Woodruff Documentary Marred by Inappropriate Commercial
If you saw the ABC News documentary To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports Tuesday night, you know it was hard not to cry hearing Woodruff and his wife describe what happened to him after a bomb exploded near an Iraqi Army vehicle he was traveling in on Jan 29, 2006.
He's lucky to be alive, and as the last half-hour of the show proved, he's probably much luckier than the many soldiers similarly injured. The documentary pointed out that there are far more brain injuries occurring there than the public has been told about. This was a well-done, sensitive news hour. ABC should be commended, as my colleague John Eggerton notes in a blog below.
However, now that television is about 60 years old, give or take, is it still impossible for networks' news and programming departments to find a way to coordinate things with their ad departments? In the very first pod of commercials for this documentary was one for a product that helps limit incontinence. It featured a woman wearing a large sandwich board sign reading, "I have a bladder control problem" in giant letters. It was jarring to see a commercial that inappropriate placed into a program like this.
Couldn't someone at ABC have decided this sponsor–or at least this commercial‑-was way out of place?
By P.J. Bednarski
ann ross commented:
very good show.
Jasmine commented:
As the director of education with the Simon Foundation for Continence, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1983, I know all too well just how impactful a bladder or bowel control problem can be. Imagine losing a job you once loved because you can no longer travel for long distances due to an undependable bladder. Imagine missing a grandchild's wedding for fear of losing control of your bowel muscles. These aren't problems that anyone can control, and no one has done anything wrong to become afflicted, and yet an estimated 33 million Americans face urinary incontinence, and countless more suffer from fecal incontinence. I understand that compared to many diseases and conditions, incontinence doesn't seem as dramatic or devastating, however I encourage you to keep in mind the statement repeated often by those affected by bladder and bowel control problems: incontinence doesn't kill you, but it does take away your life.
Simon Foundation commented:
As the director of education at the Simon Foundation for Continence, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1983, I see exactly how impactful a bladder or bowel control problem can be. While I agree that it is not as immediately dramatic as many health challenges, I bring to your attention a common phrase used by those who suffer from incontinence: "It can't kill you, but it does take away your life." Imagine for a moment loosing your job because you can no longer speak in front of large groups for fear of leaking large amounts of urine. Imagine missing out on your granddaughter's wedding because you're unable to control your bowel muscles. For more information, please visit www.simonfoundation.org.
seen2much commented:
Saw this program last night after also watching them on Oprah. Loved it!!!!! Have always thought highly of Bob & was very sad when he was injured. Also mourn the loss od David Bloom.
So glad that Bob has such a loving group of family & friends.
Have to admit a few tears flowed