So, favorite Super Bowl advertisements? As the 4th quarter was winding down and the “cheap” commercials were going on, I commented, and Matt agreed, that the ads had been a little weak this year. Some funny, sure, only a few stupid ones, but nothing that seemed really laugh-out-loud memorable. What I did notice was that there were a lot of OLD ads run, which seems sort of weak. The Grand-Theft-Auto Coca-Cola ad was hysterical – when I saw it before a movie at the dollar theater a month ago. Go Daddy has become so predictable that I perfectly timed when to “accidentally” stand in front of the projector the first time they showed their ad – if everyone can see it coming a mile away, I think the shock-value thing has stopped working. And, memo to execs, enough with the anthropomorphism, already! Seriously.
A few ads that I did love – GMC Robot. I had moved upstairs to the introvert room when this came on, so everyone was kind of aw-ing at the plight of the poor guy, and there was palpable horror in the room when he jumped, which made my laughing seem even more completely inappropriate. I think I have a problem.
I was also upstairs with the introverts for the Connectile Dysfunction ad. Again, a mostly silent/horrified room, except for Pat laying on the floor laughing in front of the TV. I think the commercial was actually a very tastefully done satire, and there was nothing at that was inappropriate. Then the guys downstairs started listing possible side-effects.
Most random and flat-out silly? One word – Goulet! This is the kind of ad that my mom would watch and go, “huh?” But everyone at the party thought it was brilliant. Regardless of the fact that no one can probably tell me what was being advertised, I give mad props to Emerald Nuts for making a commercial that was, well, nuts.
Finally, my early winner for best commercial: the Snickers Kiss. I saw where the ad was going as soon as the wrapper came off of the candy bar, so I was already laughing when the Lady and the Tramp action started. I did NOT, however, actually think that the guys would kiss. I had to make up a new word to describe it: defrightful! I suspect that this will get complaints from the activist gay community (homophobic!) and the activist religious community (men kissing on TV!), which makes it even funnier to me. All that I know is that I heard the phrase, “Quick! Do something manly!” about 5 times last night, and I don’t think it’s going to stop any time soon.
So… what do you think?
beautiful rundown.
No you’re normal… people just need to learn to laugh
okay, i really liked the suicidal robot commercial. i also liked the taco bell commerical with the lion trying to roll his “rrr’s.” but probably just because i liked annoying jensen by going around saying “caRne” instead of “carrrne”
overall, much weaker. remember the days of herding cats…now that’s good stuff…
K-Fed, baby. Life comes at you fast — Nationwide is on your side!
The CareerBuilder.com Battle ad was one of my favorites – probably because I work in and with the office types. The cliff scene at the end reminded me of the demon possessed pigs story in the NT – quite a visual. I must admit laughing, or trying not to laugh more like it – since no one else was, at the connectile dysfunction ad. Probably the IT geek side appearing like a wack-a-mole.
Two you left out, and both were played back to back at the beginning of the game: The Bud Light spot with “Paper, rock, scissors” (”I threw paper!”) and the Blockbuster ad with the rabbit and guinea pig trying to log into Blockbuster’s web site with the real mouse. The others you mentioned definitely ranked as well. Worst ad of the game: GoDaddy.com, which they showed THREE TIMES.
All I know is the “fist pound is out” commercials was probably the worst idea ever. Not because it was a bad ad, but because I got slapped a good six or seven times before leaving the party.
Mr. Blair,
I would just like to point out that although I was an introvert, (a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts) I definately was laughing during the GMC robot commercial, as WELL as the Robert Goulet commercial. And yes, I surprisingly do know who Robert Goulet is. *shock of the day!!!*
The Blockbuster ad was OLD. I think they ran that last year, if not two years ago. Matt said the same thing when it aired. Does no one else remember this???
Oh, forgot the fist-pound. That was good, though maybe not “Super Bowl” good.
Finally… I should make clear that I am not criticizing the introverts. I was in that room for a reason. There was certainly laughter at the GMC ad, but I definitely heard some expressions of horror/sadness/disbelief when he “jumped.” At the same time, I laughed really loud. I do the same things at movies – there will be quiet spots where I will start laughing at things that no one else seems to think are funny. Weirdos.