By JOE FARLEY
The Super Bowl ended in grand fashion, and will likely go down as one of the greatest finishes in its 49-year history. However, for those who couldn’t care less about football there’s always the chips, the wings, the beer, and of course, the commercials.
Like the game itself, there were winners and losers. And with the 114.4 million TV sets tuned in–an all time record–spots didn’t come cheap, with 30 second ads going for as much as $4.5 million (CBSSports). The biggest winner, or at least the biggest reaction was from the Esurance commercial with Bryan Cranston as Walter White.In the satisfying cameo, Cranston reprises his role as the maniacal meth-dealing chemist, but this time instead of cooking glass he’s filling prescriptions.
Fans of show were overjoyed to have one last glimpse at one of TV’s all time characters: the infamous Heisenberg. As my buddy Peter said, “Cranston wins again,” referring to the numerous accolades he’d received for his portrayal of White starting in 2007. Esurance struck it big again later with Lindsay Lohan starring as Lindsay Lohan in an almost too close to reality DUI bit. Still, Lindsay Lohan is no kingpin, and it fell short of the Cranston bit.
The bad commercials came like an avalanche, many from some of the biggest corporations, and who else but Kim Kardashian, who in her own way is a sort of corporation; she is no doubt as soulless. Kim K looked painfully unaware as she tried to play a Kim K who was aware she was poking fun at herself. Irony? Either way, it was a swing and a miss.
McDonalds was one of the biggest losers, as their share the world commercial rang incredibly insincere and patronizing. Instead of shelling out millions of dollars for prime time TV spots, maybe they can start by paying their employees the money they owe them–wouldn’t that be sharing the world? Watching it was like trying to listen to Donald Trump talk about modesty.
Another major company who was completely off the mark was Coca-Cola. Their anti-bullying ad just didn’t work, and it felt a little hypocritical of them to try and get high and mighty, especially when childhood obesity is a far more dangerous problem, to which they are a major contributor. A 12-ounce Coke has 35 grams of sugar and less than zero nutritional value, basically they’re selling diabetes in a can. Sorry Coke, not biting.
Other winners in what seemed like a weak year were The Dude (Jeff Bridges) in the commercial for website builder Squarespace. Snickers got some laughs featuring Danny Treiajo as a starving Marsha Brady. T-mobil also scored in an ad featuring funny lady Sarah Silverman, which worked because, hey, she’s Sarah Silverman.
Overall, though, the commercials just couldn’t live up to the game, which is destined to be a classic.
Wasn’t the strongest and most popular reaction to the Nationwide dead child commercial?
Who is Peter? Peter who? From where?
Public reaction to the Coke commercial was incredibly positive, why is the focus being drawn from bullying to obesity? Same with McDonald’s – is the honest intention of the commercial really undermined by other topics?
Very subjective – what did others think of the commercials? Favorites? Least favorites?
I like the detail you put into the commercials but maybe this article could have a few more facts than just an opinion. When did Super Bowl commercials become so popular? What was the most hits ever on a commercial? This article needs some statistics. Maybe you can add links to some of these commercials in order for viewers to see it themselves. For those who haven’t seen Breaking Bad, explain the character. I don’t watch the shows and if the picture of Breaking Bad wasn’t there, I would have no clue who any of the characters you mentioned were.
Needs quotes. This is strictly your opinion. What does anyone else have to say?
Also choose which sentence you use the word “bit” in….”Esurance struck it big again later with Lindsay Lohan starring as Lindsay Lohan in an almost too close to reality DUI bit. Still, Lindsay Lohan is no kingpin, and it fell short of the Cranston bit.”