ABC Bans 'Idiot Brother' Movie Spot
ABC has refused to air a commercial for The Weinstein Company's new theatrical film "Our Idiot Brother," reportedly for its suggestions of drug usage and urination.
The film is an ensemble comedy about three sisters and an incurably optimistic "slacker" sibling. The spot -- which can be seen on YouTube -- shows Paul Rudd's character selling some illegal drugs to a cop, admitting to his parole officer that he just got high, and seemingly urinating off a trampoline.
In a press release, Weinstein didn't say exactly why the movie commercial for the comedy was rejected, but noted the spot had already aired on other broadcast and cable networks.
The timing is key for the movie: A week before a film's opening -- and including crucial Thursdays -- are important marketing periods for films. "Brother" opens on Friday, August 26.
ABC stated: "The ABC Television Network approved and accepted multiple spots for "Our Idiot Brother" and has aired spots for this film. The network did not accept spots that violated our long-established Ad Guidelines."
The network did not go into detail, however, according to Deadline.com, Weinstein Co. received these instructions from ABC: "Please remove the visual of the exchange of what is assumed to be drugs. Please remove the visual of the character using a juice box to depict urination. Please remove the references to getting high and smoking."
In response, The Weinstein Company said it had cut a new "red" band trailer for the film -- supposedly an even raunchier effort. Weinstein co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said: "We'd like to dedicate our new red band trailer for 'Our Idiot Brother' to censorship everywhere. Enjoy!!"
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Geez, I hope ABC never airs a pee or fart joke or lets tv kids say "pissed off." The movie sounds like crap but I doubt it's any worse than most of ABC's primetime schedule.
why wouldn't you embed, or even just link to this commercial (instead of just mentioning that it's on youtube)?
Why is this ban by ABC newsworthy? That network has historically been by far the most conservative of the three major broadcast networks. Even before The Mouse got involved, it's Always Been Cheesey.