PETA: ABC Won’t Air New Ad Starring Joaquin Phoenix During Oscars
Published at(LOS ANGELES) — A new ad from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is a little too fishy, as far as ABC is concerned.
PETA tells E! News the network has opted not to air its anti-fishing commercial, featuring Joaquin Phoenix submerged in water, during the Oscars telecast because it was deemed too “political” and “controversial.”
In the clip, which was posted online Wednesday by PETA as part of a “go vegan” campaign, Phoenix is seen underwater, eventually panicking and flailing around.
His voiceover states, “In water, humans drown just as fish suffocate on land. It’s slow and painful and frightening. And we do it to more than one trillion fish every year. Put yourself in their place. Try to relate.”
PETA says ABC will instead air the ad during Jimmy Kimmel’s post-Oscars special.
Phoenix is nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in The Master.
ABC will air the ceremony live on Feb. 24.
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