It seems that commercials for products and services related to weight loss products are on the rise. Recently they’ve begun trying to pass law in Spain stating that commercials for some diet and beauty products would not be able to be shown before 10 pm. The reasoning is that they don’t want to encourage “body worship”, meaning they don’t want to foster a fixation on weight within the viewers. What are your thoughts on limiting certain commercials to late night?

For a long time one of the biggest weight loss success stories out there was that of Jared and Subway. It had been said that Jared lost over 200 pounds just by eating Subway sandwiches for lunch and dinner. I don’t recall any mention of exercise or fitness equipment but would think he must have been doing something besides eating sandwiches to lose that much weight. I haven’t seen Jared in any commercials in a while now. Last year the Subway commercials I saw had Tony Stewart, Michael Phelps and another celebrity. My favorite Subway commercial to date had Greg Biffle in it getting pulled over by a police car with a sub between his knees. It just looked funny. Do you have a favorite Subway commercial?

I used to see commercials for acne products on television all of the time. I’m guessing that industry is changing, as are many others, because I don’t see many commercials for those types of products any more. Rather than commercials people are turning more and more to the internet. There are now websites devoted entirely to subjects such as blackhead extraction. What commercials have you noticed an increase or decrease in?

Some companies are feeling the economic pinch as much as individuals like you and I. I’ve stopped seeing some commercials and others have changed.  One type of commercial that seems to be going strong is those commercials for cheap life insurance for senior citizens. I don’t mind these much, as far as commercials go - they’re less annoying than some of the others. Besides giving a little information they also seem to be a great way for retired celebrities to bring in a little income, no?

I used to see commercials for home security systems on television all of the time, especially the wireless alarms. I haven’t seen any lately and am wondering if their sales are down due to the economy. I’m very pleased with the system we got and am surpruised more people don’t have them. Maybe you can put a price on security.

I’ve noticed that I haven’t seen any television commercials advertising great travel deals in a while. I think a channel of nothing but special offers and last minute deals would be well received. It would have the ability to show pictures and videos of the destinations. And people love to save money so they’d definitely be tuning in.

The latest promotional tactic that I’m seeing on television is advertising in the corners or on the bottom of the television picture. You know the kind. On TNT during a race sometimes a guy or a tire runs across the bottom of your screen. The first time I saw it happen it startled me. I’ve been wondering exactly who pays for that ad - a network, a television show. I haven’t seen any competing stations advertised yet and I don’t think we will. I mean, what network would tell a viewer to watch a different channel. This form of advertising is probably semi affordable because it’s probably done in house. And it reaches a really large audience, much bigger than promotional bags or similar products would. I don’t mind the ads but sometimes they get in the way and block part of the show. What do you think of the ads on the bottom of the television screen?

You know Jarrod Fogle, the Subway guy, I haven’t seen him doing any commercials for the popular Subway franchise in a while now. I think the last one I saw was during Nascar season. With the economy being what it is I think eating out is a luxury that many people aren’t going to be able to afford anymore. I wonder if Jarrod will keep working with food related companies when his Subway gig is up. So anyway. Anyone seen Jarrod?

I used to see legal commercials on television all of the time. In our area there was a rather unsavory, slick looking man with an annoying voice speaking fast and yet somehow saying nothing, just offering a phone number. He used to mention specific types of cases related to dui, being hurt on the job. I haven’t seen him in a while and I’m glad. He never mentioned mesothelioma and other specific health issues that I’m sure people out there need help with. It made me wonder how a lawyer decides which types of cases he’s interested in pursuing.

Am I the only one who’s seeing less and less automobile commercials? It used to feel like every other commercial on television was for an automobile. I used to see Honda, Toyota, Kia and Nissan ads constantly. I understand trimming the fat with a little Fenterdren, but I’d think now more than ever ad execs would be trying to come up with ways to sell the fuel efficient cars since the suv’s aren’t selling. So am I being silly or have you noticed this too?