Hardee's and Carl's Jr are in some hot water over a new ad showing a teacher dancing provocatively while students rap about "flat buns" for a burger. Check out a local news story here and view the ad on YouTube. The parent corporation has already pulled it, after a number of teacher organizations said it was offensive.
What do you think? Is it offensive? Are we taking things too seriously here? Does complaining about it generate a controversy that gives the ad much more attention via outlets like YouTube (and this handy blog)?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Hot for Teacher
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It doesn't surprise me that a commercial involving some fantasy teacher sexied up in a risqué outfit cavorting about all crazy-like on a desk is going to ruffle some right-winged feathers - especially the feathers belonging to typically reactionary teachers and parents.
Is it offensive? If a movie were to be played on the same channel and depict the very same thing, would that be offensive? Well, perhaps it would be to some, but to most, such a scene would be far less likely to cause a stir because such things are standard fare for Hollywood. But even if such a scene isn't justifiable when compared to the crazy machinations of Hollywood, could it be that the the commercial is marketing a harmful fantasy to kids? No, because the commercial airs after ten to prevent it from reaching such a demographic, according to Hardees. And is a sexy teacher yelling obscenities that harmful of a fantasy anyway? Any student knows that teachers are never dressed that way in reality, nor would they behave that way, so I would guess that most kids would find the stark contrast refreshing and funny, not harmful. I mean, what else are the kids watching? South Park? Which sense of humor is more benign?
Hmmmm.... Indeed school teachers and parents are taking all of this far too seriously, with 'zero tolerance' for humor and ample tolerance for censorship and joy-killing.
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