MSNBC Pulls "Inappropriate" Michelle Obama "Hardball" Ad Depicting Silhouetted Female Dancers (VIDEO)

MSNBC ran an ad for "Hardball" Thursday morning teasing a segment on Michelle Obama's image makeover. The ad featured background artwork of female silhouetted dancers while the phrase, "HER NEW OUTLOOK?" was displayed on the screen. When contacted, an MSNBC representative said the ad was pulled after only running "once or twice" because it was deemed "inappropriate." The full statement:

The artwork should not have been used, it was inappropriate. We pulled the spot this morning and it was re-done without those images.

Watch the "inappropriate" ad below ("inappropriate" artwork slo-mo'ed at end if you miss it):

From MSNBC, 6/19

Comments

[alt365]

I'm going to guess the person who came up with the graphics was a guy. Why are guy's so stupid? Is it not OBVIOUS that silhouetted dancers are just as inappropriate as the "obama's baby mama" caption on Fox? Idiots.

[Old time Dem]

This was very disappointing from MSNBC and Chris Mathews. I expect more serious commentary from him. I hope he apologizes for this. iI's exactly the kind of behavior Barack Obama is fighting against.

Chris: don't let your show desintegrate into some faux news look alike.

[Ndw]

Can we please just admit that the liberal versions of Fox are the SAME as Fox? They're not better, they're not wiser, they're not wittier. They're the other side of the same damned coin. When we can face up to that sorry reality, we might, conceivably, move forward.

[Forest]

MSNBC is devolving into MCNBS?

[WatchIt]

Yes, that is the point exactly. MSNBC were thinking that Clinton would be their mouthpiece, but when Obama came out on top, they frantically switched to the second or third choice mouthpiece. Cute.

[Trittydi]

Well, I DO feel it is distasteful - but not horribly so - but if we accept this, then they can push a little harder next time.
*

[joh]

They already did worse to Clinton, calling her everything but a human being. Didn't hear B.O.'s supporters complain about that. MS-NBC must be run by some scary guys who enjoy putting women down. Who watches that crap anymore?

[bygollymissmolly]

You know, I watched MSNBC the whole time during the primaries and I never once heard anyone call H'illary anything other than "H'illary" or "Senator Clinton". They did discuss her lies and the nasty things she said about O'bama, but that's what news reporters are supposed to do. I also saw Keith Olbermann discuss the nutcracker doll and he said that he thought that was terribly distasteful and disrespectful to H'illary.

I know losing hurts, but try to look back with open eyes, not eyes clouded by your hurt.

[kristin]

Who said “offensive”. This 70 year old woman does not find the ad offensive. But is is inappropriate to show silhouettes -- ostensibly representing the “new” Michelle in her makeover--with skirts at a length no first lady would ever wear in public.

[heal57]

Well, this 63 year old woman finds the silhouettes offensive and just plain stupid. Michelle Obama is not a party dancer. They rightly pulled the ad. It was distasteful at best.


Independent for Obama '08

[syrupcore]

Kristen, if I were the one passing out Huffpost Picks, it'd be yours.

[cowboyjerkface]

If this had been a siloutte of a white woman in poses there would be a different outcry you can bet your ass! But even some ignorant retarded white democrats think its ok to portray Michelle or Barack as house servants or strippers, as the siloutte emphasised.

If you didnt see strippers then you dont really care how MSM portray the Obamas and as such you belong with all the other people who also thought the Obama sock monkey was cute or the Texas GOP buttons saying "If Obama wins, will we still call it the White House" was kinda funny but hardly offensive. I say I would rather lose again this fall and cleanse the party once and for all of all the bigots who still reside in the Democratic Party. I think the bigot vote and population is shrinking and the republicans could use fine white folk like you!

You are in the wrong party! The line for hatred, fear and ignorance forms to the right under the banner "GOP for McCain!"

[uheardme]

Well said.

[RJII]

its cheesy at best.

[Phil123]

This was offensive? Are you kidding? What a bunch of girlie-men.

I was prepared to hear a genuinely offensive ad - like maybe an ad where they quote her.

[bygollymissmolly]

Your Republican fear is showing. Perhaps you should get some therapy now for the anger and grief you are going to suffer in November. It might prevent your head exploding on November 3.

[Phil123]

...and on top of anger and grief, you forgot to mention that I'm a "bitter American." I'm out here ripping pages out of my bible, and using them to clean my gun.

[Politicallie]

This is just silly; we're ow just hypersensitive. There was nothing wrong with this promo ... come on!!

[Marmann]

I adore Barack and Michelle Obama, but isn't this a little silly?

[bygollymissmolly]

No, it is not. If you allow things like this to slide, then the next time it will be just a little more offensive and then more until it's outright in your face offensive. I shudder to think what we are going to be subjected to for the next 5 months.

[MissKaren]

It's on a par with picturing Cindy McCain downing a pill as a promo.

[joshrox]

Look I'm not too fond of Chris Matthews, but what the HELL (yelling) is the matter with this. Have we become thisssssssss sensitive over something so ridiculous as three fully clothed silhouettes dancing in the background. If this is the case then we all better stop watching TV. Or is it because it is Michelle and you better "lay off my wife" syndrome.

This is not news, this is STUPID! (yelling again)

[syrupcore]

C'mon josh, you really think those silhouettes were "fully clothed"? Totally inappropriate when talking about a potential first lady. Those were fucking booty dancers from an R. Kelly video.

[bygollymissmolly]

Wow, how did your f u c k i n g get past the moderators. I used a word a lot less offensive as this one and my post went poof with a message that it was zapped for using bad words.

The moderating on this site is baffling and very frustrating.

[Bademus]

Wow, so I guess she has to be half naked for you to find it offensive? I'm guessing you are not of the feminine persuasion.

[ESerafina42]

I'm of the "feminine persuasion" and I don't find it offensive. Wouldn't find it offensive if it were about Laura Bush or Hillary either. You Obama-ites are really a bunch of wimps, aren't you? (And I will be voting for him, or at least against McCain and for "the Democrat.")

[JJeff88]

Aside from the bad taste, the Hardball promo ad was spot-OFF!

She's still doing what she's doing - she's still Michelle.

The only "make-over" I'm aware of is media created.

While admitting she'll need to be a bit more careful of what she says in order to avoid being ambushed, the Michelle I saw on the View was the same strong, real person she's always been.

MSNBC's shallow promo was about as substantive as speculating on whether Matthews dyes his hair.

[Enid]

What if this was used as a promo for the NEW Mrs. Bush?

It was offencive the only thing missing was the pole.

[CallMeDeaconBlues]

This waaaaas offensive why? What else would you call it?

[mollyjackson]

Do real people really watch MSNBC?

[CallMeDeaconBlues]

A few, most of them have pointy little heads though.

[chronic]

Yes! MSNBCs Countdown with Keith Olbermann!!

[stpius70]

Well, I have an idea why they pulled it... it's cheesy and low-brow, better suited for Extra and ET than a political news show. And a tad sexist.

I'm just sayin'.

[theVoice0fReason]

[quote] "...And a tad sexist." [/quote]

Um, yeah, about that. Forgive me for being a mere Y Chromosome on this "debate" as it were, but how is the silhouette of 3 female figures ( nothing animated or in any way suggestive of "dancing" of those figures have befallen my eyes, but rather, stationary, immutable 2D artist renderings ) in any way sexist? Is it sexist merely in it's representing a silhouette of the female form, without visibile outline of a gender-neutral style of dress ( such as a 'pant-suit' ) that makes it sexist? I just don't see what is the great travesty here.

Am i missing something?

[renoir]

Look, it didn't really offend me but it's still strangely inappropriate. As another poster said, it would be considered inappropriate and somewhat disrespectful imagery for Laura Bush. Madeline Albright. Janet Reno. Barbara Bush Senior. Barbara Bush Junior. Condi Rice. It's just slightly demeaning to put James Bond-style silhouettes to represent a woman of substance, that's all. If it was Paris Hilton, who cares? She's all about style and appearance. But Michelle Obama is someone not to be trifled with and this ad just is inappropriate, especially considering this was supposed to be about a POLITICAL make-over, not a physical make-over.

I personally think that it's because Michelle Obama is so attractive and dresses in such a classy manner that this ad was conceived of to begin with.

Women of substance don't like to be viewed, judged and rated based on appearance even if they presenting a pulled-together look and this ad just flaunts something that is the polar opposite of treating her with respect. It's insidious is all.