Commercials that piss me off, Pt. IV

[Click for parts 1, 2, and 3]

First, it had the E. coli outbreak in December of 2006, forcing it to shut down dozens of stores in five states. Then, it had the rat infestation in New York City in February 2007. Now, Taco Bell has created another major catastrophe: its newest commercial featuring a spokesperson even more annoying than the talking chihuahua, the former “Man Show” host and noted douchebag Adam Carolla.

As if simply having Carolla as a spokesperson weren’t bad enough, the commercial itself is sexist. Granted, the majority of Taco Bell’s repeat customers are 18- to 20-something-year-old men, but by claiming its “Big Bell Box” is “a meal made for men” (leaving aside their liberal use of the word “meal”), Taco Bell tells women that it’s not for them. The most obvious, and insulting, thing about this commercial is that it reinforces the sexist expectation that women must watch what they eat, and that only small portions of low-fat foods are appropriate for us. Men, on the other hand, are free to – heck, obligated to – eat large portions of high-fat, high-calorie, meat-heavy foods. No wonder women live longer than men, on average.

Unapologetically Female and Feminocracy already have excellent blog posts on this, and Unapologetically Female lists all the other ways that this 15-second spot reinforces sexist stereotypes about women, men and eating.

So, Taco Bell, congratulations on a great new marketing strategy. You’ve just told over half of the population that you don’t want their business. If you want to complain to Taco Bell, the form is here.