Talking Back: Bratz Commercials

[Bubble3buddies]

I HAVE YASMIN!

[juliajem32]

Why do they walk like that..?

[TheLAMPnyc]

@juliajem32 Excellent question. Any other questions pop into your mind when you watch this ad? How about other ads?

[BratzRForever]

1. THEY ALL HAVE NOSES, THEY ARE JUST QUITE SMALL.

2. EVERYTHING IS NOT ABOUT SHOPPING, IN THE TV SHOW THEY MAKE SURE THAT YOUNG CHILDREN UNDERSTAND GOOD GRADES ARE IMPORTANT AND YOU MUST NEVER STEAL AND ALWAYS WORK HARD FOR YOU'RE DREAMS.

3. CALM DOWN, MOST ADULTS DRINK COFFEE! I MEAN IT'S NOT ALCOHOL AND THEY ARE TRYING TO SHOW IT'S A CASUAL THING TO DO WHEN YOU MEET UP WITH FRIENDS.

4. THE DOG DOES NOT WEAR EYESHADOW.

5. WOULD A LITTLE KID WANT A FAT BRATZ DOLL? NO! :D

[TheLAMPnyc]

@BratzRForever Hey, thanks for your comment! Have you ever wondered why their noses are so small? Specifically, our student was just talking about this commercial. She wondered why was shopping the only thing shown that these dolls can do. Do you ever have questions about commercials you see? Yes, adults drink coffee, do you think these dolls are meant to resemble adults or young girls? Do you think 7 year olds should be drinking coffee? We really appreciate your comment. Always question.

[BratzRForever]

@TheLAMPnyc WELL, I THINK THAT MGA MADE THEIR NOSES SMALL SO THAT THEY COULD BE UNIQUE ASWELL AS HAVING LARGE SQUINT EYES AND THICK LIPS. I THINK THAT THEY DO MORE THAN JUST SHOPPING, THERE ARE BRATZ DOLLS BASED ON SCHOOL ASWELL AS SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. I BELIEVE BRATZ CAN RESEMBLE BOTH ADULTS AND TEENAGERS. AND NO, I DON'T THINK 7 YEAR OLD'S SHOULD BE DRINKING COFFE BUT EVEN IF THEY DO WANT TO BE LIKE THEIR BRAT DOLL THERE PARENTS WON'T LET THEM DRINK IT!

[TheLAMPnyc]

@BratzRForever Thanks again for commenting. In this commercial, do you see them doing much more than just shopping? Why do you think they're showing dolls for 7 year olds shopping? Why do you think they are showing dolls for 7 year olds drinking coffee? Do you think this makes the girls who get these dolls want to shop and drink coffee too?

[Live2Cheer1134]

@BratzRForever Yea I agree with you

[shyshy000]

nope i still luv bratz sorry:(

[TheLAMPnyc]

@shyshy000 Hey, thanks for your comment. The point of this "broken" commercial isn't to stop you from loving Bratz, but to get you to question how the commercials try to influence you. It's great to hear you really like Bratz. Do you ever think about other products you like and how they are advertised? Do you ever think a commercial says something you don't agree with? Thanks for coming to our channel!

[shyshy000]

@TheLAMPnyc oh what about barbies(embarrasing i know)they said that barbies were from sex dolls.hmmmmmmmm i dont know.but i guess ur right ,now i question the bratz commercials.

[TheLAMPnyc]

@shyshy000 Do you remember who said that about Barbies? We at The LAMP believe that it is our duty to question the messages we get through commercials, TV shows, movies, books, text messages, and all forms of communication. Do you ever see something that doesn't make sense to you or you wonder who is behind the message?

[shyshy000]

@TheLAMPnyc well yeah i question alot of things like disney movies and stuff

[TheLAMPnyc]

@shyshy000 Oooh, cool! What sort of things do you question in Disney and other movies? That's great! Ever wish you could talk back to those films?

[shyshy000]

@TheLAMPnyc i question why they make things "innapropriate"like the subliminsl messages and i dont really wish i can talk back cuz im kinda shy and why would they want to listen to an eleven year old anyway

[TheLAMPnyc]

@shyshy000 Didja know we didn't think anyone would be interested in our video, and look, it's gotten over 25,000 views! That could happen to you too. If you have stuff to say, and you know how to make a video, you should definitely put it up there. We believe it's very important to question what comes to us through the media we encounter.

[shyshy000]

@TheLAMPnyc well i mean sure it can happen 2 me but i dont know how to make a vid like that

[TheLAMPnyc]

@shyshy000 Do you have iMovie or Windows Media Maker on your computer? Those are great and easy to use programs. Then, all you need to do is download some content from any free, public video website (like YouTube) and have a go at it.

We encourage you to explore and always ask questions. Have fun!

[shyshy000]

@TheLAMPnyc oh ok thanks:)

[crazydaisyfire]

look its showing what girls whant hey if ii was 7 at the time i'd be fine with coffee cups the dogs look cute , how are you gonna make fat dolls eehuum and it shows girls not to be fat duuuh seriously its plastic get a grip barbie is so boring this is what kids whant grown ups dont know a thing barbie is a aall about blonde bimbos and you havent got a problem with that bratz are about style and fun shopping is the theme for them duh passion for fashion ask yurself this!!!

[TheLAMPnyc]

@crazydaisyfire Hey, thanks for your comment! This is a commercial for Bratz dolls, so our student only addressed Bratz products. What about this commercial tells you this is what girls want? It's interesting that you brought up Barbie, do you see commercials about Barbie that make you want to talk back to them? Do you agree with everything that's in the commercials you see? We'd love to hear back.

-The LAMP

[bratzwayneme]

its just a doll!

[TheLAMPnyc]

@bratzwayneme Hey, thanks for commenting! We're curious about your comment. What do you mean "its just a doll"?

Were there any statements in our video you disagreed with? Let us know!

[roxusan]

This video brings up good points. However, each criticism could be applied to most fashion dolls on the market. Why is this multiethnic line repeatedly targeted? Other doll lines have "diverse cultures," but the central dolls in "parent-approved" lines such as American Girl, Barbie, Only Hearts Club are all white (and usually blonde.) The non-white dolls are repeatedly marketed as secondary niche-goods, and as "friends of" the white doll, and are not included in every collection.

[Kelseybabyxx]

I have that doll but i have sasha and i do agree they should at least have water because when there "Walking all day " I figure someone would be tired

[TheLAMPnyc]

@Kelseybabyxx Why do you think they put coffee instead of water? What do you think this is saying about the kind of message they want to send to kids who buy their dolls?

Thanks for your comment!

[FusionLover101]

Do a talking back commercial about the pregnant barbie!

[10bratzfan]

ummm, their just dolls. if ppl dont like them they dont have 2 buy them but i agree with the eyeshadow on the dogs. its sorta creepy. lol but their not made JUST 4 7 yr olds, im 11 and their made 4 all ages. so i guess it doesnt rlly matter of wat they do :P

[TheLAMPnyc]

We're more interested in what impact these commercials have on how girls think about themselves. Do these commercials make you feel like they are representing what it means to be a girl?

The eyeshadow IS creepy. Why do you think they included it?

Thanks for your comment!

[BratzSoapOpera]

I think the dolls are aimed for kids above age 7 but I totally agree! Dolls don' send the biggest message but they can affect kids. I think it's the parents' job to support morals at home. I think the coffee makes for a great prop like for our show but water would be needed if you're gonna walk all day. I don't think the shopping stores should be in the commercial because it doesn't entirely represent Bratz. They should walk in the park for fresh air.

[TheLAMPnyc]

@BratzSoapOpera Thanks so much for your comment! In our experience, even though the dolls may be meant for age 7 and above, we're definitely seeing younger girls playing with them. Even so, coffee for kids of any age isn't something that should be encouraged.

Why do you think they use coffee instead of water? Why do you think they have them shopping instead of walking in the park? If you could change this commercial, how would you change it?

[FusionLover101]

Look just leave the bratz dolls alone and do a talking back commercial of barbie! Bratz are leaving and you don't want to make anybody else who loves bratz watch this commercial and be even more upset! Why don't you get real! : (

[TheLAMPnyc]

We'd love to do a talking back commercial about Barbie. Do you have any you would like us to try to address? If so, let us know, and we'll break it apart in one of our workshops. Thanks for your comment!

[10bratzfan]

well there was this 1 doll tht was barbies friend it starts with an "m" or something but she was prego-ur-ego and it influenced teen pregnency, but its banned from stores (awsome) and it started controversy so i guess tht 1 is a good 1 2 do.

[carmelprettyboi]

Who wants to play with a Fat doll? I know I dont! Its kind of a Damn if u do damn if u dont thing!

[TheLAMPnyc]

We're not suggesting the dolls need to be "fat". How about normal? Because by no means are these dolls normal. Thanks for the comment!

[TheLAMPnyc]

Why do you think they put eyeshadow on the dog? If you made this commercial, what would you do differently?

Thanks for the comment!

[xoxobratzxoxo11]

there youst dolls

[TheLAMPnyc]

Yes, they're dolls, but when kids play with them, aren't they re-enacting real situations? Don't these dolls start to resemble what you would like to look like, how you'd like to live?

[LIBS39]

Well,no one has such big head as them either.They are juust fantasy.And there cute ^^

But the eyeshadow thing.Maybe they should cut off that part :-)

[TheLAMPnyc]

Hey, thanks for your comment. Do you think they should be showing these dolls drinking coffee? Does seeing dolls like this make you feel differently about yourself and how you look?

[LIBS39]

I think there to young xD

They could atleast have soda or water :)

[AlyandAjRock908]

hey just saying i drank that wen i was 4 and i loved shoping wen i was 3 k i still love bolth but ya the only thing is eye shadow on a dog how dum (: eny way just saying alsoo your cool

[bratzwayneme]

i love bratz!!!!!!!!!! that kinda makes me upset:[

[TheLAMPnyc]

Hey, thanks for commenting. What exactly makes you upset?

[bratzglamoruslife123]

I have subscribed.

You do make a good point. I do not agree with it.

But somethings I guess I do agree with.

[delliswierd]

They Have Big Heads!!!!

[TheLAMPnyc]

Do you have an opinion as to why the doll manufacturers might make their dolls with larger-than-normal heads?

[coolaly2coolaj]

u must be blind Because they have noses and i me and my 6 and 12 siblings collect these dolls. they made these dolls to act as teenagers if u are a person going to ask questions online then get ur information right. by the way am 18. oh and u should really stop hating the skinny thing cuz almost every popular doll is that skinny

[TheLAMPnyc]

Does your nose look like these dolls? Ours doesn't. Do teenagers really act this way? Do teenagers only go shopping and only walk their dogs who wear makeup and only drink coffee? What else do teenagers do that you don't see in this commercial?

We don't dislike skinny. We believe that Bratz dolls are unrealistically skinny. And we're not sure unrealistically skinny dolls should be what 7 year olds are playing with. Do you?

[bratzglamoruslife123]

Well you tell that to the million dollars being made..

[TheLAMPnyc]

If something makes a million dollars, does that make it good? Are there any examples you can think of where something is making a company millions of dollars and it's NOT a good thing?

[bratzglamoruslife123]

i am saying many of girls love these dolls.

So many people like them .. I know nobody online or offline who has a huge problem with bratz.

Girls like them and that is that..

You can dislike them all you want but that is your problem..

[TheLAMPnyc]

Thanks for commenting. We want to raise questions about the kind of toys and images that are marketed to us. We don't have an opinion about Bratz the dolls, we're trying to engage in a conversation about the commercial. If you could make a Bratz commercial, would it look like this one? Is there anything you'd do differently? What's the purpose of this commercial? What's the purpose of ANY commercial?

We just like to have conversations about the media that all of us use and encounter in our day.

[coolaly2coolaj]

yea teenagers do act this way. should people like u act this way.the doll give girls to look into fashion i was inspired to take fashion designing after highschool and some teenagers do act like this. does yao ming look unrealisticly tall yea. all people get over the fact that they are skinny. you should blame them u can blame barbie,polly pocket why not make a video of them or what yea u really need to get ur information

[TheLAMPnyc]

We're really more interested in the commercials. We don't have an opinion of the dolls. Who do you think this commercial is intended for? Is it meant for teenagers? Studies show that girls as young as 6 are playing with Bratz dolls. Do we think this is an okay commercial for 6-7 year old girls?

[Beffizzxx]

I have the one at 1:02

[pippyfire]

[snickers] that was funny when u said"not all girls r skinny! get real!":}

[TheLAMPnyc]

Do you agree? Are all girls that ultra skinny? If not, how does it make you feel to see dolls like this?

[okcthunder35]

dude im not that skinney either lol

[PPGandRRBfan]

lol they walk funny

[magicalmelodygirl]

whatever!

[Lionessa93]

It seems like it's aimed at 7 years olds, but since when do you see a 7 year old, with an adolesent body out shopping, and coming home with that much? HA, look at the bloody doll!! It looks like a teenager, now do you really think they were aiming for little kiddies? Me and my friend collect these dolls, we are definatly over 15 ....

[TheLAMPnyc]

Although the intended age range varies with each Bratz product, the

typical range is 7-12 years old, with many more recommended for kids

between 4-7. On the website for Toys R Us, you can find Bratz products

recommended for babies from birth to twelve months. Baby Bratz dolls are

recommended for kids between 2 and 4--it's also noteworthy that the Baby

Bratz dolls were originally sold wearing thongs until parents protested

and forced MGA Entertainment to change the design.

Thanks for commenting!

[Lionessa93]

Wow.... I've always thought they should stick to the original doll, they went abit far making 'babies' out of them.

[randomassbass]

Also companies could give a rats ass about the image they portray to girls or anyone. Money, etc. Maybe one day I'll create a doll that has a more realistic body shape but still looks doll ish.

[randomassbass]

They're about shopping because.. that's a major thing that girls are "known for liking". Even the bratz babies wear lots of makeup. They're okay though. Barbies better.

[alexbabs12345]

I'm not trying to argue with ur POV or questions, just commenting, A1: The Bratz cartoons never had noses, idk y but it still looks hot, A2: Yes, the dogs seem 2 b wearing eye shadow(I have Yasmin and the dog has pink), A3: It's not all about shopping it's more about the places where the Bratz & their pupz can walk, A4: 7 yr olds shudnt drink coffee but Bratz aren't 7 theyre teens, A5: Bratz are supposed to have a modern-cartoonish look and display their fashions and fat dolls arent that pretty

[TheLAMPnyc]

Do you think it's silly to put eyeshadow on a dog? Where is it the Bratz and their pupz supposed to walk? Why do they only show them shopping int he commercial? Okay, the Bratz are teens, but what age are the girls who are buying the dolls? Why are Bratz supposed to have a "modern-cartoonish" look? What is the doll manufacturer trying to accomplish by making the dolls look so unreal?

[alexbabs12345]

Well yes it's obviously "silly" 2 put eyeshadow on a dog, but these are the only girls with a passion for fashion! They show Bratz shopping because that something Bratz like 2 do lol. The target demographic is tweens-teens. Because it's hip, it's cool, it's urban, it oozes Brattitude! They are breaking the mold and being ORIGINAL, not trying 2 b anything except themselves, whereas ur just another whiny student complaining about Bratz

[TheLAMPnyc]

Hey, thanks for commenting! Studies show that Bratz dolls are being purchased for girls as young as 6 years old, which makeup-wearing, coffee-drinking, shopping habits really aren't appropriate for.

We applaud anyone's attempt to "break the mold" and be original. There are many ways you can do that - like asking questions that really engage your environment to find out more. That's what this video is about. Ask tough questions about commercials, videos, TV shows. Check out our website for more

[premadonna17]

i have 3 decent bratz dolls so far. i know maybe eventually i may have only one decent bratz doll maybe in about a month or so. !kidding! ha ha

of course i take care of my bratz!!!

[PINKFEATHERGIRL1]

i love bratz not barbie !!!! Barbie is ugly!!!

[Claresworld]

awsome i have the cloe with the dog. it was i was playing it with niamh and she said AAHHH SHES A ROBOT! i showed her how it worked and it fell off the table in class!

[bratzglamoruslife123]

this is stupid

[TheLAMPnyc]

What do you think is stupid? Do you disagree with every statement that's made?

[jimmychooiluvu2]

I don't care if bratz are skinny I like them. And I have a question are you making fun of them

[TheLAMPnyc]

Our goal is not to make fun of them--we want people to look at ads and think about the messages that are being sent. We don't have anything against skinny people, but we want girls to think about the overall lifestyle that is being sold to them, and held up as ideal. We think it's a little ridiculous that the dogs are wearing makeup and little girls are drinking coffee. This ad is about much more than just the dolls themselves.

[DemiNSelenaRawesome]

bratz suck! I hate them! But my older brother is actually skinny as a stick, plus fat dolls are un-appealing! (No offence fatties who r reading this!) The point is, brats are stupid, and this is funny!

[delcullen]

u suck ok! dnt come here saying u hate bratz when that not the freakign message

[TheLAMPnyc]

Hey there. Thanks for commenting. What do you think the message is?

[aujaniceland]

I love bratz :)

[TheLAMPnyc]

Tell us what you like the most about the Bratz doll. We'd love to hear. Do you like their commercials too? What do you like about them? If you could make a Bratz commercial, what would it look like?

[Bratz123lover]

Um, their skinny because, people aren't supose to be fat.

And barbies, myscence and Disney princess dolls are all skinny are they not?

and their noses are there, if you cannot see..

[drewbloo99]

Actually i get the whole skinny thnig its not normal to be stick thin. XD but yeah.

[cmarie102]

U know what? i think ur stupid barbies r da same way she is skinnyest doll I EVER SEEN!!! ok so is myscene u just can't help it that some dolls r better than others ok so quit making stupid videos for making fun of dolls and i agee with u prettyprincezz4eva

[prettyprincezz4eva]

But I can see where you're coming from.

[prettyprincezz4eva]

I've got some answers:

1. I have a feeling that it's because the dolls have really tiny noses.

2. They are fashion-oriented dolls. It's going to be about shopping. It's shallow, I know.

3. Barbie and MyScene also have the "coffee cup" problem. But I don't believe little girls can't drink coffee. It's made form beans, just like chocolate.

4. Barbie has a skinny issue too, along with every other doll. But if more people got off their fat asses and did something, there would be no "image" issues.

[PakistanisPrince]

what about disney princess dolls?

[prettyprincezz4eva]

Well, the Disney Princess also have the same problems. Except the fact that they carry around coffee cups. Although the princesses are more educational, they also deal with fashion and small-type bodies.

But dolls were made for dressing up, not so they can teach little girls lessons. I mean, remember when you bought dolls? You didn't buy them because you wanted to be an astronaut, you bought them because they had cool clothes and you wanted them to look pretty.

[PakistanisPrince]

I did buy but its for my sister! Its pretty princess thing doll! you are right it is not learn but children sometimes need have fun with toy and doll too!

[prettyprincezz4eva]

Pretty Princess is my favorite Bratz!

Thank you for understanding what I was saying.

[PakistanisPrince]

Jasmine (from Aladdin) is mine! wanna add me as friend?

[TheLAMPnyc]

We're not so concerned about people being healthy and slim, we're concerned about the large percentage of eating disorders your girls continue to develop.

[sweetpriam]

ok first of all bratz are the best and second are you blind bratz have noses, you are just making little kids hate them!

[TheLAMPnyc]

We're not trying to make little kids hate them. We want to encourage young people to think about the reasons why they like something, why they may believe they need it, and how it might shape the way they view the world around them. The advertisers here are not just selling dolls, but an entire lifestyle of consumption and one which also emphasizes being skinny, beautiful and wealthy. Enjoying bratz dolls is one thing. It's another to seek to emulate a piece of plastic.

[HannahMRoxs]

the bratz go so slow though

[blondiehill627]

haha ur outstanding!!!!!!!!!!haha i can not stop laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!!omg!!!!ha­hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[Bestis4Ever]

Nice work!