I have a beef with drug commercials. Aside from the fact that you can't buy them and a doctor has to prescribe them, I find that they all seem to follow a similar script. First, they describe symptoms and how they make your life unhappy along with videos of scratching, sneezing, wheezing, running to the can, or whatever it takes, along with the hope that their drug could eliminate your miseries. The second part is the most distracting and (IMHO) despicable, as they begin to recite possible side effects. The video and audio now turn to happy times, dancing, kissing grandbabies, outdoor BBQs, hugging puppies, and smiles all around, anything to distract your attention and ignore the warnings. Finally, they have a quick wrap-up to exhort you to contact your doctor.
While I normally just mute these commercials as they never apply to me, every once in a while I'll watch the first part and then close my eyes and just listen to the second part. It's amazing how much more dire these warnings are when your eyes are not involved.
Once more thing: Is a warning that states "Do not take this product if you're allergic to it" really necessary? Are some people really that stupid? I guess we both know that answer. Sigh...
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