One of the things you quickly realize when you’ve been in the States for a short time is that the network TV channels not only play to the lowest common denominator in terms of program content, but the commercials, which if you include station promos and other bits and pieces that occupy a third of the air time, are also mind numbingly “ordinary.” By that I mean they not only fail to challenge your imagination, they also simply rehash every “slice-of-life,” “product-demo,” been there, done that scenario you’ve ever been forced to watch while munching on your microwaved, macaroni and cheese, gourmet instant dinner.
The big brouhaha at the moment is over a couple of car spots based on suicide plots. One with a guy about to jump off a high building ‘cos he can’t find a car for under $17,000. Then the voice over informs him there are currently three VW’s available for under that price. So, he has second thoughts. Yeah… Right!
The other is a GM spot featuring a robot that commits suicide ‘cos he gets laid off. (But, it’s OK, it’s only a dream!) The fact that when it ran GM was about to lay off 13,000 people didn’t seem to upset anyone. No, it was the fact that a robot would take its own life… Isn’t there a Philip Dick rule about that?
Anyway, the VW spot was pulled, the GM spot was modified so that the robot has a long and productive life on the GM assembly line, while the 13,000 laid off “Real People” go on the dole. Which in America means after 13 weeks they’ll probably move into a Salvation Army hostel and live on food stamps.
Anyway, having said all that, every time I cross the pond and check into a British hotel, first thing I do is switch on the “Telly.” And guess what? 90% of the programming and commercials on there suck just as much as the American stuff. But the picture quality is better!
George Parker
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Member since: 03 Jun 2008
Last login: 17 Nov 2009
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