Feb 17, 09:02 PM
Aw geez. Don’t tell me they’re back.
As the ‘commercial record keeper’ of the races, I do not miss any of them, good or bad. Some ads are fun to live through over and over again (for example, Michael Waltrip’s NAPA commercials). Some are okay for the first dozen times, then really lose their luster. Some are offensive from the get-go.
Some commercials should not exist at all, except in the very latest hours of the night, or the earliest hours of the morning. Another words, when the majority of people are sleeping, most notable the children. I lump feminine hygiene, contraceptive, and erectile dysfunction aides all together in one ‘oh-please-let’s-not-publicly-discuss-this’ category.
I was so dismayed to hear the distinctive ‘boop boop boop’ song begin, as I realized I was going to have to record the ‘Viva Viagra’ advertisement as part of the commercial line up for the Daytona 500. I am not a prude but believe these ads should not be on, except in the hours mentioned above. I don’t even have any small children in my home, yet it still disturbs me. I can only imagine the creative answers some parents have had to come up with when their six year-olds ask what Viagra is for as the commercials blare on the TV.
The sad thing is this probably signals that more of them are on their way, even the ones that are not prescribed medications, but ones only meant to swindle men out of their hard-earned dollars. If ‘Viva Viagra’ has arrived, ‘Smilin’ Bob’ and all the rest can’t be far behind.
Before anyone emails me, yes, I know that Viagra, Enzyte, and others have sponsored cars in NASCAR. It is one thing, though, to see that car whiz by at 200 mph, and another to have to endure 30 or 60 seconds of in-your-face advertising splashed across my TV screen.
The Viagra ad only ran once during the Daytona 500, and I am sure that someone somewhere is patiently waiting to see if there is a backlash.
I hope I am not the first to complain. I hope I am not the last. I hope those who are offended speak up, and loudly, right away.
Commercial breakdown, driver focus, and links related to the Gatorade Duels 02-14-08 Commercial breakdown, driver focus, and links related to the 2008 Daytona 500
Feb 18, 10:05 AM
I have to add my dismay to yours.
I also fall (VERY STRONGLY) into the “not prude” category and yet I am appalled at how far NASCAR has let this go at times.
Yes, I realize that NASCAR is not alone in this. In the past few months, parents are likely to expose their young children to completely inappropriate material if they let them watch such seemingly safe channels as SPEED TV or even The Weather Channel !
Personally, I was OK when the Viagra ads simply referred to “ED”.
Adults new exactly what this was and if their kids asked “What’s ED?” or “What’s Viagra for”? they could give a calm but vague “That’s a kind of sickness that daddy’s get some time.”
Now though, many of these ads plainly use words like “erection” and phrases like “consult with your physician to see if you are healthy enough for SEX.”
“Daddy, what’s SEX?”
“ Daddy, what’s an Erection?”
In most states, explaining that to a 6 year old girl WILL get you arrested.
I’m not shy. At a party with other adults or in a bar … I’ll be more then happy to discuss these topics with you.
THIS however is NOT a bar.
When you think about the money and effort NASCAR has spent marketing this sport as a FAMILY event … when you think about how many generations have grown to love this sport because their parents brought them to the track when they were kids … and when you think about how important this steady, home grown base of fan is to the sport … it is simply inconceivable that NASCAR doesn’t police their commercial content.
NASCAR, rules EVERY aspect of this sport with an iron fist – they even fine drivers who, seconds after a near-death experience might have the human reaction to utter curse words over their radios – yet, they seem to have turned a blind eye to this sort of “Non Family Friendly” advertising in their sport.
If there was ever something that could be ruled as “Actions detrimental to stock car racing.” this would be it.
When NASCAR negotiates with the TV companies for Broadcast rights, NASCAR puts all kinds of stipulations into those contracts. NASCAR has what the broadcasters want and NASCAR is calling the shots. It’s simply mind boggling that they are not putting a restriction on explicitly ADULT content during their broadcasts.
NASCAR, how about helping out your fans who want to watch a race with their kids. I mean, even the BEER companies produce better, funnier and LESS family offensive ads for their products then do the “sex help” companies.
Come on NASCAR, this really isn’t that difficult.