This 'TV station cuts to traffic reporter ordering McDonald's' viral video might be the first case of product placement in the news and that sucks
'Oh Jimmy, I told you we were coming to you!'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The internet was chuckling to the tune of 770,000 YouTube views at a video of local news station Fox45 cutting to their traffic guy only to find him in a McDonald's drive-thru trying to order a fish sandwich this week.
It's not uncommon for these small stations to make pretty egregious errors nor for them to laugh at their own ineptitude, but something's not right here, they're laughing a little too hard.
Things that are more fishy about it than the fish sandwich…
1. The red McDonald's bag placed perfectly in the centre of shot
Who owns a McDonald's bag? Where have you ever seen such a bag? Why would it be on the back seat? If he already bought from there, why is he only now ordering?
Also notice how Traffic Jam Jimmy keeps leaning over so you get a good look at it.
2. The station doesn't cut away
He is being unprofessional and is clearly in no position to be commenting on the traffic, yet they gleefully continue with the live feed.
3. The weather girl is in stitches and is a terrible actress
"Oh Jimmy, I told you we were coming to you!"
4. Fox45 Baltimore uploaded the video themselves
Normally it would be a viewer who caught it on their smartphone.
5. Fox45 are still tweeting about it rampantly
Advertising is of course commonplace in broadcast, print and online journalism but overt and sign-posted. It's all 'sponsored by' and 'our partners', and even in the case of native content there's a disclaimer that is not written by editorial staff.
This is more subtle and more insidious however, with the whole thing having been fed to viewers as a hilarious, off-the-cuff moment.
Fox45 is a subsidiary of Fox News…McDonalds profits are haemorrhaging and they're on a big promotional drive lately…but maybe I'm being too cynical?
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments