I had MTV Adria (MTV broadcast in the former Yugoslav countries in the Slovene and Serbian languages) on in the background the other day while I was doing some work. Something caught my ears and I looked up and saw an advert for a show called MTV Cribs. Maybe some of you know what the show is about, but for those of you who don’t, it’s basically famous American (some British) celebrities allowing a camera crew to film them giving a tour of their often ridiculously expensive houses. It can get pretty dull when all they do is gloat about their giant swimming pool, four cars, wall-sized HD TVs and/or home cinema rooms (plus their five bathrooms and game room).
MTV Adria broadcasts the American version of the show and have come up with quite a novel and humourous way to advertise it. Meet Nebojsa, a Roma gypsy, who shows us his house, family, ‘homies’ and ‘wheels’. The advert is made with similar music (with a Balkan twist) and camera styles as the American show. I laughed out loud and found it really quite funny. Nebojsa aparently came up with the whole show idea and MTV ripped it off. Here’s the advert:
But then I thought to myself, should I really be laughing at this? Is the reality of the Roma gypsies, who live in dire conditions often with no electricity, water, sanitation or proper shelter in Serbia and throughout the Balkans, really something which should be used to advertise a show about the ultra rich and all their expensive posessions and properties?
Personally, I’m not easily offended by anything, so I found this advert to be a humorous, tongue-in-cheek piece of marketing which can be easily understood by people in the region who watch MTV. There’s a whole lot more offensive comedy out there.
What do you think? Is it funny? Is it offensive? Do you think advertisers should making fun of the conditions which the Roma live in and use it to promote a show about wealth and luxury?
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on Oct 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I think it’s really funny. True – the reality of situation is quite sad but it’s an entertaining vid, especially ‘Get off my property!’
And you’re right, normal MTV Cribs is often rather boring, and the blatant gloating is downright annoying.
on Oct 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I love your new blog setup, it looks great. I have been so tempted to switch over to wordpress but for now I think I’m just going to try to keep customizing blogger as much as I can.
As for the MTV cribs ad, I personally didn’t find it offensive, but I suppose I can see that some might.
on Oct 11th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Thanks, glad you like it. Wordpress can be pretty complicated when it comes to modifying templates, all that code and CSS! But I think it’s worth it!
Yes, some people would no doubt find the ad offensive, but the majority of MTV viewers wouldn’t, I’m sure. I think it’s actually quite a clever and unique ad.
on Oct 13th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I find MTV Cribs so boring, all those game rooms, pillow rooms, refrigerators filled with energy drinks. This is real funny. I hope that the Roma people don’t find it offensive.
I have been wondering lately with this credit crunch thing and the possible collapse of economy what would the program of MTV/VH1 be like in the future … How to make furniture out of cardboard boxes?
on Oct 14th, 2008 at 12:02 am
MTV Cribs is pretty boring, you’re right – although sometimes I wish I could have such a big fridge filled with food
Not bothered by their fancy designed rooms, four walls and a roof is enough for me!
I do remember seeing a remarkable difference once when they went to, I think, Amy Macdonald’s (a Scottish signer) house – it was your typical middle-class city dwelling with none of that obscene luxury and expense so common with the US stars.
on Dec 14th, 2008 at 12:48 am
I just wish that the “celebrity” elite of America were as carefree, happy go lucky, and content with their lives as the majority of gypsies are !!!
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