June 21, 2007 | Sex & Society

Pigs are people, too

Fox and CBS have both rejected a TV spot featuring talking pigs trying to pick up women at a bar. When one of the pigs buys a condom at a bathroom vending machine, he magically transforms into an irresistible hunk.

Trojan Condoms' message? "Evolve. Use a condom every time." You're just another pig without one. A commendable idea, but some TV execs won't have any of it. Their reasoning ... 

CBS claimed that "while we understand and appreciate the humor of this creative (ad), we do not find it appropriate for our network even with late-night-only restrictions."

And Fox argued, "Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy."

Huh?

"Some networks draw a strong line between messages about disease prevention -- which may be allowed," states a 2001 report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "and those about pregnancy prevention, which may be considered controversial for religious and moral reasons."  

The objections seem to stop with these two broadcasters. The commercial will run on ABC, NBC, MTV, Comedy Central and Adult Swim. Pig sex can be safe sex, too!

Besides, who doesn't love a good sausage now and then? Yum!

• Planned Parenthood criticizes FOX and CBS Networks for refusing to broadcast condom ad [All American Patriots]
• Pigs with cellphones, but no condoms [New York Times]