WHERE SUCCESSFUL ADVERTISING MEETS LGBT EQUALITY

Sky Network Television Ltd., Motel/Super12

Members:

Two guys walk into a cheap motel -- one is a tall, husky bald guy, the other is a third of his size and asks: "Can we have a room please?"

They're greeted by a young woman who says the motel only has a room with a single bed. The small guy says it's fine and when she asks how long they'll be staying, he turns backward to consult with the guy and nervously says, "A couple of hours."

The clerk is getting visibly uncomfortable, as it appears these men are here to have sex. Awkwardly, she wishes "Mr. Smith" and his friend a "good time" and they run out of the office with their room key.

They barrel into the room and jump on the bed -- to watch a rugby game on TV. As an exciting play happens, the smaller guy jumps up onto the big guy (with arms and legs around him) shouting and bouncing up and down.

At that very moment, the clerk walks into their room with a stack of towels and is dumbfounded at the sight. "I'll come back later..." she says. The little guy, now realizing her notion, says with as much macho as he can muster that that might be a good idea.

The tagline: "What will you do if you don't have Sky?"

It is the second gay themed ad in the campaign. In another installment, the two men find a bar with the game on TV -- not realizing it's a gay bar. A drag queen comes over and says "I'll take the one on the right."

User Comments
Cris Doperoy
It's a sad state of affairs that in 2003 we still are so afraid to be 'out'. By the way, why were they watching Rugby and not a Cher concert? Hmm, they are gay? Whatever!

Dean Morris
This is titillating to many guys. They are in a doggy style position in the hotel office, and BY THE WAY never bother to CLOSE the door to the room, so there's no barging in, just an awkward, accidental entrance. Comedy NEEDS conflict or tension but it doesn't have to be the most lasting impression. The tagline is "what will you be doing without sky?", suggesting you will be missing socializing through sports and perhaps sex/porn rather than being alone with a boring tv. This is clearly made to appeal to gays and closely social bi's and straights.

Gary Caplan
And she'd barge in on a str8 couple like that? The ad from Sky Network involving the drag queen's remark might be even more offensive.