Keeping it Real and Keeping it in your Speedos turned out to be a winning combination for the Motion Picture Association of America. Not a surprise for aquatic sports fans including the ever-damp NY Daily News’ Ben Widdicombe (New York’s self-declared hottest young gossip columnist):

Film insiders are snickering after the Motion Picture Association of America refused to certify a poster for the new film “Pride” – about an African-American swim team – because they were prudish about the actors in their Speedos.

“They actually accused the film company of digitally enhancing actor Evan Ross … [son of Diana Ross],” laughs a snitch. “The MPAA wouldn’t approve the poster. Lionsgate had to get back to them with the original art to prove they hadn’t manipulated anything.”

Because if you Photoshop IT — ITs pornography … but if ITs real then you better just Call IT Miss Ross and make sure it stays inside the lycra. And print extras. And contact the gossip columnists.

Diana must be so proud – what an addition to the Rossian legacy and finally proof that There Is Too No Mountain High Enough.

The film, about an underdog Philadelphia swim team, stars Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac and opens March 23.

Faced with the evidence, the MPAA reversed their decision. “I actually think they were embarrassed by it,” says the insider.

As the MPAA is now publicly revealed to be both crotch obsessed and not familiar with the full possibilites of upmarket crotchet … they should be embarassed … and they should get out more.