Am I Hot Danny, or Wholesome Danny?
Lined up in a row on the couch, we had very few things to say to Billy Joel after his performance of our national anthem at the Super Bowl this weekend. "Too pitchy," said one friend. After considering for a moment, I flatly stated, "1,000 percent no, dog." We're all waiting on you, Paula, I mean, Matt. "Er, wah, I'm... Yesssssss!" Too bad, Billy, you're still not going to Hollywood.
If that isn't an indication that I watch too much reality television, then please spare me the shame of having to explain why "Grease: You're The One That I Want" got more airtime on my friend's widescreen than the football game.
And because it just wouldn't be the Super Bowl without thinly (and hilariously!) veiled homophobia: At first, I was not offended by this Snickers commercial. I rather thought it was quite funny. But when I discovered the campaign's microsite... An "alternate ending" in which the two men confront the accidental kiss by beating the living shit out of each other? The filmed reactions of football players recoiling in disgust and uttering, "It just ain't right"? Aw, HELL no!
And would you believe that many advertising critics and professionals consider this Super Bowl campaign to be one of the best? A handful of guest bloggers on SuperAdFreak.com describe it as "great fun" and a "favorite spot," with another noting that "it makes you want to giggle."
The Mars family has now exposed countless children - many of whom regard these football players as role models - to intolerance and bigotry, all in the name of selling a candy bar.
What exactly makes you want to giggle about that?
UPDATE: Snickers pulls down the microsite and will no longer be airing the ads. Behold, the power of the blogosphere!
Comments
I've been debating about this all day on AOL gay and lesbian!
http://journals.aol.com/gayesteditorever/WorthRepeating/entries/2007/02/05/homophobic-grab-a-snickers-and-its-way-worse-than-you-think/655
Posted by: Rebecca | February 5, 2007 05:42 PM
what? no mention of the most ridiculous reality program ever? PUPPY BOWL III!
Posted by: matt | February 5, 2007 08:04 PM
I propose that just as Santorum was coined in 2004, a new neologism be created using either Mars or Snickers.
Posted by: Lord Cardigan | February 5, 2007 09:06 PM
So it's okay for you to be homophobic, but no one else can? Just checking.
TOBY SAYS: I dunno. How am I homophobic?
Posted by: Steve | February 5, 2007 10:08 PM
I dunno. I made the same face. I mean, those two weren't exactly Heath and Jake. I think it's a touchy subject, but I can see how someone may have thought it wasn't homophobic and green-lit it's airing. I'm not defending it, just saying.
Posted by: Derrick | February 6, 2007 12:22 PM
The Mars ad shines a spotlight on where queer rights actually are in America, not the rosy picture portrayed by HRC and the like. It's not pleasant to see but it will hopefully wake up a few people to what's really going on to other queers.
TOBY SAYS: Um, you're out of your mind if you think this was Snickers intention behind the ad.
Posted by: Brian | February 6, 2007 12:52 PM
I like this idea:
Is that Santorum?
Naw, I think it's a melted Snickers bar.
I can't think of an appropriate context, but if one were to even exist...
Posted by: Agatha | February 6, 2007 04:37 PM
good to see the blogosphere is tackling (ho ho) the really tough issues
Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2007 06:50 PM
not that it should, duh, its a blog
Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2007 06:51 PM
For the sake of conformity and evolution I've decided to take the same 3-week calss that Haggard Ted took and renounce my fabulousness. I just hope the lucky lady who ends up in my bed can handle my six shooter the way some of those hard riding cowpokes have. Bang! Bang!
Posted by: Johnny Qatar | February 6, 2007 11:38 PM
Love that you're back.
Posted by: LittleBigChris | February 7, 2007 09:42 AM
I never said that it was the Mars company intention. Their intention is, as is the case with all corporations, to maximize shareholder wealth by utilizing a controversial ad campaign.
My comment was actually pointing to the actual environment in which we live. The Mars ad shows that our very existence is still used as the butt of jokes and that our relationships are not equal to heterosexuals in any real sense. Seriously, how many gay men are held up to children as role models but it is alright for a sports figure, who barely finished college, to act like the sight of two guys kissing is the same as the sight of the most digusting thing you can think of. While it shows the ignorance of the sports figure, I fear this will be lost on those in middle America who normally don't look too closely.
It is my sincere hope that the backlash against the Mars Corporation causes more people to become active in the struggle for their civil rights.
Posted by: Brian | February 7, 2007 11:19 AM
Well, I mean look at them. I finished college and I still found it repulsive. Now, if it had been Toby....
Posted by: Lord Cardigan | February 7, 2007 08:38 PM
Do you actually think if those mechanics were Abercrombie guys making out, the reactions from the football players be any different?
It'd be the same.
Posted by: reader | February 8, 2007 10:36 AM
Whenever I think of 'wholesome' I think of those old Wonder bread commercials where some twattish housewife and her retarded, milk-mustascioed offsprungs mug it up for the camera in a smug "Don't-You-Wish-You-Could-Live-Like-Us' family values kind of way. Fuck you, cunt. You know you like to take it up the ass!
Posted by: Cumquat | February 8, 2007 05:16 PM