Let's Get Zesty

I had a completely different post in mind for today's submission, but in the interest in keeping up on "current events" and looking at other media, I decided to run with this one.  It isn't about underwear, but it is about the male form, so that counts in my book.  (In fact, in the broadest sense, it's about no underwear, so we're still on topic.  Kinda.)

Take a look at today's accompanying photo.  This guy's name, according to the Internet, is Anderson Davis.  He's the subject of a Kraft advertising campaign (both print and audio) titled "Let's Get Zesty," profiling their Italian salad dressing.  While the print advertising is simple in concept (naked guy, picnic, salad dressing), the commercials show him stirring salad dressing while butter melts in his proximity; slapping pizza dough (I'm not going there; I could, but I'm not); seductively spinning salad; and in the ultimate kicker, he proclaims, "Once you go Italian, you'll never go back."  The camera then zooms in on the Italian sausages (still not going there) he's grilling in a kitchen filling up with steam.

He even has a Twitter following (@TheZestyGuy) that advises, "Marinate ... all ... night ... long."

Wow, do I have sudden desire to drink Kraft Italian dressing by the bottle!

Of course, the conservative groups are calling for Kraft's figurative head, as they see the ads as a push against upstanding, Christian values.  (Apparently upstanding Christians don't go on picnics, eat sausages or pizza, or marinate their meat.)  "Kraft has gone too far and will push away loyal, conservative customers with this new ad campaign," One Million Moms said on its website.  "Christians will not be able to buy Kraft dressings or any of their products until they clean up their advertising."

Won't be able to?  Are you f***ing kidding me?  (These are the same repressed women who sit in their kitchens worrying about their children being unduly influenced by the Teletubbies.)

Some of the commentary on Yahoo! has been hilarious.  My favorites:

• "Glad it wasn't for Oscar Meyer." - Douglas
• "I make my own salad dressing.  Unfortunately, however, I can't whip up a man like this from the ingredients in my refrigerator." - Booboo
• "Should have had him lay on his stomach and asked if you want your salad tossed." - Mr.
• "Kraft dressing sucks but this guy is worth devouring until your gag reflex is no more." - Z

The best comments compared the hubbub to the Liquid Plumr "I'm Here to Snake Your Drain" ad starring Aaron O'Connell (now of OWN's The Haves and the Have Nots) and Allstate's Mayhem character, played by Law & Order: SVU alum Dean Winters, but the comment of the day goes to Molly, who asked, "Where are the One Million Dads protesting all the commercials with almost naked women in them?"

Boo-ya.

I say, good for Kraft and good for Anderson Davis.  This campaign has launched him into the public eye and  into what I assume will be a very lucrative career in film (and if not that, at least porn).  Any company that's willing to push the boundaries a little bit and make society less uptight is doing the right thing, in my book.  If you disagree, start your own blog with your own opinions, but be sure to refer people over here so they can see both sides.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go purchase some stock and eat a case of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  Yum ... yum ... YUM.