Paris Hilton and the Right Wing Food Fight
The Parents Television Council is taking to the air waves to protest the new Paris Hilton ad campaign from West Coast burger chain Carl's Jr. The controversial and widely viewed ad depicts the vapid and scantily clad Hilton gorging on Carl's burger while performing a masturbatory car wash.
But while right-wing watchdogs like PTC's L. Brent Bozell are predictably up in arms over the raunchy and tasteless promo, one aspect of the story has gotten virtually no attention. That is, Carl's Jr. is owned by far right wing ideologue and Republican contributor Carl Karcher. Thus, we have the clash of conservatisms, as cultural and economic conservatives once again come into conflict.
This episode is only the latest in a series that includes the right-wing angst over the Monday Night Football Terrell Owens dust-up last fall, The traditional religious Right sees a culture at risk; the laissez faire crowd want media markets, concentration and ownership unfettered by the heavy hand of the government. Unfortunately for them, they can't have it both ways.
All of which makes Paris Hilton, for the first time in her life, interesting and important. The PTC's L. Brent Bozell, best known for mass producing complaints to the FCC, said of the Hilton ad:
"At this crucial time when broadcasters are under increased scrutiny by millions of parents who are fed up with current television content, we would think that the awareness would extend to advertisers. Instead, Carl's Jr./Hardees have done the opposite and are forcing American families to digest their filth. This is the ultimate example of corporate irresponsibility."
In the other corner is Carl Karcher, long-time GOP contributor and funder of anti-choice and anti-gay rights initiatives. He sat on the board of Thomas Aquinas College. Karcher's conservative street credibility was enhanced among the right when his Carl's Jr. and Hardees restaurants were accused of "food porn" with the introduction of a one-pound "monster burger." Carl was further cheered by the right for his 2004 "Chicken" spots making fun of French military failures, ads which spawned threats of a class-action lawsuit by francophiles.
The Hilton spot is, of course, trash and belongs not on TV but on the Internet, where other famous Paris clips can apparently be downloaded. For most of us, though, we'll just on the sidelines while conservatives fight amongst themselves.
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