You are probably familiar with the following Peleton commercial which has garnered quite a frenzied, even rabid, response from those sensitive souls who are always eager to proclaim their truth as universal, and happy to foist it upon the rest of us:
As reported by the New York Times, many were deeply offended:
Many social media users criticized the commercial for being sexist and classist. A Peloton Bike retails for $2,245, and membership for the company’s signature interactive classes costs $39 a month.Such carping criticism, it seems to me, misses the point of exercise in general, and of the commercial specifically, perhaps best summed up in this Tweet:
The woman in the commercial, many users pointed out, was already fit.
The ad revolves around her (implied) greatly improved mental well-being rather than her physical fitness. Committing to regular exercise made her happier. I saw no implication about weight loss in the ad.
— Tommy Leonardi (@LeonardiTommy) December 3, 2019
In any event, I have no use for such extreme political correctness. It suggests to me that some people have far too much time on their hands.
Which is why I was delighted to see this send-up by the always irreverent Ryan Reynolds (he of Deadpool fame) in a commercial for his new gin:
In an ad for Reynolds’ Aviation Gin called, “The Gift That Doesn’t Give Back,” we see Peloton Girl once again, same intense but unreadable expression, a wider shot cuts to her friends, looking as puzzled [and] concerned as anyone who has seen the ad feels.
Time for folks to lighten up and save their outrage for matters of real import, like climate change, neoliberal politicians, and the general state of the world.
Ya gotta love it. RR is something else. He sure jumped on the Peleton uproar in a heartbeat. Good for him - and it's hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI've watched it a few times now, Mound. it doesn't get old.
Delete.. it was an inspired piggyback or leapfrog by RR et al and their gin.. I had a lotta laughs via Twitter.. the psycho dramatic fun parsing .. same re the gin spot
ReplyDeleteI worked in advertising .. and though unsuccessful at getting into copywriting and conceptualizing creative at that top level.. I still follow advertising as a McLuhan disciple.. I follow Richard Shotton via Twitter daily ( @rshotton ) who is back & posting intriguing examples of the good the bad & the ugly.. and the thinking behind them
Since we don't watch much TV as far as series or reality shows.. we really only get our blast via sports programming and TVO, PBS, BBC.. neither of us can tolerate much of Vassy Kapelos or Don Martin etc.. but do see some retail propaganda again & again & again. We much prefer The Beaverton..
I will check out Richard Shotton, Sal. Thanks for the reference. As for the Beaverton, it does put things into their proper place, methinks.
Delete