Veggie Love - NBC Bans New PETA AD

Apparently, caressing an asparagus is a no-no on NBC.

The network has banned animal rights organization PETA's new Super Bowl ad promoting vegetarianism.

In it, lingerie-wearing women fondle broccoli spears, kiss pumpkins, and make all sorts of advances on their unsuspecting vegetables.

The 30-second spot, which PETA says they produced to balance "traditional Super Bowl ads for meaty, greasy, and factory-farmed fast food," carries the message: "Studies Show: Vegetarians Have Better Sex."

But NBC's email putting the kaibosh on PETA's commercial is almost as racy as the ad itself.

In turning down the spot, NBC Universal vice president of advertising standards Victoria Morgan wrote that the "PETA spot submitted to Advertising Standards depicts a level of sexuality exceeding our standards," describing one actor as "screwing herself with broccoli."

"PETA's veggie ads are locked out while ads for fried chicken and burgers are allowed, even though these foods make Americans fat, sick, and boring in bed," responded PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. "Whether you're a 250-pound linebacker, a fan, or a 'football widow,' the smartest thing you can do to make sure that you're around for next year's Super Bowl is to go vegetarian."