POLL: Do you find the Joe Boxer ad offensive? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 11-19-2013, 11:40 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVhIMr4ScI

Controversy Erupts Over Kmart's Joe Boxer Christmas Commercial (VIDEO)

A new Kmart commercial that depicts a group of men in boxer shorts shaking their booty to a commonly sung Christmas carol has some viewer's undies in a bunch.
The 55-second ad created an online maelstrom yesterday and today when it was aired on national TV.

The commercial, dubbed "Show Your Joe," begins with a wide angle shot of six men, who appear to be dressed in tuxedos, standing behind a curtain while ringing bells. However, a few seconds into the clip the curtain is whisked away, revealing the men's bottoms are clad in Joe Boxer underwear.

Racy? Not really, but it's what happens next that has some viewers up in arms.
The men squat down and begin shaking their booties to the song "Jingle Bells." The typical interpretation of their actions is that the men's testicles are swinging in their shorts, thus creating the bell sounds.

The commercial is part of a new advertising campaign for Joe Boxer, a brand of underwear and related apparel sold exclusively at Kmart and Sears, which are both owned by Sears Holdings.

The commercial has resulted in a flurry of criticism on Kmart's Facebook page, where words like "disgusting" and "distasteful" are peppered throughout many of the user comments.

"You can forget me stepping into any of your stores. Pull that ad off the air," one Facebook user wrote.

Another suggested the company find "someone to do better commercial writing."
However, not everyone is negative of the commercial.

"My daughter and I love the Joe Boxer commercial! Lighten up, people," said a mom from Columbus, Ohio.

One poster even called the commercial "Genius."

Contacted by The Huffington Post on Monday, a Kmart spokesperson said: "The Kmart 'Show Your Joe' commercial playfully showcases Joe Boxer's men's clothing available at Kmart. We regret if some people found the commercial offensive, as that was not our intent."

Kmart is known for its controversial ads, one of which featured customers using a play on words, "Ship My Pants" and another titled "Boxer Boogie" that starred actor/model Vaughn Lowery.

In regard to the most recent commercial, it appears Kmart has no plans to remove it, something Melissa Henson, national grassroots director for the Parents Television Council, said could hurt the company's sales.

"I think it is a bad move on Kmart's part. Kmart is one of those stores that has traditionally been considered a family brand ... The backlash can be pretty bad. The brand has been suffering and may have a hard time recovering from this if they alienate a lot of customers," Henson told HuffPost.

Henson also said the commercial is likely to create "a lot of awkward moments for parents."

While Kmart’s ad has obviously upset some viewers, the company has succeeded in creating a buzz. Only time will tell if that buzz has a positive or negative impact on the company.

shotzette · 11-19-2013, 11:58 PM

LOL! I can't beleive that this is considered controversial. The song in question is Jingle Bells. Granted, if the choreography was set to something more secular, like "O little town of bethlehem" or "what child is this?", I'd understand. Some people have nothing better to do than live in a constant state of offense. I pity them.

Wawwie · 11-20-2013, 12:19 AM

who cares

Zoneboy · 11-20-2013, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

who cares

Family Ties Forever! · 11-20-2013, 04:58 AM

I don't care for the commercial, but I'm sure some people will find it funny. I think it has the kind of humor that some find funny while others don't. The compnay was probably looking for attention and managed to get it.

Kmart stores closed down here years ago.

ponytail · 11-20-2013, 06:09 AM

I don't care for it myself but that's just me. I don't find it offensive. Times have certainly changed.

robyrob · 11-20-2013, 07:31 AM

i just fast-forward through it

cleverfun3000 · 11-20-2013, 12:24 PM

Since you asked, I must say that I, all my friends, acquaintances and associates find that commercial to be terribly and offensively GAY. After happening upon it ONCE, I now immediately get up and change the channel (whether I am in MY home or someone else's home.) I am not going to allow myself to be subjected to such B.S. And another thing: the men are not "shaking their booties". They are facing the camera full frontal, so if anything, they are twerking in their underwear. Not something I would spend even half a second viewing. In a word; Y U C K !!

tlc38tlc38 · 11-20-2013, 01:04 PM

Here's the thing---if this were women then NOBODY would care and there wouldn't be a controversy. People need to get over it! There's no difference in this commercial vs. a Victoria's Secret commercial...at least the guys have their shirts on.

shotzette · 11-20-2013, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

Here's the thing---if this were women then NOBODY would care and there wouldn't be a controversy. People need to get over it! There's no difference in this commercial vs. a Victoria's Secret commercial...at least the guys have their shirts on.

tlc38tlc38 · 11-20-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotzette

AHHHHH! You gave me the clap! HAHA!

Now, I think I'll go rewatch the video!

shotzette · 11-21-2013, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

AHHHHH! You gave me the clap! HAHA!

Now, I think I'll go rewatch the video!

Good one!

Torgo · 11-21-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleverfun3000

After happening upon it ONCE, I now immediately get up and change the channel (whether I am in MY home or someone else's home.)

You don't have a remote control?

MacLeaper · 11-21-2013, 05:54 PM

Quote:

LOL! I can't beleive that this is considered controversial. The song in question is Jingle Bells. Granted, if the choreography was set to something more secular, like "O little town of bethlehem" or "what child is this?", I'd understand. Some people have nothing better to do than live in a constant state of offense. I pity them.

As far as I'm concerned, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "What Child Is This?" are sacred songs and I would be much more incensed if they were used. However, I still find this ad disgusting and distasteful, to say the least. If women were in their underwear with bells fastened to their breasts or vaginas, it would be equally offensive. I realize the men are obviously all wearing Joe Boxers, but the obvious innuendo of their scrotums ringing out like a bell is terrible. I realize the product in question is underwear, but there needs to be some better ways to sell the product instead of having people in their underwear. The Victoria's Secrets ads are deplorable too and I am upset with such ads, whether it's men or women in them.

MacLeaper · 11-21-2013, 05:56 PM

And yes- if the ad does come on, I would change the channel as I don't want to see that and have my mind thinking on it- and that goes for Victoria's Secret commercials too. I do regularly change the channel when a certain Samuel L. Jackson commercial comes on because he curses in it.

View Poll Results: Does the commercial offend you?
Yes	10	33.33%
No	20	66.67%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll

11-19-2013, 11:40 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	POLL: Do you find the Joe Boxer ad offensive? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVhIMr4ScI Controversy Erupts Over Kmart's Joe Boxer Christmas Commercial (VIDEO) A new Kmart commercial that depicts a group of men in boxer shorts shaking their booty to a commonly sung Christmas carol has some viewer's undies in a bunch. The 55-second ad created an online maelstrom yesterday and today when it was aired on national TV. The commercial, dubbed "Show Your Joe," begins with a wide angle shot of six men, who appear to be dressed in tuxedos, standing behind a curtain while ringing bells. However, a few seconds into the clip the curtain is whisked away, revealing the men's bottoms are clad in Joe Boxer underwear. Racy? Not really, but it's what happens next that has some viewers up in arms. The men squat down and begin shaking their booties to the song "Jingle Bells." The typical interpretation of their actions is that the men's testicles are swinging in their shorts, thus creating the bell sounds. The commercial is part of a new advertising campaign for Joe Boxer, a brand of underwear and related apparel sold exclusively at Kmart and Sears, which are both owned by Sears Holdings. The commercial has resulted in a flurry of criticism on Kmart's Facebook page, where words like "disgusting" and "distasteful" are peppered throughout many of the user comments. "You can forget me stepping into any of your stores. Pull that ad off the air," one Facebook user wrote. Another suggested the company find "someone to do better commercial writing." However, not everyone is negative of the commercial. "My daughter and I love the Joe Boxer commercial! Lighten up, people," said a mom from Columbus, Ohio. One poster even called the commercial "Genius." Contacted by The Huffington Post on Monday, a Kmart spokesperson said: "The Kmart 'Show Your Joe' commercial playfully showcases Joe Boxer's men's clothing available at Kmart. We regret if some people found the commercial offensive, as that was not our intent." Kmart is known for its controversial ads, one of which featured customers using a play on words, "Ship My Pants" and another titled "Boxer Boogie" that starred actor/model Vaughn Lowery. In regard to the most recent commercial, it appears Kmart has no plans to remove it, something Melissa Henson, national grassroots director for the Parents Television Council, said could hurt the company's sales. "I think it is a bad move on Kmart's part. Kmart is one of those stores that has traditionally been considered a family brand ... The backlash can be pretty bad. The brand has been suffering and may have a hard time recovering from this if they alienate a lot of customers," Henson told HuffPost. Henson also said the commercial is likely to create "a lot of awkward moments for parents." While Kmart’s ad has obviously upset some viewers, the company has succeeded in creating a buzz. Only time will tell if that buzz has a positive or negative impact on the company.

11-20-2013, 04:58 AM	#5
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	I don't care for the commercial, but I'm sure some people will find it funny. I think it has the kind of humor that some find funny while others don't. The compnay was probably looking for attention and managed to get it. Kmart stores closed down here years ago.
	__________________ Jenny

11-20-2013, 06:09 AM	#6
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	I don't care for it myself but that's just me. I don't find it offensive. Times have certainly changed.
	__________________ Have A Amazing Day!

11-20-2013, 07:31 AM	#7
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,200	i just fast-forward through it
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11-19-2013, 11:58 PM	#2
shotzette Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2004 Posts: 1,782	LOL! I can't beleive that this is considered controversial. The song in question is Jingle Bells. Granted, if the choreography was set to something more secular, like "O little town of bethlehem" or "what child is this?", I'd understand. Some people have nothing better to do than live in a constant state of offense. I pity them.

11-20-2013, 12:19 AM	#3
Wawwie Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 26, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 14,376	who cares

11-20-2013, 12:24 PM	#8
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	Since you asked, I must say that I, all my friends, acquaintances and associates find that commercial to be terribly and offensively GAY. After happening upon it ONCE, I now immediately get up and change the channel (whether I am in MY home or someone else's home.) I am not going to allow myself to be subjected to such B.S. And another thing: the men are not "shaking their booties". They are facing the camera full frontal, so if anything, they are twerking in their underwear. Not something I would spend even half a second viewing. In a word; Y U C K !!

11-20-2013, 01:04 PM	#9
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,260	Here's the thing---if this were women then NOBODY would care and there wouldn't be a controversy. People need to get over it! There's no difference in this commercial vs. a Victoria's Secret commercial...at least the guys have their shirts on.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

11-21-2013, 05:56 PM	#15
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	And yes- if the ad does come on, I would change the channel as I don't want to see that and have my mind thinking on it- and that goes for Victoria's Secret commercials too. I do regularly change the channel when a certain Samuel L. Jackson commercial comes on because he curses in it.