Car enthusiasts watching sitcoms were in luck this week, as the 2013 Ford Fusion had a starring role in the most recent episode of the Fox comedy "New Girl."
During a two-minute sequence where the show's star, Zooey Deschanel, acted as a last-minute fill-in for her model best friend at a car show, the Fusion was on full display. While Deschanel partook in some physical comedy, namely fumbling around a revolving stage in a pair of sky-high heels, a man acting as a Ford ambassador highlighted some of the car's main features. The spokesman touched on everything from the fuel efficiency of the automobile to its tires, never failing to praise the Fusion's qualities, even as the protagonist found herself sprawled on the ground.
As more viewers record their favorite shows only to later zip through commercials, product placements are becoming more common, Entertainment Weekly reports. Many series have begun tying product placements into dialogue and plot lines, with popular shows like the CW's "90210" making headlines for their particularly egregious efforts. Some diehard television fans may not be pleased with the move, but Ford certainly is - this week's episode of "New Girl" pulled in more than 5 million viewers, broadcasting the automaker's unconventional ad to the masses.