The skit made fun of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo with several gratuitous references to the weight of his former girlfriend, Jessica Simpson. By the way, Bryson York and Mullman
write, Simpson "is curvy only by Hollywood's warped size-0 ideal, [and] is likely in better shape than the millions who tuned in."
Adweek critic Barbara Lippert, meanwhile,
takes Friendly's to task for a spot featuring an 8-year-old boy in a shirt and tie who spontaneously makes a marketing presentation to his mom -- to wit, "A real meal can be a real value." Writes
Lippert: "Bewitched hubby and adman Darren Stevens would be embarrassed for the loss of integrity in the portrayal of his industry."
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But Lippert does allow, tongue in cheek, that maybe the spot will appeal to grandparents nostalgic for the glory days of trickle-down economics, leading them to "get the urge to pump it up by taking the kids to Friendly's for a sundae with sprinkles." Which brings us to a white paper that suggests that grandparents actually will be assuming key economic roles with their offspring's offspring.