A controversial advertisement for Bravo's upcoming series "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce" has been banned from public buses and subways in Los Angeles and New York City.
The ad features series star Lisa Edelstein appearing to point her middle finger at the camera. Upon closer inspection, Edelstein is holding up her empty ring finger, and there is a tan line where a wedding band once was.
Bravo's media buyer, Dom Camera & Company, submitted the ad to CBS Outdoor in the LA and NYC markets, and was immediately turned down in Los Angeles. New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority initially approved the ad, but later reversed their decision.
"The creative for Bravo's scripted series, 'Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce' was approved by CBS Outdoor on September 24, shortly thereafter I was told the NY MTA rejected the ad and deemed it inappropriate. They would only consider it if we provided alternative creative," Dom Camera told TheWrap.
Bravo declined to submit a different ad, however.
"The ad is an accurate representation of the show's humor, attitude and story, so rather than 'divorce' this creative concept — we found alternative sites for it to run in NY and LA," a network spokesman said.
The provocative banner was approved for phone booths and tour buses in both markets, and several ads have already been spotted.
In addition to being struck at first glance by the faux offensive gesture, some passersby were disturbed by the name of the show and its tagline: "Go find yourself."
"They're making a show teaching women how to get a divorce?" one New York woman asked Christian Today. She saw the ad on the side and back of a tour bus on Wall Street.
"Oh no," another added. "Just what we need."
"Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce" is Bravo's first scripted series, and follows 40-something Abby McCarthy (Edelstein). According to the network, McCarthy is "a self-help book author and guru of all things family, who shocks the world when she reveals that her seemingly perfect life has all been a lie." McCarthy relies on her new divorced friends as she tries to "figure out her new identity as a single woman."
The show also stars Beau Garrett, Necar Zadegan, and Paul Adelstein, and will premiere on December 2.
