Hasta La Creative!

First, the MPAA tried to slap Zach and Miri Make a Porno with a NC-17 rating, but Kevin Smith appealed and talked them into an R. Then, the MPAA gunned down the movie’s original poster (which hinted at oral sex), and Smith fought back with a delightful stick-figure rendering and the headline, “Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks made a movie so titillating that we can only show you this drawing.” Now, even the stick-figure ads are being rejected, this time due to the word “porno.” At last count, some 15 newspapers, several TV stations, and the city of Philadelphia are refusing to carry the ads. As Rina Cutler, the deputy mayor of Philly, put it, “Zack and Miri cannot make a porno on my bus shelters.” Aw c’mon, Rina, it’s not like it’s the first porno Philly bus shelters have ever seen. Those shelters have been around the block. Smith is said to be considering an alternate stick-figure rendering with the line, “Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks made a movie so outrageous that we can’t even tell you the title.”

—Posted by Rebecca Cullers

David Gianatasio adds: The AP story also points out that TV spots for the movie that were airing during L.A. Dodgers games on Fox were dropped at the team’s request after some viewers complained. A team rep said the ads were pulled because “Dodgers baseball has always been about family.” We can assume he misspoke and meant to say that Dodgers baseball is about “losing.” Go Yanks in ’09!