A distinctly american tradition
This year’s Super Bowl ads bring on the laughs
I think we can all agree that the Super Bowl is much more than a football game. Over the years, Super Bowl Sunday has morphed into an extravagant American holiday deeply rooted in the modern media culture. Aside from the loud parties, copious amounts of beer and hot wings, star-studded half-time time shows, and (of course) football, this national day of celebration has also become an advertising gold mine.
The Super Bowl is almost always the most watched television program of the year, and its commercial airtime is by far the most valuable; in three short hours, we probably see the most expensive and well thought out ads of the entire year.
For decades, these commercials have provided us with nearly as much entertainment as the game itself. From the 1973 Farrah Fawcett Noxzema shaving cream ad, to Apple’s 1984 play off of George Orwell’s “1984,” to the current era of hyperbolic humor (think back to any Budweiser Super Bowl commercial you’ve seen in the past few years), we have come to look fondly on the ads that won us over on this most American of holidays.
Given this, it seems appropriate to briefly highlight some of the most memorable commercials of Super Bowl XLIV.
Google’s Parisian Love:
By far my favorite commercial in a long time; it’s simple, heart-warming, and memorable. YouTube it.
The Simpsons Coke Commercial:
Everybody loves the Simpsons, and the “open happiness” slogan resonated with the feel-good vibe that Coke is so famous for.
The slew of Budweiser and Bud Light ads:
Budweiser really went all out this year. One ad had a group of scientists partying with Budlight as an asteroid came rocketing towards Earth; another spoofed Lost; and yet another portrayed a town so desperate for their Budweiser that they made a human bridge so the delivery truck could cross a ravine. While none of these are particularly special, they certainly garnered enough collective laughs to be worth mentioning.
Homeaway.com and the Griswolds:
Chevy Chase reprises his classic role of Clark Griswold, with Beverly D’Angelo as his wife, playing frustrated travelers whose solution is to rent a home.
The Doritos dying wish:
A man fakes his own death so his final wish will be carried out: He wants to be buried in a casket full of Doritos. I have to say, this one definitely brought out some laughs.
Audi Green Police:
Playing on their award for Green Car of the Year, Audi pulls off a downright funny commercial making fun of modern environmental conscientiousness.