Frosted Flake
August 20, 2008 by Douglas · Leave a Comment
So according to nydailynews.com, Michael Phelps, the eight gold medal winning superstar, is being criticized as an irresponsible gangly freak who is going to inspire our kids to eat junk food and become obese.
Uhhhm Earth to scientists at Mount Sinai Medical Center – SHUT UP!
Okay, so I am positive that this story is getting any kind of attention because Michael Phelps is a rock legend now when it comes to Olympic Medals. I mean, if you can’t rain on some one’s parade right after they have dominated on a global scale… then you just ain’t living in America!
And are you seriously telling me that kids are going to see Michael Phelps and hear his story about how much he has to work out and practice to attain such feats… and then dive right into their fourth bowl of sugar crusted cereal? No of course not!
The story goes like this: Michael Phelps signed a deal with Kellogg’s to appear on the Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes boxes along side Tony the Tiger. Have you been seeing the Frosted Flakes commercials lately? They are all about Tony the Tiger hanging around kids actively achieving in team-oriented sports. You see him in volleyball and basketball courts, and on baseball diamonds – with kids running and playing and having fun exercising.
“I would rather see him promoting Fiber One. I would rather see him promoting oatmeal. I would even rather see him promoting Cheerios.” – Rebecca Solomon of Mount Sinai Medical Center.
The reverse of this, and what really makes me say ANYTHING about this at all, is that I myself watch the Olypics… and I sit through the commercials that they play during said Olympics. I don’t recall seeing any oatmeal commercials getting any air time. I don’t even remember seeing the Quaker contingent of the US Olympic Team earning any medals!
You know what commercials I did see, Rebecca? I saw a plethora of commercials for McDonald’s and Coca Cola. It wasn’t even Diet Coke. I don’t hear many complaints going to NBC for selecting those advertisers. Sure they are sponsors of the Olypics, but then why not go after the Olympic Committee and ask them to allow different sponsors? ‘Cause money talks, sister. That’s why.
So next time you want to play the pre-blame game for fat kids in America, put down your Valu-Mart Mega Sized Grease Muffin and Starbucks Mocha-Choca-Latte, and have a sit down with a few parents that make the cereal purchasing choices – not the accomplished athlete who has been working his ass off for the last four years to give you something to bitch about.
I'm an independent web developer and copywriter. When I'm not gazing into the seductive mistress of the internet, I'm helping to raise my two daughters (1 teen, 1 pre-teen) and hyperactive 5 year-old kung-fu master son. Blissfully and happily married to my wife, Kristen - as we try to survive the epic daily battles of suburban life in Maple Valley, WA.