The Worst Commercial

Hello!

Have you ever found yourself going about your day, minding your own business, only to find yourself assaulted by a commercial that was so bad, it was mind baffling?  That you had to stop and pause to think about why someone of seemingly sound mind would make such a thing?  There has been a commercial that has bothered, disturbed, annoyed, and creeped me out for a couple of years now and every now and then it rears its terrifying head and I'm reminded all over again of the discomfort it brings.  It is for the organization Kars4Kids.  Oh.my.god.  Have you seen or heard the wonderful variations of this floating around on radio and TV?  If not, here is a place to start.   Warning - that commercial is not for the faint of heart.  I couldn't listen to more than a few seconds of that. 

I'm not entirely clear on what the organization does, but it is my understanding it has some ties to possibly assisting the Orthodox Jewish community and their children.  What disturbs me is that someone thought it was acceptable to make this commercial in this fashion.  I can only think they were going for the "cutesy" angle, as in attempting to get me, the potential donor, to think: Oh!  Look at those cute kids, I will ship my kar out on the next boat because they sure do need it since they are so gosh darn cute!  Wrong.  Think again.  I do NOT think those kids are cute and I don't find their attempts at pretending to play in that band amusing.  The kids in that commercial do a poor job of pretending to look enthused in that fake band they have there, which is in part why I can't turn away, look at their faces!  Are they even happy to be there?!  The kids themselves look disturbed!  I can't say I blame the kids in any of this, where are the responsible adults who let this be produced and released into the universe?  Where are they?  I will never donate my kar (or car, since I don't own a "kar") to an organization that appears to have put so little thought into their marketing materials AND who has managed to produce something so annoying that it sends a shiver down my back when I hear it.  Just because you throw some kids on a screen does not mean you will get my sympathy or my money, especially when I feel like Rod Serling could easily use some of those kids in a creepy Twilight Zone episode had this been close to sixty years ago.  When I see a charitable cause, it should evoke a sense of wanting to give, not wanting to take your money (or kar in this case) and head for the hills.  

Not only do you have the kids in the band, the "visual" aspect, but of course, there is the song, the auditory.  The jingle itself.  The commercial would not be the piece of art that it is today without that annoying melody ringing in your ear.  There is something cringe worthy about that jingle.  It may be simple in tune, but the complex emotions it awakens in my mind are far from simple to comprehend. 

I have wondered many a time about this commercial, especially when it comes on TV or radio.  The one question I always have is, do other people feel the same way?  I think to an extent, there are at least some that share my sentiment.  I am not discouraging anyone from donating to this or any other charity, far from it; you should donate to those causes you feel appropriate, but I am merely pointing out as a lone observer, this is not how the organization will get my attention or donation.  There is something inherently irritating about this commercial and that alone will hinder my providing any assistance.  Perhaps Kars4Kids needs to reconvene, as it has been a while since these commercials have been in rotation and come up with fresh ideas on how to get those "kars" so the darn kids will be alright.

Sincerely,

Carrie

Song of the Day:  "She Drives Me Crazy" by Fine Young Cannibals