Lindsay Abramson is an Account Coordinator at Laughlin Constable in Milwaukee where she lives with her husband and their cat, Escher. She enjoys live theater, the skinny caramel macchiato at Starbucks, and participating in social media. Interested in what she says? Follow her on Twitter @Lindsay82309.
As many of you may have heard, FOX has refused to air a Super Bowl ad for AshleyMadison.com, a discreet matchmaking site meant for individuals looking to cheat on a spouse. The network stated that Standards & Practices deemed the spot “not acceptable.”
In other words? Not yenta approved.
Having grown up a NJG (Nice Jewish Girl) I’d have to say that FOX is making the right decision. As a Conservadox Jew, I grew up learning that the Jewish faith views marriage as a beautiful, personal and sacred commitment. And I married my husband with that in mind. Judaism recognizes that marriage may not be easy. That’s why one of the foundations behind a successful marriage in Judaism is shalom bayit, or peace in the home. This is the idea and practice of preserving a level of harmony between a husband and wife. This can only be achieved through mutual respect, compassion, and compromise. I promise cheating is not, and never will be, a part of that equation.
When I was listening to the radio on my way to work the other day, I heard the following three arguments from some AshleyMadison supporters (or FOX opponents). Here they are, along with my two-cents:
Why does a network that airs shows such as Family Guy now want to take the moral high ground?
My two-cents: Whether you think Family Guy is a moral show or not, you can’t compare it to a commercial. Airing a commercial that is trying to get people to do something immoral is not the same as airing a show that depicts fictional characters doing immoral things.
While this ad may glorify and support cheating it’s no worse than the plethora of Super Bowl beer commercials that promote drinking.
My two-cents: I agree that beer commercials glorify drinking but here’s my thought on this one: An individual can drink responsibly but a person can’t cheat responsibly.
It’s ironic that they won’t air this commercial during one of the largest sporting events of the year when professional athletes themselves are notorious for infidelity.
My two-cents: This argument has absolutely no legitimacy. Yes, it’s true that professional athletes tend to stray. It’s also true that Charlie Sheen seems to enjoy cocaine and prostitutes. Should we start showing commercials about that during Two and a Half Men? I think not.
After thoroughly analyzing the situation I’d have to say I give two thumbs up to FOX for not airing this ad. I’d also have to say that this was likely a smart and calculated move on the part of AshleyMadison. They knew the likelihood of FOX agreeing to air the ad was slim to none, but they also knew the rejection of the ad would get them the press they needed. And boy, were they right.
So what do you think? Am I right or completely wrong?
(Image: Katie Tegtmeyer via Flickr CC)
Ashley Madison gets free press, Fox gets to take the moral high road, it looks like a win win situation.
A commercial isn’t going to cause someone to cheat. I am not saying that it should be aired, but the reason not to isn’t for fear of what someone might do.
I almost thought about re-posting this because you’ve supported your reasoning so well. I thought again, why give this more free press than there already is? Of course this is a despicable advertising attempt.
I don’t have a television for the purpose of watching much broadcasting at all, only dvd’s, I would not permit the above-mentioned shows to be watched in my household, so in effect I am boycotting most advertising shown on television because I don’t approve of the networks’ standards. However my husband loves sports and Super Bowl commercials are supposed to be some of the best! How sad it would be if people (including children!) gathered for Super Bowl fun were at least temporarily interrupted by this nonsense!
Not that I’ll suddenly take a liking to Fox, but great decision, Fox!
Well, this one is news to me, and I’ve heard of AshleyMadison but I’m appalled that they would even approach FOX about airing their ad during the Superbowl. None of the arguments listed here jive well with me because the bottom line (and the motto apparently supported by AM) remains the same: that it’s okay to cheat on your spouse.
Want to have sex with 500 men (or women)? Fine. But then don’t take a sacred vow to devote yourself to your spouse. It is something that transcends all religions.
Oh, and this doesn’t make me like FOX more or anything, but I do agree with their decision-making 😉 LOL!!
Jack,
You say: “A commercial isn’t going to cause someone to cheat.” I think that’s too flippant.
Of course, a commercial won’t spontaneously create in a given person the deep-seated issues that cause infidelity. But cheating is at least in part a question of opportunity, and, inherently, a question of being able to get away with it. AM.com, insofar as it makes it easier to find a willing partner and to hide the cheating from one’s spouse, does make cheating easier. And what’s easier to do is done more. If we talk large numbers, then, statistically speaking, AM might “cause” some additional cheating.