No Viagra Before 10?
“If Viagra Commercial Withdrawal Syndrome persists for more than 4 hours, contact your local TV station immediately.”
2 US congressmen are trying to ban the airing of Viagra and other ‘erectile disfunction TV commercials before the hour of 10 p.m.:
Austin Durrer, an aide to (Rep. Jim) Mr. Moran in his Washington office, told Ad Age, “The congressman does not have a problem with the drugs — only the advertising. His feeling is that they’re not appropriate for family viewing hours and some of the advertising makes for uncomfortable situations.” Mr. Durrer made it clear that Mr. Moran is “not into censorship.”
In their commercials, ED-drug makers have long used sexual innuendo, as well as the now-famous disclaimer to see your doctor if an erection lasts longer than four hours. The National Football League ended an $18 million sponsorship deal with Levitra in 2006 because the league deemed some of the ads too risque. A year later, Major League Baseball did not renew a five-year sponsorship agreement with Viagra.
Mr. Moran introduced similar legislation in 2005 and met with representatives from big pharma’s lobby group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. “They came to our office and told us they would rein this thing in, cut back on the hours, and if they did that asked if we would we ease up on the bill,” Mr. Durrer said. “We said, ‘Sure.’ But the ads have been increasing, and we’ve been getting feedback from a lot of people.”
While the Beast Who Slumbers suspects that nothing will come of this, he is sympathetic. It’s as if this is the only industry that advertises any more. Professional golf, despite constant references to drivers, shafts, balls, and holes (granted, “putter” is a little emasculating so, when in doubt, ‘bulo just pulls out his “long iron”), needs Viagra and its brethren to advertise for distended extended periods of time every weekend. Up to four hours per day. Don’t bother calling your physician. Either he’s playing golf or ‘the time is right’.
Tags: Pharmacology, TV
My young son asked, “What’s male enhancement?” while watching family TV one night. I told him it that it had to do with making your penis bigger.
“Why would someone want a bigger penis?”
“They think it makes having sex better, but when you are much older and in love you’ll find out that is pretty good already so this is all pretty silly.”
True story.
I find Viagra commercials pretty annoying, but I don’t understand banning them. Do they really think Viagra commercials have more sexual innuendo than your average sitcom?
ever notice in those male enhancement commercials, the guy looks about 20 years older than his wife/girlfriend/(maybe it’s a red state, so she’s his daughter)
i think i want to run a competing campaign selling pool-boys.
my issue is, why do we have 4 drugs for E.D, and so much money spent in advertising for those drugs, and we haven’t had a decent breakthrough in fighting AIDS or Cancer? are the priorities of PHARM really that skewed?
A. Price has hit on one of ‘bulo’s beefs.
The Greatest Generation freed the world from tyranny.
El Somnambulo’s Baby Boomers have freed the world from the tyranny of erectile disfunction. And perhaps the heartbreak of psoriasis.
So many dinero spent on plastic surgery, fighting hair loss, and party drugs (face it, that’s what Viagra is), while serious scientific research goes underfunded.
a. price,
The E.D. drugs were discovered by accident. Viagra was being tested as a cardiovascular drug when guys noticed the “side effect.”
are the priorities of PHARM really that skewed?
Yes, sex sells.
Did you all read the story about the CIA giving Afghan warlords Viagra?
UI wrote:
“Did you all read the story about the CIA giving Afghan warlords Viagra?”
Would refusal to allow them to contact their doctors after 4 hours constitute torture?
Since most countries are run by old men seems Viagra could be the incentive to bring these guys to the table.
“No more Viagra for you two until you solve your differences!”
I’m betting that the pen-is is mightier than the sword! 🙂
QOD: what is UI’s take on commercial media focusing on male inadequacy?
The ad restriction proposal has as much credibility as the “Truth Commission” suggested by Sen Leahy.
Both the Viagra commercials and the Truth Commission are the result of a vascular condition. In one case lack of blood flow to the brain and you know the other.
Mike Protack
To the other brain.
Protack is testing out his open mic material.
“Protack is testing out his open mic material.”
Yes. He just flew in from Alaska and boy, are his political views tired.
!Viva La Dick Pills!
!Arriba!
El Somnambulo had no idea that Von Cracker was actually his ol’ rasslin’ pal Tito Santana. !Arriba! right back at’cha, Tito.
And for all of Tito’s fans:
http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/t/titosantana/13.jpg
Wow – that’s a blast from the past!
Now where’s Leapin’ Lanny Poffo?
Geezer,
LOL. That is great first banana, second banana stuff. We should look into open mic night.
Provided to Von Cracker at no extra charge:
http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/l/lanny-poffo.php
BTW, for pro ‘rasslin trivia buffs, Leapin’ Lanny Poffo was the brother of…none other than Randy “Macho Man” Savage.
exactly….and Macho Man played in the Mets farm system, I believe…
QOD: Are there really couples with matching outdoor bathtubs?
And I remember those Saturday morning watching Pat Patterson and skinny, pre-steroid Vince McMahon Jr. calling matches between Ivan “The Polish Hammer” Putsky and Chief Jay Sildenafil.
Also, Randall Mario Poffo played in the minor leagues for the White Sox, Cardinals and Reds, and a DVD of his best matches comes out on June 9. (h/t Wikipedia)
Another Mike wrote:
QOD: Are there really couples with matching outdoor bathtubs?
“And I remember those Saturday morning watching Pat Patterson and skinny, pre-steroid Vince McMahon Jr. calling matches between Ivan “The Polish Hammer” Putsky and Chief Jay Sildenafil.”
Now, THAT’S funny! Chief (or as they called him in later years, ‘Honorary’ Indian Chief) Jay Strongbow, was a self-admitted member of the ‘Wopaho’ tribe (HIS term, Secretary Wicks…), and his real name was Joe Scarpa.
Reis: I have no problem with Viagra. I think it’s great to address a problem like that, and I’m glad people are getting help if they need it.
What I don’t like is that many health insurance plans cover Viagra but not contraception, and contraception is quite expensive.