Television needs more advertising. Specifically, there just aren’t enough pop-up ads invading my screen. My world would be a better place if there were more logos, animated figures, and flashing ads to distract me from whatever trainwreck reality show I’m engrossed in at any given moment.
Multi-tasking is my life, and I don’t have nearly enough sensory overload to keep me in check. So what if my entertainment gets invaded just a little bit?
I don’t really need to focus on that how-to project on HGTV, because I need to know now what is coming on next. Or tomorrow. Or next week. I don’t really need to know who just punched whom on The Bad Girls Club. And if I’m watching Titanic for the 90th time, I already know Jack’s going underwater, so that animated guy dancing in the bottom corner pointing at Jack as he meets his demise is completely acceptable.
I will, however, need to be able to read the subtitles as I watch Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, so TLC, please take note.
As I watch the Real Housewives, there is currently a network logo in the lower right corner occupying a mere 15% of the screen. There’s another ad running across the bottom with 3 animated women, advertising a new show I will now be determined not to watch. And simultaneously, some other ad or logo popped into the upper left corner.
I’m perfectly capable of watching Ramona telling Heather off with Pinot in hand as I absorb all the subliminal messages being thrust at me as I do so.
I say give me more. I mean, between the volume of paid commercials that run and the massive cable bill that I pay every month, I can’t possibly be contributing my fair share toward the costs of programming.
I estimate that there’s a good 30% of the viewing screen left to abuse, and it’s a travesty that it’s being wasted. Maybe a banner ad across the time telling me when this show’s going to air again, since I didn’t get the full effect this time. Perhaps a ticker tape at the bottom with the current weather conditions and stock market data. Get creative guys, and just force the reality TV stars to wear network logos on their clothing. They could walk past billboards advertising your complete programming schedule. They could be drinking their wine from glasses with a Bravo logo. Honey Boo Boo could expose her belly to show a henna TLC tattoo.
Or you could take some cues from the world of internet advertising and zone in on me personally, displaying ads about that woman who lives in my city who has figured out how to banish wrinkles. Or my favorite ever-present ad that promises to reveal the secret of getting rid of belly bulge.
Then maybe at the end of the show, just as I’m turning the TV set off, you could have a big red NetFlix ad lurking in the background that I’ll have to exit out of. This would completely cap off my viewing pleasure.
A protest may be in order, and I’ll need some signs. Lots of them, just to make sure I get my message across.
LOL! well said!
Thanks
Great post, great point. And “Honey Boo Boo could expose her belly to show a henna TLC tattoo” cracked me up.
I caught up on the episodes of the Honey Boo Boo show today. What a train wreck, and I almost feel guilty for laughing at it. But I do like the kid. She’s a hoot!
Arrrrrggghhh! Yes! Thank you! Sharing your post w/ the entire ad industry!
Haha, feel free to share!
Haha love that pic of the sign!
By the way, I just tagged you in my new post! Don’t know if you’ve gotten this award yet, but I wanted to pass it on! http://jleesblog.com/2012/08/16/the-liebster-award/
Awww…thanks so much. I’m so behind on awards. I’m going to do my duties this weekend. I so appreciate it!
Great Post – love the last pic – ha!
Thanks. Isn’t that great? I just want to walk down Main Street with that sign. And then let people wonder why.
It’s true, we’re not at COMPLETE sensory overload yet. There’s still so much room for improvement. I want more for my money. I might be missing some crucial news or product advertisement and not even know it.
You got it! I haven’t even added in the attention I need to give my Whatever With Friends people, my blog, email, phones, work, Pinterest…. It goes on an on. We’re definitely missing out on some awesome products/shows/whatever that we’re not catching on to.
So true! I hate al the pop-up ads that come up while on the internet–I always get the belly fat miracle pill (wow, these guys most know exactly what I need!) and then I get the “Meet single Cristian men in your area!!” Guess if I take the pills, they are telling me I’ll get divorced, buy a sporty red convertible and pick up some single Chrisitian guys! Gotta love those ads…NOT!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one getting those belly fat ads. And the “cures” for wrinkles. I also get the “single men in your area” ads, and I don’t see too many men I’m area that look that hot. And I feel sure those hot men don’t need help finding companionship.
Not that I’m looking or anything…
As I just today threw in a advertisement at the end of my post, I feel embarrassed. But I do need to make some money so please forgive me. However, I did make it fit the blog and look as natural as I could. I understand completely what you are saying about the stuff on TV. And you forgot the best advertising that is done out there. Watching any show now, the actor’s actually advertise in their lines.
Good point on blog advertisements , and someone will probably point out the irony of the two big ads now on my page, haha.
I optimized my ads and am reconsidering, since I have yet to see a real ad show up there yet. I’m giving it a killed more time to see what happens. Maybe no ads fit because I’m ranting about ads. Who knows? But I think the one ad at the end is not offensive or tacky.
If you can make any money off of your rant about ads. lol then go for it. Everyone has to pay the bills at some point. Your ad isn’t so bad. Ofcourse, my page is full of them. Still not made anything off of them but working on that. I am student. I clean my mothers house and babysit Anna. I need all the income I can get to afford my life of luxury lmao.
I get it completely. Let the ads work for us. But the networks have to be profiting. They’re just greedy. We’re just trying to survive off the $1 or so we make off advertisting every month, haha.
While there are some shows I miss, my family’s decision to rid ourselves of paid cable has been a blessing. The kicker for me was not the advertising so much as knowing how much I paid per channel regardless of whether or not I watched it. Ever.
Advertising is bombarding us everywhere. I can’t open my eyes without being pressed to buy something I would not otherwise purchase. There was an advertisement in a public bathroom the other day. It was right there on the wall. Can’t even pee in peace.
Preach it, friend.
It really is everywhere, and we have almost become immune to a lot of it. I guess that’s why they keep having to find new, more obnoxious ways to get our attention.
i can’t wait to see Honey Boo Boo as a spokesgal for Diabeetus medicine. YOU KNOW it’s coming.
Let’s hope not. She is cute though. Like a little Ellie Mae Clampett.
Yes. I couldn’t agree more. There is nothing more I would like to hear out of my kid’s mouth than, “Mommy I want these (insert usless gimmic toy/slippersblanketpillowrobetowelputtogeatherkitof100peices) for Christmas!” “Sorry honey we bought all your Christmas presents already. We ran out of money.” “That’s okay mommy. Santa will bring it to me. He can just make it in his shop in the next two days. He is real you know so he WILL get it for me.” sigh….
So true. Advertisements directed at children are the lowest. And food commercials tempting you to eat when you’re trying to diet is mean. And I think I saw enough commercials today for legal firms representing anyone who took certain medicines to scare the daylights out of me. That’s why I love recording shows and fast forwarding through all that.
Yep me too. Ohh the diet one….stupid Dairy Queen.