PETA’s Super Bowl commercial nixed by NBC
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
A PETA ad touting the benefits of vegetarianism was deemed too racy for NBC, the group reports. A tagline at the end of the ad reads, ‘Studies show vegetarians have better sex. Go veg.’
The ad, which PETA says was intended to air during the Super Bowl, depicts female models enjoying -- umm, really enjoying
-- vegetables. NBC said the ad ‘depicts a level of sexuality exceeding our standards,’ according to PETA blogger Amy Elizabeth. Elizabeth writes:
OK, I’ll admit, it’s not the Jonas Brothers eating apple pie, but it sure does drive home the fact that vegetarians make better lovers. And I’m pretty sure that most Super Bowl fans would find the ad a lot more appealing than the impotence and other not-so-sexy effects that a steady stream of chicken wings and burgers can have on their love lives.
NBC’s advertising standards department advised PETA that edits would have to be made if the ad was to run, says PETA, but the group refused to remove shots including models licking pumpkin, rubbing pelvic regions with pumpkin and rubbing asparagus on their breasts. (Several other things included in the ad are also too racy for the L.A. Times.)
U.S. News & World Report responded to the controversy:
‘Sex sells’ has always been PETA’s modus operandi ever since the famous ‘I’d rather go naked than wear fur’ ads. The organization is also adept at creating controversy - I wouldn’t be surprised if the creators of the spot deliberately exceeded network decency rules, wisely knowing that the ban of the ad would create more news.
Do you think this is just one more PETA stunt designed to create headlines? Or, in light of the Super Bowl’s history of controversial moments, is NBC unfairly singling out PETA?
-- Lindsay Barnett
Screenshot: PETA.org