WWE

I know that its been a bit since we covered the topic of the WWE in class, but, to be honest, I kind of thought wrestling was not very relevant to modern pop culture. That was, until the past week in some of my favorite tv shows-really just South Park and It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia-wrestling has been a main plot line.

I'm glad that South Park did a WWE inspired episode because -although they used to be known best for their frequent killings of Kenny and fart jokes- now they typically are more known for their clever satire
This particular episode compared professional wrestling to soap operas, very "manly"low brow soap operas.

After the boys saw a professional wrestling match they decided to join the school wrestling team. But after they realized that "real" wrestling was just guys rolling on a mat together, they decided to start a backyard wrestling club, which gained a lot of attention in the community-especially the "they took 'ur jobs" (read: working class) crowd, with their over-the-top plot lines (one promiscuous young girl-played by Cartman-was addicted to getting abortions) and violent fight scenes.


They took the idea that it's all just acting. The public doesn't want to see men actually wrestling, as its perceived as "gay", but they do want to watch women portrayed as sluts and men to be violent and macho.

Sexy bitches

So, here, another Halloween themed post because, well, its very close and its all around!

I've noticed a weird new trend this year. Not only are the women's (and sometimes teen's) costumes hyper-sexualized, now we've even brought out pets into the mix. The site SpoiledRottenDoggies offers costumes for both pet and owner, so you can "Be sexy together with these adorable matching costumes for sexy ladies and their pups!"

To the left, is a puppy pictured in the iconic "naughty school girl" costume. And is even striking a sexual? pose.

Certainly the over-sexualization of females, and teens, is a problem in our society... are our pets next?

What do you call serious rocks?

I can be very certain that its October now, because I've been seeing Halloween costume ads all over the internet/in the papers. I always like looking through them because, well, I just like looking and every year I'm always slightly confused by the womens costumes vs. the men's.

For example:



These are both referee costumes. Now, in real life, a male referee and a female referee would be wearing the same uniform. They would both be wearing the realistic and practical version that is worn by the male here. Why is it that most all Halloween costumes for women are just a sluttier version of the real thing? Is Halloween an outlet for women to let their sexual side be seen without the risk of being judged so harshly (because it's just a costume)?

And similarly for men, this seems to be a way for men to dress in a feminine manner (sometimes in full drag) without the fear of being ridiculed. (Example to the left.)

It seems that in our society, the worst thing a woman could be labeled is a slut and the worst a man could be labeled is effeminate. So is Halloween a chance for Americans to embrace their fears? Or rebel against society, in a campy matter, by being exactly what we're told not to be?

It's Gay To Smoke

New Anti-Smoking Ads Warn Teens 'It's Gay To Smoke'

When I first saw the title for this video, I was shocked! I was completely outraged that any marketer would have the audacity to play on the public's homophobia to keep teens from smoking!?

After opening the video, however, I realized that it was created by The Onion(an American "news satire"). I was relieved that this wasn't a serious ad, but at the same time, sadly, I feel as though this campaign might be effective in cutting back the number of young boys who smoke in America.

The most offensive thing one boy can do to another boy is emasculate him. In our culture, we seem to think that homosexual men aren't as masculine as heterosexual men. Calling a boy gay is along the same lines as calling him a sissy, or a girl-they all question the boy's masculinity. Like they said in the video, kids don't care about health risks, but they do care about their reputation and being bullied.

Save The Ta-Tas

Whenever anyone in my house mentions breast cancer awareness month, they usually end up calling it breast awareness month. (It was probably a mistake at first, but then it just seemed to stick.) And although cancer seems to be the main purpose of awareness, the breasts always seem to be the main attraction. At least thats how it seems when you look at some of the campaigns that are helping to raise awareness.



These campaign marketers know that sex sells (as do kitschy gimmicks). And while the ads are amusing/clever and attention grabbing (like the ad above), they may be seen as somewhat insensitive to those who have had to lose their breasts in a battle with cancer. The ads are placing the focus on peoples love for large, bouncy boobs. In the ad above, the men and women both stop dead in their tracks to stare at the voluptuous woman walking by in a tiny bikini. The ad may not just be offensive to breast cancer survivors, but to all women, for the objectification of the women(who are just presented as boob holders).

Other campaign ads like the Save The Ta-Tas or The Save Second Base Ad also use provocative tee shirt logos to draw extra attention to the breasts of the woman wearing the tee. The 'Second Base' logo goes a step further.
I think it's great that these campaigns are thinking of new and interesting ways of drawing in viewers attention, and making a positive message into a fun tee shirt(a human billboard), but at the same time I feel that some people may be put off by this mode of advertising. Could the kitschy tees make it seem that the matter of cancer is not taken as seriously as it should be? And is there any equally effective way of raising awareness for women's health without having to objectify them?