Top Chef and Product Placement

I have been a big fan of Top Chef, a show on Bravo, for at least a couple years now. There have been i think 6 or 7 seasons and is a very popular show on Bravo. The whole point of the show is up and coming chefs competing against each other and competing in challenges that test their skills for them to earn the honor of "Top Chef." While watching this show over and over for a couple of seasons you begin to notice certain things that occur over and over. You constantly see close ups of many different types of products whether it be cooking ware, cooking supplies, the containers and even the cars that they drive to the challenges.

I really didn't even think about being affected by the over and over product placement that you see in television or ads on the internet and how we are really bombarded with all of these constantly throughout our lives. I didnt really notice this until we discussed it in class and then i realized how prevalent it is in our society today and what a big impact it really is. There are multiple points in the show where there is a couple second close up of products. For example, Glad which is a trash bag and plastic wrap and other kitchen items, is constantly shown throughout the show and they really focus on them throughout the entire hour long episode. Another product placement that you see quite often is their use of Lexus automobiles. Whenever they have a challenge they have to go to the store each time before it to get all the items they need. Before they get in and out of the car you get a full shot of the Lexus vehicle and then a close up on the Lexus emblem. They really try to force upon us the brand names that are used in this show.