Not So Super Ads

Prior to last night’s Super Bowl, there was considerable discussion about the commercial purchased by Focus on the Family featuring Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam. As you have probably heard, Mrs. Tebow chose not to have an abortion when she was pregnant with Tim, although doctors warned her there might be complications with the viability of the baby/fetus (choose your term) and her own life.

Critics called on CBS to “Cancel Bowl Sexism.” CBS chose to run the commercial with the Heisman Trophy winning college quarterback and his mother. Viewers did not hear a message about abortion but were directed to the Focus on the Family website.

The conflict over the Tebow ad did sensitize me to other advertising on the broadcast. I started to count—but finally gave up—on the number of commercials that demeaned women, made fun of healthy marital relationships, and encouraged the use of alcoholic beverages for any (or no) reason at all.

There were commercials I liked. The E*Trade babies are always funny if a bit too smart for their diapers. I liked the ad about Bret Favre still playing pro football in 2020, but I can’t remember what it was promoting! The Letterman/Oprah/Leno ad was good, too.

What’s the moral of the story? Don’t pay attention to commercials or at least don’t let them set the standards for your life.

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