I rediscovered TV a couple of nights ago after a bit of a hiatus – or more accurately found two programmes in a row I actually wanted to watch. One was the incredible yet harrowing Magdalene Sisters – a frightening insight into some of the widespread abuse by the Catholic church. There’s a lot I could write, but that’s for another time. On a lighter note I actually watched some of the ads. The flora one caught my attention partly as it was so bad. Gary Rhodes on tour taste testing Flora Buttery against something by Lurpack. Apprently most people prefer Flora. That is until you read the small print at the end. 200 people surveryed. 48% (96) preferred Flora to 45% (90) who preferred the other ‘leading brand’, with another 7% (14) who had no preference. That’s hardly conclusive – if I was trying to prove something there’s no way statistics like that would stand up. Firstly I can’t believe Flora think the viewing public are so stupid as to not notice these results prove nothing, and secondly that they are so desperate that they felt they had to use them in the first place!
the soapbox 
Y’know, that’s actually so bad it’s nearly put me off Flora – I would’ve thought it was much nicer, but I tend to buy cheaper brands cos… well, they’re cheaper. But I might have bought Flora the odd time I was feeling flush. But if only 3% are going to go for Flora, I’ll stick with my ‘Now that’s what I call mingin’ brand, thanks very much.
I once interviewed 5 people with a buttercup. 60% of them liked butter. Highly conclusive.