By Charles Dull

In the 60’s, when most of us started to get a television in our homes, we had three options, and that was if you lived in a populated area and could adjust your rabbit ears just right. We ate dinner together, stopped our day, and gathered as a family to watch our favorite shows. We had Ed Sullivan, Jack Paar, Walter Cronkite, and commercials.  Television was a babysitter, family entertainment, and free world information center. During that era we watched as a president was assassinated and later as a man walked on the moon. When a commercial break came on, no one was concerned about what was going to be advertised. Usually the options were household appliances, cleaners, cars, and foods. The spokes model was generally dressed in nice attire, and the focus was on the benefits of the item. The viewing options continued to be palatable throughout much of the 60’s.

Changes began to creep in during the 70’s. We became introduced to Archie Bunker, Sony and Cher, and news that became more graphic with the cost of the Vietnam War. But the one thing that grabbed America’s attention was the controversy over Jane Russell and her 18 Hour Bra.  We had moved into the era of discussing our underwear. Yet, even though the advertisement was focusing on the product, it was being sold in a method where the viewing audience was glued to looking at Jane Russell’s… well you know.  Once Pandora’s box was opened the lid was not going to be closed. Since the advent of unmentionables being mentioned, the 70’s were filled with advertisements of personal items.

Over the next twenty years television grew with cable and satellite, and ads focused less on the product and more on the persuasive allure of the spokes model. Then came the 90’s. Jane Russell’s ad seemed saline compared to Victoria’s Secret. Then men and their needs broke into the media when Bob Dole laid it all out there regarding his dysfunctional issue. He told America that he was able to reclaim an important part of his manhood.

          Where we are now is amazing yet chaotic. Hundreds of channels are available with thousands of choices 24 hours a day. The advertising world has taken full advantage of the opportunity. We have now moved well beyond Viagra ads and into selling elicit material. The reality is that sex sells and sells large. Just look at the Carl Jr. hamburger advertisement with Paris Hilton. Now, if many products don’t take the salacious format of advertising, the product may not sell. It makes you wonder if the product is worth having.

          Advertisements are not the only things that have changed in our household. Rarely do we gather together and eat a meal as a family, and if we plan on using the television as a babysitter, we’d better choose the right channel or not leave a child alone in the room.