"tv ads" news and stories

After a study, British researchers have concluded that food-related TV commercials make kids fat.

60 kids, aged 9 to 11, were studied, and researchers discovered several things. A child's weight influenced what they ate (wow, really?), obese kids consistently chose chocolate over healthier foods when given the choice (you don't say!), and all kids wanted to eat more after they saw TV commercials featuring sweets and other food.

Whenever I see a commercial for Viagra, I want to have sex.

On a related note, it's TV Turnoff Week!

Apparently as one of the country's largest County Fairs, the Los Angeles County Fair has enough budget to advertise on television. I've seen a few of the commercials that make fun of LA's reputation, e.g. a mother and daughter shopping and asking whether cashmere comes from a boy cow or a girl cow, and one where several girls ask about cotton candy and Atkins. However, it wasn't until today that I saw this commercial that takes the cake.

The teacher asks, "Can anybody tell me what comes from a cow?"

The kids raise their hands and answer one by one: "Lattes?" "Nu-unh. My mom says non-fat half caff cappuccinos." "Iced Caramel Macchiatos?"

Oh, I fear for the future of our country.

When the Dunkin' Donuts on my corner closed, I mourned for months. Now, Michael Vale, the actor who played the sleepy doughnut baker in so many commercials, has died. Dunkin' Donuts will forever be tinged with a sense of deep loss for me. Chocolate creme-filled doughnut, I hardly knew ye!

Michael Vale was 83 and was born in Brooklyn. Dunkin' Donuts campaign that featured him ran for 15 years, until its end in 1997. And in my opinion, nothing they've done since is half so compelling. It's a sad day for doughnut lovers everywhere.