Say what?!
Category: Advertising... MSM/Journalism/etc... TV & Radio...
Posted Wednesday, October 03, 2007 at 12:26 PM [GMT-6]

I had despaired of finding either the inspiration or the time to post anything, but the former came in the form of ten minutes of television and the latter is being carved out of the time I usually devote to counting ceiling tiles.

Do you ever really listen to what's being broadcast? If you do, you won't be surprised by the following:

  • The anchor on a national news show, describing a "breaking story" about a landslide in California, said that details were sketchy but that they were "efforting" to get more information. Just what we need: yet another noun-turned-verb.

  • This was closely followed by an ad for a resort in the Caribbean which features many amenities and wonderful things, including an "exotic offshore island." Those really are the best kind, of course.

  • Asian TV ads for English speaking audiences are an endless source of amusement and/or bafflement. The latter reaction accompanied the commercial for Korean Air, which featured a series of images (most of which had nothing to do with air travel) accompanied by various adjectives in text form. You know, adjectives like "graceful," "visionary," "admired," and, um, "pledging."

  • Not everything on TV is silly. Car maker Hyundai is running a series of ads with the theme "Think About It." Along with the world's slowest loading website and some excessively preachy messages, it's providing at least one bit of commendable commentary. The ad I just saw spoke of commitment, and how it had become a scarce commodity in today's culture. "Don't like your nose? Get a new one. Don't like your spouse? Get a new one. Whatever happened to commitment, of making a decision and standing by it?" I confess to being puzzled as to how this will help them sell more cars, but it's a refreshing perspective.

Obligatory warning: Paying close attention to what's on television is not recommended. The preceding was done on a closed course by a professional cynic. Do not try this at home.

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Comments

Man...you gave up your ceiling tile counting time to blog? That, my friend, is dedication and I for one appreciate it incredibly. (I really do...it's very boring at work today. This is different from most other days because it's today and not one of those other days.)

The whole verbing of nouns is really annoying. (Like that? I thought it was pretty slick.)

I would also like to visit an onshore island for comparison before making a decision - I hate to pass judgment when I have experienced both options.

Finally...where do you sign up for professional cynic classes? I think I could probably pass the entrance exam!

Posted by: beth at October 3, 2007 12:48 PM

I think I could probably pass the entrance exam!

Pass the exam? Girl, you could be the instructor! Feel free to join our faculty. ;-)

Posted by: Eric at October 3, 2007 12:52 PM

Freda Brown would be proud of you for remembering all that noun/verb stuff. As for offshore islands, would that be where one could use an outdoor boat?

Posted by: dale at October 3, 2007 01:06 PM

Cool, I like being faculty....would this be at the School of Hard Knocks? That's where I got my cynicism degree.

Posted by: beth at October 3, 2007 03:32 PM

I thought about Hyundai's website for 92% then hit stop. As a web designer, I bet you were gnashing your teeth.


Posted by: Deborah at October 3, 2007 05:32 PM

Dale, as long as Mrs. Buster doesn't make me diagram any sentences, I think I'm OK.

Deborah, my patience wore thin at 92% as well. That type of website is all about the designer's ego, IMO, not the visitor's edification.

However, I'd like to get the same money they paid for that site. ;-)

Posted by: Eric at October 3, 2007 09:16 PM

Wow grammar on TV are getting badder, isn't it? :)

Posted by: Stephen at October 6, 2007 09:55 AM

Hey, I've always thought commitment to one's nose is really important. :)

Posted by: Denise at October 8, 2007 07:53 AM
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