Soapbox rantings re: tasteless/offensive copy

Matt Prather · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 63

So okay, several of us have now seen (and read) the whole "baseball" copy for the hot dog thing.

[[For those who have no idea what I'm talking about: there was a lead that went out with a script calling for two announcers at a baseball game, one of whom gets so distracted by his hunger that he's thinking out loud about a delicious Ward's chili-cheese dog, and absent-mindedly replies, "Absolutely delicious!" when asked what he thinks of the pitcher just taking the mound. There is the usual dismayed, "Ohmigawd is this guy queer?!" kind of comic response from the other announcer, everybody has a hearty chuckle at the first announcer's faux pas, and we close with the branding.]]

Well, the copy bothers me. I know, I know: sometimes you just have to swallow your principles and learn to live with copy you detest. But the latent homophobia here really bothers me a lot. I hate the thought that, in the 21st century, that kind of cheap-shot sniggering and sophomoric humour is still an effective sales tool.

But that's not what this post is about, really. What I'm asking is how you all deal with copy that you just find offensive or distasteful. Do you audition anyway, do you take the gig if it's offered, do you just delete the lead, or what?

Thanks,
Matt

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 05:07 (GMT) Post subject:

Goin' out on a limb here but maybe... just MAYBE... the comedy is that the first announcer is surprised that the other announcer is referring to ANY human being, particularly a baseball player as delicioius like food. It is hyper-sensitive to read any agenda into that. It's just a harmless JOKE not meant toward any particular group or persuation. He said "DELICIOUS" LIKE FOOD. Not anything else.

Keith D. Milby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 570

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 05:17 (GMT) Post subject:

This is akin to the thread someone started a while back about whether or not to take a job that conflicts with your moral values.

For me it's a no-brainer: I do NO job that compromises my values, morals or beliefs. None. Nada. Regardless of whether it's a v/o, a website, an on-camera, anything.

Folks, our voices and jobs and houses and cars will come and go. But our legacies, our impact on those around us (especially our kids), our place in the eternal scheme of things.... these are forever and must stand the scrutiny of all.

So perhaps doing a v/o for a questionable venture won't necessarily put a smear on our tombstone. But it would put a bruise on my heart and soul, and it's just not worth it.

Interestingly, I didn't take offense at the baseball spot though. Just thought it was poorly written, tired, and basically unfunny copy.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 05:23 (GMT) Post subject:

It's just a silly little radio script to peddle fast food, they don't have any agenda other than that.

As far as whether you read a script or not, it is a personal decision. My feeling is that if you feel uncomfortable reading something and you worry about someone else hearing you reading it, then it is your right as an American to choose not to read it.

I would just caution that there are a great many more evils in the world than a local fast food joint's poor attempt at humor. Not everything is a slight or a "message" designed to offend someone.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 05:25 (GMT) Post subject:

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

I didn't think it was meant that way Matt.

I actually thought it was kind of funny.

I certainly would not have done it if I felt it was making a slur type joke.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 05:34 (GMT) Post subject:

I also Scott will not do adult stuff or political messages I feel are purposfully misleading, but those are serious messages desinged to persuade. Silly local radio spots are just that, silly messages with only one agenda... sell some stuff.

When I hear those negative political spots on both sides, I wonder about the VO that did them. I wonder "how can you do that?" You know that they don't know the facts and don't care. They sound so passionate saying that the other guy is a liar and their compatriate VO artist is next in the studio with the opposite opinion. Don't they go home feeling like an empty shell? How can they stand to hear themselves on radio or TV?

Tom Greenlee · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 945

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 06:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Tom, I think I'll go light up too except, not around the equipment! (or the family.) I go out in the garage. Get's mighty cold in the winter. However, mother nature is being kind tonight in Ohio. Can't wait for spring when I can go out on the fron porch!

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 06:28 (GMT) Post subject:

A couple of thoughts here... didn't they ban tobacco ads in 1972?

And... what have we become as a soicety when the word "deliciouis" can only refer to a lurid innuendo? If a man says to a woman "you look nice today" he might be called in for harrassment? What is wrong with people?

Keith D. Milby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 570

Colin, I am right there with you.

And sadly, for the very points you have made is the reason I do not feel comfortable speaking my true feelings. It is a sly way of suppressing free speech when that speech is not preferred by one side or another in the political spectrum. My hope is that one day it will all blow up in the faces of those that have imposed it. I think the first signs of it are already starting to show.

This is one of those rants I feel I am going to have to apologize for. So let me go ahead and get that out of the way. I would like to apologize to any one offended by my preceding rant. Even though I meant every word of it.

2 cents and more.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 07:06 (GMT) Post subject:

I am not shy about expressing my feelings at all, but do so in a respectful manner understanding that others have their views as well and they may not agree with mine. I accept that. What I oppose are not someone else's views but their attempt to suppress mine. Today, we look under every rock to find a slight. We use "pop culture" definitions of words to find slights that were not intended. I cannot stand the attitude that free speech is only meaningful if others agree with it. That was not the intention of our founders.

My favorite piece of writing...

http://www.fleurdelis.com/desiderata.htm

Freddie, don't delete this post, it's just a link to poetry! LOL.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007, 14:06 (GMT) Post subject:

Tom, I have a number of friends who smoke, including my father-in-law who loves a good cigar. So does my MOTHER-IN-LAW, as a matter of fact.

I suspect you knew the answer to your question when you asked it: Whether someone smokes or not does not form any basis on my relationship with them. I also happen to not drink anymore, because alcoholism runs in my family and I saw signs of it creeping into my own habits. But I still hang out with people who drink and go to parties where people drink. I take my 89 year old mom to the liquor store every few weeks to get her load 'o' booze!

It's pretty easy to disapprove of a certain action while not necessarily casting a judgment on someone who performs that action. For example, I don't care for the use of tobacco because it's proven to be a killer. But I don't judge someone by whether they smoke or not. But nor do I have to feel any obligation to endorse a product that I don't believe in.

I'll tell ya one I deleted recently here: I'm a devout Christian and I saw a lead that I was ready to answer, til I read the copy and it was for a seminar or something that discussed the 'myth' of God. For me personally, it was a conflict of what I believe, so it was a simple matter to delete it.

Boy, I hope I'm not coming across as high and mighty here, folks. Trust me, I'm not. I have plenty of skeletons in my closet. But at 52, with teenaged kids, and having strong religious beliefs, I feel an obligation to myself, my family, and my Creator to follow what I feel to be true and right and good.

Now, who wants to go to Hooters with me for a celebration?!
Laughing

Tom Greenlee · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 945

Scott....I did indeed know the answer to my question before I asked it. I could tell without asking how you would answer that question, because I already have a feel for what kind of person you are. You're a great guy Scott, and I'm sorry I put you in a position that made you feel like you had to explain yourself. You shouldn't have to explain yourself to anyone, and if I would have really thought about what I was asking before I asked it, You wouldn't have been put in that position. So....I'm sorry about that.