Why TiVo is a good thing...

You can fast forward through advertisements.

I have a bit of a problem with TV adverts.  Some of them are very well made and clever, and I genuinely enjoy watching them (the original Activia advert for example, before they moved on to bloated women talking about their digestive issues).  The Meerkats might be everywhere now but it was clever and original and you have to give the advertising company a hats off for that one.

Some are just annoying, like the Go Compare tenor, or the terminally irritating Aviva ones which are only really there to see what terribly bad accent Paul Whitehouse can do next.

And some I have a bigger problem with, as they are reinforcing rather unpleasant stereotypes, sometimes in a completely inappropriate way.

Here are my top examples of recent adverts:

 

 This is Pepsi Max who think that using a group of moronic men behaving like children and encouraging the sexual exploitation of a woman is a good way to sell their product.

 

More idiotic men advertising Fosters.  Don't forget "you have to make the little lady feel good about herself".  It's in the boyfriend manual, apparently...

The usual Lynx advert objectifying women.  I know they sometimes say they are tongue in cheek, but to me it is tacky and undermines women.  

They have a Facebook page as well saying it is about, "Chat up lines, places to pull, some great exclusive parties, behind the scenes with some of the beautiful Lynx girls, and free stuff when we’re feeling generous...Get in there with Lynx!"

All this leads to actual women assuming the only people who wear this are young teenage boys.

This could have been pretty much any washing powder commercial.

Obviously only women do the washing.

And also they are fine with complete strangers showing up in their garden randomly.

By the way, Vanish is shit so don't bother with it.

There are a couple of men wandering around in this advert as a token gesture, but my main issue is with the strapline "That's why mum goes to Iceland"

Because obviously all "girls" who work in an office are shallow inconsequential employees who care more for fluff than for actual work, and use any chance to skive off.  Also promoting a bit of office bullying while they are at it.  I found it hard to choose one Boots advert to be honest, they are all absolutely excruciating, and to be fair also treat men like dirt.  I haven't set foot in a Boots for years.

Possibly the most middle class thing on TV, this advert has obvious gender stereotypes throughout.

Also, if you really care, let the poor dog inside!  I think the RSPCA might have something to say about that.

There's just too much wrong with this to comment.

This one wins the "weird" prize.

These are the messages that are churned out day after day on our TV screens, working their way into our subconsciouses and helping to strengthen the stereotypes that we all hold, and only some of us consciously rebel against. 

When people say that things have changed for women in society, you really only have to look at these adverts to see that there is still a long way to go as these portrayals of men and women are generally accepted by people without question.

Some people have noticed, though.  I will end with a further Youtube clip which demonstrates just why I love Mitchell and Webb and why David Mitchell is referred to in our house as "my other husband"...