Whether you are an adult or a child, when watching TV or a movie, you are bombarded by commercials these days. 

Not only do parents need to carefully screen what is seen as age appropriate or not, but content and message gets all mixed up. 

Back in history, (the 1920’s) the original Mickey Mouse cartoon, Steamboat Willie, was criticized for its racist and stereotypical connections to minstrel shows. Stereotyped racism was typical in that era,

However , it was good news indeed to learn that for the sake of classic illustrations, in 2024, the copyright for the original Mickey Mouse cartoon expired, making it part of the public domain. This means that anyone can use the images without needing permission from Disney!  No longer any copyyright infrigement here… Racism aside, what’s a mouse doing as a shipmate with aspirations to be captain? - Animal fantasy even in 1928.

In terms of modern day commercials, the sense of reality is terribly skewed including ‘soap opera,’ farce or fantasy. As adults, we have been fed such images for years in order to sell products.

We used to see the happy housewife not unlike June Cleaver mixing a cake with the fictional character of Betty Crocker on the box. We knew exactly what was being pitched. ‘Not so today!

TV COMMERCIALS TODAY

‘A couple of general viewing examples in 2025-

1) The myriad of ‘Big Pharma’ drug commercials are frequently produced   as big musical numbers with singing, dancing, happy faces  …or parading around always  in a utopian environment… if only they would ask their physician for X drug … despite all kinds of potential side effects including death! ( to cover their behinds);

2) Insurance Companies - They truly perpetuate fantasy with a cast of characters that have very little to do with the actual insurance products. 

Flo and her crazy team from Progressive; the mad man of mass destruction from Allstate, the ‘nerd and the bird’ from Liberty Mutual. 

Whether it’s commercials or books, there’s too many totally unrealistic, (and dumb portrals) which insult the intelligence of audiences- adult and children alike!

Children learn a lot from TV, electronic media ( and yes, pure learning from books). 

Just imagine you‘re a little kid watching TV….

Mom or Dad is scanning through the channels and this is what you encounter- 

a)The ‘Nerd and the Bird’ Emu from Liberty Mutual, most recently portrayed as a misunderstood dreamer who left home to sell insurance with a knapsack on his back while “the parents” are watching. 

I can hear the conversation now..

‘Mom what is the bird really doing? What’s insurance?;

Watch this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTJ0zh7LuHM;

b) A new inhaler for asthma, called Airsupra is touted by Air Zenica as a rescue inhaler going the extra mile, also treating inflammation with the help of “Walter the Dino”. Do you get it? The other brands are outdated. 

Dino gets in the way and is pushed aside with the use of this NEW product. 

The conversation with your child might go like this- 

Dad, look at that funny animal in the car? 

I didn’t know dinosaurs could drive… or go in the elevator!

Watch this video - https://www.ispot.tv/ad/fMq2/airsupra-dino;

c) Mr. Mucus - Secretion ( not an animal per se , But definitely fantasy!)  

The Green Blob- Mucus, is the mascot of the Mucinex brand of decongestant medicines and the main antagonist of the brand's commercials. He wanted a place to call home out of the insides of his human hosts, but he is quickly evicted with the proper dose of Mucinex.   Really?  

Conversation with your child - 

Mom, Who is that green guy? He looks cool! 

Well, dear, when you can’t breathe and need a tissue, he comes out of your nose’

Watch this video-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rB77SWQjPw;

d) The First in a Series of Bears- The Bear helping Mom with a cough by introducing Honey Flavored Robitussin outside her kitchen window. 

In reality- I think all of us would duck for cover as wild bears are rummaging through trash more and more! 

Potential Conversation with your  child - 

Yes dear, he is friendly on TV… But, you should never , never  go near a bear in our backyard, as it can be very dangerous! 

Why, Mom?

Watch this video -  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2159815240926855

e) The ‘Charming Charmin’ Bears’ - A happy family of bears  always  worrying about a clean bottom… 

The competitors are always coming up with new thickness or patterns of toilet paper.

Potential Conversation with your child-

Dad, when we go camping next week, should we bring some toilet paper for the bears?

Well honey, it’s important to be clean… 

But bears don’t really use toilet paper in the woods. 

That red bear just did!

Watch this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvdof-TzMFQ

f) Goldilocks Redfin Commercial- 

Finding  the right real estate property should be so easy…

But when you live with the three bears,it’s easier.

Mom and child discussing - 

I like the Goldilocks and the Three Bears story.

Goldilocks didn’t run away. Why not?

It’s pretend on the TV too.

Watch this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=276Xo3Uo9EI

g) Goldfish Casino Slots - A commercial about a mobile slot game with the goldfish arguing with actor John Stamos.  This may not be aired during  the time kids are awake… but it promotes a goldfish talking-upstaging the narrator.

Dad talking to his child-

Yes, our goldfish is cute too.  But he can’t really talk.

Watch this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I2qa1SPbSM

COMMENTARY-  On the face of it, maybe none of this is too important to the adult, as we have mature brains and can discern fantasy from reality. 

However, a child is still learning based upon their limited  personal experiences with animals and the trust established with parents and other adults. 

The other theory I propose is that our world has become increasingly chaotic and violent.

Creative people may be using escapism to the max to counteract it and most of the viewing audience just ‘goes along.  

I feel we are in great need of true to life children stories such as Plugnose and the Fisherman.

It is delightful in so many ways and makes a great Valentine’s gift. 

Order here- https://donnagore.com/store/p/plugnose;

Other blogs of interest-

https://donnagore.com/blog/consulting-santas-list-and-other-writing-projects

https://donnagore.com/blog/advocacy-at-its-best-amp-in-the-movies

I welcome your comments and inquiries should you need my assistance for hire.

Thanks, 

Donna