PETA veggie ad deemed too sexy for the superbowl

PETA is in hot water again, though this time it’s not because they went off on a celebrity. They came up with a brilliant, funny, and innovative ad based on the idea that vegetarians have better sex. It was meant to run during the Superbowl. In the ad, hot women are seen stripping down to their underwear and then doing seductive things to vegetables. Basically the idea being that veggies are so hot, women can’t resist them. And yes, it’s obviously supposed to imply sexual stuff. But NBC rejected the ad because their standards department seemed to think the women are about to actually get frisky with the veggies.

Apparently, NBC has something against girls who love their veggies. After we submitted our proposed Super Bowl ad, which features a comely crop of models demonstrating their fondness for fresh produce, NBC nixed the ad, saying it “depicts a level of sexuality exceeding our standards.” No joke, this is straight from NBC—so stop fondling your fruit salad right now and read the list of shots NBC requested we cut before they’d reconsider:

– licking pumpkin

– touching her breast with her hand while eating broccoli

– pumpkin from behind between legs

– rubbing pelvic region with pumpkin

– screwing herself with broccoli (fuzzy)

– asparagus on her lap appearing as if it is ready to be inserted into vagina

– licking eggplant

– rubbing asparagus on breast

Victoria Morgan
Vice President, Advertising Standards
NBC Universal

[From PETA]

First off, I can’t believe the Vice President of Advertising Standards at NBC would use the term “screwing,” in an email. And that implies the actress was doing something with the asparagus that I don’t think she was – and I watched it several times. Which makes me sound like a perv. Though I think the real pervs might be the people at NBC’s standard’s department.

They’re really making a lot of leaps in terms of the asparagus. I am sure that at some point in my life, I have had a bunch of asparagus on my lap. I don’t know why, but I bet it’s happened. I can guarantee you that it didn’t ever go anywhere near my lady bits. I think that’s quite the presumption on NBC’s part.

I found the pumpkin licking the most obviously erotic thing in the ad, and even that’s isn’t so so bad. I swear there are Budweiser commercials as raunchy as this. Never, ever did I think I’d defend PETA, but in this case I believe they’ve been unfairly censored.

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47 Responses to “PETA veggie ad deemed too sexy for the superbowl”

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  1. meow mix says:

    Agree Jaybird.

    This is what they are censoring??

    Ms. Morgan really needs to lighten the fuck up.

  2. A.J. says:

    NBC has given PETA more attention by not airing the ad and by making a stink about it. Idiots.

    It’s not even that raunchy, it was kindof funny if anything. Using sex to sell produce?

  3. Sauronsarmy says:

    Yes because a vegetarian commercial during the SUPER BOWL makes soooo much sense. I think the real reason they banned was because it was PETA. I wouldn’t want anything to do with PETA either.

  4. Celebitchy says:

    I agree with you JayBird that the ad is a great idea and it’s not half as bad as some of those beer ads we see. I went to PETAs site for the ad and downloaded their pamphlet on going vegetarian because it was advertised as vegetarian recipes in it, but it’s full of terrible pictures of animals being tortured and in terrible conditions. Now I understand that this happens and it’s awful for the animals and PETA should publicize it, but don’t tell me a damn PDF has recipes and feel good vegetarian information and put terrible photos of dying animals in there! That’s not a way to convert meat eaters into vegetarians. /end rant.

  5. NotBlonde says:

    I can see why they won’t air it. Budweiser ads are ridiculous but they typically either feature men mostly or the Clydesdale horses. I know people think that beer commercials are full of women but I watch a lot of sports and the Superbowl rarely has commercials with a bunch of women in lingerie doing anything remotely sexual. If they are in lingerie they are usually doing something goofy or serving their boyfriend/husband snacks or items appropriate for the Superbowl.

    NBC is being super cautious about offending the millions of conservative Christians who watch the Superbowl with anything overtly sexual.

  6. ChristinaX says:

    Well, aside from attacking various individuals, that is the only way PETA knows how to attract people to their cause.

    If PETA was truly effective, they wouldn’t have to lower themselves to typical advertising strategies.

  7. Annie says:

    I love all animals, but screw PETA. They’re a bunch of crazies.

  8. Diva says:

    I think the ad is funny, and I’m sure Peta appreciates that even people who would never be watching the Superbowl anyway are seeing it because it was rejected!

    And, CB, I would be just as pissed if I went looking for recipes and got more sensational Peta propoganda! I’m actually cringing inside for you!

  9. OXA says:

    I found the Paris Hilton commercial for the hamburger, much more offensive.
    They use sex top sell eveything so why is healthy food not allowed.

  10. Sauronsarmy says:

    Also super bowl commercials are very expensive. I wonder how many animals they could’ve “saved” instead of making a stupid commercial.

  11. Simon Scowl says:

    “NBC has given PETA more attention by not airing the ad and by making a stink about it.”

    NBC didn’t make a stink about it. PETA did.

  12. ChristinaX says:

    OXA: That is true, but PETA takes the moral high ground on everything and dumbs it down to sex when it comes down to marketing their idea.

    They’re morally smug, elitist tight-wads who get offended at everything.

  13. mins15 says:

    I really liked the ad and i don’t think it’s any worse then any other ad on t.v.
    I do have a problem with peta, while I support there anti-fur stance, peta was one of the groups that thought all the michael vick dogs should have been put to sleep. Some of those dogs are therapy dogs and great pets. Give all animals a chance Peta.

  14. Judy says:

    This is the a raunchy ad and kids do not need to see people trying to have sex with a carrott..Peta needs to grow up and so do people who think it is a crime to see JJ boob when her costume broke but think it is ok for people to act like they are using a vegtable for sex..

  15. viper says:

    Yes because a vegetarian commercial during the SUPER BOWL makes soooo much sense.

    LMFAO!!!!!!!!!

  16. TinaWithPom says:

    Super Bowl ads ain’t cheap. PETA must really be loaded.

  17. Genevieve says:

    I don’t care about what they’re showing, except that I would like to see the ‘studies’ done that state, without fail, that vegetarians have better sex. Seriously, do we just make up statistics now? Because I seriously doubt your skills in the bedroom are affected by avoiding meat (you know, that stuff that’s full of proteins that help build muscle, hemoglobin, etc….). PETA needs to learn how to be taken seriously before anyone will listen. Shock and awe only gets you so far…

  18. Hellary says:

    How can vegetarians have better sex…when they won’t touch meat in the first place?

  19. Keekee says:

    Rubbing vegetables up against your private parts…..did Angelina start creating public service messages for PETA? Because it sounds like this is right up her alley. Forget acting, this is more her speed and matches her, uh, talents.

  20. tom says:

    These guys make ads specifically to get banned. Then they get press for the banned ad and never have to pay for the superbowl spot.

  21. meow mix says:

    KeeKee,

    How the hell can you make this about Angelina??

    Are you OK? Had a stroke perhaps?

  22. Keekee says:

    Get a sense of humor, meow mix! Porno veggies, sounds like AJ’s idea to me LOL! And the chick at the top having a happy with the broccoli looks a little like AJ, dontcha think? (smirk)

  23. Keekee says:

    One more comment, Meow, and that is why are you so defensive about Angelina? It’s not as if she’s done anything to earn anyone’s respect by her behavior unless you’re some kind of groupie for skany celebrities or something. I take it you’re a huge fan of Paris Hilton, too? Go find someone else’s husband you can get busy with and then you can be just like your idol! People come here to BITCH about celebrities, so if you can’t take the heat stay outta the kitchen! LOL

  24. meow mix says:

    How again am I defensive about Angelina?

    “Go find someone else’s husband you can get busy with and then you can be just like your idol!”

    Holy crap! Sounds like someone might be projecting…

  25. meow mix says:

    Oh and one more comment…

    obsess much?

  26. Diva says:

    Most of us come here to fairly intelligently discuss celebrity gossip (as much as the frivolous topic can be intelligently discussed), Keekee… you might want to look into it.

  27. Keekee says:

    Ladies….broads, whatever..this IS a bitch about celebrities site. I can’t stand AJ and make no bones about it, but I do have a sense of humor and think this site is hysterical. I don’t take ANY of this seriously. Diva, YOU might want to look into taking a chill pill and calming down, trust me….AJ isn’t worth getting in a huff over. NEXT!

  28. Keekee says:

    Meow….the only person obsessed here is YOU…with ME!! LOL!
    I’ll take that as a compliment I suppose. If I were boring I’m sure you wouldn’t waste comment after comment on me.

  29. Diva says:

    lol… I don’t get in huff about celebrities, sweetie. I reserve my emotions for people who actually affect my life.

    A few responses to your bitterness hardly qualify as obsession, honey. And in reality, this isn’t a site to come and bitch about celebrities, it’s a site to come and talk about them, and if you want to get a little snarky, or bitchy, so be it. But you’re making threads about people who have nothing to do with the couple you waste perfectly good energy in hating on into another place for you to piss and moan about a couple of people who have not one thing to do with your little life. Rethink it, I would say.

  30. Keekee says:

    And I would say turn in your badge, this board doesn’t need policing. But again, it’s all in good fun – I’m sure we all choose to comment on this site in our own way. You do your thing and I’ll do mine! LOL

  31. Keekee says:

    By the way, if this is NOT a site to bitch about celebrities why exactly is it called “CeleBITCHY”?? I don’t hate anyone but I think some people are fair game if they want to expend a lot of energy on the publicity machine. Just sayin!

  32. Diva says:

    I did turn in my badge.

    And you can count on it.

    Have a super evening!

  33. Simon Scowl says:

    “Super Bowl ads ain’t cheap. PETA must really be loaded.”

    They didn’t have to pay for the airtime. They knew the ad was going to be rejected. That’s what they were counting on.

  34. Keekee says:

    I’m all for doing any ads to get animal rights awareness in the spotlight. Can we see a nekkid Johnny Depp instead? I mean c’mon, if you’re going to splurge for high dollar airtime ad you might as well go for the gusto! Just puhleeese do NOT give us any more naked Pam Anderson. Please, I beg of you, PETA! That’s just defeating the purpose of wanting to donate money to the cause, unless you’re wanting the donors to pay to cover her up!

  35. Elle says:

    Sooo usually I just read the comments and artical…but does anyone else think that KeeKee there is acting like one of those immature and insecure little girls from the school yard?
    It absolutely amazes me that you could put so much work into despising someone who has such little effect on your life. You need a hobby hunny.

    Pam and Angelina? Come on…you defs have some sort of an inferiority complex. I bet you pulled the wings off of flys to.

  36. Pixie says:

    I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth on the Brad/Angie/Jen thing, and since it has been so maturely and unbitterly brought up by KeeKee I think I will, All Jennifer had to do was push out one baby for Brad and he would have stayed with her forever…she was to busy working on what she calls her “career”.

    Go watch the Changeling and then say Angie has no acting chops…or maybe Along Came Polly is more your speed.

  37. Celebitchy – When I was off at college and on my own for the first time, I’d always keep an eye out for cheap, easy vegetable recipes that I could make at home – er, in my mircowave. At one point, I found a magazine that promised “student-friendly” vegetarian recipes, all of which could be prepared in your dorm room. So I picked up the magazine to peruse the meals – and was treated to pictures of animals in various stages of confinement, torture, and slaughter.

    The magazine, of course, was published by PETA. And after a successful prank on my roommate, the magazine was trashed. The real b*tch of it, though, was that at that point I’d been a vegetarian for 4 years. The publication did nothing to affirm or rebuff my beliefs, it just felt heavy-handed. Like I thought I was going to see a romantic comedy and ended up seeing a snuff film. Anyway, I can relate.

  38. Keekee says:

    “Elle” and “Pixie” (aka Diva) you’re not fooling anyone. You like Angelina, I don’t. So what? No, as a matter of fact I’m not a fan of Jennifer A either. People I DO like as actors, since you seem to be SO interested in my opinion, are:
    Daniel Day Lewis
    Sean Penn
    Kate Winslet
    Kate Blanchett
    Johnny Depp

    Happy now? Because I think it’s past someone’s bedtime! Me, I just have ONE username on this site and I’m entitled to my non-wallflower opinion. DEAL.

  39. Ps – I’m glad, at least, that PETA is taking a different route in their promotions. Sure it’s still playing to a very primitive, visceral reaction – but at least it’s sex instead of violence. And it’s clever, too. I just might wear my “Vegetarians Do It Raw” t-shirt tomorrow, as an homage . . .

  40. Keekee says:

    And Elle, honey, it’s FLIES. Not “flys”. Maybe if you spent more time in school and less time kissing a certain celebrity’s butt…?

  41. Aspen says:

    Yes the ad is funny, but it’s the superbowl. Children emulate behaviors and they LOVE to emulate what they see and hear on television.

    And…I don’t care if you had to watch it twice and still want to maintain that she wasn’t intimating that she was about to use that bunch of asparagus as a giant green dildo. It seemed pretty obvious to me on the first viewing, but I’ll give benefit of doubt and just go with the idea that I’m the one with a pervy problem and they didn’t intend that.

    Even if…

    That ad is not suitable for young kids…and there will be MILLIONS of them watching football on Sunday with their dads.

    If my 5 year-old started seductively licking her vegetables at the dinner table after seeing that ad…I’d be righteously pissed off. NBC is doing the right thing with this.

  42. Aspen says:

    And PeTA can eat me. I despise that organization with an unhealthy level of gusto.

    Being conscientious vegetarian, myself, I see the damage they do to the public image of vegetarians and vegans…and it makes me red with anger.

    Making people angry with you never made anyone agree with you. These juvenile idiots still haven’t gotten that memo.

  43. Diva says:

    Keekee, dear, I’ve been Diva, and only Diva as a viewer/commenter on this site for well over a year.

    You just proved exactly my point, sweetie.

  44. Emily says:

    A lot of young kids watch the Superbowl. They don’t need to see a bunch of models getting it on with a bunch of vegetables.

  45. coffee says:

    the fact that PETA’s ad was rejected maximizes the attention PETA might get from it, so the ad is working out great for them

  46. DEe says:

    It’s a man’s world and men dominate football and mostly men watch the game. Yet and still…….Superbowl is usually a time when families gather. It’s not as if it is being run during late night when children should be monitored and hopefully not watching t.v. Women are beautiful/sex is beautiful/eating right keeps men and women looking/feeling beautiful, but….we must preserve our children’s innocence. Yeah…freedom of expression and all, but as a society don’t we see that we are enticing our children with things waaay too early and when they become a statistic by engaging in behavior they aren’t ready for and having unprotected sex/children having children/tossing away kids at birth or shortly thereafter, we must wonder what affect we as a society, for not having a moral concensus of morality has on them. Everything in due time….youngsters/moms/wives/grandmas/sons are watching during this time. Stop and think……don’t be so quick to defend. My 10 year old son should not see this….NO. My Fifteen year old daughter should not think public displays of this type of behavior is okay. Behind closed doors at an appropriate age…YES. I AM NOT A PRUDE

  47. Birdzilla says:

    PETA is nothing but a bunch of stupid annoying jerks we should have absolutly nothing to do with them and their stupid ideas