joke, not the kiss itself."
Cyd Zeigler has it wrong. When it comes to any media people identify with what they already believe. So the beliefs of the homophobes will be reenforced. They will not even notice how "ridiculous" the ad's characters are or the reactions of the NFL players.
It seems to me there's been an increase in slurs against LGBT people in the past year, especially from celebrities, and now the media. My opinion is that since the HRC and GLAAD failed to confront the mockery and parodies of Brokeback Mountain last year it's given tacit permission for eveyone to join in, as has happened. There's no more shame left in laughing at LGBT citizens, their relationships and families, so go for it!!!
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The Snickers ad was the most memorable one for me and didn't think it was offensive to gay men. I can understand those who say that the reactions of the mechanics could reinforce a negative self image in young gay people, but I think the mechanics were shown to be pretty stupid people.
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QUOTE(mdterp01 @ Feb 5 2007, 05:14 PM)
However, my favorite ad was rock, paper, scissors. LOL...that was hilarious!!!
Yeah, committing an assault over a lousy Bud Light...hilarious!!! I guess an ad endorsing casual violence that's played during a football game is no biggidy though...
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QUOTE(CPT_Doom @ Feb 5 2007, 04:59 PM)
Oh, and just to answer Cyd's stereotyping, not all gay men believe that "food" equals nothing but plain chicken breasts. I love Snickers, and find them a great pick-me-up when traveling and I can't get full meal in. As for the calories they contain, if you are only burning 280 calories during a 5K, you should get out of the pace car. I burned more than that in 30 minutes on an elliptical trainer this morning, and I wasn't even working out that hard.
That line was an intentional commentary on stereotypes. I actually had a mini Snickers bar last night (found it digging through the freezer coming down from my buzz from the game).
BTW, I was thinking of a king sized Snickers, which I thought had about 600 calories.
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QUOTE(FeverDog @ Feb 5 2007, 09:31 PM)
Yeah, committing an assault over a lousy Bud Light...hilarious!!! I guess an ad endorsing casual violence that's played during a football game is no biggidy though...
I got the same criticism last year from the "violent" cell phone commerical when the guy throws the cell phone twice at the guy. Ya know..if people are that influenced by a freaking commerical then they really don't have strong minds. I was just watching Its Your Call...a local program in the Philadelphia/Baltimore area and the women seemed turned off by the ad and didn't think it was funny and said the same thing about the violence of it, whereas the men thought it was hilarious. It wasn't surprising. Most guys I know loved that commerical and most women I know hated it...and obviously some gay men didn't like it either. I'm not trying to suggest anything by the men vs women comparison of it either...I'm just sayin what was said on that show. I don't see the big deal over it. Its a commerical made for entertainment purposes and if you can't separate that from real life goings on then you need to get a clue. The makers know what kind of target audience they are going for with certain commercials. Some you're gonna like...some you aren't.
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I find it kind of interesting that the Snickers ad manages to offend both homophobes and gay men (some, not all). I personally am kind of tired of seeing portrayals of 2 men kissing as being the most repulsive thing imaginable, regardless of if it is meant to show an over the top reaction. There are still certain people who won't see that and it just reinforces their beliefs by playing it for laughs. So I am one of those who was pretty annoyed by the commercial.
This post has been edited by Purdue Fan: Feb 5 2007, 10:25 PM
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QUOTE(daninprov @ Feb 5 2007, 06:12 PM)
"This ad is not remotely gay-bashing. The point of the reaction of the men was so ridiculous that it made the reaction of straight men to homosexual contact the butt of the joke, not the kiss itself."
Except the straight men watching the ad, judging from the hosts and callers I heard this morning, all reacted basically the same as the men in the ad: with disgust. Everything that happened after that "kiss" was ignored. The reaction was "EWWWWWWW!!! THEY KISSED!!!! WE'LL NEVER BUY SNICKERS AGAIN!!!!!!!" The "joke" was completely lost on, well, everyone.
Here are two funnier and more challenging ways they could've ended the ad:
1) they run off to get married 2) after the "kiss" one says to the other, "Your lips are softer than I would've thought..."
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"...and if you can't separate that from real life goings on then you need to get a clue."
And here I picture someone, handing out clues to scared 15 year old gay guys trying to figure things out. I must have been in the wrong line when I was 15.
The Snickers commercial was clever, innovative, shocking, provocative, .....
Maybe even funny to some.
But if I ever come to the conclusion that there's not an equally clever or artistic way to sell a candy bar, A CANDY BAR!, then God help me.
We need to view this through eyes not just our own.
A scared kid in high school may have no idea the world is or isn't as good or as bad as he imagines. Regardless, there's no way I'd ever tell him he just needs to "get a clue".
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Feb 4 2007, 11:22 PM
I guess an ad endorsing casual violence that's played during a football game is no biggidy though...
