The Yes satellite television company is out with a new commercial, that for the past couple of weeks has caused quite the debate on Israeli social networks.
Yesterday, the head of the Naamat organization, a leading women’s movement, wrote to the public appeals ombudsman of Channel 2, demanding the commercial be taken down because it is offensive to women.
I’m not sure I know how to take this commercial. First of all, i just think it’s bad. It’s not funny. At all. And Israelis probably don’t know that the ‘ole mistaking-fat-woman-for-pregnant joke is one of the oldest in the book. When Louis-Dreyfus got this script she must have rolled her eyes, saying “who writes this shit?”
Let’s face it, it’s grotesque laughing at overweight people. But, it just seems so hypocritical to lash out against it in the “reality show” society we live in these days, where viewers are encouraged to laugh and poke at the various contestants who are different than the norm.
What do you think?
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Shelly
The only offensive thing about this spot is that Julia Louis Dreyfuss agreed to do it. With her income from unending Seinfeld reruns, current TV series, and the fact that her father is a Dreyfus financial empire gazillionaire, she obviously didn’t need the YES check. Instead of rolling her eyes as you said, she should have closed them and returned the stupid script back to its inept writers.
Jim Bishop
I think it’s great! And, it’s funny. If you are offended, get a life.
Aaron Gross
Not offensive, not funny.
Danny
Typical Israeli ad that effortlessly does away with both good taste and political correctness. Even though it’s extremely stupid and low brow, one can still argue it’s a successful ad because it speaks to most Israelis (many of whom are as uncouth as the Julia Louis Dreyfus character).
greg nichols
But isn’t it obvious that the Dreyfus character is completely inappropriate in the piece? She’s such a ninny, she thinks her target is pregnant. She then comes up with ways to fix her “mistake” (or is it just a mistake) which only add more poison to the original error. She is clearly an imbecile. How can an imbecile be held to account for behaving like an imbecile?
jay
Not her finest hour, but I start to laugh whenever I see JL-D. She will always be “Elaine” to me.
dan
Here she is again sounding off on obesity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdMCnMO7Fp0
Joann
Wonderful post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!