Pet Rock: The Pop Culture Blog

It was banned because we are uptight Americans who insist on mandating everything. The europeans have ads far more revealing than this.

it was banned because that's not the kind of thing most Americans want to see when we're watching tv with our children. And the mom in me says---if the europeans jumped off a bridge, would you too?

Anonymous:

What's so great about Europe and why should we follow their lead?

If you want to satisfy your base, prurile interests, there are plenty of outlets for you to do that in private.

"if the europeans jumped off a bridge would you"...

I would if they had fun and the fall didnt kill them!

the point is not to restrict things because you THINK it will harm or hurt... prove it! i didn't see someone die or kill someone b/c of a nipple... America is becoming the opposite of what it once stood for... censorship is turning this country into a bunch of uptight, right wing douche bags! We need a reality check if we are making stinks over things like this!

I say "whatever." I see more nipple action on regular TV. I hope you uptight parents don't let your children watch any re-runs of Friends.

I have an easier time explaining to my 5 year old that the woman is naked in bed than trying to explain what those bumps on Rachel's shirt are.

Americans are sooooo puritanical. What is wrong with a child seeing a nipple for goodness sake? If he or she is lucky to have been breastfed then there is every likelihood of an earlier exposure to a nipple!

Funny: with all that puritanical censorship in the U.S., America is still the largest exporter of porn in the world. Funny that.

Happy in Paris.

For a country that spews out more than half of the world's porn and is the number one producer and consumer of sex smut for the internet (available on any computer), we sure got are panties in a knot over this half a second clip of Eva's nipple. Wow, unreal.

The real question is what are your kids doing up late enough to watch this ad?

sure i jump off a bridge, now the question is ,how far down is the bridge? ;).........a nipple???!!!! ......come on!! not a big deal!!!

blood and violence and killing and guns are great on TV, but human anatomy isn't?
Nipplegate is over, No fine for Janet's tit.
If I had kids, I would prefer them to watch random nakedness or even erotic programming than the full on violence on TV now. My girlfriend who has kids agrees, but there aren't any shows on out cable system aside from TVY7 for 10 or 14 or 16 year olds, or adults that don't have natural or random nudity. Many have violence. And even ShowTime has mostly violent programs and seemingly few adult movies without any sort of violence.
Even the discovery channel blurs animal anatomy.

To bad we cant get REAL BBC and UK channels on our expensive cable systems. I'd like to see uncensored Brit shows (and USA shows shown in the UK uncensored)

Steve

totally inappopriate ad!!!! what the hell is this world coming to? this is why kids to what they do at such early age

I don't get it. I had to watch twice to find the nipple shot. Get over yourselves.

nipples nipples nipples

Who cares what Europe thinks, right? I mean everyone is trying to get into America (Not that I am crazy about that) but I mean really, what the heck does France bring to the table except their ability to surrender?

of course it was banned there are nipples shown......i saw it immediately. i do believe there are far to many regulations on TV and Radio i mean arent they OUR airwaves if that is so then why dont we havesomeone elected and accountable for the content. instead we get someones friend or son to run the FCC and regulate something that is ours.

and by the way it bascially looks like every soap opera love scene that is shown every day

You can't miss the nipple actually. The nipple wasn't an accident and it was left in there to get your attention. How naive do the ad companies think we are? Can't the fragrance sell itself? That commercial didn't tell me one bit what the fragrance smells like. I don't give a flip if it's what drives Mendes. Describe the fragrance to me. If it was a gallon of milk they would still have her fiddling in the bed saying it's "Milk that drives her", or something stupid. I think America is too wrapped up in being shocked and until we learn to say forget it to stupid ads and TV reality shows, we'll be stuck with commercials like this one.

In response to this comment:

"it was banned because that's not the kind of thing most Americans want to see when we're watching tv with our children. And the mom in me says---if the europeans jumped off a bridge, would you too?"

First of all, ADULTS are the ones who overly sexualize the human body, not children. If you teach your kids that a nude body (or a little glimse of a nipple) always has to be sexual, then that's the problem right there. YOU are teaching them to objectify the human body the way you do, by perceiving every instance of nudity as offensive. The "mom in you" should explain to your children that we don't have be ashamed of our bodies and that a nude woman doesn't always mean "sex".

I find it quite humorous that so many people want to interpret the Constitution to include the kind of base degradation that exists in the entertainment and advertising industry today. Our founding fathers did not have this in mind at all when they established the idea of freedom of speech and expression. It was solely for the purpose of speaking out against the government without fear of repression. They believed very strongly in social order, and common decency. As a Libertarian I believe that everyone should be free to make any choice that effects their own life, but when their choice effects my life the line is crossed. If you want to look at a strangers breasts and they consent, so be it. But why should I be subjected to your vile lusts?

First of all, ADULTS are the ones who overly sexualize the human body, not children. If you teach your kids that a nude body (or a little glimpse of a nipple) always has to be sexual, then that's the problem right there.

Are you Serious? The commercial was meant to be sexual. Were you so busy looking at the nipple that you missed the rest of the ad? I agree that the human body should not be thought of solely as a sexual object, and that children should be taught the proper perspective human sexuality, but do you think that this commercial is they way to do it? If so, perhaps you should get an education!!!

Don't American TV's come with remote's then? Makes me laugh when people complain about what's on TV...you can just switch it off you know. It's not illegal (not in Europe anyway) ;)

I sad that my country is filled with people who just complain. It's so moist in th usa lately.....

If you like these kinds of ads and other nude things, move to Europe. If you like the American way of life with no nudity, stay in America, it's as simple as that. To each his own

Screw this rediculous argument! In the UK they would show this advert after the 9.00pm watershed when kids should be in bed. Then us ADULTS would all just be left in awe of the supreme hotness that is Eva Mendes.

Embrace the opportunity to see a beautiful womans body people and get your kids to bed on time. Prudes!!

I, for one, am glad this horrible horrible commercial has been banned. I believe I saw a nipple for one tenth of a second, and God told me, you know, since I'm his vicar on Earth, that good God-fearing people who are going to spend eternity in the clouds frolicking around are never to view nipples. Ever. Nipples are the work of the devil and Dennis Hopper.

I applaud the Americans and their puritanical roots, for they truly understand that only through censorship and religious kowtowing will they ever truly be free. The human body is something to be ashamed of and hidden, not displayed for titillation. In fact, those Muslim folks might be onto something with the hiding of women in general. Musn't provide men the opportunity for temptation, you know, as carnal thoughts are the bane of society.

Bully for you, FCC. Many thanks for your wise decisions.

HATE IS LOVE
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

Anybody who has a problem with this ad is probably fat and ugly. I can picture the fat mom saying oh my god thats offensive. Go eat some more u dump!

this is dumb why is everyone getting upset about this? when there are more important things then an actress's nipple. last time I checked we all have nipples some people were born with three lol. So Please tell me why is everyone getting so freaked out about it. Men walk around with their shirts off showing off their nipples does this mean we should ban them from doing that too? That is what this country is starting to tell me. Not to mention all this uptight behavior is making so many of us and our children to be afraid of our own sexuality. So Thank You for giving us a lolly-pop then telling us not to eat it or even think of licking it America. so contradicting its really sad.

In response to this comment:

"it was banned because that's not the kind of thing most Americans want to see when we're watching tv with our children. And the mom in me says---if the europeans jumped off a bridge, would you too?"

First of all, ADULTS are the ones who overly sexualize the human body, not children. If you teach your kids that a nude body (or a little glimse of a nipple) always has to be sexual, then that's the problem right there. YOU are teaching them to objectify the human body the way you do, by perceiving every instance of nudity as offensive. The "mom in you" should explain to your children that we don't have be ashamed of our bodies and that a nude woman doesn't always mean "sex".

OK, how it that not about sex? Haha, she's rolling around on a bed trying to look sexy.

I'm glad that this was banned by many US television stations. TV is getting far to "open" and dirty I'm glad that the US is not taking a step that Europe seems to be taking. The body is a temple and should only be seen by certain people. This is far too revealing. What's next, porn on PBS? Also, thumbs down to Eva for this, you should respect yourself more than to put your tits out there for the world to see. I used to be a fan, but not anymore.

Why are women's breasts considered sacrosanctly obscene, while men's aren't? This double standard between female/male display plainly cements the ridiculous binary dichotomy of the whore/madonna complex and of simultaneous pedestalizing and denigration of women.

Also, while I agree with the ad's creative director, Fabien Baron, re: "how hypocritical this country has become. It's ok for children to see people killed by guns? Spreading a little love right now would be a good idea," I do not equate love with the objectification of a woman, rolling provocatively around on a bed. Love is a whole different matter. Now, if she were rolling around with another person AND they were conveying sincere caring and respect for one another, that might be love. Sex and love are two separate components that, when combined, could be ideally pleasurable. But they are not one and the same.

While I think the ad should not be censored and while I agree with the creative director, Fabien Baron’s, public statement about the ad--“…how hypocritical this country has become. It's ok for children to see people killed by guns? Spreading a little love right now would be a good idea"-- I am compelled to distinguish the ad’s motives. “Spreading a little love” is different from playing on base instincts and fears (obsession, madness and objectification are not loving—but they do stimulate the part of the brain and the psyche that wants to run out and get “MORE!”). Secondly, voyeurism and sexuality don’t necessarily include love, although conscious love can be added to voyeurism and sexuality. Let’s call it what it is: sexploitation and playing on instinctual pathos.

While the ad titillates my instinctual pathos (its targeted marketing purpose, to be sure), I wouldn’t call it “spreading a little love.” Eva’s line, “Between love and madness lies obsession; it’s my secret,” combined with the voyeurism of her body, stimulates primal brain chemistry that the marketing strategists count on to skyrocket their sales. Combine this formula with the controversy of the “nip slip” and, voila’, the sheep are led to empty their purses—all so they can experience some mystery in a their otherwise vapid contemporary lives. There are other ways to create and behold mystery and “rites of reversal” besides perfume, ya know.

Is the appealing to people’s instinctual pathos and voyeurism synonymous with “spreading a little love?” Titillating, yes. Loving? I doubt it.

WTF this is a joke right...??

Can't have a half second of nipple, but we can violently kill a dozen people during prime time.

Something wrong with that equation....

I have to say that, as a parent in America, I do not want my child to know that people have nipples. It's just a slipperly slope (no pun intended). Next, they'd learn the nippes are attached to (gasp) breasts, and then, we all know what happens next: drugs, promiscuity, fowl language and erectile disfunction. I don't even own a cat or dog, because they too have nipples. If it were up to me, no mammal would ever have nipples. Never mind that our creator put nipples on us as a food dispenser that nourishes us in early life. Nipples are little Hershey kisses of destruction and wanton dismay. We should reject nipples. And if we buy Calvin Klein perfume, NEVER slather it over ones nipples.

In response to this comment:

"First of all, ADULTS are the ones who overly sexualize the human body, not children. If you teach your kids that a nude body (or a little glimse of a nipple) always has to be sexual, then that's the problem right there. YOU are teaching them to objectify the human body the way you do, by perceiving every instance of nudity as offensive. The "mom in you" should explain to your children that we don't have be ashamed of our bodies and that a nude woman doesn't always mean "sex"."

Funny how YOU suggest how I should teach my child, yet no one else can suggest that TV ads follow common "decency" and doing so leads us to a "right wing state", as someone else stated. Liberals are always really free to speak their minds and tell me how I should raise my children and what I should believe. As a conservative, I don't tell you how to raise your children and tell you how you need to interpret all the sexual references on tv and how to explain them to your kids. All I want is that they are not broadcast over public airwaves. If you choose to bring cable channels into your house, so be it. I choose not too, so over publicly funded airwaves, advertisers have to follow decency guidelines. This is not censorship, this is common decency. Same reasons why we (as a nation) don't actually demonstrate how to have sex to children in public middle schools, or even high school. After all that's a natural thing and a vital component to world progress. Would you like images of nude men and women shown in classrooms all over the country?

And if everyone thinks Europe is such a better place to live because they will allow you to see a nipple on tv, THEN MOVE THERE.

In reply to:

"Don't American TV's come with remote's then? Makes me laugh when people complain about what's on TV...you can just switch it off you know. It's not illegal (not in Europe anyway) ;)"

There is a difference between shows/ads that air on public funded airwaves vs "cable channels" (CNN, ESPN, etc.). Shows/ads on public channels have to follow set decency guidelines. That's why the article refers to US "broadcst" networks (CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, etc.)

Wait a bit. all of you. You are all so concerned about a nipple slip and its supposed effects on morality or your children innocence? Most sound like prudes and the rest like immoral sodomites right? You all silly. Your children have nipples. all of them. They get sex education in schools so they know what breasts are. And what is at the end of them. And they do not need an ad to show them. The number of porn sites that carry naked images in poses that would give you all heart attacks are numerous. Are you sure your kids have not already seen them. If you listen to most porn actresses they claim to have lost their virginity before 16, some at 12 to 13 years. Are you sure your kids are not visiting their websites. That they are not consuming this stuff away from your parental supervision? Keeping this stuff from them will only increase their curiosity and lead to experimentation. Education is the key. Let them know of this stuff so that they do not experiment in their teens like the porn stars did. Most of them had prudish upbringings. Your kids could be next. After all, most porn stars in america are from the so called bible states. Especially texas. Where ultra conservative upbringings are rife

all just a waste of time.

go read a book.

or just change the channel.

i have 3 kids of my own and i feel that its not just my choice that because a parent dont want to watch something that the single people dont. that why they have family channels so that you may watch those with your kids. And i also find that if you teach your kids about reality and sex in there youth they wind up better. all the corn fed bible pushing afraid of life parents need to get over yourselfs and put your kids to bed at a decent time and then they wont be up late. everyone is entitled to do what they want in life so keep all the negativity to yourself's. Its tree hugging pricks like you that are making this country go to hell because all your worried about it god and whats decent instead of making your kids grow up with understanding and street smarts so that they can get out and start their lifes and not depend on mommmy and daddy. its a nipple quit whining

It must be a good ad for it to be banned! Now it's been banned from youtube as well. Now where can I see it??

To all the parents who are making it the networks job to police what your children see - shame on you! It is MY job as a parent to determine what is appropriate for my children to watch and what is not. Calvin Klein is a product for adults (perhaps even young adults, but adults nonetheless) and will not be advertising next to Dora, Hannah Montana or Ben 10. When YOU choose to allow your children to watch CSI, House or other programming that contains adult content (how many primetime sitcoms have you seen that aren't rife with sexual innuendo?), you choose to expose them to this kind of sexual advertising at the same time. If you don't want them to see this ad, don't let them watch the programming it is being advertised with. Take responsibility for your children rather than expecting government or industry to do your job for you.

The reason they have left the nipple in the ad is to cause a bit of controversy and get everyone talking about Calvin Klien...which you are all doing tremendously well. You are like putty in their hands. As a European, I can't say i'd expect any less.

Everyone has nipples. What's the big deal?

How moronic is that people don't want their children to see nipples or the human body. What is it a government secret?

What are you teaching your kids when they see a naked body? Move to Iraq or what country their cover themselves. There are no freedoms. They murder and kill people daily. Read the news.

You Americans are crazy.

Imagine electing Bush. Twice.

Would the comments be the same if it were a male body on TV?

Isn't the male body just as attractive as the female body or are we just looking out for what men have wanted fo years....what about all the ladies out there that wouldn't mind seeing a perfectly airbrushed male ad. Would men want their little girls looking at that or would they feel differently about the little girl looking at a nude male?

GREAT! It's been banned from You Tube now.

"This video has been removed due to terms of use violation."

This is seriously messed up when a bit of nipple is too much for You Tube. Going through Google Video shows the You Tube videos with a dark filter in front of the videos, as if you were wearing really dark sunglasses.

Good news everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXOPiqllxfA

Watch it here before it moves again.

You're welcome ;-)

Get over it. Big deal a 1/2 second nipple shot. If that is all you have to complain about you have a need for a life. God made us that way. I don't know about you but I was born naked not fully dressed.

I personally am a fan of Eva Mendes's work, however I think she took a little too far with this commericial. I don't care how sexy an ad has to be, it can be sexy and smell like who knows what! Lol. Its just sad that this world believes that sex, drugs, and violence is whats up when we need to get closer to God and let Him show us what's up! Praise God! Oh and just b/c I know I will get those with their colorful comments, God is relevant in any comment and/or subject and I am not here to condemn anyone, I just want to spread the news that Jesus loves us all, we just have to get to know Him and my prayer is that whatever we go through, that we can get to know Him. God bless!

Give me a break....with all the crap we allow on TV and CD's who are we kidding. Which is more uncomfortable for a parent to explain.....a womens breast or all the insinuations to rape and the inappropriate four letter words we hear all over our society. There is nothing more beautiful than the human form and at times there's nothing more gut wrenching than the human mouth....just my opinion!!!

This is not porn, it's tastefully done and artistic. You dont see paintings being banned and this commercial is beautifully done. European or American, this is not smut and if you parents out there are offended by this half nipple, you need to teach your kids the difference between porn and art. RE-f'n-lax! :)

Perfumes are the only commodity that requires complete hard work and patience. Every perfume is made having its own uniqueness. I own a blog and write posts on the history and the making of perfumes