WHERE SUCCESSFUL ADVERTISING MEETS LGBT EQUALITY

Saturday Night Live/Broadway Video, Homocil parody

Members:

Always on the cutting edge, Saturday Night Live returns with another gay-themed ad following its 1991 Schmitt's Gay Beer ad.

Homocil focuses on the unhappy parents of obviously gay male children, who can't run right, who like to bake creme brulee, make sequined dresses and perform as a male cheerleader.

It starts off with what looks like an ad about depression, with a blue-tinged picture of a man sadly staring out the window, with the narrator asking, "Do you suffer from inexplicable anxiety? Are you confused an upset? Do you have an overwhelming feeling that you've done something wrong? You can't control whether he is or isn't" -- an image of the man's son twirling a baton fades by -- "But you can control how it affects you. Homocil can provide relief from Parental Anxiety Disorder."

Then, text flashes by saying, "Not all parents experience Parental Anxiety Disorder. If you feel you are at risk, contact your physician."

Then a boy runs by, girlishly holding a ball and waving at his mom in the bleacher seats. The narrator continues, "If you obsess about things you can't change...If you're unable to cope with unforeseen developments..." -- as a father walks into his boy's room, the child proudly shows off a sequined top he made, asking "Isn't it fabulous?"

"If you avoid prolonged contact with your children due to these anxieties...when taken regularly, Homocil reduces parental anxiety. Homocil, until you come around. Because it's your problem, not theirs."

User Comments
John
I love SNL, this commercial they did was hysterical. I laughed my ass off and I loved the last line, "Because it's your problem, not theirs." I love that! To me, this is a very positive ad. Yes, the children portrayed are towards the effeminate side, but face it, parents whose gay children are not, and even some shose are, are left out in the dark about their childrens' sexuality, so it is not an issue with them. But when your child exhibits behaviors like the ones in the ads, and children do, it is not uncommon for the parents to have concerns and anxieties. So to me the ad was right on target, and they made it extremely funny in the process.

John
Does a male who is feminine or "effeminate" have to be gay like this ad parody says? I've met men campier than Jack on "Will and Grace" who have wives and children. SNL has brought me to the point of tears with their homophobic humor, like "The Ambigously Gay Duo". SNL has become another show of today's trendy gross-out humor. This ad parody is more negative than anything else.

Rodney
I love it! That was me-- my mother could have used a dose or two of Homocil.

Brandon Burt
I was indifferent about this mock ad until the surprise ending. "Homocil" could have ended up being just a cheap gag, but the tagline coupled with the shot of the mother happily and affectionately walking with her arm around her son was genuinely moving.

Steven Bluestine
I too agree with Ed C. What's most amazing to me is that, just a few years ago, the "joke" would have been the effeminacy of the children, even on the "progressive" SNL. Here, it's the parent's anxiety.

Geoff Coupe
I agree with Ed C. It's that great last line that makes this parody ad very positive. And it's a very funny ad into the bargain.

Michael
This SNL ad, like its best ad, satirizes the ridiculous idea that there is a problem with gay people (or having a gay child). I would rate this as a positive message, although as often the case with good parody, others may use it to justify their own ridiculous ideas.

Kahla Owens
I like the SNL parody for Homicil, I think it is hilarious.

Ed C.
Not sure why it is neutral. True, it does play on the stereotypes but that is for the humourous element (and aren't all stereotypes based on the truth at some level?). I think the last line is what saves it from being a negative ad... "It's your problem, not theirs."