I never thought that I would say this, but I believe wholeheartedly that there is going to come a time when the TV is totally dark on Sunday afternoons. And I just am not talking exclusively about from February 10th (the week after the Super Bowl) through early September.
I would like nothing more than to continue allowing my daughter to snuggle up and watch an NFL game or two with her Daddy but the barrage of terrible, tasteless, sexual and sexist advertising that comes across during the course of one three hour contest is too much to bare. The central fixture of a Sunday afternoon has been, for the past couple months, a commercial featuring Jessica Simpson (I cannot recall the product). At the end of the ad she admits she hasn't a clue about the product she is selling - because, you know, she is just a dumb girl. The sexy, barely dressed, dumb girl character plays a prominent role in our culture (and I use that term loosely) and in the advertising strategy of many a major corporation and entity. This image of a woman is one of the last things I would want my daughter to see as she grows up. This world is challenging enough for a young lady to flourish and establish herself as an strong, bold and confident individual.
When we traveled overseas this past Autumn, I subcribed to NFL Field Pass. This service, which costs $10 a month, allows me to listen to every home team broadcasts of every NFL game and pregame show via the nfl.com website. This service goes silent when the commercials come on and begins again when the broadcast returns. Very cool. I may go "all audio" on Sundays starting next year.
We talk to her now about the images projected on the television and explain, often quite bluntly, what those companies are trying to sell us and why - but the sheer quantity and force of the marketing may overwhelm our best efforts. The only choice may be to thumb our noses at the television all together - even if that means no football for daddy-o. Yikes.
Jeff
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4 comments:
Great post. I think getting the little one to listen to the games, instead of watching them on TV would be beneficial in a couple ways. It would take care of the advertising issue (which I completely agree about). Also, when I was younger, and before the days of cable, some of my fondest memories of my dad and I involved listening to sports on the radio. Your brain and imagination get a real workout and I find you better appreciate the sport.
Thanks for the comment Sarge. I share a similar fondness for sports on radio. I grew up loving and appreciating baseball broadcasts on the radio with my Dad. The hum of the crowd in the background, the elongated periods of silence between pitches. It gives me goosebumps!
A wonderful thing indeed - it helps to have a legendary announcer, for sure, as we have down here in Philly. Football on the radio is something I never really tried - it has always been a TV sport (or live) unless I was in transit. But I am getting used to it and hope to share that with my girl going forward.
You obviously do not have High Def
Nope, no High Def for us. Just a "little" 25 inch color tv. I cannot imagine that high def would dull the effects of the ads I wish to avoid - quite the opposite in fact!
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