What exactly is the big beef with product placement? 20 years ago when someone moved in a show, they used "Ajax Moving Co." boxes. Completely phony. Now they use "Uhaul" boxes and trucks. Now, the forums explode with "oh i hate product placement", but isn't it really just shows becoming more realistic? When you move, you rent a...wait for it...UHAUL truck...Why is everyone so afraid of reality in their television shows? It's ok, really.
When you're at a BBQ, you don't drink "Greczkowski" beer, you drink Bud Lite or whatever. I really don't see the problem with them replacing "Dr. Dish" soda with Dr. Pepper, especially if it means they can cut down on commercials...I know i've never had a "Dr. Dish" soda, but i've sure had a Dr. Pepper...
You guys gotta stop bitching about this stuff so much, you can't have it both ways and neither one is offensive really. Commercials can be, but I don't think anyone here can ever say they've never found out something cool or bought a product because they saw it in a commercial. Even if you've gotta go back to your GI Joe action figures as a kid, you saw it in a commercial...
(Remembers "Look Who's Talking 2's - "I want a Cobra Hammerhead!!" ")