Banned Super Bowl Ads: The Commercials Fox Won’t Show In 2011

Every year, there is a slate of commercials that is deemed too controversial, crude, or obscene to be shown during the Super Bowl. Only some are produced with the genuine intent of seeing it on air; many of them benefit simply from the publicity that results from being banned. Publicity such as, you know, these words here.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, Fox has rejected three commercials for broadcast during Super Bowl XLV. Here they are:

AshleyMadison.com

This is what I was talking about: a commercial that was designed to be rejected. The high-gamma lighting makes it look like it was made in 1998, the canned orchestra music is boring, and you get the impression that the director really loves to cross his arms and smugly declare, “Let’s face it. Sex sells!” at every opportunity. Yes, thank you, it’s funny because of sex. As for the latter half of the commercial, I have no meaningful answers to offer you.

JesusHatesObama.com

The shock-value angle on this one is even more transparent. “Jesus” would go over well with some crowds. “Jesus Hates” would not. “Jesus Hates Obama” ... well, kind of a wash, really.

Here’s an interesting question: if the religious angle were removed, and the pitch was something like, “Obama Is Not A Very Good President,” does the commercial still get yanked?

Lookup316.com

Supposing you were intent on making a commercial advertising religion to begin with, this ad is just about as polite as you could get. The site it advertises is also pretty non-controversial as far as these things go, although...

There are plenty of things we enjoy about this world: our friends, families (hopefully), and a host of activities and amusements – like football – to name just one. But in almost every aspect of life we experience disappointment, dissatisfaction, and daily frustration. Simply put, the world we live in does not match the one we hope for.

Oh, dude. Man. That is a drag. I’d probably ban it just on account of how much of a bummer it is.

For more video and commentary on Super Bowl commercials, stay tuned to this StoryStream throughout the weekend. And for more on the big game itself, follow along with our Super Bowl hub.