Super Bowl 2009: Commercial Thread

[Lavabe]

Alright folks, this thread is for discussion of the good, the bad, and the ugly commercials for this year's Super Bowl.

So far, a Bud Light and an Audi commercial.

[Lavabe]

Dylan and Will.i.am for Pepsi. Neat commercial, but nothing spectacular. Good one, though.

The Doritos job promotion commercial: Lame.

[Lavabe]

Conan O'Brien for Bud Light: Lame.
Jack Black movie: Won't go to see it in June.
Toyota Venza: Boring

So far, color me unimpressed.

[duke74]

Conan O'Brien for Bud Light: Lame.
Jack Black movie: Won't go to see it in June.
Toyota Venza: Boring

So far, color me unimpressed.

Agree so far. Just amazed that all spots sold out....

[Lavabe]

Mr & Mrs Potato Head for Bridgestone Tires: That was okay, but not earth-shattering. Mr&Mrs P-H fight a bit while driving.

Chimps selling Castrol Oil: Lame.

Action Movie. Who cares?

Medium (on NBC): whoopee.

Will Ferrell Movie: "Matt Lauer's an Idiot": Low

Dorts: Woman on the street loses clothes, ATM flows cash... loads of Italian opera music. I kind of like this one.

GoDaddy.com: Danica Patrick taking a shower. Oy vei. These folks sink lower every year.

Pepsi Max: "I'm good." Good one! Slapstick.

Pedigree adoption: Zoo animals on the loose. Nice. Driving with a warthog in the back seat. A Rhino loose in a house.

Budweiser: Dalmation and Clydesdaile series. Nice, but not original.

NBC commercial. Won't watch the show.

Budweiser: Aint no Mountain High Enough: Clydesdaile falls in love with Daisy the white circus horse. NICE.

Star Trek Movie trailer.

More later,
Lavabe

[Lavabe]

G: Neat one, with inspiring athletes. Not special but good.

Cars.com: The biography of David Abernathy. Pretty funny. Performed open-heart surgery with a ballpoint pen at an opera. Went to cars.com because he was afraid of car-buying.

[duke74]

G: Neat one, with inspiring athletes. Not special but good.

Cars.com: The biography of David Abernathy. Pretty funny. Performed open-heart surgery with a ballpoint pen at an opera. Went to cars.com because he was afraid of car-buying.

I've liked the Clydesdales the best....

[Lavabe]

Hyundai Genesis: Rhymes with Sunday. Japanese board meeting with people shouting Hyundai. Ugh.

etrade baby commercial: I'm tired of this ad campaign.

NBC 3D and Hulu commercials: Ugh.

[Lavabe]

Pixar movie coming: "Up." UGH

Bud Light drinkability: Don't even bother with this one.

I am tired of movie commercials.

[DukieInKansas]

I liked the Cheetos commercial with the pigeons. I'll have to try that trick next time there's someone obnoxious at the outdoor cafe.

[Lavabe]

H&R Block: Tax preparer. Grim reaper. Neat idea.

Teleflora.com: Flowers in a box. Talking flowers insult someone who gets a Valentines bouquet in a box. Meh.

United way/NFL.

Jay Leno "I'm Coming" in the fall. NBC.

Cheetos: Pigeons at a cafe descend on an annoying woman. Cheetos are the lure that attracts the pigeons. Original.

More 3D stuff. Monsters vs. Aliens movie.

Halftime break.
Meh.

[Lavabe]

Sobe: NFL players doing ballet, then dance with lizards. Nice, but not original.

I think I'm siding with the Clydesdaile falling in love, but the Cheetos worked well. Dorts may come in 3rd.

Otherwise, I'm tired of movie commercials.

[duke74]

Sobe: NFL players doing ballet, then dance with lizards. Nice, but not original.

I think I'm siding with the Clydesdaile falling in love, but the Cheetos worked well. Dorts may come in 3rd.

Otherwise, I'm tired of movie commercials.

But that last play!!!!!!! WOW (sorry--not commercial-related)

[Lavabe]

Carlos Boozer promoting Overstock.com. Bling bling.!!:eek:

[DukieInKansas]

Carlos Boozer promoting Overstock.com. Bling bling.!!:eek:

We have the winning commercial!

[devildeac]

Carlos Boozer promoting Overstock.com. Bling bling.!!:eek:

"20 years of dedication" (IIRC)

[Lavabe]

Budweiser: Clydesdaile with Scottish brogue recalls family history. Probably the winner of the Budweiser commercials tonight.

NFL legends promoting NBC Heroes. Meh.

4x4 pickuo truck climbing a spiral staircase of fire. Meh. I couldn't tell you what brand.

The Rock promoting a movie. Meh.

Hardees: Promoting their new chicken parm sandwich, with a sort of a Soprano's theme.

Another movie: Transformers. Ugh.

careerbuilder.com: Hey dummy! EXCELLENT! Do you daydream about punching small animals. Primal scream. Sitting next to blue speedo guy.

Monster.com: You might need a job if your desk is right under a moose's bottom.

CocaCola: The ladybugs and bees and other insects with the Peter & the Wolf theme. Love it! It makes up for an earlier Coke commercial that didn't do anything.

Kellogg's frosted flakes: Charity work helping preserve fields.

It'll be tough to top Carlos.:D

[duke74]

Budweiser: Clydesdaile with Scottish brogue recalls family history. Probably the winner of the Budweiser commercials tonight.


Monster.com: You might need a job if your desk is right under a moose's bottom.

CocaCola: The ladybugs and bees and other insects with the Peter & the Wolf theme. Love it! It makes up for an earlier Coke commercial that didn't do anything.



Agree with all of these thoughts. Really loved the Coke commercial - music, graphics, look.

Best monster.com commercial. Cracked me up.

[Lavabe]

NFL: Usama Young of the New Orleans Saints ... and his dad. Dad: "It's only a commercial, son." Cute.

Is it my imagination, or is there a lot of locally-based advertising this year, especially since halftime?

Ooh... NBC promoting Celebrity Apprentice ... with Andrew Dice Clay and Dennis Rodman and Joan RIvers.:eek:

[DukieInKansas]

NFL: Usama Young of the New Orleans Saints ... and his dad. Dad: "It's only a commercial, son." Cute.

Is it my imagination, or is there a lot of locally-based advertising this year, especially since halftime?

Ooh... NBC promoting Celebrity Apprentice ... with Andrew Dice Clay and Dennis Rodman and Joan RIvers.:eek:

I noticed the local ads too. One of ours was for the Harley-Davidson dealership and it just recognized all of their employees that had been in the Armed Forces - picture then and now. And then thanked all those that serve. I liked that one.

I liked the Coke commercial and the careerbuilder.com one.

I have missed some of those you mentioned - not sure how.

[duke74]

NFL: Usama Young of the New Orleans Saints ... and his dad. Dad: "It's only a commercial, son." Cute.

Is it my imagination, or is there a lot of locally-based advertising this year, especially since halftime?

Ooh... NBC promoting Celebrity Apprentice ... with Andrew Dice Clay and Dennis Rodman and Joan RIvers.:eek:

Also a LOT of NBC ads. Lack of sales?

THE BEST JUST NOW--TROY and the Mean Joe Greene commercial take-off for Coke zero!

[DukeUsul]

Ok - Ed McMahon and MC Hammer with the gold toilet and gold "hammer" was pretty good.

[Lavabe]

Coke Zero: Troy Palamalou does a remake of the legendary Mean Joe Green commercial of the 70's. BEAUTIFUL and hilarious.

Cash4gold.com... all I have to say is Ed McMahon and Hammer star in this one. That should tell you what I think of it.

Cheers,
Lavabe

[Lavabe]

Vizio: Nothing special. Words and narrator.

Taco Bell: Just the two of us. NO!

GE Smart Grid Technology: If I only had a brain. Nice animation of the Scarecrow. Original.

Hmm...

[DukieInKansas]

Vizio: Nothing special. Words and narrator.

Taco Bell: Just the two of us. NO!

GE Smart Grid Technology: If I only had a brain. Nice animation of the Scarecrow. Original.

Hmm...

I liked the Scarecrow - but I learned different words to that song.

[Lavabe]

Hulu: Alec Baldwin. VERY cool!! An evil plot to destroy the world.

NBC promoting its monday night lineup: Chuck, Heroes, and Medium.

Oy.

Well, at least we don't have any movie commercials now.:rolleyes:

[Lavabe]

GE: Wind Energy: South American kid captures wind, then opens it at his grandfather's birthday party just as the birthday cake candles are about to be blown out.

MacGruber: Pepsi commercial from last night's SNL. Featured the real MacGyver. Funny last night. Not now.

[Jarhead]

I didn't notice any commercails worth talking about, and the half time show only proved that we need a new boss

[Lavabe]

I didn't notice any commercails worth talking about, and the half time show only proved that we need a new boss

For the most part, I agree with you. Many just stink. Low on imagination. Not very original. And NBC/movie commercials are dominating playing time.

On the other hand, a few are truly nice. CokeZero's Troy Palamalou and Coke's Peter & the Wolf commercials are outstanding (although not history-making). And the Scottish Clydesdaile commercial was pretty good.

I'd say 9 or 10 good ones... but an overhwelming number of BAD ones.

As for the Boss, I needed more cowbell from Clarence.

Cheers,
Lavabe

[duke74]

For the most part, I agree with you. Many just stink. Low on imagination. Not very original. And NBC/movie commercials are dominating playing time.

On the other hand, a few are truly nice. CokeZero's Troy Palamalou and Coke's Peter & the Wolf commercials are outstanding (although not history-making). And the Scottish Clydesdaile commercial was pretty good.

I'd say 9 or 10 good ones... but an overhwelming number of BAD ones.

As for the Boss, I needed more cowbell from Clarence.

Cheers,
Lavabe


You may be very kind with "9 or 10 good ones", but I defer to the maven.

[Lavabe]

Bud Light Lime:A summer state of mind... who cares?

Godaddy.com: Second Danica Patrick one. Testifying in front of a judge. Well, it beats the first one (where she is showering).

LAME on both.

[devildeac]

GE: Wind Energy: South American kid captures wind, then opens it at his grandfather's birthday party just as the birthday cake candles are about to be blown out.

MacGruber: Pepsi commercial from last night's SNL. Featured the real MacGyver. Funny last night. Not now.

Did you watch any of the game:rolleyes:?

[devildeac]

I didn't notice any commercails worth talking about, and the half time show only proved that we need a new boss

"same as the old Boss"

I know I won't get fooled again...

[rockymtn devil]

My favorite was the monster.com with the moose head/body.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Wow, what a weak year. I honestly saw nothing that really stood out as what I consider to be a "Super Bowl Commercial". It's THE showcase for ad companies, they take a whole year to come up with a 30 or 60 second spot, and charge gazillions of dollars for it.
The smartest campaign has to go to GoDaddy.com. To see the rest you have to go to their site, further enticed by the words "web content uncensored". I'm sure they had a lot of traffic tonight.
Movie trailers are cool, but to me they don't count as commercials to be judged. The hardest I laughed during all of the commercials was during the trailer for "Up". But that just means the movie itself is funny.
Looking forward to next year, at least I had a team to root for in the game (STEELERS!!!). If I hadn't, I probably would have turned the channel.

[DevilAlumna]

THE BEST JUST NOW--TROY and the Mean Joe Greene commercial take-off for Coke zero!

This one gets my vote, for both building on an existing amusing ad campaign (the two Coke guys talking to the lawyers about Coke Zero infringement) and using an iconic Coke ad to do so. I laughed out loud.

Second one was the "punching small animals" ad (it's particularly timely for someone I know.)

[weezie]

I think Detroit made a mistake by not having something during the game. Not exactly flag-waving but a little "boostering" for the people all along the auto manufacturing chain.

OT, Springsteen was fun but when he slid across the stage on his knees we all yelped. The guy's in great shape!

[Mr Blue Devil]

Lavabe, you pretty much do not like anything do you? ;)

[DukeUsul]

Time has posted a collection (http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1874549_1874552,00.html) of all the ads with links to YouTube and grades. I have to mostly agree with their grading. There were only a handful that got As or A minuses (Alec Baldwin/Hulu, the dog rescue one, the Audi one, the bugs and Coke one, NFL/Usama Young, Ed McMahon/Hammer). I'm not really sure if all these are worth As, but I did think these were the best.

[brumby041]

Something about that Koala getting punched and "hey, Dummy" really made me laugh.

On a slightly different note, for those of us that live on the dark side (Maryland), the iconic moment was during the halftime show when NBC 4/11 cut to the lottery picks. For those that haven't seen it, this scintillating TV moment consists of people who shouldn't be seen on TV arranging little colored balls in a row to announce the winning numbers of the daily "tax-on-the-stupid" game. Note to NBC - use a ticker!

Brumby

[hurleyfor3]

This year's theme seemed to be "men getting hit by stuff". Talking animals had run its course, I guess.

[CameronBornAndBred]

On a slightly different note, for those of us that live on the dark side (Maryland), the iconic moment was during the halftime show when NBC 4/11 cut to the lottery picks. For those that haven't seen it, this scintillating TV moment consists of people who shouldn't be seen on TV arranging little colored balls in a row to announce the winning numbers of the daily "tax-on-the-stupid" game. Note to NBC - use a ticker!

At least it was still family friendly. In Tucson, they got porn (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9166884?MSNHPHMAhttp://).

[DevilBen02]

I believe I was the only one at the Superbowl party I was at, but I could not stop laughing at the Denny's "Nannerpus" ad just because of how absurd it was.

[TillyGalore]

At least it was still family friendly. In Tucson, they got porn (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9166884?MSNHPHMAhttp://).

Sounds like someone was pulling a prank of sorts with comcast. They certainly could have used some other video feed. Wonder how many necks are going to roll on this one. Can the FCC hand out fines if it was a prankster?

[TillyGalore]

I believe I was the only one at the Superbowl party I was at, but I could not stop laughing at the Denny's "Nannerpus" ad just because of how absurd it was.

Must have been pretty lonely being the only person at the super bowl party you attended. ;)

[blazindw]

Something about that Koala getting punched and "hey, Dummy" really made me laugh.

Brumby

I LOVED this commercial! It had me and my friends dying of laughter!

[Lavabe]

This year's theme seemed to be "men getting hit by stuff". Talking animals had run its course, I guess.

Well, there was the Clydesdaile with the Scottish brogue this year.

In a related genre, the talking babies on e-trade... they must go.

As far as men getting hit by stuff, nothing this year rivaled Justin Timberlake last year.

Car commercials, movie commercials, and TV commercials were all lame this year.

Coca-Cola beat Pepsi this year, hands down. careerbuilder.com beat monster.com.

When will godaddy.com declare bankruptcy?

[Mr Blue Devil]

Teasers for Revenge of the Fallen and GI JOE made the entire Super Bowl worth it!!

[Lavabe]

Lavabe, you pretty much do not like anything do you? ;)

My top 10:

Coke Zero: Troy Palamalou : HILARIOUS
careerbuilder.com: Hi dummy! Speedo guy! ARRRRGH! PRICELESS!
Coca-Cola bugs & Peter & the Wolf: Beautiful and original
Budweiser: Clydesdaile w/Scottish brogue.
Budweiser: Clydesdaile falls in love with Daisy, the circus horse.
Usama Young: NFL promotion, but a genuine ad
Cheetos: The pigeon attack.
Doritos in the street: The crystal ball ad is getting the attention, but I liked the other one. I give Dorts lots of credit for their ad campaign contest.
Hulu: Alec Baldwin... you either like him or you don't. I like him, and the ad was solid.

... and of course

Carlos Boozer: Bling, bling on overstock.com. LGD!!

I know I liked a number of others too, including Pedigree, GE's Scarecrow, etc... Really was VERY glad GEICO had no commercials.

[hurleyfor3]

Well, there was the Clydesdaile with the Scottish brogue this year.

In a related genre, the talking babies on e-trade... they must go.

As far as men getting hit by stuff, nothing this year rivaled Justin Timberlake last year.

Car commercials, movie commercials, and TV commercials were all lame this year.

Coca-Cola beat Pepsi this year, hands down. careerbuilder.com beat monster.com.

When will godaddy.com declare bankruptcy?

Domain names and Web sites are a pretty reliable source of recurring revenue. They ain't trying to sell dog food with sock puppets.

I don't remember any of the Clydesdales directly talking (as in their lips moving), but maybe I missed an ad. I don't think AB wants to taint their Clydesdales by making them "human" -- AB has enough talking animals, and seems to like emphasizing the Clydesdales' inherent horseness.

I confuse monster and careercrapper. They need to do a better job at product differentiation.

[Mal]

I'll be contrarian on the Budweiser Clysedale ads. I loathe them. I can't quite put a finger on why they bother me so much, but I absolutely hate that entire line. I think it might be that I sense a deep, abiding arrogance hidden in them, which I feel is wholly unjustified for the product underlying the message.

Anyway, when the "Daisy" ad finished last night, I wanted to throw something at the television, and said out loud "That is the dumbest commercial I have ever seen."

Just wanted to get that off my chest. Sorry, lavabe! To each their own. :)

FWIW, I thought the hulu ad with Alec Baldwin was very clever and well-executed. Probably my fave of the night, although I missed most of the first quarter.

[TillyGalore]

I liked the Clydesdale ad with Daisy the dancing horse. I also liked the one where the Clydesdale gets the tree branch after the Dalmatian gets the stick. Although I did not like the Scottish brogue Clydesdale. Over the top.

I think the reason I like the Clydesdale ads is they are such beautiful animals.

[JStuart]

"which I feel is wholly unjustified for the product underlying the message."
Could it be the resemblance of the A-B product to the straw-colored liquid that Clydesdales produce in large quantities?
I'm just sayin'

[Windsor]

I loved the Clydesdailes -- fetching the stick, followed by in love with Daisy.

The career builder ad - the most talked about one at work...yesterday the phrase of the day was 'where is that Koala!' It was that kind of day

Love the Cheetoes pigeon attack! Since I'm in the land of the seagulls I may have to try that one some day soon :D

Troy Palamalou ad (Coke Zero) was good and both Doritos ads were creative and funny.

I hate the talking babies.

[Highlander]

Teasers for Revenge of the Fallen and GI JOE made the entire Super Bowl worth it!!

A true child of the 80's like myself. I was also excited about both, and had to rewind the GIJOE one once I realized what it was. The Transformers one was very low on detail, which was kind of annoying.

[Lavabe]

I think the reason I like the Clydesdale ads is they are such beautiful animals.

Agreed, but then again, look where I live, right?;)

Here's an official history of the A-B Clydesdales:
http://www.anheuser-busch.com/historyClydesdales.html

With me, it's also the fact that they are sort of a symbol of the brewery and the town. If you're a kid in St. Louis, you go to see them at Grant's Farm (http://www.grantsfarm.com/ClydesdaleStables.htm). It's sort of a requirement... that and attending Cards games and seeing the Arch.;) Oh yeah, and Imo's Pizza.

So when I see those ads, it's a sort of St. Louis pride thing ... in a particularly difficult year with the InBev takeover.

Cheers,
Lavabe