Isms: Original views on life from rural America

An email landed in my inbox and caught my attention. I don’t watch a lot of television, unless the Weather Channel and sporting events count. And, if by some chance I watch a network show, I’m continually disillusioned by the number of advertisements promising health benefits ... until you read the fine print and learn all the unwanted side effects.

According to newly-released data from the Federal Communications Commission, based on complaints about commercials, the top five most controversial advertisements in the United States, are Pepsi’s “global message of unity” commercial; Peleton’s “gift that gives back” advert; Gillette’s “we believe” campaign; Snickers “do something manly” snippet; and Huggies “dad test” video.

Illumin, a marketing platform, investigated the FCC data and determined most US citizens who complain about ads cite noise level and indecency as the leading causes.

According to Illumin, “loud commercials may refer to those that boost the average volume of an ad to levels beyond the programs they accompany to attract attention, while indecent content may portray sexual explicit situations in a way that is patently offensive.”

Consider me cranky, but I admit to being annoyed when the volume juts from five to 52 during a commercial.

The interesting thing about the top five picks: the oldest commercial is from 2007 and the newest, 2019. So you’re telling me, in the last four years, there haven’t been any new commercials produced that strike a nerve?

I’m throwing a yellow flag.

I cringe when I see the Claritin commercial, set in the spring, with the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” soundtrack. Christmas music should be reserved for Christmas, not pollen and hayfever season.

I’m also not fond of the insurance commercials with the emu and kid driving a mini jeep and the statue of liberty in the background. This company’s commercials feel like an attack on intelligence. I’m not the only one who feels that way. I perused an entire Reddit thread about it and it still makes me laugh.

Apparently, in the past year, Vermont residents vocalized their complaints more than others. The state scored 8 of 10 in the complaints department The Freedom and Unity State was followed by Pennsylvania, Washington, Maine and New Hampshire.

Nebraska ranks 30th, with 2.7 complaints out of 10. I guess that still makes us Nebraska Nice.

What commercials do you find irritating? There are plenty to choose from.