Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Burger Babes


It is obvious what this advertisement is insinuating. In the good ol' days (sarcasm of course) advertisements used to focus their exploitative energies by planting the scantily clad women on car ads. Although sex has a long extensive history of selling product. To be honest I can't quite remember when corporations sparked the idea to hock food product by means of female exploitation. But it does seem that lately it is happening with intensity.

This advertisement is obviously attempting to resemble an act of fellacio. It also appears to be aimed at the straight male. Even though there are men who do perform fellacio, I don't think this ad would gather as much appeal if a man were to be performing the same act in the ad.

It seems that corporations are "pushing the envelope" aka attempting to see just how much they can get away with. As the years go by, they are getting away with quite a lot. But in our culture our children will see this as the norm just as many adults do.




It wasn't that long ago that Burger King put out commercial featuring rapper Sir Mix-a-Lot rapping that he likes "square butts". Sir Mix-a-Lot's claim to fame was back in 1992 when he came out with the song "Baby Got Back". The misogynistic (and ridiculous) song that spouted lyrics such as "my anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hon" and "I like big butts that you can't deny" was modified for the kiddies by adding a SpongeBob Squarepants cartoon theme and featuring women with square bottoms.

Not only did I think that Sir Mix-a-Lot had hit and all time low by exploiting women in such a way, so that kids can take advantage..but I also thought wow...talk about selling out! Is he desperate? Only he knows.




Remember this? Paris Hilton encorporated three elements that sexist ads so often love to use. A car, water and now food. Slithering all over a car and hosing herself down in a bathing suit, and then taking a big bite out of a sloppy messy burger. Geez, I wonder how a woman as slender as her is able to gobble these Carl's Jr burgers up and maintain her girlish figure? Hmm..




Just today I spotted a new Carls Jr commercial featuring Audrina Patridge from the reality show, The Hills. In the commercial she says she keeps her figure by eating fruit...pineapple to be exact. The pineapple that comes in the burger she is eating.


As I was searching for these photos to upload I came across a great disappointment. A blog site dedicated to these ads. "Hot Chicks with Burgers" posts photo after photo of women chomping burgers. I think the creator must have a lot of time on his hands.


Advertisements like the above often receive complaints from various individuals and groups. I don't see them disappearing any time soon. We can however listen to our consciences and ask...what is that about? That little tug that I'm sure many feel is a door to a new perspective. It's not just a "boys will be boys" phenomenon. It's a larger socio-political issue. So many choose to ignore it. Will you?

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