TVSquad

Between the current trend of promo-ing other shows right in the middle of a show, the real-time crawls to make sure imbeciles understand that they are seeing a product placement, and whatever indignity comes next, soon it's going to be the shows themselves that are reduced to a crawl at the bottom of the screen.

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I think adding that crawl is just going to take away from the show. I wouldn't enjoy it. I think most people would have realized that it's advertisements and what not, but, hmmm, i don't find it a big deal. Advertisement has never really affected me. It wasn't like I ran out to buy what the latest victim on CSI had in their apartment.

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I don't mind it, unless it is overboard, like Smallville has been doing recently. Commercials within a show is a bit much. I don't care if someone has a Coke in their hand. It doesn't make me run out and get one.

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couldn't they just say before the intro and after the outro "Promotional Consideration by ... brand-x"

other than that ... does it really matter?

I use brand name stuff everyday ... I have never drunken a "beer" brand beer or "Cola" brand cola (well I've had PBR and that is close to generic brand beer but I digress)

I think that stories should not be changed to fit an advertiser ... but I can not see the harm in having companies pay to have their can of cola be in a show

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I think this is one stupid idea!! We already have to suffer through many ads about what's next, next week, right now, we already have to suffer through some product placement that are really bad (Smallville, Heroes...), isn't it enough already?? Don't no one remember the words of Lewis Black ??

http://tvoholic.com/news/product-placement-wga-going-crazy-stop-them-before-its-too-late/

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Looks like the day is getting closer when tv shows will be shown in a picture-in-picture box in 1 corner of the screen and the other 3/4 of the screen will be all ads.

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Actually, I'm assuming that the WGA demand for crawls tied to product placements is a gambit to stifle networks from demanding shows be saturated with product placements.

My guess would be that writers more than likely hate placements, or at least find them an intrusive chore. I suspect they know that a torrent of crawls would irritate a lot of viewers and garner negative reaction and lower ratings. Require the networks to use crawls and you build in a limiter with how much of it they can get away with.

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i don't really notice product placement. to have it brought to me attention would just distract me. in fact, now that i think about it i can't recall the last time i saw blatant product placement in a scripted (non-"reality") show. most of the time i see those fake names writers use so they have to pay for the right to use an actual brand name.

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In Japan they air a 10 Second Announcement before a show starts with the companies who sponsored the following program.

Is it that hard to do that? I think not.

They could simply show who sponsors the following part of the program until the next commercial break. "This following segment is (in part) sponsored by that stupid chewing gum" (-> Smallville).

That should be enough.

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Are they f****ing idiots? Who needs more junk filling up their screens? Here's the rule of thumb with me; if you integrate product placement well, so that it's a natural part of the scene or story, then I don't mind. If it sticks out like a small thumb, I won't ever buy that product because it will have annoyed the hell out of me. The last thing I need is a tag at the bottom of the screen pointing out to me that they're trying to subliminally manipulate me.

What a moronic idea.

Oh and product placement has only been done well, once, on Arrested Development with Burger King (which is ironic as I normally avoid BK). All others (Staples in The Office, whatever-it-was in 30 Rock, Cisco in 24/The Office, Honda in Heroes) just annoy the tits off me.

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With DVD sales (and merchandising) being such a moneymaker now - ALL of it is a commercial!! If anything, cable TV rates should be going down since we are paying so much for being shown so little programming nowadays.

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Ed you are absolutely correct when you said that if they "integrate product placement well, so that it's a natural part of the scene or story, then I don't mind."

That is the point, the writers don't WANT to do this. They should be writing their story, not having to write in their story.

I think this is just to prove a point and nothing more.

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Is there really anyone so stupid not to realize all of the Coca Cola stuff on Idol?

The truth is that there should be a limit on the intrusions on screen during a show. With all the "promos" and other visual interuptions, there are certain shows, and some cable networks that I find I can not watch enjoyably.

The tilt on this, added to all the ATT sponsered show, with Sprint half time report and Verizon line ups are making these "advertiser incentives" intrusive and so conflicting that as a viewer I am offended at all of them.\

Any idiot who is unaware of all of these intrusions can not have an IQ above 50.

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I meant to say "not having to write ads in their story."

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Hello!

Watch an episode of HOUSE once in a while.

FOX airs a 'promotional consideration' slate before the end credits of every episode.

FOX SPORTS also airs a similar screen at the end of their pre-game shows.

It's not that hard to do.

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Hell no, I don't want this! I remember how pissed off I got when the networks started putting their logo in the corner of the screen years ago. Who knew it would escalate into what it's become today??? Seeing a crawl or any other interruption proclaiming a featured product's virtues would destroy the show I'm watching. I mean, hell, why don't they just draw a little neon halo around the products while they are on screen? Or they could even make them glow with sparkling gold CGI accents the entire time so we don't miss them! Crazy. Simply insane crazy!

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Aren't most shows just ads to make you buy the DVDs these days anyway?

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Maybe if enough people say it, the advertising morons will get the idea -- product placement is one thing; great, so, you drive a Ford, you drink a Coke, life is good. But do you have to TELL ME Ford or Coke PAID to be in the show? As others have said, you want to piss me off, well, that's an awesome way to do it. Sometimes it's best to be SUBTLE -- maybe we will see that soft drink can on the table and say, wow, so and so drinks Coke, I want to be like them, maybe I'll check it out sometime. But if I have to know Coke paid for that placement, well, I might just have to start drinking Pepsi.

Thank you. I feel better now. Sort of :)

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imo, a crawl would be too obtrusive...
i'd vote for a centralized site where we, as viewers, can look at what product placement is featured in what shows, with a disclaimer at the beginning of said shows informing us of the website.

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