Super Bowl Forces New Look at Sexy Ads

Well, the over-sexual-ation of our society is everywhere. One very troubling spot it appears, that we as parents have very little control over, is in commercials. It is getting harder and harder to find channels our children can watch without them being exposed to overt sexual content.

Ever since Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, citizens and children's advocacy organizations have called upon the FCC, broadcasters and even Congress to re-examine television content and the guidelines that rate it.
But one type of programming that is viewed by all audiences at all hours on every network has continued to escape regulation: commercials.
From Paris Hilton's spicy burger ad to the ever-proliferating erectile dysfunction commercials, many parents have not been happy with recent television ads. And now, domain registering Web site GoDaddy.com is fighting to reprise its controversial 2005 Super Bowl ad during this year's upcoming game.

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According to GoDaddy.com President Bob Parsons' personal blog, the company has agreed to purchase a 30-second spot in this year's game on Feb. 5, but none of its submissions so far has passed ABC's Standards and Practices department.
But Parsons promises the finished product will be true to the company's style.
"It will be 'GoDaddy-esque.' In order to be 'GoDaddy-esque,' a commercial must be edgy, hot, slightly tasteless and just a touch inappropriate," he said on his Web site.

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Also at the November decency forum, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., described himself in a statement as "a parent who has had to sit through uncomfortable Cialis commercials while watching television with my 7- and 4-year-old daughters."
The ad Obama cited, for the erectile dysfunction medication Cialis, features snuggly moments between couples of all ages to the tune of The Ronnettes' "Be My Baby." And FDA regulations require medical ads to specify risks verbally, resulting in somewhat embarrassing dialogue.
"Cialis is only for men healthy enough for sexual activity ... erections lasting longer than four hours, though rare, require immediate medical help," the ad warns.
Obama is not alone in his discomfort over commericals like these.
"There I was, watching football," wrote Tim Whyte, general manager of the Santa Clarita, Calif., newspaper The Signal, "and up pops a commercial for an erectile dysfunction drug. It's not that the Levitra ad offended me. It didn't. But cripes - sometimes my kid watches football with me."
Whyte added, "Biggest problem was, just a few seconds into the commercial, she dropped the E-bomb: 'Levitra,' she said, 'gives you that "strong, lasting erection" you've been looking for.' OK parents, raise your hand if that line sends you into a panic."

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The Council was also outraged in May when the now-infamous Carl's Jr./Hardee's ad - featuring Paris Hilton in a skimpy swimsuit and spike heels seductively washing a Bentley - aired during an 8 p.m. broadcast of "American Idol."
"At this crucial time when broadcasters are under increased scrutiny by millions of parents who are fed up with current television content, we would think that the awareness would extend to advertisers," the Council said in a statement.
"Instead, Carl's Jr./Hardee's have done the opposite and are forcing American families to digest their filth. This is the ultimate example of corporate irresponsibility."

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But product ads are not the only issue. Some parents also have a problem with commercials for adult-oriented TV shows.
"Networks may be putting the shows on later in the evening, but they are advertising those programs throughout the day," Melissa Caldwell, director of research and publications for the Parents Television Council, told FOXNews.com.
"I've been watching CBS lately at home, and at 8 p.m. they were advertising "Close to Home," a recent episode about married women who were call girls. I mean, who cares if the show itself gets a TV-14 rating if you're watching a show with your kids and the ad for it pops up?"

Read the rest here.