Monday, February 07, 2011

Norwegian Association of the Blind TV commercials: Humorous, yes. Offensive?



(via) Being sighted, I really can't say. I'm assuming Oslo ad agency Try used blind actors. At least, they better have. Here's the third spot from the campaign. I'm busy this week, so you tell me what you think in the comments. I think they should have been funnier. Related: an inappropriate PSA humor round-up.

6 Comments:

Blogger Tom Megginson said...

I would say "no", since the client presumably approved them, and they are the expert in unsighted advocacy in that country.

I think they're pretty good, but admit I had the same reservations.

http://workthatmatters.blogspot.com/2011/02/turning-blind-eye.html

Nice to see them on YouTube now. I had a hell of a time with those uploads.

9:37 AM  
Anonymous -1-track-mind- said...

Offensive?

NO, MALODOROUS!

Contrary to popular belief about the blind having other highly developed senses, such as a keen sense of hearing or an above-average sense of smell. Not necessarily true.

Blind people tend to use their other senses more effectively and with more awareness, out of necessity.

Still, I can't help but think that these visually impaired, efficient workers could smell all the shenanigans going on and would later take part in the office gossip mill.

1:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Of course they're not offensive. It's not like blind people are ever going to see them.

7:39 AM  
Blogger Nomad said...

Funny enough, I would say the first one is offensive but the second isn't. The first shows that a boss can do inappropriate things in the office and because he has hired a blind person, they can be kept quiet.
I find that disturbing. "A blind person will let you keep your dirty secrets better because they cannot see what you are REALLY doing."
The second one however is less offensive because it shows how more efficient you can be without the social restraints of actually seeing the person you are talking to. Kind of like talking to somebody on the phone in the bathroom. :)
In that second one I was expecting the woman to undress and you realize that it was a man in drag and by the end of the ad, the man would be totally back in male attire and ready for a meeting.
Thanks for sharing.

4:06 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

These are hilarious, devoid of pity, correctness and otherness. I'm a crip. We approve. My blind friends love this stuff.

10:10 PM  
Blogger dz said...

I think they are funny and clever but I'm pretty sure most blind people would hear what was happening! Norway has some great commercials, and I love listening to the language.

5:00 PM  

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