If you haven’t seen GoDaddy’s superbowl commecial yet, stop, drop, and roll video (there’s also an extended version on their site, worth viewing as well).

Back? Okay. Now. First of all, let’s all join in a big group hug of GoDaddy for striking while the iron’s hot and delivering a swift kick to the FCC on the anniversary of this year of ridiculousness. From what I can tell, our censorstate had dulled down anything not related to large, sweaty men jumping on each other and grabbing each other’s testicles, but GoDaddy took a stand, took a risk, and will likely come out ahead for it. They know web designers, bloggers, and other folks who register domain names are also the most invested in free speech. They knew that everyone else would be playing it safe. They also know that controversy is good for business. At least someone learned the right lesson from Janet.

“Broadcast Censorship Hearings” is lovely (in a sickening, twisted, McCarthy sort of way). As is a line missing from the aired spot: “Is it absolutely necessary for you to move about so much during the commercial?”

Bob Parsons’s GoDaddy Blog tells me that the ad was apparently pulled from the second half, along with a “brought to you by…” plug. That’s sad for them, I hope they get their money back. In the end, it won’t matter much. I’m just waiting to watch their iFilm ranking stack up to finally dethrone Jon Stewart. (Tho Baby Jesus bless GoDaddy for letting us download the ad - they also know about viral marketing. Although their copyright text was a little unclear about redistribution, or I would have sent it down the pipe to you already. Bob?)

Even though I’ve used them for years, I’ve always had a rather negative image of GoDaddy as a company. No reason, really, just that, like stuff that’s sold on late-night TV, it just seems too good to be true. I keep waiting for them to throw in a free spatula.

But now I have a newfound respect for them. Or at least I’m happier to give them my money, knowing that they won’t let the FCC talk them out of great marketing. Suddenly my mail-order kitchen appliances are really manufactured by KitchenAid. And I get two free spatulas!

(While we here, what’s with the name? It added to the sexiness of the ad, plastered across the bosom as it was, but where’d it come from in the first place? Bob?)