Let me revisit a topic that I wrote about a while back. Sometimes, advertising seems to take a premise a bit too far. So far, in fact, that it doesn’t make any sense at all. The medication adverts are the worst (in my opinion) for this taking-things-too-far phenomena. The one that gets me the most is the one for a little blue pill to help in the “romance” department. The commercials for these always showed a couple painting, or gardening, or unloading groceries and then they share…a “look.” The next thing you know, the two of them are each ensconced in a bathtub – close enough to hold hands, and usually in a field near a pond.
Okay, first of all, those of us at a certain age are not exactly thinking about romance when gardening, painting, or grocery shopping. Usually, we’re thinking of (a) how many steps we’re getting and/or (b) how soon we’ll be done and sit and have a drink. Secondly, there’s nothing romantic about sitting in separate bathtubs, regardless of the view. And finally, as I’ve mentioned before, where’s the water in those tubs coming from? Or are they just sitting in the tubs fully clothed for ambiance? Because the effort it would require to get in and out of a claw foot tub would erase any romantic thoughts I had for sure! And for heaven’s sake, sitting in a field? Near a pond? Slather on the bug cream, please. There’s romance for you!
I was thinking about this the other day because I was sitting in an office watching their television while I waited for an appointment. The television could have had auto repair shows running (like they do at AAA), or home remodeling shows (as my wonderful dentist does), but no, they had ads for hearing aids. Well, to be fair, it was an ear, nose, and throat doctor’s office, so that made sense. What did not make sense was that the volume was on very, very low. So, if I had a hearing loss, I would have been able to see the pictures of the various products, but not hear a word about them. Hey, here’s an idea, why not advertise for hearing aids on the radio? I bet they do, but I wouldn’t know, because I can’t hear it!
That made me think of all the money people spend on vanity license plates. I get that – it’s fun to say CMPR GAL on your license plate if you love to camp. Or 4 OSU if you’re a Buckeye fan. Those let everyone know what you’re all about and well worth the extra ten bucks a year. I know I’m always excited to see SCCR MOM around town.
What doesn’t make sense is spending that extra money every year for a personalized license plate that only makes sense to YOU. I mean, what’s the point? Why spend the money for something that nobody understands?
But this isn’t a new thing. I remember watching many a commercial on television when I was growing up that showed the exciting and amazing colors you could see on color TV sets. We didn’t have a color TV set, of course, so I was watching those ads on a big old black-and-white set. So I had to just imagine what a color TV would be like. I mean they must have spent a lot of money for those commercials, which aired on mostly black and white televisions. So… again, the point?
On the other hand, everyone who has a television now, has a color one, right? So I guess the advertising paid off – 60 years later!
agree with yor premise- what irks me about commercial for med stuff is the last few
MINUTES where they tell you the side effects- which are often WAY worse than the
problem I might be suffering from – cure diarrhea, have suicidal thoughts- shoot, I was already close to that with the original problem! Good stuff, want you to consider letting me learn to do a podcast and with acknowledging YOUR material as my source, simply read it to folks for a great couple minutes of thinking things out!!
just a thought – since I did not get a response from readers Digest when I sent them several of your snippets!!
John beat me to the draw on this one. I agree. The side effects are worse than whatever it is you’re suffering from. I mean if a pill caused suicidal thoughts and you already had suicidal thoughts… Bam! The ones I really don’t like is when they’re trying to find “a place for mom.” But the better solution is just get her a “jitterbug flip2” and everything is taken care of. But… mom must remember to push the big red button! Maybe you should buy mom a bunch of all the different pills that cause suicidal thoughts. I’m kidding!!! A similar one to the little blue pill is out on the golf course and the man says, “And she’ll like it too!” How does he know she will! I do like the State Farm one with … “like a good neighbor.” But there again, you have to have a good neighbor. Otherwise, “Like a good neighbor, stay over there.”
Okay, I’ve had my fun for the day. 😊
well said young lady!
Thank you, John! You gave me my laugh for the day! It was the “young” word! 🤣