Comments on: EDEC 262- Blog 5

By: Broyhill Furniture

Broyhill Furniture — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:36:08 +0000

This was a nice article to read, thank you for sharing it.

By: Maria Katsouros

Maria Katsouros — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:20:56 +0000

Sorry, this is the link I intended to post :

http://www.spike.com/video/kiss/2819686

By: Maria Katsouros

Maria Katsouros — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:17:35 +0000

Since this blog discusses banned Super Bowl commercials, I was tempted to discover what other commercials have been rejected, and why. The commercial that I fell upon and that caught my attention is a Snickers commercial that shows two males working on a car. One man pulls a Snickers candy bar from his pocket and starts eating it while the second man begins chewing the other end. As a result, the two men touch lips and then back off from each other extremely quickly, terrified by the sinful act they have just committed. Assuming that if they do “something manly”, they will be dismissed from the misdeed in which they have done, and consequently rip hair off from their chests.
When I saw this commercial for the first time, I was not exactly sure how to take it in. I read on CNN.com that the Human Right Campaign and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) condemned the ad. Clearly the commercial is controversial, but I believe that it gives two messages. Firstly, are they trying to say that males have to pronounce their masculinity by being heterosexual and nothing else? Or do males have to pronounce their masculinity by being homophobic?
The “accidental” kiss, in my opinion, is not what should trigger the audience’s uproar. Personally I was more shocked with the fact that the two men believed they committed something that was completely immoral. The commentary on the website where I retrieved the video was also pretty shocking. One of the comments that struck me the most was, “What do children think when they see this commercial? Are they learning anything?”. I believe this is where the notion of hegemony comes to play. The manner in which the hegemonic ideology is perpetuated is by showing that if the two men were to have intentionally kissed, they would not be “manly”. In other words, homosexuals should not be considered “manly”.
The ironic part to this commercial is the fact that it was “banned” due to its controversy. However, it seems to be causing more controversy since it is considered “banned”.

http://www.spike.com/video/kiss-alternate/2820719

By: Jennifer D. Lee

Jennifer D. Lee — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:40:15 +0000

**RESPONSE TO: REALITY SHOW CELEBRITIES**

In response to Luc’s comment regarding reality shows, I too have similar feelings. Although I do not watch many reality shows, based on the few that I have seen, I find myself laughing at all the silly things the celebrities do or say. For example, in Paris Hilton’s new best friend show, after she eliminates a contestant, she ends off by saying “TTYN”. I couldn’t stop laughing the first time I heard her say that as it seemed like such a big joke! TTYN meant to stand for “talk to you never”. It seems so ridiculous as no one would ever say “TTYN” to someone in real life. Although some reality shows are absolutely ridiculous, I do appreciate the ones that actually showcase people’s talents. For example, So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew. I also really enjoy Britain’s Got Talent as you are able to see a large variety of talents instead of simply dancing or singing.

By: Rachel Desjardins

Rachel Desjardins — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:32:58 +0000

I think that the Man Crunch example is definitely a display of hegemonic influences at work. The first point I want to bring up is that it is just as important to look at ads that were cut, as as that were shown. Which is why Man Crunch is such a good example. We can never be exactly sure the specific reasons behind the ad not making the cut, however it is curious that this ad goes against the images that are usually shown in the Superbowl ads. In response to the second question, I think that all of the other ads that played perpetuate the super heterosexual ideal. I can’t really think of one that doesn’t perpetuate that ideal.

By: Emilie Raymond

Emilie Raymond — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:19:34 +0000

RESPONSE TO SUPER BOWL ADS

I have watched many different commercials for the 2010 SuperBowl and I understand why the ManCrunch commercial was rejected. Most – if not all – SuperBowl ads portray stereotypical characteristics of men that make them totally manly. They drink beer, they like sexy women, they are loyal to each other, they love sports, they have power, etc. Why is that so? Because society constructed everyone’s thinking of what “being a man” means, and men apply to these rules and guidelines. They actually have to follow them if they want to be part of society as heterosexual men. So, it ends up being a vicious circle. Society constructs a certain identity for men, which these men pursue, and which is then represented in the media, to again reinforce the identity of men in society.

The ManCrunch commercial totally breaks this cycle because it presents manly men watching sports and drinking beer, but ending up being homosexual. It contradicts the principle on which all the other ads are based. The broadcaster doesn’t want to break the vicious circle, because even though ManCrunch was ready to pay the demanded price, the broadcaster would make more money by safely staying in the vicious circle, and use it to make more profit. So in my opinion, the broadcaster was right when it said that it was a question of money, it just didn’t specify money from whom.

By: Katlynne Pharand

Katlynne Pharand — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:26:47 +0000

I would first like to talk about the infomercial that Diana Samaan talked about in her blog. I have seen this infomercial numerous times, and it has even brainwashed my mother to buy the product. Vince is not only the spokesperson for the slap chop, but also the SHAMWOW, which is also in my household! I find this man very entertaining, and honestly I did not really think about what he was saying until I read Diana’s blog. Before, I thought his comments about America getting skinny, having a boring life, and being in a good mood today were simply entertaining. However, when you look into what he is saying, it does sound like an anti-depression commercial/product, and these comments are totally random. It is clearly evident that the producers of this infomercial have based their production on humour and not seriousness. However, their tactic does work; the Slap Chop and the SHAMWOW are highly successful products. Like Diana said this infomercial comes off as ridiculous and random which for most viewers becomes entertaining and attracts them to the product.
Secondly I just wanted to briefly talk about the Super Bowl. While watching the Super Bowl everyone expects to see commercials revolving around beer, cars, chocolate bars and every other popularized products of America. It is a definite certainty that the companies that these products belong to understand that they only have a limited time to hold your attention and entertain you, the viewer. The whole point is that you remember their commercial and go out and buy their product. It is somewhat shocking how these companies pay so much money to have a spot for their commercial that will only play during the Super Bowl and never again. This brings me to the topic of the Olympics, recently I have been watching the Olympics and I have been paying attention to the commercials on the channels. Mainly, I have been watching CTV, and like Jennifer Allore, surprisingly I have not gotten tired of these commercials YET, and some of them have been playing for quite a while. I feel very proud and happy to be Canadian when I see these commercials. It is a nice feeling; it almost feels like you, the viewer, are being included in the Olympics games and ceremonies.

By: Todd Sinnett

Todd Sinnett — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:09:17 +0000

Some of the most interesting commercials that I seen from the Superbowl were the Godaddy.com commercials. They feature Danica Patrick who is a female race car driver. I think indeed she is a talented race car driver but this is how she is used in these commercials. Danica Patrick is extremely popular and has been photographed in numerous magazines.
This entire focus of the Godady.com commercials is on Danica Patrick being the Godaddy girl and what other females need to do to become the Godaddy girl. The actresses in both commercials decide that they are willing to show off how hot they are by ripping off their shirts reveling another shirt with the Godaddy logo. Women were the only characters in these commercials and they had to play a very sexual role. For example in one of the commercials Danica Patrick is enjoying a message when the masseuse recognizes her as the Godaddy and then rips her shirt off to show Danica how hot she is. The idea of the Godaddy is showing is hegemonic in the sense that women are willing to do anything to be a Godaddy girl. Women are also depicted in these commercials as only having skills to look sexy in order to be the Godaddy girl like Danica Patrick.
I had no Idea what Godaddy was from the commercials. It could have been because I was distracted by Danica Patrick and the other women ripping their shirts off or they just didn’t make it clear. For those of you who want to know Godaddy.com does. They sell website or something.

http://new.cbssports.com/video/player/superbowlcommercials?ttag=SBAD10_on_all_cspt_sb_ao_0002
http://new.cbssports.com/video/player/superbowlcommercials?ttag=SBAD10_on_all_cspt_sb_ao_0002

By: Luc Beaudry

Luc Beaudry — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:11:38 +0000

**NEW TOPIC: REALITY SHOW CELEBRITIES**

I am not a big fan of football and I did not watch the SuperBowl last weekend so I will be talking about Jordan’s topic.

I have to say, I hate reality shows to the core! However, I must admit that sometimes, when there is nothing on TV, I might be tempted to watch some of these shows. I just love hating these people! (My personal favorite? Jersey Shore of course!) I sincerely believe that this explains some of the popularity of reality TV. I mean, I can’t be the only one watching these shows just to hate them right? I think that half of the fun consist in watching these so called “celebrities” crash in flames after their quick ascension to celebrity godhood. I mean let’s face it, people love it when celebrities fall in disgrace. That’s what make tabloids sell. This is the equivalent of fast food for television.

By: EmmaPetts

EmmaPetts — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:42:50 +0000

From watching a few of the Super Bowl commercials, I still believe that there is a great hegemonic ideology in what I see. Almost all the commercials that I was able to see on youtube were about men or seemed to be directed towards men. Now not all the men were white, there were a few black men in the commercials but what really shocked me was the lack of other ethnic minorities and women. I understand that this is because the advertisers were gearing their commercials towards a target audience, but it seems to me that lately more and more minorities and women are watching these events (even if it is only for the commercials).
Two commercials I would like to discuss are the Dodge charger commercial that Bianca discussed, as well as a Doritos add about a black man who visits his girlfriend.
The dodge charger video may first and foremost be offensive to women, who are portrayed as controlling and bossy, but it is also offensive towards men. Clearly it is geared towards the way men might feel about women but it doesn’t shed a very nice light on them. They appear to me in the commercial as passive and unable to stand up for themselves.
The Doritos commercial shows a man visiting his girlfriend and who eyes her up. The woman’s son sees this and after the man tries to steal a Dorito the son hits him and tells him off. First off, this is the first women I have seen in any of the Super Bowl commercials and she is portrayed as the “piece of ass” type of women. As well the man portrayed is shown as a womanizer who doesn’t really seem to care for the son. I am unsure to who the video is geared, but I think that really it manages to offend many people.