Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Public Transport Can Smell Like Ass But Not Show It


By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 23, 2006

Modified Mar 7, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published Aug 23, 2006

Modified Mar 7, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

2006_08_georgi.jpg

Aw, check it out: The MTA has removed Georgi Vodka ads from buses because they are too racy. The distributor, Star Industries, is considering suing the MTA, and its CEO, Martin Silver, says, "What's wrong with a girl in bikini? Just take a walk around New York. You see you plenty of ads that are much worse." But Silver might have another reason to be upset: The NY Sun reveals that his daughter, Laurie, is the one whose butt is in the ad (it's so much cheaper than getting a real model); Silver said about her, "Best buns in the city. Her friends call her 'buns' now." Uh, Joe Simpson anyone?

A Georgi Vodka ad had been nixed from buses before, and CBS Outdoor, which places media for the MTA, says, "We are sensitive to the community's standards, as our buses travel through every neighborhood in the five boroughs and are viewed by millions of people every day, children included. We do our best to ensure that all our displays are appropriate in the venues in which they are presented." Yet the ads aren't too sexy for taxis, but that's probably because taxis won't go through every neighborhood!

The ACLU says that Star Industries might have a case, telling amNew York, "The standards that the MTA seems to be employing seem imprecise. Unless they have a procedure in place to let the courts review this decision, they may well be violating the First Amendment." Clearly, there's a secret T&A filter that Peter Kalikow has. Maybe it's in one of his Ferarris.

Other instances of MTA advertising hilarity: The blowjobs ads, the Scientology poster, and Jews for Jesus' big campaign.

Tagged

advertising

amNew York

cbs

cbs outdoor

children

first amendment

friends

jesus

media

MTA

new york

ny sun

people

peter kalikow

scientology

subway

taxis

The ACLU

the city

The MTA

The NY

The NY Sun

transportation

travel


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NYPD says Bronx e-bike fire that killed a boy has claimed 3 more lives

Two teenage boys, 16 and 15, as well a 33-year-old woman have now died along with Zion Maine.

By

Amanda Rozon

Published Oct 31, 2026 at 10:29 a.m. ET


Donald Trump looms over New York attorney general’s race

Attorney General Letitia James, who has been a legal thorn in the president’s side, is seeking a third term.

By

Jon Campbell

and

Walter Wuthmann

News

Donald Trump looms over New York attorney general’s race

Attorney General Letitia James, who has been a legal thorn in the president’s side, is seeking a third term.

By

Jon Campbell

and

Walter Wuthmann


How formerly homeless New Yorkers are helping others get off the streets

By

Karen Yi

Woman stabbed in the neck while jogging in Brooklyn is in critical condition, NYPD says

By

Amanda Rozon

A violent hate crime claimed one NYC man's marathon dream. A year later, he's taking it back.

By

Brittany Kriegstein


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .