Is This Commercial Making Fun of People with SA?

surewhynot

Well-known member
The whole analogy between the awkward man and cable TV seemed quite pointless to me. In my opinion a very lacking advertisement, but whatever, I don't watch television anyway.
 

dannyboy65

Well-known member
I've seen this too and I think their over exaggerating awkward in it so people will laugh. I for one didn't really find it funny, and at some points felt like I had some of those issues for example I hate public bathrooms xD
 

IntheLabyrinth

Well-known member
As someone who has paruresis, I thought it was offensive. But no one cares when a small minority of people are offended. Had direct tv made the guy have erectile dysfunction or something else embarrassing yet common, there would've been all sorts of outrage. Even though I was offended, I don't really care. People are always going to judge, especially when it's something they don't understand, so there is no reason to work oneself about it.
 

Ithior

Well-known member
I have paruresis too, but didn't really feel offended. I'd feel more offended with the whole description of the awkward guy than with that particular line referring to paruresis.

Seems like a poor ad overall though, didn't find it funny at all.
 

DeLasDudasInfinitas

Well-known member
This commercial is insulting even for me, and I'm a girl. :thumbdown:
First, they sell the idea that if you don't buy that stupid thing, you're an awkward guy who won't succeed in life. For example, notice the houses, which one is better? And if you look at the situations, which one is surrounded by people?
They are showing that being the awkward guy is wrong. Now think, what would a young boy think if he feels identificated with the awkward guy? What will happen with his self-esteem? Will he like himself? This is the same as commercials with beautiful women, so unreal that it's impossible for a young girl to look like them. We criticize them because we believe that they cause problems in young girls.
I know that they are just trying to make it sound funny, but if they don't try to change this kind of thinking. Who will?
 

Earthcircle

Well-known member
It's a mean commercial. I would be surprised if it boosted their sales very much. Maybe they are hoping to draw attention by being "controversial."
 

theoutsider

Well-known member
What struck me was the scene where he's fearfully looking out the window and says, "I hope it's not a girl...OR a guy."

I was thinking, don't they know there's a large number of people who are terrified of leaving the house much less having strangers visit? And the ending line was, "Don't be like this guy" I was thinking, if only it were that easy for people with SA to decide not to be "that" guy. I wasn't offended but I didn't find the disregard at all humorous.
 
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Earthcircle

Well-known member
It reminds me of a remark that Howard Stern once made: "You're lucky if you offend people." I think the ad was calculated. If not many people complain, that's fine. But if many people are offended, that's even better. The controversy will draw attention to Direct TV, and more people will know the name as a result.
 

GhastlyCC

Well-known member
I'm offended by "crazy hairy Rob Lowe" personally.
directv-crazy-hairy-rob-lowe-ss-01.jpg

::p:
 

HexNoir

Well-known member
It's not really offensive. Everyone struggles / has struggled with confidence issues in their life, so a lot of people who don't have SA or SP can probably even relate. Even if it's only on a superficial level.
 

nicole1

Well-known member
I liked the commercial. There is humor in everything it doesn't mean that people don't take the situation of people seriously.
 

Shego

Member
What struck me was the scene where he's fearfully looking out the window and says, "I hope it's not a girl...OR a guy."

I was thinking, don't they know there's a large number of people who are terrified of leaving the house much less having strangers visit? And the ending line was, "Don't be like this guy" I was thinking, if only it were that easy for people with SA to decide not to be "that" guy. I wasn't offended but I didn't find the disregard at all humorous.

haha, I thought that was the funniest part of it. And the ending says "don't be like this me" rather than "guy," which seems more along the lines of self-deprecating humor. The contrast also makes the "super cool confident douchebag guy" look equally ridiculous, so I wasn't bothered by it.
 
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dany

Active member
Don't take things too personal, people are mean and they are always trying to offend people that they don't understand. I don't watch tv in general but you should avoid watching something that makes you uncomfortable.
 

onehandclapping

Well-known member
reminds me of an ad recently where they take the piss out of senility. although its proposed that its making fun of bad eyesight there is a clear indication at the end that the writers are taking the piss out of mental health when the old couple don't understand what is going on, and can't tell the difference between a fun fair ride and eating a sandwich. that has nothing to do with eyesight.

personally I find ads like these socially irresponsible, there will most likely now be people that are encouraged to laugh at people with these mental health problems, afterall its supposed to be hilarious right?
 
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