There are two types of people in the world. There are those who watch the Super Bowl each year just for the commercials, unaware of the teams playing in the actual event and with zero interest about what the outcome might be. And then there are people who actually enjoy the Super Bowl, claiming they don’t care about the commercials and half-time show because it’s all about the sanctity of sport. That latter group is lying. They still love commercials and are the first to whine about or praise the half-time show.
And like most years, last night’s Super Bowl had a sporting event for people to enjoy (the Chiefs won, for those who want to contribute to the office conversation), but there was also plenty of fun commercials, many of which including some A-listers cashing a check and selling their soul for a product.
For our readers, perhaps the most interesting ad that aired last night features Bill Murray re-imagining his role in the iconic comedy film “Groundhog Day.” Not only was yesterday Super Bowl Sunday, but it was also Groundhog Day (for people who care about such things) and Murray spent the better part of a minute hanging out with the animal and going on adventures in his new Jeep Gladiator. Funny stuff.
We’ve already posted quite a few of the film trailers that debuted last night, but there was one little tease for a film coming this summer that was actually hidden in a Tide ad. In a running gag, Charlie Day (‘It’s Always Sunny‘) was involved in a Tide ad that actually encompassed quite a few ads, as the actor found himself cameo-ing in beer commercials and whatnot with his stained shirt. One of the ads he crashed is for “Wonder Woman 1984.”
If we’re talking pure star power, then perhaps Coca-Cola won the commercial competition with its Coke Energy ad featuring Jonah Hill and Martin Scorsese. The ad wasn’t all that funny, to be quite honest, but it’s interesting to see Scorsese as a company pitchman. Maybe this is how he’ll get the budget for his next film?
The award for The Most Commercial clearly goes to Wal-mart and the company’s Super Bowl ad that promoted the curbside pickup. The company has done similar ads in the past, with various film characters popping in to pick up their groceries. This year, those characters included Flash Gordon, one half of Bill & Ted, and a couple of droids from a galaxy far, far away…
The Heinz commercial last night might have been one of the more visually appealing and there’s a good reason for that. While it might not have had the A-list star appeal, Heinz hired Roman Coppola to direct, leading to one of the more interesting ads.
Jason Momoa went the self-deprecating angle last night, showing his true self for Rocket Mortgage. Anyone else already suspicious of those muscles before the ad? Good to know it’s been a ruse this whole time.
Hard Rock went with star power AND a big name director for its ad, enlisting J-Lo, A-Rod, DJ Khaled, Pitbull, and Steven Van Zandt. Then there’s Michael Bay directing if you’re into that sort of thing.
Doritos went silly yet again with its ad. But this year, the snack company not only capitalized on the cultural movement that is Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” but also dragged Sam Elliott in for good measure.
Pringles went full-on Adult Swim last night, bringing in Justin Roiland and the folks behind “Rick and Morty” to make a Pringles ad that not only catches the eye but acts almost as a super-compact episode of the series.
Planters achieved headlines in the days leading up to the Super Bowl by killing its Mr. Peanut character. While that was supposed to be some big controversy (no one really cared), it appears that the whole thing was a ploy so that the company could introduce their own version of Baby Yoda, dubbed Baby Nut.
Jimmy Fallon and John Cena promoted some beer. Whatevs.
Ellen and Portia De Rossi talked about the Amazon Echo and tried to imagine a world without Alexa, with flashbacks showing how people used to actually talk to people and not computers for information. Interestingly, not once did Ellen turn to Portia and say, “You know, it was only a couple of years ago before Alexa, so it was basically just like now, but with no commercials about a product that didn’t exist at the time.”
Sofia Vergara for Proctor & Gamble. If you’re into that sort of thing.
And as you probably saw late last week before the Super Bowl began, “Captain America” star Chris Evans, joined by Rachel Dratch and John Krasinski to form a supergroup of Boston Accents for Hyundai. Still one of the better ads of the night.
You can catch all the new trailers from the 2020 Super Bowl here.