This was the winning entry for a competition Toyota put out for its new car, the Yaris. It was seen as very offensive and they decided to never air it (I don't think it ever aired, but don't quote me). Anyway, why do you think so many people found this offensive, and lets think outside the box and not just talk about how it was "explicit".
The obvious use of controversy in the commercial is a classic way to get the name out there and get the product to stick in people's heads. I don't think the fact that there are not-so-subtle sexual references is the main reason for it not being aired. In so many cartoons and children's movies we see jokes that we now realize only adults will understand whereas when watching them as a child we had no clue what was going on. The way the commercial was written, however, made it seem too vulgar. A few jokes throughout the commercial would still make the commercial memorable without making every viewer feel slightly uncomfortable. I think if the commercial was edited down to be a little bit more subtle then people would have a greater appreciation for its jokes. People like to feel smart, and getting that subtle innuendo makes people feel smarter. Playing to that part of their audience could've helped Toyota.
ReplyDeleteThere are always various reasons to various people that are offended by practically everything in this world, but depending on who you're saying this video is offensive to (the viewers or the Toyota company) I could make a few guesses.
ReplyDeleteSome might see that is the British are extremely vulgar and sexual people, a way they would not like to be portrayed, that females are nothing more than play toys and submissive creatures, that parents are okay and supportive with letting their children out just for sex. This are just a few guesses, but as I said the reasons people can be offended can go on forever.
I am kind of surprised that it wasn't aired. A good number of commercials use sexual themes to sell their products. Also, many commercials try to use humor to sell their product. Maybe sexual humor was a little too far? They might has also just used to much of it. Usually commercials just show a girl in a bikini or a guy without a shirt. Maybe having the people say the sexual references was the problem?
ReplyDeleteThis yaris commercial was probably seen as offensive to many women. It basically put women on the same level as a car in the clever ways that it described what the vehicle could do. To put it simply, women probably felt that they are seen by men as equally "test drivable" to a car.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little bit shocked that this commercial was not aired. Some television shows go over the top with their topics and they are the best on TV with ratings threw the roof. This would be a great way to get cars name branded on the market with a unforgettably funny and edgy commercial. Maybe this was a little over the top with sexual humor in such a short period of time but most advertisements have some sort of sexual reference in them used to sell the product.
ReplyDeletei'm not at all surprised this never aired, it's so forward with it's sexual jokes i feel like that is what is most offensive to people. most shows use sexual connotation and innuendos and commercials use sex to get one's attention. this commercial is just way to forward about it, that's what probably had people up in arms. at least when alluding to sexual acts it's not in your face. with this commercial there's no allusions and innuendos, it's just the joke right there. most people like a good sexual innuendo but everyone is worried about the innocence of the children, and with these jokes they'll ask to many questions and lose their innocence.
DeleteI think the reason why so many people find this ad offensive lies on the stereotyping of men. The advertiser names the actors and actress names implying the sexual theme. Obviously, it suggests that men are horny and eager for sex, which is the stereotype hated by men. Also, it may offend those parents that don’t want their children to watch the sex-themed material, which will probably have a bad effect on them.
ReplyDeletemy initial reaction to this video is that it's freaking hilarious, but i can see why others would think it's offensive. The video compares women to cars, and the sexual references themselves could be offensive to many people.
ReplyDeleteThis commercial's use of sexual themes is certainly not unique. However, I felt that it was a bit distasteful in its content. The commercial portrays women as subordinate men by comparing them to cars. It is interesting to note that the men are depicted as dominant, particularly the father talking to the son about his intentions. The sexual references are offensive and are probably not appropriate for children to see.
ReplyDeleteThe content in this commercial is quite surprising for a few reasons; one of them being that the jokes aren't even implied. Rather they are quite straight forward and obvious as to exactly what is meant when they are displayed. The second reason this commercial was quite surprising was that this kind of humor seams out of place for a car commercial. Nevertheless, I wasn't offended at all by its content. This commercial definitely attracts attention to Toyota and people (if it aired) would have remembered them for this commercial.
ReplyDeleteAs to the comments about children seeing this commercial, most of them probably wouldn't understand this humor untill they were old enough to drive anyway. This commercial is clearly aimed a young adults, not children who wouldn't be going out to buy a car anyway.
ReplyDeletePeople under 18 cannot see this commercial, and I have never seen like this commercial before. They just thought that the car and women are just sexual things. However, it is just commercial. Let's think about commercial. People make commercial to get other people's attention. People watch that kind of commercial, and they buy. I think people who made this commercial are very good business man. I am not going to say it is right, but it want to say it is not wrong.
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