COMMERCIALS

 

It’s not possible for me to know just how much television you, dear reader, watch. I can only report on or talk about what me, myself and I watch. Since I read far more than I watch, my watching habits tend to be directed more toward old programs rather than new ones on Netflix or Prime, the only two pay-to-watch channels to which I subscribe. I also rarely watch TV during the day and generally for a brief time after I get in bed because I set the timer which usually goes off after I fall asleep.

          I’ve been noticing for some time that the majority of the commercials I see in the evening have to do with the new WP-1 drugs, i.e., Wegovy, Jardiance, etc. It makes me wonder if the pharmaceutical companies choose these times in order to reach the greater majority of overweight Americans.

Another popular one in the evening seems to be for a site that sells some kind of self-defense weapon guaranteed to stop that bad guy when he’s sixty feet away. All this is discussed while the actor carries and eats a banana, i.e., “I’m not afraid of that guy because I’ve got my banana.” I have no idea what product they are advertising because I haven’t visited the site that sells it.

Just this morning, feeling extremely tired, I began my day by watching Leave it to Beaver and Perry mason before getting out of bed. I followed that up with a latte and sweet roll while I watched Matlock. Again, the advertising seemed to be directed to the older population, probably because most folks who aren’t in need of Medicare are off at work. All the commercials seemed to be for one or another organization that offers a Medicare Advantage plan. Some seem to offer dental, vision and other aspects of health care.

All this commercial viewing leaves me wondering if there are other commercials directed toward the younger folks out there. I guess I’ll need to change my viewing habits, or extend the time periods, in order to find out. But, do I really want to or care…nope.