CBS Superbowl anti-abortion commercial

SoWal Insider

Jan 31, '10 · 2:36 PM3,778

SOURCE:
Almost every year, the Super Bowl is the most-watched television program and it's not just football fans who are responsible for the massive viewership. The annual game has become a social event replete with parties and non-football fans who tune in to see highly publicized halftime shows, inventive commercials and episodes of promising new TV shows afterward.
This year is no different except that when viewers tune in next Sunday, they probably will see a 30-second anti-abortion commercial funded by the far-right, religious Focus on the Family organization but they won't see a light-hearted ad for a gay dating Web site that features two men and another that's gay-themed. That's because CBS executives said the network doesn't accept advocacy ads.

The Super Bowl ad will apparently feature the quarterback (TEBOW) and his mother, who was advised to abort the pregnancy that resulted in his birth. But she refused, and, lo, unto her a quarterback was born. It will no doubt be a very heartwarming spot. I guess the point is that if Tebow’s mother had followed the doctors’ advice, the world would have been deprived of a desperately needed football player and there would not have been a Heisman Trophy winner in 2007.

Here's the ad CBS won't run:

A website called ManCrunch.com, which is a dating site for gay men, wants to buy a spot for its new ad during Super Bowl XLIV on CBS. (See the video of the ad below.)
UPDATE: CBS rejects Mancrunch.com ad, CNBC reported
Man Crunch spokesman Dominic Friesen told theNew York Post that CBS claimed all the commercial spots during the Super Bowl were sold. Friesen maintained that wasn't true:
"It's clearly a form of discrimination that we're getting the runaround, that we're not being told the truth. Quite frankly, there is a lot of ad space available -- a lot of the companies that typically advertise during the Super Bowl are not advertising this year."

CBS has given preliminary approval to an ad from Focus on the Family featuring Tebow and has said it will welcome advocacy ads if "responsibly produced."
It's not unusual for a network to turn down an ad for the Super Bowl based on content. The Post reported that CBS turned away a GoDaddy.com, which has skirted the line of edginess in Super Bowl commercials in past years.
Watch the ad and see if you think CBS should clear it for the Super Bowl. -- Sean Leahy

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MQWFiIrBLA&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- ManCrunch SuperBowl Commercial[/ame]

Replies

SoWal Insider

Jan 31, '10 · 3:08 PM#2

For me, I really don't want to see commercials about anyone's personal life. abortion, sexuality, religion...AND ERECTILE dYSFUCTIONS :roll: to me are very personal issues and should not be 'advertised'.

I want to see beer commercials. :wave:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 3:11 PM#3

FUNNY beer commercials, or beer commercials starring the Clydesdales.

SoWal Expert

Jan 31, '10 · 3:54 PM#4

Since I think Tebow is one of the biggest douchebags in the world, I don't think the ad will be particularly effective - more like a cautionary tale of why you SHOULD do something than a heartwarming story.

Seriously though - why the hell do I (and others) need to see this ad? Do you really think I have put so little thought into this decision that a 30 second ad will change my mind? It's not exactly a "heads I do, tails I don't" situation. All it does is use an improbable situation to make a difficult decision (or past decision) more difficult.

I would love it if our abortion rate severely dropped - but until you address the ACTUAL reasons why women get abortions (hint - future Heisman winners born as kid #5 to uber-religious folks are not in the top 150) this is just propaganda that serves no purpose.

P.S. Why can't the 4 hour erection people just take matters into their own hands? :idontno:

Hate those damn ads!

SoWal Insider

Jan 31, '10 · 4:09 PM#5

For me, I really don't want to see commercials about anyone's personal life. abortion, sexuality, religion...AND ERECTILE dYSFUCTIONS :roll: to me are very personal issues and should not be 'advertised'.

I want to see beer commercials.

with lots of hot chicks.

Seriously, if you don't like what cbs airs or doesn't air, don't watch the network. There are plenty others to chose from. As far as the Tebow ad goes, it's about chosing something other than abortion. I don't see why anyone would find a positive message like that offensive. Two guys having sex on a couch in front of the camera, well, jeewiz, I wonder why they didn't approve that. :roll: I'm sure if mancrunch put their minds to it, they could put together an ad that cbs wouldn't turn down.

Edited Jan 31, '10 · 4:15 PM

SWGB

Jan 31, '10 · 4:39 PM#6

So the moral of the story is that you shouldn't have an abortion so that the child can grow up to be a total tool and 3rd round draft pick?

SoWal Expert

Jan 31, '10 · 5:08 PM#7

with lots of hot chicks.

Seriously, if you don't like what cbs airs or doesn't air, don't watch the network. There are plenty others to chose from. As far as the Tebow ad goes, it's about chosing something other than abortion. I don't see why anyone would find a positive message like that offensive. Two guys having sex on a couch in front of the camera, well, jeewiz, I wonder why they didn't approve that. :roll: I'm sure if mancrunch put their minds to it, they could put together an ad that cbs wouldn't turn down.

Please tell me who else will be airing the Super Bowl, so I can do as you instructed and watch this major event on another channel. :roll:

The Tebow ad is about someone who has the means to gloat about their decision telling someone else who doesn't have the same resources/choices that they are wrong.

Don't even get me started about how many women/unborn children the money they are spending on this ad could help - if reducing the number of abortions was their actual goal.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 5:22 PM#8

Historically Super Bowl ads haven't had an agenda for the most part. I think it should be kept that way. Imagine watching with friends who have different opinions on matters - gay rights, abortion, etc... it is crazy to start any controversy or THINKING during a fun game. Back in 2000 this was what PETA wanted to pay to have shown. Again, I am for NO advocacy ads.

Dec 10, 2000 - One advertiser prepared to pay $2.5 million for a Super Bowl slot this year was rebuffed. People for the [ame="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&tbo=p&tbs=tl:1&q=ethical%20treatment%20of%20animals&ei=8Q9mS4GyI4m6NpTa9cgE&sa=X&oi=toolbelt_timeline_result&resnum=3&ct=timeline-snippet&cd=1&ved=0CEwQ0AEoADAC"]Ethical Treatment of Animals[/ame] wanted to air a spot that showed cows singing that they don't want to be used for leather. CBS has a policy against advocacy ads.

history of advocacy ads super bowl - Google Search

History of advocacy ads.

G

Edited Jan 31, '10 · 5:23 PM

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 5:25 PM#9

LOL I don't know why I chimed in. I have NEVER watched a Super Bowl.

I guess I just find it interesting that SO many are talking about it.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 6:02 PM#10

with lots of hot chicks.

I would like to invoke the old Fairness Doctrine and demand equal time for hot dudes in Superbowl ads. The football players don't count because like 75% of them are overly fat linemen, and even the quarterbacks, placekickers, and punters who might be considered hot are too covered up by padding, helmets and such that we can't see 'the goods'.

SoWal Expert

Jan 31, '10 · 6:06 PM#11

Seriously - the gay matchmaking ad might have helped even the odds and given the ladies some eye candy!

Might not know much about football, but I sure know a tight end when I see one!

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 6:24 PM#12

I am allll for gay rights, but the ad wasn't one I would have come up with. Could have been MUCH more clever. And LESS is best. A flirtation would have been cute - not a sex scene on the couch lol. Hetero match making ads don't show heavy make out scenes. I would like to know if CBS would have vetoed an ad such as I am suggesting. That would be cruel if so.

G

SoWal Expert

Jan 31, '10 · 6:44 PM#13

I am allll for gay rights, but the ad wasn't one I would have come up with. Could have been MUCH more clever. And LESS is best. A flirtation would have been cute - not a sex scene on the couch lol. Hetero match making ads don't show heavy make out scenes. I would like to know if CBS would have vetoed an ad such as I am suggesting. That would be cruel if so.

G

Honey, I don't think you are their target demographic! :rofl:

I'll take a heavy gay make out scene over an erectile dysfunction ad any day!

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 6:54 PM#14

Honey, I don't think you are their target demographic! :rofl:

I'll take a heavy gay make out scene over an erectile dysfunction ad any day!

LOL true dat!!! :lolabove:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 6:59 PM#15

If Tebow was taking it off for PETA ya'll would be all for it. Intolerance rearing its ugly head again.

SoWal Expert

Jan 31, '10 · 7:06 PM#16

What makes you think I would like a sanctimonious and hypocritical PETA ad any better?

Funny commercials with Clydesdales or beer - all we really want. :wave:

SoWal Insider

Jan 31, '10 · 7:47 PM#17

I just read all of this and haven't seen an anti-abortion ad. Did I miss something? Am I missing something? Am I?

All for beer and Clydesdales - hot chick, guys, whatever~~~~~what am I missing? Is the mancrunch anti abortion so be gay? Is that the message? Y'all, please.....help!

Beach Fanatic

Jan 31, '10 · 7:50 PM#18

What makes you think I would like a sanctimonious and hypocritical PETA ad any better?

Funny commercials with Clydesdales or beer - all we really want.

I apologize if I wrongly characterized you. I like the funny one better myself, but I don't have a problem with any group advertising as long as the ad is within standards of decency. If I don't like it I can turn the channel.

Banned

Feb 1, '10 · 12:41 AM#19

I just read all of this and haven't seen an anti-abortion ad. Did I miss something? Am I missing something? Am I?

All for beer and Clydesdales - hot chick, guys, whatever~~~~~what am I missing? Is the mancrunch anti abortion so be gay? Is that the message? Y'all, please.....help!

Yeah i dont' get it. Who has fewer abortions than homosexuals? :confused:

;-)

SoWal Insider

Feb 1, '10 · 6:38 AM#20

Ya know, if everybody in the world just gave up having sex we wouldn't have these controversies...who wants to be first? :floor:

Edited Feb 1, '10 · 6:56 AM

Beach Lover

Feb 1, '10 · 7:20 AM#21

I agree completely with you Lake View Two. I get so upset with this issue as I believe it is a personal one. Whenever, I speak of abortion I always ask the question does anyone know of a man who wants to stop having sex to prevent the need for abortion. Yep, no takers.

I hope they don't play any abortion commercials during the Super Bowl.

I'm sorry for my disjointed post. Tough subject.

Beach Fanatic

Feb 1, '10 · 8:01 AM#22

If Tebow was taking it off for PETA ya'll would be all for it. Intolerance rearing its ugly head again.

WOW - I wasn't expecting this post. You must not have read how I totally am against advocacy ads during such a fun event! Not PETA, not gay rights, not pro-life, not choice, etc.... Best to just leave the commercials as entertainment for all.

But I do think it is interesting that CBS turned down a PETA ad in the past, but allowed this one. It is all worthy of discussion IMHO.

Gidget

Beach Fanatic

Feb 1, '10 · 8:44 AM#23

There are lots of ads on TV that I don't like...Birth control pills, Kotex, Condoms, Beer, Viagra, diet products, and many others. it would be nice to not have to have commercials at all. But since that isn't the case and commercials help pay for the shows...then I use that time to take a potty break or a refrig run or to check for messages on my Iphone. Sometimes folks get all bent out of shape about the little stuff and spout off, why not use this "passion" and direct it to big stuff...like our national debt, job lost, hungry children, shady politians, crime, and peace?

SoWal Insider

Feb 1, '10 · 8:49 AM#24

I do think it's funny that the mancrunch ad has those signs in the background, NO ENTRY, the stop sign with the arrow right in between them, This Equipment starts and stops Automatically....

:floor:

Mango, what is your opinion on these?

SoWal Insider

Feb 1, '10 · 9:04 AM#25

I do think it's funny that the mancrunch ad has those signs in the background, NO ENTRY, the stop sign with the arrow right in between them, This Equipment starts and stops Automatically....

Mango, what is your opinion on these?

:funn:I noticed those, too! I wonder how many would start skirming with that ad?

Beach Fanatic

Feb 1, '10 · 9:10 AM#26

There are lots of ads on TV that I don't like...Birth control pills, Kotex, Condoms, Beer, Viagra, diet products, and many others. it would be nice to not have to have commercials at all. But since that isn't the case and commercials help pay for the shows...then I use that time to take a potty break or a refrig run or to check for messages on my Iphone. Sometimes folks get all bent out of shape about the little stuff and spout off, why not use this "passion" and direct it to big stuff...like our national debt, job lost, hungry children, shady politians, crime, and peace?

Because we are shallow people who can't get beyond this! What are you sayin? We DO get passionate about many things - haven't you seen the other threads covering so many topics? :idontno:

LOL