TV – It’s Not All Bad.
I like television.
I probably watch too much television – and honestly – there are times when I feel guilty about it.
This feeling probably stems from watching TV in the 70’s – when everyone said watching too much “boobtube” would rot our brains. And, in case you’re wondering where the term “boobtube” comes from the website Mental Floss says:
The feeling that TV was a mindless activity for the mindless masses was captured in its cheeky new sobriquet, the boob tube. Boob, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, then commonly referred to as “a stupid, inept, or blundering person; a fool.” In other words, boobs were happy to sit in front of the TV set and fill their brains with a ceaseless procession of low-brow content.
I will admit to “occasionally” sitting in front of the TV – mindlessly flipping channels – but I think I turned out ok. Although, I do wonder how much TV Neil deGrasse Tyson watched while growing up. So, it’s possible I might have overdone it.
It was during one of these channel-surfing episodes that I saw something that brought me straight back to the '70s – a commercial for Doan’s Pills.
For those who don’t recognize the name – Doan’s Pills have been around for a long time – the ad stated 100 years- and they are for back pain. Basically, they are a caplet that contains the pain reliever Magnesium Salicylate Tetrahydrate, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
A brief bit of research reveals that Doan’s Pills for backache probably started as Doan’s Kidney Pills – and went through various iterations and manufacturers over time.
Most recently, the brand was acquired in 2016 by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. from Ducere Pharma. Other brands acquired included Bufferin, Nupercainal ointment, Cruex Nail gel, Comtrex, and Myoflex.
YouTube, that great repository of all things video, features several Doan’s Pills commercials – some dating back to the 70’s. The typical format is of the inept husband suffering from back pain and the smart wife suggesting Doan’s Pills – with the kicker at the end showing everyone smiling. Typical 70’s stuff.
So, TV isn’t all bad. Look how much I learned, and passed on, just from a commercial!
And – I bet I now know more about Doan’s Pills than Neil deGrasse Tyson – and so do you.
Mike Auerbach
Editor In Chief
[email protected]
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