Walk of Shame

There's a new advert on the TV currently for AMP Energy drink entitled "Walk of No Shame" that may be proof that pop culture is ruled by frat boys. Basically, the ad has various people singing about hooking up, walking home in last night's clothing and powering through the day with the help of a sugary caffeine beverage. All well and good, except why is this an acceptable commercial subject when our broadcast rules won't let movie dialogue contain "God Damn" or show a nipple?

The walk of shame has lost much of the negative connotation...just the fact that there's a commercial on network TV about it proves how the subject is not edgy. Additionally, in our modern, sexually "progressive" (arguable, since we Americans approach sex like we do alcohol consumption...bingingly, almost unnaturally) the morning after strut isn't a bad thing: "What is so damn wrong with getting your freak on and waiting until morning to venture back home?"

So, why is this topic being mined for humor? Two possible reasons...the first of which may be that we've forgotten what's funny in commercials. Since the 90's, advertising agencies have been aggressively pushing funny commercial ideas. It is rare, excluding car commercials, to see a non-humorous commercial that pushes either madcap or absurd premises. Take, for instance, the ridiculous Bud Light "Now Comes With" superpowers commercials to see how nonsensical commercials can be in the pursuit of the desired laugh.

Second, and more serious in my opinion, is that there are too many frat boys running amok out there on Madison Avenue. What? That seems like a logical jump, but bear with me: Fraternities, in general, are populated with young men who go on to many successful careers. These men are also part of an establishment that is overwhelming misogynistic and sexist. Before you frat boys flood me with angry entreaties that they are service organizations, let's get to the point...you're guys, you love sex, and you love alcohol. Much of the humor that comes from the frat mindset (and you don't have to be a frat brother to have the frat mindset) originate from their love of sex and alcohol. Out of this boozy cauldron of tits, testosterone and irresponsibility comes the Walk of Shame joke. Now, the frat boys grow up, graduate, marry, and get a great job as an ad exec at BBDO in New York, and your client wants to reach college kids with another Red Bull rip-off. What do you do? You naturally pitch what you know.

This is dangerous people. Society is already stupid (see the popularity of Tela Tequila or Flavor Flav as irrefutable proof)...do we need frat boys ruling our airwaves? What's next: Kebler Elves sell the ookie-cookie? American Apparel line designed to appeal to beer pong players?

I remember doing the walks where the sun feels just a little too bright and your clothes feel incredibly inappropriate...doesn't make me want to drink an AMP. You fail, frat boy, I'm sure you'll try again.