I’m Legit Disappointed by Jenny Lewis
by Katie
Do I really have to explain why?
This is a bit of a feminist scandal because, well, we were always pretty down with J. Lew’s unapologetic awesomeness, and yet here’s a Rilo Kiley song (about prostitution) all up in this commercial about food/sex/diets/beauty standards/naughty indulgences. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to eat the burger or have sex with it, but I do know that sickening crunch it makes every time Audrina bites into the thing is not appetizing.
Oh Jenny, Blake, Jason, and Pierre. Is this a creative control issue? A we-need-cash-fast-at-the-low-low-price-of-our-integrity issue? I keep thinking I’ll wake up and this commercial won’t exist any more, but I know that won’t happen.
Possibly the only thing more insulting than the ad itself is this “making of” promo:
In the first place, who the fuck wrote Audrina’s “testimonial?” Do you really need product placement in the product-placement promo of an ad for your product???? Apparently you do.
In the second, how about after 1:50, when the directors try to convince us that it’s ok to make sexist advertisements because there are women involved? “I’m not sexist! I have friends who are women!” And then, as if we’re not grinding our teeth hard enough, those smug assholes remark that it’s not just “the beautiful women” in this ad, and they cut away from all the thin women in makeup and jewelery to a heavy woman in a cap and sunglasses. Oh Carl’s Jr! How chivalrous of you to give the fatties a place to work.
Whatever Rilo Kiley’s reason for letting their song be licensed in this way, well, I’ll hear it. I don’t want to give up on them so easily! To completely cop out, I never actually see Carl’s Jr commercials except on the internet anyway. So, I’m disappointed, but willing to discuss the future. Jenny, call me.
