Levi Johnston Stars in Ad for Pistachios

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Republicans

Levi Johnston is using his status as the father of Sarah Palin's grandson to shill pistachios.

The 19-year-old was thrust into the spotlight when it became known that his girlfriend, then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol, was pregnant. Though Johnston is no longer planning to wed Bristol Palin, Johnston has managed to stay in the spotlight, most recently with an ad for the company Wonderful Pistachios.

The ad shows Johnston with his bodyguard Tank Jones. Facing the flash of numerous cameras, Jones surveys the scene before signaling to Johnston he is safe -- to crack open a pistachio. "Now Levi Johnston does it with protection," a voiceover says, alluding to Johnston's and Bristol Palin's unplanned pregnancy.

Wonderful Pistachio announces on its Web site, "No babies were created in the filming of this ad."

Johnston's ad is one of a series of eight from the company, which began airing Monday on prime-time programming, including Monday Night Football.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by pakrat22 November 13, 2009 1:15 AM EST: How appalling. Making light of "doing it protected". Please pass it on the ad people that they blew it on this one.; Reply to this comment


by beseder18 October 14, 2009 12:52 AM EDT: When I saw Levi's "ad" for the first time this evening on tv, I felt sick. Here is Levi Johnston, selling himself (and by allusion, his former girlfriend, her mother, and the mother of his child) for money. In fact, I am so angry about the way he is using Sarah and Bristol and his baby to make publicity and money for himself that I should probably not say even one more word because the words that are filled with anger and disgust at his profiteering and disrespect he is heaping on a relationship that should be built of respect for the child's sake if for no other reason. And you can be sure I'm not buying any pistachios or anything else from that company, ever.; Reply to this comment


by thebob-bob October 8, 2009 2:16 PM EDT: He's posing for Playgirl. Is he Levi Johnston or Levi Johnson???; Reply to this comment


by cs4466 October 7, 2009 9:35 PM EDT: Shilling nuts? Right wingnuts, or Religious Reich Nuts?; Reply to this comment


by bcpats October 6, 2009 11:24 AM EDT: Levi needs to go away ! The not so "wonderful" nut company has stooped very low to play off the attenttion-seeking teenager.

For sure, if it had been Biden's daughter and her boyfriend - - it would not have happened. The media HATE Palin and everything right of center.; Reply to this comment