Earlier in the week the Huffington Post reported that One Million Moms, a "humorless, fun-averse" branch of the American Family Association (itself a conservative, fun-averse group who counts Huckabee, Falwell, Buchanan, Limbaugh and Palin amongst its members and you may remember for boycotting Ford for offering same-sex partner benefits to employees) was boycotting Ben and Jerry's new SnL-episode-themed ice cream, Schweddy Balls.
We laughed, re-watched the skit, laughed some more and then bought some ice cream.
And now the Parents Television Council, a completely different group of fun-averse parents, are all up in arms about Chrysler simply advertising on the new NBC show, The Playboy Club. The PTC says that Chrysler is "complicit in the act of mainstreaming pornography." (I thought that was the Internet, but whatever.) They're asking members to make visits to dealerships (we take a fictional look at how that conversation goes after the jump) and to call and write letters scolding the brand.
Thankfully, someone at Chrysler is sane enough to simply not care, "We recognize that not all advertising placement is liked by all individuals. We do not take this approach to offend, but we feel that it is important to deliver information about our products to a diverse and broad audience." said Dianna C. Gutierrez, Chrysler spokesperson. Pornographers needs cars, too, right?
Only time will tell if the good people at Hellman's and P.F. Changs (both owned by Unilever) take the same stand.
Warning, fiction ahead!
"Well hello there, ma'am; what can I help you find today. The new Durango is quite nice if you're looking for a fami..."
"I'm here from the PTC to complain about your advertising on The Playboy club!"
"The what?"
"The Parents Television Council. You're complicit in the act of mainstreaming pornography!"
"The what? Complicit? Pornography? So you're not interested in a test drive?"
"No! This is a boycott!"
"Ma'am, I don't handle national advertising. Were you going to buy a new Dodge today anyway?"
"NO!"
"Pornography? Let me get my manager..."
ms3hothatch says:
11:56 AM, 09/23/11
Sexuality is the most natural aspect of human existence. We would not be here without sexuality. Why is everything sexual is taboo in the US? I don't get it. The puritan hypocrites that dominate the conservatives are often the ones with issues of sexual identity, etc. We are sexual animals by instinct. It can be controlled by social norm, but it can't be defeated. Sexuality is not evil. Wake up!!! There are a lot of confused conservatives equalizing sexiness and sexuality with pervertion. Clothes are artificial tools developed and acquired through time primarily and initially to keep us warm. Too much of it actually suppresses our most basic animal instincts. It's almost like asking a lion to be vegetarian.
zimtheinvader says:
12:10 PM, 09/23/11
yeah, protests and boycotts should only happen when I agree with them!
Mike Magrath replied to comment from zimtheinvader
12:15 PM, 09/23/11
That's it, you're boycotted.
-mm
cjasis says:
02:13 PM, 09/23/11
While I firmly support their right to boycott, this is just stupid. There are far bigger fish to fry in this world and if you want to pick a fight... pick a fight with parents who would let their kids watch the program, not the businesses that buy advertising.
stovt001 says:
10:45 PM, 09/23/11
Just to make sure I have this straight, the PTC wishes to punish Chrysler and a show that "mainstreams" pornography by drawing attention and free publicity to Chrysler and the show that "mainstreams" pornography. Brilliant strategy, that.
firstwagon says:
10:48 PM, 09/23/11
Bet they have no problem with teaching their kids how to use guns though. Always seems weird to me how many people freak out about sex but have no problem with voilence.
wjtinatl says:
06:29 AM, 09/26/11
Ha! "Asking members to make visits to dealerships"... isn't that exactly what Chrysler wants? Can you just see the disgusted Mom walking in mad and indignant and rolling out in a new Town & Country after meeting a sharp salesperson? Wish I had that much spare time...
ne1butu2 says:
06:36 AM, 09/26/11
I love how these groups use words like "Family" and "Moms" and "Parents" in their group names. It's pretty obvious that these words are just a red herring to hide their bias and closed mindedness. I'm glad that most people have the good sense to disregard them completely.
ptcdawg says:
11:41 AM, 09/26/11
Buy a Chrysler...get a Playboy mag..see some boobs..oh the horror!!
gcombs says:
06:36 PM, 09/26/11
Strike Two for the revitalized and promising new Chrysler. First they mate their cars to urban failure and decline (as well as an exhausted pop genre); now they associate their products with a company whose primary revenue stream issues from a cable pornography channel. Unintentionally they also link themselves to the subtext of the Playboy Club -- you can't live the Playboy Philosophy/Lifestyle of easy and cost-free sexual availability without Doctrinaire Feminism at your back. Hef and Gloria Steinem -- the ultimate buddy movie sponsored by Chrysler's product placement. The new 300 and Grand Cherokee are refined and first-class vehicles now associated with a downmarket sensibility. Walter Chrysler built cars for above-the-title movie stars. This is progress only for those who are progressives... I wonder if Ms Laura Soave would want the same questionable association for her Fiat 500 branding efforts. Somehow I doubt it.