[NickPollard]

Another version I've heard of this is with film censorship - apparently when Hitchcock made Psycho, the film censor (I think in the UK - the BBFC) wouldn't give the film a certificate because it was too extreme for the era - too much nudity, too much violence - and suggested a few cuts to just trim back some of the offending shots.

Hitchock said of course he would, took the film back, and sat on it for a couple of weeks. He later sent back the 'fixed' version, and the censor was much happier with the 'changes' and certified it for release.

[loudmax]

There is a story that when the animators of Avatar The Last Airbender were working on the Beach episode, they knew that if they drew the outfits the way they wanted, they would be told to tone it down. So they drew everyone in outfits far too revealing for a children's program. When, as predicted, they were told to draw something more conservative they went ahead and animated the scenes the way they originally envisioned them. The censors, satisfied that they had done their job, accepted the revised scenes.

[ibmthrowaway271]

Works for planning applications in the UK too.

Building company wants to build a 12 storey block of apartments somewhere, but the locals will object to pretty much anything.

Initial planning application goes in for 42 storey block. Locals up in arms demanding it be reduced. Big protest campaign launched. Delays and then a revised planning application for 28 storeys. Outrage (but less vociferous). More delays and eventually a revised planning application for 12 storeys. Little complaint, planning application successful.

[digi_owl]

Sounds like what TVTropes calls "getting crap past the radar".

[omegaham]

Matt Parker and Trey Stone, the creators of South Park, did the exact same thing when making Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. Put completely ridiculous over-the-top NC-17 stuff in there, get it rejected for those parts, and keep the iffy stuff.

[kxo]

I thought that was Team America, World Police.

[misuba]

It was likely both - it's pretty much all films these days, certainly all R-rated ones for the last while.

[happyscrappy]

This works for submissions to the App Store as well.

[ohitsdom]

Any stories with this happening? Seems unlikely to me because you can't be sure the same person is reviewing your app. Also developers seem to rarely get specific feedback for a rejection.