Tom Finneran: “That’s Gross”

Friday, February 08, 2013

Tom Finneran, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

That was some Super Bowl game last week. And that was some ad wasn’t it? You know the one I mean—the absolutely gross one.

I refuse to name the company involved. They deserve no further publicity. Their ad was beyond offensive. It was repulsive. I can only imagine the corporate leadership which approved this expenditure and thought that it would leave a lasting and positive impression with the viewing public. Sheer stupidity has now risen to the top of the corporate ladder. Why would a company degrade itself and insult virtually every woman and most men who were watching? And let’s not forget the children who are often part of Super Bowl family gatherings. Why should they be exposed to such rot? Aren’t the viewers your actual and potential customers? Why would you offend them?

I’ve given up all hope of the networks adhering to a code of decency. They have no clue about good taste. They are lead by degenerates. But what about the vaunted NFL? Supposedly led by the best and brightest among us, the league has given viewers the back of its hand in pursuit of the last buck on Earth. This latest episode of course follows the debacle of the replacement officials at the start of the season. Which of course followed the greed and silliness of last year’s management-labor impasse. These guys are lucky they have special anti-trust protection. They need it to survive their own antics.

That's Not Southie

Apparently A&E, the cable outlet, is airing a neighborhood reality show by the name of “Southie Rules.” I say apparently, because, in the interest of full disclosure, I have not seen a single episode. Nonetheless, based upon the comments of several wise Bostonians, all city kids, including my brilliant and observant wife, the show is neither funny nor factual. So much for the “reality” side of reality shows. Regular readers will recall my rant about Honey Boo Boo, another show which must perplex the rest of the world about the mysteries of America.

I’m fascinated by the media’s fascination with the negative, even in the midst of what is positive and impressive. I know Southie pretty well and there are some intriguing story lines about the community. For many years, Southie has turned out doctors, lawyers, actors, poets, scholars, political leaders, athletes, priests, teachers and business leaders in surpassing number. The town has been gentrified and re-gentrified bringing some tension to the fore. And of course the town was a focal point of resistance to a federal court decree which ordered the busing of black and white students all over the city. It seems to me that there are plenty of story lines to explore here without presenting Southie as some kind of urban Appalachia. The Southie I know is a community of talent, grit, kindness, toughness, dignity, generosity and charm. Southie rules indeed.

Two For the Ages

Back to the Super Bowl. It was a very entertaining game. Even the blackout was interesting.

And, as good as the game was, it was matched by two superb ads: The Jeep ad, “Whole Again” narrated by Oprah, and the Ram Truck commercial, “God Made a Farmer” by Paul Harvey. Those ads were so well done. Great images of American families—lonely, worried wives, anxious children daydreaming about Dad so far away—powerful, heartfelt reminders of the sacrifices that our soldiers and their families make. Then, finally home, whole again indeed, to the precious family ties that make life meaningful. That was an awesome ad. Then the farmer commercial! Wow! Has there ever been a better oration than Paul Harvey’s salute to the American farmer? What a gift he had and what a story he shared, reminding all of us of the backbreaking and heartbreaking American way of life on the farm. The nation owes much to our soldiers and farmers and those ads were poignant reminders of our debts to our betters.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Two more ads that I enjoyed—the Clydesdale horse and his trainer for tears and Cars.com with the wolf pup and menacing mother wolf. Hilarious stuff and, as noted, it was a great game. Hope you enjoyed it.