Thanks to Mark Simpson, I’ve been given another example of the cultural phenomenon where it’s impossible to tell whether what is being communicated is parody, pastiche, or genuine. Perhaps parody is the new genuine? Pastiche is the new authentic? Irony is the new real? Do people watching it even notice the phallic imagery? Are we all knowing sophisticates, now, post-post-post-modern? Or gullible fools? Or will we, secretly, go out and buy one, after we have had a good laugh? Or will women buy their men one, enjoying the Joey Tribbiani-esque gurning schtick of the actor?

After my previous post, there was a satisfying denouement where the perpetrators ‘fessed up to parody, and gave their reasons. This time, I fear, Philips will do no such thing, and of course those of us whose jaws drop in amazement (horror?) at the way things are going in terms of the representations of masculinity in popular culture, are feeding the beast by drawing attention to the worst offenders. There is, of course, no such thing as bad advertising. Bad is the new good.

My head hurts. Again.