“Holy S – – – !”
October 28th, 2006
Recent Comcast and Volkswagen ads, and probably others, are using the "holy s – – -" technique pioneered by radio morning shows. Don’t say the S-word, just say it without saying it by cutting off the obvious phrase at the legally appropriate point.
Of course, it’s not like advertising has ever staked out any moral high ground that makes this a stunning development. From Paris Hilton’s burger ad to Clairol’s Herbal Essence shampoo orgasm ad to countless ads in between (let’s not even talk about the negative midterm election ads airing this week in Tennessee and New York!), advertising has long used rude, crude and attitude to sell.
It’s not about being offended, as David Kiley suggests in this piece about the VW ads. It’s about the continuing coarsening of the culture and the ongoing erosion of good taste.
It feels like yet one more line has been crossed.