Zack and Miri Attacked for Using the Word PORNO
By Mali Elfman
Apparently even just saying the word “porno” is too much for people to handle. No one will give poor Zack and Miri a break. First the rating was an issue, then the poster, and now no one will advertise the film.
The very first sign this would be a problem is when they slapped Kevin Smith with an NC-17 rating which would have meant no mainstream cinemas and a major blow to the film. Smith appealed and managed to talk them down to an R-rating.
Then the poster with Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks was deemed too “sexually explicit” so they replaced them with stick figures. Smith reported that the idea came because “Our hands were so tied on all previous entries we’d given them that this ad was meant to be the innocuous one that would get approved everywhere.” Big mistake apparently. Rina Cutler, Philadelphia deputy mayor for transportation, said the stick-figure posters only helped to promote sex to schoolchildren. “If they want to call the movie `Zack and Miri,’ that’s fine, but Zack and Miri cannot make a porno on my bus shelters,” Cutler said.
Now, no one wants to advertise something with the word “porno” in it. Apparently 15 newspapers, billboards, bus stop ads, and commercials have all been a problem with the poster and title. The Dodgers even forced all Zack and Miri Make a Porno ads during their game because of audience complaints.
Weinstein marketing boss Faber stated: “It’s a comedy. It’s a joke. We’re not advertising a porno. It’s not a porno. The word `porno,’ it’s not supposed to turn you on. It’s supposed to make you laugh.”
This film is supposed to be a comedy. Everywhere you go you are inundated with sexy billboards for TV shows such as “Gossip Girl,” clothing companies such as Guess Jeans, and MANY more. The Zack and Miri Make a Porno poster does not even display sexy images. They display funny images with the word “porno.” The film is rated R, so kids shouldn’t be seeing it anyway.
What do you think? Is the stick figure poster above offensive? Is the trailer below?
Source: Associated Press
