Snickers Superbowl Ad Pulled Off the Air

After much controversy, the Snickers Kiss Superbowl ad has been pulled. The commercial will no longer appear on TV. In addition, the commercial and its alternate endings have also been removed from the snickers website.

The NFL and Snickers has come under criticism from various organizations including GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). The controversy not only surrounds the actual commercial that aired during Sunday night's Superbowl, but also the contest on the Snickers website. Visitors to the website were invited to view alternate endings to the commercial and vote on which one was their favorite.

The ending that aired during the Superbowl showed two mechanics working on a car. One of the mechanics pulls out a snickers and puts it in his mouth. The other mechanic then starts eating from the other end of the candy bar. The two men's lips inadvertently meet in a "kiss". One of the men exclaims "Quick, do something manly". At this point both men pull hair from their chests.

While many found the commercial as it appeared offensive, perhaps the more offensive ending was one of the alternate endings that appeared on the Snickers website. In this version, instead of the men pulling hair from their chests, they pick up wrenches and start to beat one another with them. According to www.canada.com, Judy Shepard spoke out against this ending. You will remember that Judy Shepard's son, Matthew Shepard, was beaten to death in 1998. She is quoted as saying "(It) encourages the same type of hate that led to the death of my son Matthew," she said in a statement. "It essentially gives 'permission' to our society to verbally or physically harass individuals who are gay, lesbian or bisexual. In particular, I am dismayed that these players, who are role models to our young people, would participate in perpetuating such discrimination and prejudice."