Selling Out
Peace of Mind or Dollars!
Whenever I see an advert on British television, there's inevitably a voiceover by a British comedian, who used to look down their rebellious noses in their youth at the old comedians who used to 'sell out' to big companies. Some even deny now that they were ever that rebellious in the first place.
We all play the game to some extent. I could write about my favorite soccer team Luton Town till the cows come home, but I know that not many people would be that interested.
Iggy, John, Bob - the Three Stooges?
Singer Iggy Pop has recently made an advert for car insurance, and former Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten/John Lydon has appeared in a butter commercial. I don't have too much of a problem with either advert or their appearing in them. If they were appearing in bank adverts, I'd be less happy. This BBC article here has some interesting comments from American comedian Bill Hicks, who said: "If you do an advert then you are off the artistic register forever." Harsh? The comments from people underneath the article mostly have no sympathy for Iggy or John, and that's because in being rebellious rock icons they made a rod for their own backs. Ditto Bob Dylan and Starbucks!
How many movie stars appear in rubbish films, and then years later condemn the movie - though they were happy to pocket the cash at the time.
We should all have some sort of integrity, whether we are creative people or not. With me, it's about not being a creep. If I don't like something or someone I won't acquiesce just so as not to rock the boat. It holds me back, but it's nice to have a good night's sleep.
Published by Paul Rance
Paul Rance is the co-founder, with Andrew Bruce, of small UK publishing company, Peace & Freedom Press, which began publishing in 1985. Paul founded the booksmusicfilmstv.com website in 2005. View profile
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35 Comments
Post a CommentI, too, prefer the good night's sleep.
I agree with Loki!! good job!
People work for a living. I try to do a good job, whether writing or repairing a firearm, but the idea is to earn money.
Not being a creep is good. (= hehe
As long as we're doing no harm with the writing or appearances, why not? you'd think Johnny Rotten would be in a commercial for rancid butter.(Hey, Rancid Butter could be a great name for a new music group. Pretty slick.)
Do what ya gotta do....
Be true to yourself! Good thoughts.
I really liked this. Maybe it is just a question of balance in things.
Good points. I remember when Eric Clapton let one of his songs be used in a commercial and everybody raged over it. He pulled the commercial and made a public apology.
A butter commercial? Oh, that's just sad. LOL