Videos: Best Super Bowl ads? Update: Poll added
posted at 3:30 pm on February 2, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
For many who watch the Super Bowl, the ads are the best part of the spectacle. Advertisers work all year to find inventive ways to compete for the attention of the billion-plus viewers and to stack up against all others. Unlike the NFL, the winner of the Super Bowl Ad Championship more resembles the BCS debacle, but a few usually rise to the top. My personal favorite was this brilliant take-off on a classic Coke commercial with Mean Joe Greene, featuring Troy Polamalu:
I thought Conan O’Brien scored with this self-deprecating satire of endorsers who only work overseas to protect their image:
I thought the Monster ad may have had the biggest laugh, though:
What were your favorites? Note your favorites in the comments, and later I’ll build a poll with the most frequently mentioned. If you can’t recall them all, Hulu has them ready to watch.
Update: As promised, here’s the poll:
I’ll play the top three on tomorrow’s TEMS show….
Blowback
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Great, none of those work in canada. And billion plus viewers? Does anybody outside of the US and Canada actually watch the damn thing?
Darth Executor on February 2, 2009 at 3:32 PM
The Doritos crystal ball ad certainly made me laugh out loud.
The Ugly American on February 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM
HIGH LIFE!
nazarioj001 on February 2, 2009 at 3:36 PM
It’s a toss up between the ad for Hulu with Alec Baldwin and the Polamalu ad.
Slublog on February 2, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I like it but this doritos ad was better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0nliPWaCvA
Darth Executor on February 2, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I liked the following the best (in no particular order):
Priceline
Careerbuilder
Castrol
Hulu
Cars.com
OneGyT on February 2, 2009 at 3:38 PM
That one was too creepy, because it was absolutely true.
kirkill on February 2, 2009 at 3:39 PM
I was just about ready for that moose to, uh, unload on that poor guy.
Bigfoot on February 2, 2009 at 3:39 PM
I smell a RAT. This isn’t Ed posting because he’s doing his live show. Who is this guest ghost poster?!
ThackerAgency on February 2, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Where is the e trade commercial at the end of the game? It was funny. Shankapotomus!
milwife88 on February 2, 2009 at 3:41 PM
bb-bb-but, free healthcare.
Apologetic California on February 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM
My personal favorite was the coke zero add. It took me back to the Steelers of long ago Mean Joe Green Coke Ad The new ad brought back some great memories of the great Steeler teams.
kanda on February 2, 2009 at 3:43 PM
The Hulu & Doritos ones were good. And heck I am a sucker for the godaddy ones.
rbj on February 2, 2009 at 3:44 PM
If anyone posts that they liked the Go Daddy commercials, can we have them banned?
SteakRules on February 2, 2009 at 3:44 PM
The Mean Joe Greene spoof was lame…but it was Polamalu’s best tackle of the entire day!
/
Christien on February 2, 2009 at 3:44 PM
The Super Bowl commercials are among the cleverest and most entertaining ads you’ll see all year. They also tend to be some of the worst for what an ad is actually supposed to do: promote the business or product.
With that in mind, my favorites were:
Dorito’s – Crystal Ball
Coca Cola – Mean Troy Lamapalu(sp?)
Cash4Gold.com – Hammer
FYIY, Coke’s Mean Joe Green spot from the ’80s has been rated as the most recognized Super Bowl ad of all time.
Aaron Atkinson
Growthinc Advertising
Ace ODale on February 2, 2009 at 3:44 PM
What was the commercial with the “Obey” poster and “Hope”/Obama poster meant to advertise? It was shown twice in our market (LA), but it doesn’t seem to be on the Hulu site.
Y-not on February 2, 2009 at 3:45 PM
ron paul? :)
offroadaz on February 2, 2009 at 3:45 PM
godaddy for a couple reasons..
right4life on February 2, 2009 at 3:46 PM
It may have been inserted locally. Only shown in the LA market.
Ace ODale on February 2, 2009 at 3:47 PM
RACIST!!!
right4life on February 2, 2009 at 3:47 PM
and as always, a little more homosexuality easing it’s way into the mainstream prime time like a bran laced turd.
kirkill on February 2, 2009 at 3:48 PM
High Life
Enrique on February 2, 2009 at 3:48 PM
what’s the alec baldwin one? any one got a link?
lorien1973 on February 2, 2009 at 3:48 PM
The monster.com ad was the best. Almost makes you forget that they got hacked and millions of peoples’ account passwords were leaked out, twice in two years.
The hulu ad was creepy, and besides, watching a hulu ad on hulu that was “brought to you by” another ad was weird.
pedestrian on February 2, 2009 at 3:49 PM
This one: Huluwood.
Slublog on February 2, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Doritos and the Heroes ad when Elway flies in.
Christien on February 2, 2009 at 3:50 PM
CareerBuilder, easily.
Hey dummy.
Ludwig on February 2, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Free my ass, I still have to pay for pills, eye exams and glasses. But thank God my school insurance covers contraceptives.
Darth Executor on February 2, 2009 at 3:53 PM
The only ones that mildly interested me were the Budwieser ads. Didn’t think any of them were as good as previous years. I won’t be inspired to buy anything that was advertized this year. Actually it was a good thing that the game was as good as it was because the ads were a great time for a bathroom break, beer break, munchy break and dessert break.
BetseyRoss on February 2, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Doritos Crystal Ball
Dr Evil on February 2, 2009 at 3:57 PM
I think I’ve seen that ad – is it for USA Network “Character Approved” awards?
Brat on February 2, 2009 at 3:57 PM
I liked the commercial with the Saints’ Usama and his pop talking about selling sno-balls at Skins games and getting busted high-steppin’ on the field.
Christien on February 2, 2009 at 3:57 PM
The best was the Jack in the Box mascot getting hit by a bus, but not everyone saw that. The “Hang in Jack” is an absolutely *brilliant* viral campaign. Well done, lads!
ExUrbanKevin on February 2, 2009 at 3:58 PM
I do like that one. I didnt watch the game, so I missed em all.
lorien1973 on February 2, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Kinda hilarious that all those videos are sponsored by Coke Zero even though only one of them was for Coke Zero.
Esthier on February 2, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Pepsuber!
CP on February 2, 2009 at 4:05 PM
The CareerBuilder spot was very well done. I think it worked so well becasue we’ve all probably been there.
creatocon on February 2, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Monster. I had one of those jobs before.
The rest were junk.
faraway on February 2, 2009 at 4:12 PM
1. Careerbuilder: Punch small animals.
2. Huluwood w/ Alec.
Abby Adams on February 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Budweiser Clydesdale Showoff!
backwoods conservative on February 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Good Lord. Typical Stillah fan; all Stillah, all the time.
Expected.
ChipDWood on February 2, 2009 at 4:17 PM
The crystal ball one was my favorite, though the eTrade and the Careerbuilder (punching small animals) ones were right up there.
Torch on February 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
That crystal ball one was great! I didn’t expect that.
I’m watching the rest on Hulu… and I’m glad I didn’t waste my time watching last night. Is it just me, or are the ads getting lamer by the year?
Anna on February 2, 2009 at 4:31 PM
WordPress has a scheduled posting feature. The post could’ve been written at 6 this morning and was scheduled to hit the frontpage at a specific time. Notice the time of posting is exactly 3:30.
amerpundit on February 2, 2009 at 4:34 PM
1) CarrerBuilder
2) Denny’s (mafia)
3) Pepsuber
4) Cash4Gold.com – Hammer
5) Huluwood
jgapinoy on February 2, 2009 at 4:36 PM
(even though I never buy Pepsi & I can’t stomach Alec B.)
jgapinoy on February 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM
The Ivar’s one-half second ad was the best because it didn’t waste much time.
SouthernRoots on February 2, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Monster.com was my first pic. I liked the Bridgestone, tator head commercial as well.
Aggie85 on February 2, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Not to rain on anyone’s parade, but I thought most of the ads were boring, some were needlessly crass, and some weren’t ready for prime time. If many of these ads had been shown 10 years ago there would have been outrage, but Hollywood, TV execs and Sponsors have been pushing the envelope almost since their beginning. What used to be considered garbage is now called cool. I hear you saying, Get a life, but I’m afraid our culture has lost its character. Why does the NFL have to surround itself with this rot? What happened to the real clever, family friendly ads instead of the crassness that passes for cool these days.
Christian Conservative on February 2, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Oh and how many of these ads along with so many ads on TV make men look like idiots!
Christian Conservative on February 2, 2009 at 4:45 PM
I forgot about that one! That was so great! It’s the only ad I’ll act on too. I’m taking advantage of the offer.
OneGyT on February 2, 2009 at 4:46 PM
CONAN = GOLD
TheMightyQuinn on February 2, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Look like idiots? Some questions answer themselves…
FWIW, the Hulu ad was the best, followed by the Doritos crystal ball ad.
starfleet_dude on February 2, 2009 at 4:48 PM
My favs in order:
Pepsi Max (I’m Good)
Denny’s Thugs
Death (Taxes)
Hulu (Evil Plot)
Teleflora (Talkingflowers)
Doritos (Crystal Ball)
Mean Troy
Career Builders
Pedigree (Crazy Pets)
Chester Cheetah
Liberty or Death on February 2, 2009 at 4:49 PM
To wit:
starfleet_dude on February 2, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Am I the only one that saw the Beer flavored Dorito commercial? I thought that was great.
akoilfieldtrash on February 2, 2009 at 4:58 PM
(1a) Doritos Crystal Ball
(1b) Teleflora Flower Delivery service (don’t have flowers delivered in a box, you never know what they’ll say)
(1c) CareerBuilder – The one with the repeating “If you’re hating going to work, sit next to this guy, want to hit animals in the face…”
(1d) Pepsi Max – “I’m Good!”
(5) Bridgestone Tires – Potato Heads
(6) Bridgestone Tires – Tires Stolen on the Moon
Michael in MI on February 2, 2009 at 5:14 PM
H & R Block’s “Death and Taxes” ad gets my vote. It seemed an appropriate metaphor for what we’re about to see out of Washington: the Death of capitalism and, of course, more Taxes. Also, a subtle yet timely reminder of Demo-tax cheats Geitner and Daschle, who apparently decided to follow the advice of their own tax gurus only after they were nominated, but certainly not before then. I only wish the ad had played right after the slobbering, swooning interview of Obama by his butt boy Matt Lauer.
TXUS on February 2, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I didn’t like the Death and Taxes one, just because I thought it was predictable, but when he said “can you validate my parking?” I laughed.
Tanya on February 2, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Budweiser Clydesdale fetching stick..er..tree…
Rockygold on February 2, 2009 at 5:41 PM
bridgestone taters!
rslancer14 on February 2, 2009 at 5:45 PM
1. Pedigree adopt-a-pet spot.
2. Castrol monkeys.
3. The Budwiser bit with the horse fetching a branch.
The Hulu ad was lame.
Mutnodjmet on February 2, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Troy Polamalu gets my vote! Surprise ending, love it.
Zorro on February 2, 2009 at 5:59 PM
I would think that a “I hate my job” ad with the arse of a moose in you face would work better in Canada than, say, Louisiana.
highhopes on February 2, 2009 at 6:17 PM
My favorites too! Also the e-trade baby with his new friend. I didnt think too many were as funny as years past…and that one with Danika Patrick? It sucked.
becki51758 on February 2, 2009 at 6:39 PM
i liked the nbc lmao ad.
BeachBaby on February 2, 2009 at 6:48 PM
I could not stop laughing at the Career Builder one (hey, dummy). I also kind of liked the Gold4Cash one, since the “gold medallion of me wearing a gold medallion!” line reminded me of this pic. The Denny’s commercials were also pretty good.
Tell me I’m not the only one who hated the GoDaddy and Pepsuber ones.
CherokeeJack on February 2, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Bridgestone tires/taters…the only commercial that made me laugh out loud.
That means something.
ladyingray on February 2, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Some one has to agree with me here…the humor that we have seen in the past years, like Darth said:
Well, it just wasn’t there this year. A lot were pretty lame. The one Darth linked almost made me cry I laughed so hard!
Well, for me it was the Dorito’s crystal ball ad, the Bud Light Meeting ad, and one I haven’t heard mentioned yet, was that Hyundai Award ad (with the screaming execs).
I didn’t laugh at the LMAO ad, but I did chuckle….
lsutiger on February 2, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Hate to say it, but the Alec/Hulu/”brains to mush” ad was the best. Second was the Bud Clydesdale saving his dream girl from the carnies. Third was the moose ass.
toliver on February 2, 2009 at 8:25 PM
This year, the game was much better than the ads. Great game going down to the last seconds. Traditional Steeler powerhouse versus a spirited, explosive Cardinals team. Two great quarterbacks. Excellent, just excellent.
Phil Byler on February 2, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Liked the pepsi one where the guy got electricited.
unseen on February 2, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Land of the lost- Matt Lauer can eat it!
christene on February 2, 2009 at 8:57 PM
How many people will remember these ads next year?
While a few caused me to LOL. The ad quality has jumped the shark for the most part.
F15Mech on February 2, 2009 at 9:00 PM
You kidding me? They jumped the shark 10 years ago. These are the exact same ads they ran back then (plus or minus a DHL ad, I don’t know, I didn’t watch)
Who could? Most online posts I read denigrated the ads (and even the Super Bowl in general). Weird to hear a supportive argument these days from faggots, no? More power to ‘em.
Coronagold on February 2, 2009 at 9:42 PM
1) Crystal ball
2) Bridgestone taters
3) Horse fetch (!)
4) bridgestone moon
knob on February 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Finally figured this out.
ct hulu.com
Hmmm.
Mew
(ad-wise, I kinda liked the moose-butt)
acat on February 2, 2009 at 10:14 PM
I’m glad to see some people mentioning the horse fetching the stick. That one didn’t make the poll, which is why I didn’t vote in the poll.
backwoods conservative on February 2, 2009 at 10:28 PM
My son laughed for fifteen minutes at the snowglobe/crystal ball commercial “crotch” shot. He’s fourteen.
(I thought it was funny too…but not that funny)
All of us watching at my house agreed that the ad quality was definitely down this year.
JannyMae on February 2, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Ed, I thought Teleflora was the best. The Coke Heist was second.
kbanaian on February 2, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Aaaaaaaand noone outside of the States can watch the ads.
Thanks, Hulu.
What bs.
Reaps on February 2, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Leave it to a guy with the handle “Christian Conservative” to harsh everybody’s mellow. You might want to remove that rather large stick you appear to have up your ass. Sheesh.
dakine on February 3, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Here were my issues:
1) Anheuser Busch clydesdales: the mock football game a few seasons back (with the zebra reffing) is one thing. Watching a horse fetch a tree limb or run away with another horse to some cheesy 70s hit? I’m sorry but, what the hell does that tell us about beer??
2) The placement was odd: a Monster.com add had just aired and the game returned with the announcer billboarding that the game was brought to you in part by CareerBuilder.com. If I’m Monster.com and coughed up half-a-mil to have my prime competitor mentioned by the TV announcer, I’m p.o’ed! Also, the happy little family-friendly little ad for Pixar’s new flick (“Up”) was followed immediately by a Bud Light ad. I would have separated them by at least one more spot.
3) Too many spots with splashy effects (Sobe tea with its lizard people? Huh?). It’s just like my main problem with the effects that ruined all the Star Wars prequels: just because we can doesn’t mean we should.
The only ad I immediately rewound and watched again was “Star Trek.” I’m hopeful, I guess.
Captain Scarlet on February 3, 2009 at 7:16 AM
This is a “he”? Not following football, I seriously thought it was some female with a serious steroid problem. Turns out it’s a guy with woman’s hair AND a serious steroid problem.
abcurtis on February 3, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Bridgestone: Taters.
BEST AD EVAR!!
wearyman on February 3, 2009 at 9:52 AM
One word (immediately preceded by the sound of a large explosion – come on, sing it with me, people):
PEPSUBER!!!
The “MacGruber” skits on SNL always make me laugh, and the presence of Richard Dean Anderson (the original MacGyver) in this commercial made it extra funny.
Honorable mentions: (1) the Doritos “crystal ball”; (2) the Monster.com moose placement; and (3) the Conan O’Brien Bud Light ad.
OneVision on February 3, 2009 at 10:11 AM
HIGH LIFE!!
alflauren on February 3, 2009 at 10:19 AM
That ad, showing the skiier collide with newly-drawn trees, was very funny also. I should have put that as No. (4) on my list of Honorable Mentions.
OneVision on February 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Correction re previous post: I meant the Bud Light Drinkability commercial in referring to the one with the skiier. I am not familiar with the High Life ad.
OneVision on February 3, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Had to love how Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals sat down during the singing of God Bless America. Now I did notice he was standing during the National Anthem. (I guess someone had a talk with him.)
Send_Me on February 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Where are the E TRADE ads…they were better than these you listed.
shooter on February 3, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Oh, I see. I guess this is Ed’s quest for sainthood by being in two places at once. I never knew.
ThackerAgency on February 3, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Teleflora definitely. “No one wants to see you naked”. I almost blew my drink through may nose.
SoonerMarine on February 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM
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