Man-Tool Makes Balls Better

Ads for magical appliances promising relief from domestic toil are as old as advertising itself. Futuristic Handy Housewife Helpers “as seen on TV" for only $3.98, plus shipping and handling -- oooh, careful, better watch that handling charge, there is no greater American swindle. Aside from unscrupulous sales techniques, didn’t life just get sweet and easy? Historically we can thank print, radio and TV advertising for bringing so many hilarious, off-brand and questionable products to the fore in our psyche. Somehow the ad-men caught our eye or ear, and kitchen-life back in the day got as good as thug-life is today. Thanks, traditional media.

In contemporary kitchens, the blogosphere offers even greater freedom from the drudgery of dinner preparation. Not exactly an ad. Not exactly journalism. Well then, what is it? What's the product? We're selling a lifestyle, the 'teens version of the 1950s. Desi and Lucy turned around. Yet somehow the female lead still gets the funny line..."chicken towel," indeed!

In the end all the social ramifications of media in society boil down to one question: What makes the meatballs? A product never seen before in advertising, but now brought to you through the miracle of hilarious, off-brand and questionable blogging, we present to you ... me.