Funny ads are great, but BMW’s new one is playing for the wrong kind of yucks. In the new spot for the company’s X5 SUV viewers don’t learn much about the car, but they learn more than they want to about Granny’s sex life.
And we can all thank “50 Shades of Grey” for what one admirer called “mainstreaming kink.”
In the ad, Granny, the annoying back seat driver, is in the third row of the car, with her grandkids in the second row, Mom driving and Dad riding shotgun. Looking at the interior, Granny says, “This leather is fancy.”
Mom: “Yeah, it’s the uh, premium package.”
Granny: “Ah, your grandfather loved it when I wore leather … he was a very dominant man …”
Dad: “Mom!”
Granny: “What? … Can you pick up the pace, I’m 80.”
Well, BMW may be smart to cash in on the “50 Shades of Grey” frenzy the pop media’s been stoking for the release of the film based on the “mommy porn” best seller. But that means more inappropriate messaging in places where you wouldn’t likely encounter smut – like the kids’ toothbrush aisle at Target.
On the other hand, at least we know BMW is trying to sell us luxury cars. NBC’s “TODAY” finished up “50 Shades Week” on Friday. The hosts oohed and ahhed over the film (to a creepy extent), showed trailers and hosted a fan screening. What they didn’t let on was the week was an exercise in incestuous pimping. NBC sister company Focus Features produced the “50 Shades” movie. Apparently, Brian Williams isn’t the only one at the Peacock Network with ethical issues.
