Those Crazy Commercials

Since the pandemic began, more and more of us have watched a lot more television that we ever expected we would in our lifetime. We have been bombarded with television ads that try to lure us into purchasing just about anything.

Television commercials depict store sales either with weird sound effects, vibrant colors, comedy, and even straight forward advice. For example, salesmen/women who advertise the latest model of cars are coming up with every possible advertising trick to get you to purchase a car from their dealership. One man, a veteran, drives an army tank while yelling to you about his great car deals. A perky woman, along with her pet dog, just doesn’t fit into the category of a serious professional car saleswoman. But you have to admit Matthew McConaughey is easy to look at when it comes to driving a luxury vehicle. Let’s get real, the suave Mr. McConaughey just looks like that extravagant car was made for him to drive.

There are a lot of commercials advertising certain brands of medicine these days. If we were to purchase every single pill that is supposed to help with every ache and pain, we would be terribly broke in no time. And what about all those side effects of these products? That’s enough to scare someone or ward off anyone buying the product.

Lawyers are also getting into the act of advertising their businesses. One lawyer advertises from on top of a building and looks like he is being blown away by a helicopter. Another lawyer advertises from a fine high rise building while looking extremely serious and debonair. Are they truly marketing themselves in a way that will draw people towards them and their legal advice?

Commercials can be entertaining. One of my five-year-old grandson’s favorite commercial is the lady who dances while hip hop Tag Team sings “Scoop, there it is, Scoop there it is.” My husband asked me what that commercial is advertising and I honestly couldn’t answer him. I’m always too busy laughing at it.

And who isn’t tired of Parker, the pizza delivery gal, ranting on and on about how much money she saved on her car insurance while handing out pepperoni pockets, an atomic brownie, “coo, coo crusty” and a side of ranch? I’ve seen that commercial so many times, I have it memorized.

What about the commercial where two children are each in a different car racing with a man in another car? It is announced, at one point, that it isn’t real, but how many people pick up on that announcement? That’s teaching our children that they can get into a car and race with one another at any age without a driver’s license. That’s taking advertising a little too far.

Thirty-three years ago, the “Where’s the Beef ” commercial debuted starring Clara Peller demanding more beef in her hamburger. The commercial became famous and a new catchphrase was created. Yes, commercials do live on in our memories.

During one of the morning shows, I counted over 20 commercials during the break. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. First of all, I thought commercialism was going a little too far and second of all, I was a little aggravated/frustrated. I wanted to get back to the show and not see another commercial. Yes, sometimes, all those commercials can be a little overpowering. Television shows have to have their advertisers and we, as the audience have to put up with it or at least try.

Commercials are just part of a television viewer’s life. Thank goodness, they are becoming more creative and humorous.