# It's a shame we can't watch television in 2014 without seeing ... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330 "2014-08-24T00:01:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/61 "2014-08-27T03:40:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If they didn’t advertise, how would they convince anyone to buy cancer, diabetes, or heart disease? U win the interwebz. ---
**Author:** ![7e42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/51bf81/32.png) [@7e42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7e42)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/62 "2014-08-27T03:41:39Z")
Medical should be advertised in magazines ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/63 "2014-08-27T03:52:30Z")
> [@GreenElf](#): > > I guess commercials are geared toward the aging population. I remember the common commercials in the 70s, such as Nair pantyhose, were for younger people. We need more pantyhose commercials and less cancer commercials. Baldness remedy commmercials are my least favorite. Nair…pantyhose? 😕 Nair was a product to remove leg hair chemically, without shaving - really nasty stuff. Pantyhose were what natural blondes like myself wore with skirts so our leg hair wouldn’t show. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/64 "2014-08-27T18:59:16Z")
> [@7e42](#): > > CANCER, DIABETES, and HEART DISEASE. > > Who the hell wants to see those depressing commercials while they are in the process of watch one fo their shows? What happened to commercials about cookies, veggies, plastic ware, and detergent? > Just sickening to see these commercials over and over again. We didn’t see this 15 years ago I’ll take those over DISABILITY (SCAM) LAWYER, VAGINAL MESH, and MALE ENHANCEMENT commercials over and over any day. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/65 "2014-08-27T19:14:03Z")
> [@7e42](#): > > I don’t have that option You should get internet access. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/66 "2014-08-27T19:36:24Z")
> [@7e42](#): > > I don’t have that option Same. Damn you, TNT…! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/67 "2014-08-27T19:50:33Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > I’ll take those over DISABILITY (SCAM) LAWYER, VAGINAL MESH, and MALE ENHANCEMENT commercials over and over any day. Watch a lot of GSN, I take it? (I find it so strange that that sort of stuff is dominant on gameshows - both GSN and game shows on other channels…) ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/68 "2014-08-27T20:35:55Z")
The OP isn’t completely off base. (It’s been 17 years not 15). Before 1997, pharmaceutial commercials were not allowed on TV (or magazines). > **[Direct-to-consumer advertising](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct-to-consumer_advertising)** > > Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) refers to the marketing and advertising of pharmaceutical products directly to consumers as patients, as opposed to specifically targeting health professionals. The term is synonymous primarily with the advertising of prescription medicines via mass media platforms—most commonly on television and in magazines, but also via online platforms. > Direct-to-consumer advertising is only completely legal in New Zealand and the United States, but are subject to regul... Apparently, only in the USA and New Zealand can pharmaceutical companies have commercials on TV. ---
**Author:** ![HipGnosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/76d3ee/32.png) [@HipGnosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HipGnosis)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/69 "2014-08-27T21:22:55Z")
Yes, it is 2014, and that means you CAN watch TV withOUT ads. It’s done via a DVR; digital video recorder. Once you have one, you never watch TV the same. You fastforward right through those pesky ads. If there’s a Victoria’s Secret ad, you rewind and watch it in slow motion. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/70 "2014-08-27T22:44:31Z")
There’s also a power button. ---
**Author:** ![BaldDudePeekskill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/71 "2014-08-28T00:28:43Z")
I was going to say a Kardashian…real shame they’re still going strong ---
**Author:** ![7e42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/51bf81/32.png) [@7e42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7e42)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/72 "2014-08-28T00:51:03Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > I’ll take those over DISABILITY (SCAM) LAWYER, VAGINAL MESH, and MALE ENHANCEMENT commercials over and over any day. why can’t be like back in the day? Commercials about cookies detergent veggies toilet cleaner Chips Juice cars water restaurants ---
**Author:** ![7e42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/51bf81/32.png) [@7e42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7e42)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/73 "2014-08-28T00:52:45Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > You should get internet access. I have Internet, when the commercials I am on the web but I can still hear the depressing medical commercials ---
**Author:** ![7e42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/51bf81/32.png) [@7e42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7e42)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/74 "2014-08-28T00:55:44Z")
> [@HipGnosis](#): > > Yes, it is 2014, and that means you CAN watch TV withOUT ads. > It’s done via a DVR; digital video recorder. Once you have one, you never watch TV the same. You fastforward right through those pesky ads. If there’s a Victoria’s Secret ad, you rewind and watch it in slow motion. I can’t afford a DVR ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/75 "2014-08-28T01:59:59Z")
> [@HipGnosis](#): > > Yes, it is 2014, and that means you CAN watch TV withOUT ads. > It’s done via a DVR; digital video recorder. Once you have one, you never watch TV the same. You fastforward right through those pesky ads. If there’s a Victoria’s Secret ad, you rewind and watch it in slow motion. And they come in every flavor of kool-aid, too. ---
**Author:** ![HipGnosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/76d3ee/32.png) [@HipGnosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HipGnosis)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/76 "2014-08-28T20:37:44Z")
> [@7e42](#): > > I can’t afford a DVR Then you’ve mis-named this thread. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/77 "2014-08-28T21:24:04Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Frankly, I’ll take them over feminine hygiene products any day. I don’t know about that. I mean, _in theory_, sure, it could be squicky, but those ads are always so oblique and filled with euphemism that they just fade into the background. It’s not as if they’re being direct and literal: > [@](#): > > [_A professional-looking 30-something woman walks briskly through an office, holding papers and conferring with a co-worker._] > WOMAN (_voiceover_): I’m a girl on the go! So, when I’m expelling blood and tissue from my vagina, letting it pool around my ankles is not an option. That’s why I trust: AbsorboPads! Etc. ---
**Author:** ![butterfiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@butterfiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butterfiles)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/78 "2014-08-28T21:38:09Z")
I find most commercials annoying but especially the medical ones & the dating ones, which is why I usually hit mute or change the channel for a couple of minutes. Or avoid altogether & watch a dvd. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/79 "2014-08-28T23:39:14Z")
> [@](#): > > [A professional-looking 30-something woman walks briskly through an office, holding papers and conferring with a co-worker.] > WOMAN (voiceover): I’m a girl on the go! So, when I’m expelling blood and tissue from my vagina, letting it pool around my ankles is not an option. That’s why I trust: AbsorboPads! Blood pooling around the ankles is A-OK in today’s pragmatic business environment, but [a tattoo of a butterfly on your ankle](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=731358) is definitely unprofessional. ---
**Author:** ![7e42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/51bf81/32.png) [@7e42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7e42)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330/80 "2014-08-28T23:40:00Z")
> [@butterfiles](#): > > I find most commercials annoying but especially the medical ones & the dating ones, which is why I usually hit mute or change the channel for a couple of minutes. Or avoid altogether & watch a dvd. give me a dating commercial any day of the week over a cancer commercial [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-shame-we-cant-watch-television-in-2014-without-seeing/696330.md?page=5)