My Pet Peeve
May 31st, 2008 by Harvey ShapiroIf you’ll permit, I’m going to stray from my usual real estate reporting and harangue about my pet peeve - television advertising.
Everyone knows that advertising is necessary to support the cost of delivering a TV broadcast. However, I grit my teeth when advertisers show the same ad over and over and over and over…
Take this morning, as an example. I watched a golf tournament on a (unnamed) network station. Even if I suffered male urinary distress, I get sick watching the incessant, repeated pharmaceutical ad they televised. Don’t they have more than a single ad for a multi-hour telecast? And who are they targeting, anyway? I can’t just run out to my pharmacy and buy the product because it requires a doctor’s prescription. Do the drug advertisers really expect viewers to tell their doctors that they need these products?
Cars ads are another favorite target of mine. Automobile manufacturers seem to be major sponsors of sporting events and shows, but aren’t they able to afford more than one or two ads to peddle their expensive cars and trucks.
Luckily, my plasma high-definition television has a remote that I keep handy and hit mute when any of these ads play. Or, I can shift to another channel (don’t tell the Nielssen people!) for a minute or two. Why do you suspect there’s so much demand for DVR’s? They have a skip button!
I appreciate a good ad, especially if it’s humorous, but not the 84th time they show it!
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I have to agree with you (Mr. Shapiro) concerning overuse of the same ol’ commercials. It’s funny that you mentioned that. They did take away the smoking ads. It is no longer on television, nor paper, or radio. However, for some odd reason, you seem to think its ok to smoke a pipe in your column picture (oh, I’m sorry, you didn’t inhale, right?). Do you honestly think that this gives you a type of coolness that connects you to your readers? I think not! We are trying our hardest to steer kids and adults away from smoking, but here you are, with a pipe in your mouth. Why don’t you puff your pipe, and do a magic trick underneath all that smoke. When you reappear, it would be cool to see a role-model reaching out to his community.