I’m somewhat glad my kids are well in their teens now (could do with less back-talk, but you can read about this issue on my blog www.mamarazziknowbest.com), and that we survived the turbulent downward spiral of television programming for families.
We can now cautiously sit together through a few shows and commercials, and seldom have to cringe or change the channel due to inappropriate content during prime family TV time.
Today, when an ad for a man’s medical condition runs while my men are watching a golf tournament in the middle of the day on a Sunday, we just raise an eyebrow and silently wait until the uncomfortable moment passes — knowing full well both kids know exactly what the couple in the ad went to do when they left the kitchen dancing.
In spite of their ages, 14 and 17, and related perceived sense of maturity by Hollywood, here’s the latest thorn in my side: the Burger King ad featuring SpongeBob SquarePants and a bevy of booked-from-behind dancers shakin’ it to Sir Mix-A- Lot’s "Baby Got Back." If you’ve watched American Idol, Nickelodeon or Disney Channel lately, then you’ve no doubt caught the booty-riddled commercial.
While we do enjoy a clever commercial (though there aren’t many these days), I’m going to put this out there in case anyone else is raising an eyebrow too: What’s the ad really for? Is Burger King going to sell square hamburgers, or is SpongeBob going to get some booty? To boot (pun intended), is the King supposed to be the bootilicous dancers’ pimp?
I can’t seem to understand what burger exec approved this ad thinking it was tasteful. The controversy over this commercial has been going on for a few weeks, and according to BK, the ad intended to target adults. Yeah, right. I watch the sponge everyday, and I’ll certainly rush out to buy that kids meal to get my hands on the square toy ASAP, sans my kids.
In a similar desperate move, Hasbro and the Discovery Channel are said to be teaming up to launch what would essentially be a kids QVC channel, with shows based on familiar toys, incessantly pushing products to kids. Remember Tonka, My Little Pony and G.I. Joe? Well, say hello to these household names because if this deal holds up, they’ll be visiting your living room in living color 24/7.
I understand ad revenue and toy sales maybe in short supply these days, so it might be time we parents prepare ourselves and re-arm our TVs with mute and fast forward buttons so we can skip what could soon become the new ad trend: Kid’s cartoon characters paired with adult music to appeal to the whole family.
What’s next, teen-aged Dora the Explorer wearing her short shorts to the mall’s food court … to by a BK Kids meal?
