If you’re reading this, I bet the title got your attention. “Sexy” caught your eyes, and now you’re curious to know what this post is about.
Well it’s about those “sexy,” “sex-selling TV commercials.” I’ve been seeing a lot lately, and I don’t watch freakishly weird TV stations. I’m talking about seeing these commercials around 8:00pm on ABC7, other major networks, and family-oriented channels too. I don’t mean to complain about them, but I’m just saying that it’s a little awkward seeing a “sexy” commercial when your parents/ family are around. It creates one of those moments when everyone is silent because no one wants to talk about the ad they’ve just seen. Here are some of the “sexy commercials” I’m talking about.
1. Dolce&Gabbana Light blue Perfume/Cologne:
I see this commercial a lot on the major networks. It’s basically about two sexy people taking a swim and then making love. Literally they are making out!! But the little symbols are what make the commercial luscious and well… “sexy.” The guy and girl are wearing white; pure sign of virgin innocence. Their bodies are wet; *cough cough* as they just had a swim, and the editing slows down to make it more epic. OMG at one point, the camera angles itself to show the guy’s speedo thing. Not to mention, there’s very romantic Italian music playing in the background, and the scene was actually shot in Capri, Italy…a very romantic place, as you can see the pretty light blue water surrounding them. Obviously they are selling sex. People will buy the product because they fell they will be sexy or feel sexy when they wear the perfume. However, it makes for a pretty awkward turtle family moment.
2. Enzyte Commercial
Ok , when this product came out, they played this commercial nonstop…on MTV and Spike Tv (a men’s channel) of course, but still when I’m watching CSI re-runs on Spike with my dad, seeing a commercial like that after a murder scene makes me want to hide in a cave. It’s kinda gross seeing this guy smile so much because he used “a natural male enhancement” and now the ladies love him. What’s even worse is that catchy enzyte tune they play in the background. Sometimes, I’ll start singing it when I’m bored, and then I’ll realize where the song came from…and then I’ll cringe. These ad people really know how to get in your head and keep you thinking about their product! Also, hearing all of those innuendos about how enzyte changed Bob’s life; “a sac full of pride,” “north pole,” “Bob is here to spread a lot of joy”…Ewwww GROSSS!!!!!! This makes for more awkward turtle moments than the previous ad, in which no one makes eye contact or talks until a normal or funny commercial comes on. To be honest, I’ll get up and walk out of the room when I see that commercial start…
3. Trojan Fire and Ice commercial
Okay, this one doesn’t have any partial nudity or any implicit innuendos, but still its pretty awk-w-a-r-d. This condom commercial seems to be scientific-y and experimental as you see the female scientist testing the performance, I guess, between the two guinea pigs (the husband and wife/boyfriend &girlfriend) after they’ve used the new Trojan condom. They go on this bed/rollercoaster contraption thing which mimics the experience of a wild ride, and we see them get off with their clothes all awry and their hair out of place. I mean, all of the signs that they’ve done it are there. So it’s kinda awkward, but not as bad as the other two. It’s only 16 seconds. They also have this new one out, I’ve seen a lot on the major networks. However, it looks more like their advertising some medicine. We see/hear the pharmacist explaining about it, and pretty much no nudity is shown, just a couple talking about their experience with it. Still, the thought is kinda awkward when you’re watching this commercial with your ma and pa. It’s embarrassing.
Well that’s how I feel about it. Thank goodness, these commercials aren’t minutes long. What do you think? Did you have any awkward turtle moments watching these commercials? What other commercials create awkward moments for you?
Omg! this post was so funny :D i couldn't stop laughing and still am. lol. I know what you mean though as in its so awkward to watch a "sex" commercial in front of other people. Usually if I'm with my parents and I've seen the commercial before and know whats gonna happen next, I quickly grab the remote and change the channel. It feels so weird to see such things around them. But if I'm with friends and cousins, or people my own age, I would just let the commercial play. Sometimes we even make jokes about it. Like that new Columbia jacket commercial. I's say "I thought this was an underwear commercial, how does it have anything to do wearing a jacket? And how are they comfortable just wearing a jacket in the middle of a snow blizzard with no pants on?" lol. Sometimes the commercials aren't even logical but the companies just throw in nudity to grab your attention.
ReplyDeletewow annie, great post.
ReplyDeletei always felt awkward when i would see these type of commercials during dinner time or when my whole family is just crowded around the tv. Everyone gets quiet all of a sudden and then when the commercial is over everyone goes back to what they were talking about and pretends like nothing happened. I thought i was the only one but now i can see that this "awkwardness" is experienced by you as well. I think the reason that these types of commercials started showing up more on family oriented channels is because times are changing and in this century it seems like everyone is more comfortable with their sexuality. Another reason is because family tv time is usually around prime time and companies know that it's the time when the most people will watch their ads. I think they know that these commercials will make things awkward but they will nevertheless get your attention. And if it got your attention and my attention then i guess they are doing they're job.
btw comment back on my blog.
@lamisa I know! its much harder to watch these things with your parents because they're on a different level than us, and the general topic of sex itself is very uneasy to talk to them about. But when I'm with friends too, everything's all cool. There's no awkwardness bcuz we can relate to eachother; they'll get our jokes, etc.
ReplyDelete@nathanb Thanks!:)Yea I guess that awkwardness is felt by every kid at some point. We'll probably feel a different awkwardness when we're parents and our kids see these commercials...who knows maybe commercials will be more revealing in the future! But I agree with you. There seems to be a culture change, in which ppl are more open with the topic of sex. Even TV shows are getting more "sexy-fied." Like Degrassi, One Tree Hill, etc, they show pretty raunchy scenes. We're moving away from conservatism, which can be a good thing; we're loosening up.
Thirdly, it's true. Ad executives are smart to put those commercials on at that time cuz it equals more ppl watching...more knowledge of their product, more ppl buying...more $$$.
@anthony Thank you:)lol yay nathanb and I aren't alone!! I kno...some of the commercials don't even make sense like what Lamisa sed, but Sex does sell....Abercrombie and Fitch must be rich cuz those models don't model their clothes, but their bodies...ever seen one of those bags! but yea, I can't blame 'em...everything's about the monies $$$...so if it means 30 seconds of awkwardness, it's worth it to them.