by The Super Bowl may be the only broadcast where viewers don’t get up to refuel or go to the bathroom during commercials. Companies pay a lot of money for that air time, so why not give people something to look forward to?
As is often the case, several commercials were somewhat forgettable, but some stood out well above the rest. Some companies used big celebrities, which this year included the likes of Will Ferrell and Miles Teller, to make an impact, while others used the element of surprise to hook the audience.
Here are the top five Super Bowl LVII commercials:
5. General Motors – Why not an EV?
As someone who grew up loving “Old School”, “Anchorman”, “Talladega Nights” and “Step Brothers”, I am easily hooked on Will Ferrell. This may not have been the smartest commercial of the night, but I have to say that Ferrell elevated the material and got a few smiles out of me.
Companies love references in their Super Bowl ads, and this one has reference overload with the Netflix tie-in. Typically, resorting to references to TV shows that were popular seven months ago can be a downside, but Ferrell’s presence in the commercial is enough to make it entertaining. Additionally, him criticizing the decisions of the “Love Is Blind” contestants should become a regular feature of the show.
4. Coors vs. Miller vs. Blue Moon
I heard this ad featured on several podcasts leading up to Super Bowl LVII and was very skeptical about it. However, this is one of the few commercials that teased something fun weeks before the game and actually delivered.
The fight choreography was fun and reminiscent of an extremely low budget “Everything Everywhere All at Once” with ice, coasters and hot dogs being used as weapons. However, what really put this commercial over the top was the M. Night Shyamalan twist at the end.
The ad seemed aimed at a predictable tie between Coors Light and Miller Lite, which would have been an embarrassment on Super Bowl night. Then, at the last second, Blue Moon comes out of nowhere to steal the entire commercial. What a turnaround!
3. Bud Light – Easy to Drink, Easy to Hold
Stars: They’re just like us!
It strains my suspension of disbelief at seeing Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Sperry enduring awful music for an extended period of time, because I assume celebrities have some kind of fast pass to the front of the line for this stuff. That said, this is an extremely relatable situation.
Everyone called their *insert bank, cell phone company, or internet service provider here* only to be put on hold for anywhere from 30 minutes to eternity. That’s enough to make anyone want to grab an adult beverage and blow off some steam.
Relationship skills aside, Teller makes anything look cool, even dancing around the living room while a large corporation ignores him. Watch “Top Gun: Maverick” or “Whiplash” and tell me that’s not the case.
2. Google Pixel – Fixed on Pixel
This was one of the most creative commercials of the night. The Google Pixel could have leaned on technology that allows people to delete strangers from photos on their mobile devices – but it didn’t.
No, instead the Google Pixel has shown Super Bowl viewers a myriad of ways they can be of use. Badly dressed guy on the beach ruining a family photo? No problem. That picture of you with your ex? Now, it’s just a portrait of you. Did you, Giannis Antetokounmpo, just get dumped by Jaylen Brown? Now, it was an easy dunk for Brown in transition.
1. Crown Royal – Thank you Canada
Remember when I praised Miller Lite, Coors Lite, and Blue Moon for that Shyamalan twist at the end of his commercial? Well, this one had me guessing until the end.
I thought Canada had paid Dave Grohl to list all the things Americans love that were actually invented north of the border. Things like Michael Cera, peanut butter, instant potatoes, basketball, and even football itself. Unfortunately, that was too good to be true, and a Super Bowl ad was probably out of Canada’s budget anyway. That’s what a 30-year Stanley Cup drought will do to a country’s finances.
Finally, Grohl revealed that it was a commercial for the Crown Royal, and I had to give them credit for daring to come to America on their biggest sporting day.
