Just Say It

I HATE the new "Big Buckin Chicken" advert on the TV. Hate it. Completely.

Also I am fairly over the use of the word "frackin" on Battlestar Galactica. Really, really like the show; really, really hate the script device.

And as long as I have slipped into ranting mode, I can't stand the practice of blurring prurient visual images on regular TV with a mosaic.

Really, I've had enough. You're not protecting anyone. It's the context that's the issue, not the actual word or the image. If what you mean to be doing is showing a naked person, then show a naked person. If you mean to be cursing, curse:

FUCK

How hard is that?

This kind of crap is tasteless, cheap, and really just not creative. Do you really mean to tell me the only way you thought you could sell that chicken sandwich was to call it a big fucking chicken sandwich? This is the length and depth of the creativity of an advertising agency? I hope you all lose that account, and that nobody buys the sandwich. What a joke.

The "frack" thing was fun on the old BG. Add to that "feltercarp" which was the analog for another Anglo Saxon scatological interjection and you had some nice dialog. Feltercarp didn't make the trip forward in time to this version of the show, "frack" did. Except that they've become somewhat more verbally dexterous in their application. Use to be that someone stubbed their toe and said "Frack!" Now they've got the new and improved and say things like "Frack You" and "Go Frack Yourself" and my favorite "you're not still frackin her?" This crosses the line from freewheeling interjection to poorly disguised curse word - a verbal mosaic if you like. If the dialog is supposed to be that crunchy, then just make it that crunchy. People know what the word is, or will deduce the meaning from context. The fig leaf is a lazy embarrassment.

Really I think the same goes for nudity. Once you hop the fence from bathing suits and lingerie into Full Monty programming, you ought not try to balance up there on the top rail. Do us all a favor and come the rest of the way over and just show what you mean to be showing. The blurred image is again, just lazy.

Why lazy? Because what it means is that someone couldn't figure out a better way to sell the product, tell the story, or engage your sexuality - except to be base, and really their must be a better way to do so in a programming environment meant for all viewers.

And by the way this doesn't mean that there isn't a place for foul language and naked pictures. I think most people actually like both in moderation. But let's put this stuff where it belongs. Go all the way, use the real language and visuals and then put them out of reach of kids. Put them on pay channels, tag them with TVMA ratings, and be honest about the adult nature of the programming. Would it kill me to have to watch Battlestar Galactica after 11PM on Showtime rather than at 10 PM of SciFi? No.

Would it kill me if I never saw that Burger King commercial again in my life? Certainly not.