It is that time of year again. Autumn. And the time of year that puts fear into the hearts of every adult. The extra weight gain from Halloween candy!

Two parents have already brought Halloween candy into the neighborhood center. And it is not even October yet. As I walk through the neighborhood center, I can hear the bite size Snickers bars call my name from the trick-or-treat basket that sits atop the counter.

Oh, the horror!

Anyway, as I move aside the Snickers wrappers to type away on the keyboard, I am thinking about Halloween costumes, trick-or-treat, parties, and Halloween Horror Nights.

Universal Studios is celebrating its 18th Halloween Horror Nights this year. And the theme for this year's event is urban legends. And every time around this time of year, Universal Studios Orlando runs the ad campaign for the event. There are television spots played on the local television stations, and billboards promoting the event can be found along Interstate 4 and on the busy roads throughout Orlando and Central Florida.

And every time around this time of year, there are several groups that complain about the ad campaign. Whether the groups are community or religious oriented, some people complain about the ads being too violent and too scary. Some people complain about the television ads, saying that the television spots are too intense for children. Parents also complain about the billboards. Many who complain about the billboards feel that the subject matter is too violent or graphic, and that it scares children. Especially at the pre-school age.

As I mentioned earlier, this year's theme is urban legends. And in the advertisements, "Bloody Mary" is featured. You remember that one? You look in the mirror, repeat the name "Bloody Mary", and her face will eventually appear in the mirror. I have to admit, the first time I saw the television spot, I was creeped out. But after awhile, the shock factor has worn off. I even joke with friends about the ad, telling them that the woman in the ad looks like some lady I once knew from my days in the local Jaycee chapter.

But if I was an adult, I would have to say that I would be concerned if my child saw the advertisement and became scared. And I could only imagine driving through town and coming up on the billboard with Bloody Mary's face on it. I must admit, the only time I have seen the television advertisement shown is in the evening. But the billboards are in plain view all day. Try explaining to a child that the creature giving you a cold, frightening stare is not real. Or that the Bloody Mary crashing through the mirror is just a hand controlled puppet and not a real creature.

I went to Halloween Horror Nights a few years back, and me and my friends had a good time. Unfortunately, the event can be too crowded. An average wait to enter one of the haunted houses can be over an hour. Another problem some people I know have had with the event is that the parks' cast members can go over the top when it comes to scaring people. It is fun when you are in the haunted house, but when you are trying to sit down and take a break from all the walking you do and some dumb looking zombie approaches, it's all you can do to keep from saying,

"GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!"

Anyway, it is a fun time. But for $70.00 a ticket per night per person, it gets to be an expensive evening with parking, food, drink, etc...

If you want to see the television spot, go to www.halloweenhorrornights.com, and click on "Orlando". And then tell me what you think.

Now if you excuse me, I hear the Snickers calling my name.

AL!....AL!....