JC Penney's commercial called 'sexist' after using bikini-clad Phoebe Cates to sell men's clothes

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J.C. Penney pulled its "Everybody Wins" television commercial after complaints. Still from Youtube (Courtesy EndPlay)
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Posted: 09/30/2011

WATCH THE AD BELOW THE TEXT

Already in hot water over what critics called a sexist girl's T-shirt, proclaiming "I'm too pretty for homework," J.C. Penney is adding fuel to the fire with its new "Everybody Wins" television spot.

Using split screen imagery, the commercial shows actress Phoebe Cates coming up out of a pool in an infamous scene from 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" on the left, while J.C. Penney pitchman Kenny Mayne waxes empathetic about boring clothing advertisements on the right.

The upshot, he says, is this way "everybody wins." The ad has consumers, and experts, confused.

"It might – might – be excusable to use a bikini-clad Phoebe Cates … to sell your men's dress shirts if it made ANY SENSE WHATSOEVER. But it doesn't!" wrote Jezebel.com , echoing the sentiments of many.

The column goes on to say, "This ad isn't offensive because it's sexist (though it is), it's offensive because it's stupid."

One Million Moms called the latest J.C. Penney ad "blatantly disrespectful to all women, especially mothers and wives," and urged the company to stop airing the offensive piece.

The group's website claims the calls were successful and posted a statement it attributed to J.C. Penney that read: "We sincerely regret that our ad has offended you. It was not our intent … we want to let you know that we will no longer be airing this commercial."

 

Watch the ad below and tell us what you think:

 

Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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