Sexy Vegetables?

In case you haven't heard, NBC's struggling to sell off ad space during the Superbowl -- which, for sure, is another sign that this country's in the midst of a pelting shit storm.

Do you ever remember companies shunning the Superbowl? Well, neither do I. Fuck, getting a commercial during the big game used to be the advertising equivalent of finding a golden ticket inside a Willy Wonka bar. There's been such a lack of demand that several days ago, NBC execs lowered the $3 million going rate for a 30 second spot -- it's unclear what the sale price is – and they still haven’t sold off every slot.

So what does any of this have to do with the nude picture of Eva Mendes gracing this post? The answer is PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Still confused? Let me explain.

In an effort to promote a vegetarian lifestyle, PETA created a Superbowl ad campaign featuring lingerie clad models getting intimate with and suggestively caressing vegetables – my favorite scene sees a sexy brunette rubbing her pelvis on a pumpkin. The commercial ends by saying that vegetarians make better lovers. Funny, right?

Well, apparently the Puritans over at NBC didn’t think so. They’re refusing to air the spot because they feel it’s too racy -- I’ve posted the video below, so you can decide for yourself.

Since this is America, it’d be logical to think that money, or in this case obtaining money, would trump any fears of a backlash due to sexual innuendo. Ah, but we forget our Puritanical roots at Plymouth Rock. While nude women appear in tons of European ads, here one slip of the nipple will get you thrown to the fire like a Salem witch – just ask Janet Jackson.

Since the aforementioned “Nipplegate,” the broadcast networks have lived in fear of castigation from the FCC – a useless body of censorship that finds a woman’s breast more deviant than somebody having their guts splayed out on the floor.

For my part, I don’t see much wrong with either of those depictions, just seems like sex should be more acceptable than violence, which we’re all becoming desensitized to. And shit, we’re not even seeing the right kind of violence – we’re not allowed to see dead soldiers or civilians, but “Cops” is A-OK.

Alright, I’m rambling now, but I’ll leave you with this thought: there are fewer acts of sexual deviance and assault in most European countries than there are in the U.S. (proportionally speaking, of course). Not sure on the figures, have to check with V-tron, the resident political statistician. I think it’s because sex isn’t as much of a taboo in Europe. What are your thoughts?