Commercials that bug you?

[disneysteve]

You seem to know the inside and out on those medical ads. Just curious on your thoughts, what do you think of those thick paper medical ads that are piled up in those Reader's Digests magazines?

My view on direct to consumer medical ads is pretty simple. I don't have a problem with advertising disease states and letting people know that treatment exists. I am completely opposed to advertising specific drugs, treatments or devices. This applies to all ads whether on TV, radio or print media.

Last night, I saw a TV ad for Humira. On the bottom of the screen, it said, "See our ad in Soap Opera Weekly". Wow. Is that supposed to make it sound more appealing that they choose to advertise in such a fine scholarly publication.

This is one area where I think the government really screwed up when they relaxed the rules to allow DTC advertising.

[boosami]

My view on direct to consumer medical ads is pretty simple. I don't have a problem with advertising disease states and letting people know that treatment exists.

I feel the same way. The current laws allow them to give the consumer just enough information to go to the doctor and say "The ad says I need this, so give it to me." They ads say talk to your doctor, but what they are really saying is "go insist that your doctor give this to you."

[boosami]

You have to wonder how some of these commercials came to be created, approved, and aired...

HEADON! Apply directly to the forehead!
HEADON! Apply directly to the forehead!
HEADON! Apply directly to the forehead!
HEADON! Apply directly to the forehead!

[zakity]

I HATE the cadilac comercial with the guy driving the car in the tunnel, and he's like so I have a comfortable life in the suburbs and a comfortable office and a comfortable life and I'm supposed to drive a little efficient car to and from my comfortable life? OBNOXIOUS!

Um, I think that is the commercial with Brian Bloom in it. I am not for sure though. I don't pay attention to the car, I am too busy drooling over the driver. Is the driver a totally hot looking guy with dark hair and blue eyes? OMG... I totally want to hide him under my bed. Do you think my husband would notice?

[disneysteve]

I feel the same way. The current laws allow them to give the consumer just enough information to go to the doctor and say "The ad says I need this, so give it to me." They ads say talk to your doctor, but what they are really saying is "go insist that your doctor give this to you."

Just in case the issue didn't already anger me enough, they made it even worse by starting the free sample programs. "Take this coupon from Soap Opera Weekly to your doctor for a free 7-day trial." Or even better "ask your doctor for free samples." The whole process really pits the patient against the doctor, making the doctor the bad guy in the transaction if he refuses to prescribe the drug being requested because it is inappropriate or too expensive.

[PrincessPerky]

Just in case the issue didn't already anger me enough, they made it even worse by starting the free sample programs. "Take this coupon from Soap Opera Weekly to your doctor for a free 7-day trial." Or even better "ask your doctor for free samples." The whole process really pits the patient against the doctor, making the doctor the bad guy in the transaction if he refuses to prescribe the drug being requested because it is inappropriate or too expensive.

I hate the ones, that I haven't seen in a while, that say 'talk to your Dr' and I have NO clue what they are supposed to do! I mean it is understandable that people might not know there are treatments, and maybe putting the disease on their mind can help, but..... you would think knowing what the disease is would matter.

On a similar topic, I get depressed watching many ads for anti depression medication...might just be me, since I am rather crazy to start with, but I am not the only crazy person watching TV...especially the one about 'who does it hurt' and they show the sad family around the depressed person..really thanks like I need reminded that I am a terrible mother.

[disneysteve]

I hate the ones, that I haven't seen in a while, that say 'talk to your Dr' and I have NO clue what they are supposed to do!

Yes, I haven't seen those lately either. I remember Imitrex ran one for a while. It mentioned Imitrex multiple times but said absolutely nothing about what Imitrex was for. The video content of the add gave no clue either.

[boosami]

Wonder if the HFCS commercials will be pulled, much to the delight of many posters here...

Mercury Found In High Fructose Corn Syrup Used As Food Sweetener

[boosami]

Yes, I haven't seen those lately either. I remember Imitrex ran one for a while. It mentioned Imitrex multiple times but said absolutely nothing about what Imitrex was for. The video content of the add gave no clue either.

Steve, can you write me a script for Imitrex?

[ceejay74]

Freecreditreport.com! I've already commiserated with one of our members on her blog about those nightmarish ads. (Even just by typing this I've gotten the pirate-themed jingle stuck in my head.)
Getting a REAL copy of your credit report… - Financial Hack

Definitely agree about Billy Mays, Vince the meth-head, horrible-sounding drugs (will reduce arthritis pain but just about every other part of your life will suck because of this pill!), those pee-buddies (the oldish guys that drive around in a convertible and go fishing and toast each other with water bottles because they don't have trouble urinating anymore), and a bunch more I can't think of right now.

To be fair, there have been some really entertaining commercials that I was sad to see go. Especially the Orkin man one, where these people-sized bugs would knock on people's doors and use this really casual voice and these made-up reasons to try and get into their house. ("Hey, my car broke down; can I use your phone?") And the Hillshire Farms "Go meat!" chant ads. My family agrees they made us wish we weren't vegetarian so we could support them for their awesome commercials.

[disneysteve]

I hate the commercials that are supposed to look like normal everyday people talking but they use the full name of the product in a totally unnatural way.

"I'm thirsty. Honey, can you grab me a can of the new Caffeine Free Diet Coke with Splenda, please?"

"I'd like a snack. I think I'll have a few Nabisco Oreo Sandwich Cookies."

"Boy, this toilet is dirty. Let me get out the Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach."

Who the heck talks like that? Nobody, of course.

[Daylily]

Most of the ads that have been mentioned have been national ads - since those are something we can all relate to. What I haven't heard mentioned are the ads for local companies in which the owners feature their children in the commercial. Those are always bad.

Usually car dealerships do this. We also have a local plumbing company with the name Ben Franklin in the company name. Some kid is dressed up in a bad costume and bad wig advertising the plumbing services.

Bad bad bad.

[cptacek]

The geico adds with the money-with-eyes and the burger king giant-headed-king freak me out. Especially the king. He makes my skin crawl.

Also, agree with previous posters not liking the "men are idiots, women are bitches" theme.

[geojen]

There was this one McDonald's commercial that was disgusting. It showed what was supposed to be a super model (I guess) noshing down on a big mac. Picking it apart and eating it piece by piece. Hanging her head back and dropping a pickle down her throat. You could hear the food smacking in her mouth and the sound of her swallowing. This is supposed to be appealing? Gross.

Also, those commercials for dominoes for all their cretin deserts. The one with the guy who grows an oreo beard is truly nauseous-making.

Also, the Burger King commercials they ran for awhile advertising their breakfast burritos. Over and over they'd mention how big the burrito was, but never that it tasted good. Very odd.

[geojen]

I do love the tax commercial though that has the dead presidents in it. Specially the one where the couple is buying stuff for their baby and Ben Franklin says "in other words, more money for sonny" For some reason, that cracks me up.