It bugs me that the SB power-markets to kids (showing the new Monsters preview in 3D) while at the same time using in-your-face sexuality to sell web space, something kids won't be buying. So what's a church to do?
- Turn off the feed during each commercial break. The problem here is that the commercials are at least half of the appeal. For non-football people, the game is just plain boring most of the time. The commercials are hilarious and fun and certainly a core part of the whole SB package.
- Turn off the feed when something bad pops up." This is fine as long as we're all agreed about the definition of "bad." Is bad a racy image, a suggestive phrase, a beer or liquor promotion, a pitch for a credit card you can't afford? There are some who consider an ad for a hamburger immoral, since you have to kill an animal to eat it, and if you do eat it you'll die from high colesterol. And this solution only works if the person on the switch is quick of finger and paying attention.
- Divide and conquer. You could have a room marked "XXX Adults Only!" and show the uncensored version in there, while the rest watch the SB sans any commercials. Better make it a big room.
- Leave it to the wise, understanding, and tasteful people at the networks. After all, they know what's best for all of us. It's a matter of trust.
- Lobby the industry to put two versions of the SB on the air, using their cable franchises. This is not a bad idea. They could actually sell twice the commercial slots, and one version could be "family friendly." Why haven't they thought of this?
- Don't have a Super Bowl party at church. This is an answer that works, actually. People can host SB parties and decide for themselves what they want to do about the commercials.
What do you think?
3 comments:
There was some kind of security breach at Comcast in Tuscon - apparently at the very end of the game, the video feed was replaced with about ten seconds of hardcore pornography. I wonder what happened at THOSE church parties.
I think clear expectations is important. In the past we've always had it off during the commercials so that is what I was expecting. As it turned out during each commercial break I was frantically trying to find out where Lillian was before she saw something nightmare-inducing!
You are so right, Marci. Communication, and making sure everyone understands what's going on is key. There are some "nightmarish" commercials out there, even for ME!, and the kind of horror Garrison describes is an unfortunate possibility.
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