Commentary: No Qualms Good Songs Sell Cars

Back in 1987, when Nike used The Beatles' song "Revolution" in a TV ad, there was an enormous uproar from baby boomers. But after 21 years of MTV, the distinctions between advertising and entertainment have been disregarded. And now a new Broadway production includes actual, paid, on-stage advertising — for Montblanc pens and Piper-Heidsieck champagne. Kurt Andersen thinks this is the surest sign, yet, that the concept of strict cultural purity has become an historical relic.