After I harangued the conservative US media's attitude towards sex and nudity, and was opposed by a couple of Americans in my comments, here we have an example of British prudishness. Just to show you Paul, that when the Puritans left to live in your part of the world, some stayed in the UK as well!
In a new add for voting in EU elections, the theme is supposed to be one of choice. A short clip shows a baby trying to decide whether to go for the left nipple or the right nipple. In Italy, Germany and France, this ad was shown on daytime TV. In the UK, the British Board of Film Classification gave it a U classification, for Universal. The Cinema Advertising Association decided that the shot of the nipple was "too overtly sexual" to be shown at British cinemas.
Mmmm, sexual. Can't even begin to argue with that. The fact that it was the advertising watchdogs who blocked the naughty nipple reminds me of the arguments in both No Logo and Free Culture.
Last word to Julia Brown, Labour MP, who said "If the British are offended by bosoms, why do we have millions thrust in our faces every day by the tabloids?" Why indeed...
(from The Guardian, but not in the online version, apparently)
Posted by Gary at May 25, 2004 12:10 PMWell, I guess with tabloids you choose to read that and know what is coming. On tv there is no forewarning what the commercial is going to contain.
BUT I must say not having seen the ad that it does seem a little Junior High School, what is the deal with the nipples? I think there are a lot of other examples of trying to make a choice.
In the US marketing fims seem to be getting their message across pretty well without the nudity.
That type of advertising would seem to only appeal to the male population, In the US and Japan they have figured out that women have more buying power than men. And the ads reflect that.
Posted by: Paul at May 26, 2004 12:32 PM