A new low: Legally Blonde product placements

After seeing one of the final previews of Legally Blonde I'm quite disturbed by the blatant product placements that were inserted into the show, with all the subtlety of a stampeding herd of elephants.

Okay, I get that Paulette's boyfriend is a UPS guy, but when is the last time anyone here received a UPS package that had an oversized UPS logo covering it? ("Lets make sure we aim that logo right at the spotlight during your first entrance Andy, 'kay?")

What's far worse is the virtual Red Bull commercial we get during Emmet's study scene with Elle. If I want f**ing commercials I'll watch TV at home, not pay $110 for a Broadway ticket. How nice that this show aimed at 'tween girls is espousing the message that overpriced sugar water laced with three times the caffeine of Starbuck's espresso is the secret to academic success. It's fine to show characters using the products that they might use in real life, but the Red Bull scene in LB is as crass and vulgar as any product placement I've ever seen in a Hollywood film.

Has this sort of thing happened in other Broadway shows? It's an epidemic in films and television. Should we just accept the inevitable? After all, some sponsorship money might well prop up some struggling Broadway shows...

It wouldn't be that difficult to write Purina Cat food into "Grey Gardens". Just put Purina labels on all those abandoned cans, and edit a few lines:

Little Edie: I can't mother, I'm feeding the cats their "Fancy Feast"

Big Edie: I need my liver pate', I can't make it, you have to.

Little Edie: Coming Mother. (Winks at the audience) "With Purina You Can Feed With Confidence! "



How about deals with Ambien for "Drowsy Chaperone" and Clearasil for "Spring Awakening"?

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guess it is sad to say..... it happens in more and more places.
the jockey's want ads on their backs so they can make sponsor money. times they are a changing. hope the Pope doesn't start using Gallo and Keebler labels.

That's one thing that really disturbed me about the Red Bull bit, it wasn't there in San Francisco. Was it added because it brought some depth to Elle's character? Because it was just so funny? Because it added to her understanding of her journey?

No, it was added in return for some sponsorship money. A pox on all their houses.

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They also plug Matrix vavoom products in the Hair Affair.

Ehh...I could care less about the product placement.

If anyone actually looks at their playbills for any show...in the special thanks section, it usually plugs something, like Ricola drops,Emergen-C, MAC cosmetics, etc. It's how things are done these days I guess....

Sweet Charity revival had a liquor product placement. I don't remember the name so their advertising didn't work very well with me.

Updated On: 5/1/07 at 11:10 AM

I had to laugh at this - it reminded me of Hunter's "Hot Pocket" jingle in [title of show] and his comment to Susan that "We could go totally NASCAR and have product placement patches all over our costumes!"

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Actually, I think the UPS guy's entrance makes perfect sense - it's a jokey indication of what's coming to the patrons familiar with the movie.

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Blanche: Thank you. I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.

Medic: Kleenex, ma'am?

Blanche: Mmmm...so soft and delicate. Like me!

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GREAT ECONOMIST ARTICLE

I like the point asking if using HARVARD in the show should be considered advertising/product placment. Could have been XYZ University.

If you watch the show carefully, I'm sure if you look around the Man in Chair's apartment, you can find everyday products (but I don't really remember the specifics about the set, so I am not sure). Also, I believe the Power Bar scene is a product placement.

There's a picture of Jeanette MacDonald... so is Warner Bros. trying to get people interested in a MacDonald and Eddy box set?

I don't really mind product placement as long as it makes sense within the show. As Action said, many college students do think they need Red Bull to get through the day. Using the actual product, rather than inventing some kitschy name for an energy drink for the show, makes it more relatable to the target audience. If they did go straight for made up products, this thread would be all about trying to figure out what name brand thing they're making fun of or trying to promote.

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There are worse things in the world to be upset about...lighten up!

Is there actual discussion of Red Bull, or are they just consuming it? I ask, because at my college, the majority of my friends are CONSTANTLY consuming Red Bulls and other energy drinks. So to me, it doesn't seem that out of place.

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If you watch the show carefully, I'm sure if you look around the Man in Chair's apartment, you can find everyday products (but I don't really remember the specifics about the set, so I am not sure). Also, I believe the Power Bar scene is a product placement.

He also drinks Apple and Eve brand juice boxes.

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