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Cat Forum / General Topics / October 2004crappy commercial - cat abuse
Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, please follow this link: (http://www.energizer.com/contact/default.asp) It promotes animal abuse and may provoke imitative behavior. thanks, -L. >Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts >the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, >please follow this link: > >(http://www.energizer.com/contact/default.asp) NO, I have not seen that! And I agree, it is NOT a funny premise. I've heard more than a couple of RL stories where this actually happened and it's a horror story. Sherry > >Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts > >the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > NO, I have not seen that! And I agree, it is NOT a funny premise. I've heard Its NOT the premise of the commercial (see my other post). LVIII Here is the comment I sent to Energiser: "I think the commercial regarding the little brat that almost puts the cat in a dryer is in VERY poor taste, is giving other brats suggestions that could lead to the horrible death of a beloved pet, and should be pulled immediately from production." Here is the answer I got from them: "In response to concerns regarding one of Energizer's new spots in which a mother intervenes on behalf of the family cat to keep him out of harms way: 'Our new spots depict how every day people overcome life's daily challenges to keep going. In the case of the mother of four young children, she moves through the house with baby in arms to break up a food fight, end an art project on the wall, disrupt a gymnastics display on the couch and rescue the family cat. It is all in a day's work for a busy mom. Through it all she keeps her cool and keeps going. We apologize if we have offended anyone with this spot. We wanted to show how much of a hero moms can be. These commercials were filmed in New Zealand and the Humane Society of New Zealand was invited to be present during the filling. At no time was the cat mistreated and all proper care was maintained at all times.'" Now does that sound like they even read what I wrote??? I didn't express concern about the treatment of the cat (which I am sure was just fine), I expressed concern about the message this commercial was sending and they totally ignored that in their response. Hugs, CatNipped > Here is the comment I sent to Energiser: > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > expressed concern about the message this commercial was sending and they > totally ignored that in their response. No ...it sounds like they think you over reacted. They weren't promoting the idea that putting the cat in the dryer was funny...they were promoting the idea that kids will be kids and because 3 year olds don't always know what's right or wrong , moms have to run around preventing the "wrongs". I know it happens in real life and it isn't funny but you can look at this two ways. The first you covered, the second is..if we never show what CAN happen if you aren't paying attention to your toddler than new moms aren't going to realize that putting the cat in the dryer would even cross their minds. The mom intervened...she didn't laugh.... so while I agree that anything that shows an "acceptance" of abuse is bad...I don't think this qualifies. AG > > Here is the comment I sent to Energiser: > > [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > AG The problem is that it promotes behavior that is easily imitated. Anyone who is in the business of writing for TV know it is a cardinal sin to portray acts that could harm others during times when children watch TV - even animals - because kids often imitate what they see on TV. It's not a far strech to predict that some dumb kid is going to see this commercial and think "Cool! Let's put Kitty in the dryer and see what happens!". In fact, I have worked a few cases of where kids have done just that, and believe me, the results are horrifying. This needs to be taken seriously, and companies need to aact more responsibly. -L. > > > Here is the comment I sent to Energiser: > > > [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > The problem is that it promotes behavior that is easily imitated. It's not PROMOTING that behaviour. > Anyone who is in the business of writing for TV know it is a cardinal > sin to portray acts that could harm others during times when children > watch TV - even animals - because kids often imitate what they see on > TV. Any child who is young enough to see that and want to immitate it but not old enough to know it's wrong also see's mommy stopping it. And any child young enough to see this and want to imiitate it shouldn't be left unsupervised anyway. >It's not a far strech to predict that some dumb kid is going to > see this commercial and think "Cool! Let's put Kitty in the dryer and > see what happens!". In fact, I have worked a few cases of where kids > have done just that, and believe me, the results are horrifying. This > needs to be taken seriously, and companies need to aact more > responsibly. So in fact..kids are already doing it without even seeing it on TV. This isn't something the commercial is teaching the kids. It's something that happens right now. Young children who don't know better mistreating the family pet and mom having to step in and stop it. This isn't a commercial promoting or making light of it and by your own admission it's not showing them something they don't already 'test' all on their own. Companies do indeed need to act more responsibly..maybe putting child proof latches on dryer doors would be a start...but this commercial is not a case of irresponsible behavior. The more we scream and stomp about every little thing the more fanatical animal lovers look. There are a lot of things to get upset about out there....maybe you should direct your outrage at commercials promoting Circus Vargas. AG > > The problem is that it promotes behavior that is easily imitated. > > It's not PROMOTING that behaviour. Sure it is. > > Anyone who is in the business of writing for TV know it is a cardinal > > sin to portray acts that could harm others during times when children [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Any child who is young enough to see that and want to immitate it but > not old enough to know it's wrong also see's mommy stopping it. Kids do it even though they know it is wrong. > And any child young enough to see this and want to imiitate it shouldn't > be left unsupervised anyway. Are you really that naive? Kids are left unsupervised all over the US all the time. It is not a matter of what parents "should" do. Parent's DON'T supervise their children. There's evidence of lack of parental supervision everywhere. > >It's not a far strech to predict that some dumb kid is going to > > see this commercial and think "Cool! Let's put Kitty in the dryer and [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > So in fact..kids are already doing it without even seeing it on TV. Yes, as are adults - for "fun". Any act of animal abuse should never be shown on TV - even "potential" animal abuse. It gives people - who either don't have any morals or any restraint - ideas. People who work in children's programming are extremely aware of the effect of imitative behavior portrayed on TV. There are numerous studies which show the effects of violence and imitative behavior. (Search for "TV", "imitative behavior" and "children" and you can pull up a buttload of them.) One case in point was the film Babe: Pig in the City - concerning the way people manhandled animals in the movie. In fact, the website screenit.com even has an entire section regarding imitative behavior in the movies it reviews. This issue is taken extremely seriously by many professionals - child psychologists, the entertainment industry and abuse specialists. > This isn't something the commercial is teaching the kids. It's something > that happens right now. Young children who don't know better mistreating > the family pet and mom having to step in and stop it. This isn't a > commercial > promoting or making light of it Sure it is. They think is is funny/attractive to the audience or they wouldn't use the scene. >and by your own admission it's not showing > them something they don't already 'test' all on their own. Not all kids independently think about putting animals in dryers. Many will get the idea from the commercial. > Companies do indeed need to act more responsibly..maybe putting child > proof latches on dryer doors would be a start...but this commercial is not > a case of irresponsible behavior. The more we scream and stomp about > every little thing the more fanatical animal lovers look. Sorry, but I - and many others, based on the responses the company has received - don't think this type of scene belongs on TV. Call me fanatical if you want, but it is because of people like me that fewer animals will suffer and possibly die. >There are a lot > of things to get upset about out there....maybe you should direct your > outrage at commercials promoting Circus Vargas. Maybe you should educate yourself about to whom you are responding to before you smart off at the mouth like that. -L. > Maybe you should educate yourself about to whom you are responding to > before you smart off at the mouth like that. I didn't realize I was "smarting" off... I thought I was offering a viable alternative for your outrage. I do know who I am responding too. A fanatic that see's danger around every corner. It's a harmless commercial. There are hundreds of worse "images' being thrown at us every day. To go off the deep end about something so inconsequential says more about you than it does about the commercial. But hey...keep up the good work. Maybe next you can go after the bugs bunny road runner cartoons. AG Thank you! Someone else who saw the same commercial the way I did. I don't care how much of a hero that mom is, don't give any ideas to the impressionable children watching the commercial. Here is the comment I sent to Energiser: "I think the commercial regarding the little brat that almost puts the cat in a dryer is in VERY poor taste, is giving other brats suggestions that could lead to the horrible death of a beloved pet, and should be pulled immediately from production." Here is the answer I got from them: "In response to concerns regarding one of Energizer's new spots in which a mother intervenes on behalf of the family cat to keep him out of harms way: 'Our new spots depict how every day people overcome life's daily challenges to keep going. In the case of the mother of four young children, she moves through the house with baby in arms to break up a food fight, end an art project on the wall, disrupt a gymnastics display on the couch and rescue the family cat. It is all in a day's work for a busy mom. Through it all she keeps her cool and keeps going. We apologize if we have offended anyone with this spot. We wanted to show how much of a hero moms can be. These commercials were filmed in New Zealand and the Humane Society of New Zealand was invited to be present during the filling. At no time was the cat mistreated and all proper care was maintained at all times.'" Now does that sound like they even read what I wrote??? I didn't express concern about the treatment of the cat (which I am sure was just fine), I expressed concern about the message this commercial was sending and they totally ignored that in their response. Hugs, CatNipped > Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts > the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > -L. I must be missing something. Is this the "Mom" commercial? http://www.energizer.com/advertising/default.asp I have watched both the 15s and 30s versions and the only time they show a cat is at the end where the kids are chasing it. The kids don't catch the cat and a dryer isn't even shown with the cat. Its not even the same kid chasing the cat that was standing in front of the dryer. How does this equal a brat almost putting the cat in the dryer? Kids chase cats all the time. That doesn't mean they are going to put them in the dryer. LVIII > > Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts > > the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > cats all the time. That doesn't mean they are going to put them in the > dryer. Yes, your missing something. It's either a different commercial or a different version. In the commercial shown here the mom is chasing around after a toddler..first taking a crayon away from him when he is marking on the walls and at the end he is holding the cat in front of an open dryer drawer and she swoops down and takes the cat away. Your other post is correct though. The premise is not about putting the cat in the dryer and it hardly makes light of it. It's not like she laughs. AG >>>Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts >>>the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > AG Commercials no longer inform these days as much as they entertain and manipulate at an ever increasing subtle level. On that alone, the advertising agency doing that commercial should have known better. In the fine newsgroup "alt.cats", " jdc1" <" jdc1"@san.rr.com> artfully composed this message within <news:414BE5F2.5080305 @san.rr.com> on 18 Sep 2004: > Commercials no longer inform these days When in the hell did they *ever* inform? lol  SignatureCheryl > Commercials no longer inform these days as much as they entertain and > manipulate at an ever increasing subtle level. On that alone, the > advertising agency doing that commercial should have known better. That's spot-on. Research shows that commercials impact the viewer consciously and subconsciously. What I'm noticing lately as well is that ad agencies/product spots are promoting poor parenting skills and lack of parenting. There's been about 10 such commercials come out in the last 8 months or so. Why they think that's an attractive quality to feature, I'll never know. -L. > I must be missing something. Is this the "Mom" commercial? > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > LVIII Different commercial. -L. > Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts > the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > -L. Oh for God's sake. Calm down dear, it's a only commercial! Give people (even kids) a bit of credit. Anyone who's insane enough to put a cat in a dryer would do it (or something worse) without the commercial anyway. The removal of any stimuli which *may* make someone do something is pandering to the idiot society and something that seems to be way to common now IMO. Jeannie >ive people (even kids) a bit of credit. Anyone who's insane enough to put >a cat in a dryer would do it (or something worse) without the commercial [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Jeannie I don't know, Jeannie. I know a 3-year-old is smart enough to emulate what he sees on TV. But I don't know whether he's smart enough to understand that the action will kill the cat. Besides that, if you've ever heard someone describe a kitten, dying and bleeding out of every orifice from being shut up in a dryer, it makes the commercial downright offensive. Just because some slick ad agency thinks it's humorous, does not mean I don't have the right to object. We're the consumers. We don't have to quietly tolerate what comes into our homes. I daresay if they get enough complaints, they'll decide themselves it wasn't funny after all. It's all about the $$$$. Sherry > >ive people (even kids) a bit of credit. Anyone who's insane enough to put > >a cat in a dryer would do it (or something worse) without the commercial [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > sees on TV. But I don't know whether he's smart enough to understand that the > action will kill the cat. That is why 3 year olds have parents to teach them the difference between right and wrong... > Besides that, if you've ever heard someone describe a kitten, dying and > bleeding out of every orifice from being shut up in a dryer, it makes the > commercial downright offensive. By that token, i.e, not laughing at anything which may hurt or injure another person / animal, we also shouldn't laugh at: 1) Jackass 2) Monty Python 3) Any kind of slapstick comedy 4) People falling over or otherwise making fools of themselves in public. Pretty much all of comedy, historically speaking, is based on laughing at someone elses misfortune. I have got no idea if this advert is funny or not as I haven't seen it, but I do think that *most* people can differentiate between reality and fiction and those that can't didn't ought to be watching T.V. (or doing anything) without medical supervision. Just because some slick ad agency thinks it's > humorous, does not mean I don't have the right to object. You can object to whatever you want, I just think there are more important issues than the content of adverts that no-one pays attention to anyway We're the consumers. > We don't have to quietly tolerate what comes into our homes. I daresay if they > get enough complaints, they'll decide themselves it wasn't funny after all. > It's all about the $$$$. It's *all* about the money, we live in a capitalist society, we also live with the ability to turn the T.V. off / over if you don't like something.. Jeannie >That is why 3 year olds have parents to teach them the difference between >right and wrong... Yes, and shielding them is part of that, until they're old enough to understand well enough to be "taught." . We don't teach them not to play with matching by telling them, then leaving the matches out in reach, and we don't teach them morals then let them watch porn. >> Besides that, if you've ever heard someone describe a kitten, dying and >> bleeding out of every orifice from being shut up in a dryer, it makes the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >3) Any kind of slapstick comedy >4) People falling over or otherwise making fools of themselves in public. It all depends on your POV. I don't enjoy any "humor" that hints animal abuse is fodder for comedy. I also don't see any commercials being made portraying teenagers gunning down their classmates. Or terrorist hijackings. Some things are simply not funny. Cats in dryers aren't. By your token, it's okay because nobody's going to emulate that act, after all, it's *just* a commercial and no one should be offended. Yes, I can turn off the TV. I just don't do it quietly or without protest. Sherry > >That is why 3 year olds have parents to teach them the difference between > >right and wrong... [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > telling them, then leaving the matches out in reach, and we don't teach them > morals then let them watch porn. Shielding them is what the parents do. I don't want to have to watch TV geared towards a 3 year old just because parents expect everything on TV to be acceptable viewing for a 3 year old. > >> Besides that, if you've ever heard someone describe a kitten, dying and > >> bleeding out of every orifice from being shut up in a dryer, it makes the [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > one should be offended. > Yes, I can turn off the TV. I just don't do it quietly or without protest. And did you complain about that commercial that showed the dog wrapped up like a Christmas present? Taping a dogs mouth shut is a horrible abuse and it does happen. Won't kids see the dog in the wrapping paper and think it's acceptable? There are hundreds of images every day that I would deem as unacceptable to a 3 year old...but I am not 3. If I have to watch commercials I would prefer they not be totally inane and geared to the lowest common denominator. BTW...I don't think Jackass is funny but I am not going to call in and complain just because I don't see the humor. AG >And did you complain about that commercial that showed the dog wrapped >up like a Christmas present? Taping a dogs mouth shut is a horrible abuse >and it does happen. No, I don't particularly like that one -- but the dog isn't going to die from it. That's stretching a bit. Won't kids see the dog in the wrapping paper and think >it's acceptable? There are hundreds of images every day that I would deem >as unacceptable to a 3 year old...but I am not 3. If I have to watch >commercials >I would prefer they not be totally inane and geared to the lowest common >denominator. Most all commercials are totally inane and geared to the lowest common denominator already. BTW...I don't think Jackass is funny but I am not going to >call >in and complain just because I don't see the humor. I don't watch Jackass. It's pretty easy to avoid. Commercials aren't. Sherry >AG > >And did you complain about that commercial that showed the dog wrapped > >up like a Christmas present? Taping a dogs mouth shut is a horrible abuse > >and it does happen. > > No, I don't particularly like that one -- but the dog isn't going to die from > it. That's stretching a bit. I beg to differ. Dogs can and do die from being "bound" up. The dog in the commercial is completely wrapped up in paper, and what do we use to wrap with...tape. Tape a dogs mouth closed and what happens...it can die. There was a case in the local paper just a couple of months ago where a guy duct taped a German Shepherds mouth closed because he wouldn't stop barking. It's a 100 friggine degrees and the guy tapes up the dogs only method of cooling off. MORON. It really disturbs me to hear this stuff...but I still laughed at that commercial. Go figure. AG >I beg to differ. Dogs can and do die from being "bound" up. >The dog in the commercial is completely wrapped up in paper, >and what do we use to wrap with...tape. I haven't seen this one I guess. You mean it shows a dog with tape wrapped around its mouth? >It really disturbs me to hear this stuff...but I still laughed at >that commercial. Go figure. It all depends on you POV, again. I find some inappropriate things funny, and I love satire. But I've worked many animal abuses cases IRL. It tends to make you lose your sense of humor when the "humor" even hints at mistreatment of animals. Sherry > But I've worked many animal abuses cases IRL. It tends to make you > lose your sense of humor when the "humor" even hints at mistreatment of > animals. > > Sherry I think that's pretty much the issue with me too. I don't take this stuff lightly, I don't think it's funny and I know such programming affects the way people think about animals. I love it when a commercial or program shows something from an animals viewpoint - anmd shows compassion for animals. Unfortunately, there aren't many commericals out there like that. -L. > >That is why 3 year olds have parents to teach them the difference between > >right and wrong... [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > > Sherry Damn Sherry, you're good. We have a responsibility to speak out against poor programming. Animal abuse isn't proper topic for any type of programming. It's as repulsive as child abuse. -L. In the fine newsgroup "alt.cats", "Jeannie" <not@thisaddress.net> artfully composed this message within <news:cimtv6$arm$1@news7.svr.pol.co.uk> on 20 Sep 2004: but I do think > that *most* people can differentiate between reality and fiction > and those that can't didn't ought to be watching T.V. (or doing > anything) without medical supervision. Sadly that isn't reality. They are on the Internet and Usenet, too, without medical supervision. SignatureCheryl > >ive people (even kids) a bit of credit. Anyone who's insane enough to put > >a cat in a dryer would do it (or something worse) without the commercial [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > bleeding out of every orifice from being shut up in a dryer, it makes the > commercial downright offensive. The ones I services were hyperventiliating and had extreme heat exhaustion, burned ears and foot pads and were delerious - almost shocky. Extremely sad. >Just because some slick ad agency thinks it's > humorous, does not mean I don't have the right to object. We're the consumers. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Sherry They've had enough complaints that they've generated a form letter, at least. They also have alternative endings to the commercial. -L. > > Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts > > the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Oh for God's sake. Calm down dear, it's a only commercial! Only a commercial which will give some knuckle-dragging kid the idea that it might be cool to see what the dryer cycle does to kitty... > Give people (even kids) a bit of credit. Anyone who's insane enough to put > a cat in a dryer would do it (or something worse) without the commercial > anyway. The removal of any stimuli which *may* make someone do something is > pandering to the idiot society Sorry dear, but we do live in an idiot society. Just look at the President. -L. > > > Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts > > > the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > -L. Removing anything which may give someone a stupid idea, hence removing all need for rational thought encourages the idiot society. QED Jeannie There have been many commercials over the years depicting animals in winning, and losing scenes. Lets not forget the commercial with the Macaw wearing a face mask and flying into a closed window style door. How about the dog that attempts to pee on the rear wheel of an SUV and gets sprayed with water. What about the Tom and Jerry cartoons with the cat always getting beaten up. The job of any responsible parent is to teach the difference between fantasy and reality to their children, and to do it as soon as possible. There comes a point in time where the line between legitimate complaint and hypersensitivity becomes blurred, and fanatic comes to mind. My kids laughed at slapstick whether animal or human was involved...but by watching my behaviour towards our pets, they care and love theirs. They do not attempt to wrap the dog in xmas paper, dry the cat, or put halloween masks on the parrot. my 2 cents worh Adreeanna > > Anyone see the crappy Energizer commercial where the brat almost puts > > the cat in the dryer? NOT funny! If you want to complain about it, [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.726 / Virus Database: 481 - Release Date: 22/07/04 > There have been many commercials over the years depicting animals in > winning, and losing scenes. Lets not forget the commercial with the Macaw [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > my 2 cents worh > Adreeanna That's great - you sound like a responsible parent. I don't find such media as you describe funny, nor do I find the same type of media exploiting babies funny. (Or even adults for that matter). Abuse or near abuse isn't funny. Just remember that many (I would venture to say the vast majority of) parents aren't responsible (many, many examples all over the US), and it is from these people that animals need be protected. -L. Well, I am not for over all censure because of irresponsible parenting. There are people that have a warped sense of humour. Thats fine. People are different as to what they find funny, sickening, etc. I don't think it is up to me to attempt to change someone's view as to what tickles their funny bone, or upset them. I find medical education programs vastly entertaining. My husband would vomit if he had to watch something like that. My kids love Simpsons. I find it disgusting...different strokes for different folks. Adreeanna > That's great - you sound like a responsible parent. I don't find such > media as you describe funny, nor do I find the same type of media [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > -L. |
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