More than the outcome of Super Bowl 50 and the Denver Broncos’ victory over the Carolina Panthers, people will be talking about the commercials played during the game. And if some of those ads were considered among the best, others had to be the worst.
While the Panthers’ performance in their 24-10 loss to the Broncos was disappointing, it may not have been as disturbing or shocking as many of the ads America was subjected to. Screaming portraits, gastrointestinal disorders, fetuses and hybrid monsters were among the images provided by Super Bowl advertising this year. These were the worst of a rather mediocre crop of commercials.
Squarespace: OK, maybe listing this among the worst Super Bowl 50 ads is harsh. But this ad featuring Key and Peele was certainly not among the best. Even worse, it was barely funny. That’s tough to accomplish with this great comedy duo pushing a product.
Advil: Why exactly did Advil buy a Super Bowl ad? Does the painkiller need to increase awareness among young people? Take three tablets and do a headstand with no pain! Oh, but just in case some old folks are watching, taking Advil will help you do yoga! Just a head-scratcher.
https://youtu.be/73m9hmtYJgg
Bud Light: Much like the ad with Key and Peele, this commercial was disappointing because it squandered two of the funniest people in current pop culture. How was an ad with Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen not hilarious? Plus, Paul Rudd and Michael Pena! (The ad team apparently loved Ant-Man.) Also, maybe we don’t want to be reminded of politics while watching the year’s biggest sporting event.
https://youtu.be/JohgwbpQuy8
Jublia: Gross, uncomfortable personal hygiene and gastrointestinal disorders were apparently a theme of this year’s Super Bowl advertising. Former NFL stars and current broadcasters didn’t help, either. We already don’t care for Phil Simms’ analysis; now we have think about his toenails? Terry Bradshaw might have been a better choice here.
https://youtu.be/HKI2cMe9axE
Dollar Shave Club: Even if the Super Bowl audience is the ideal target demo, dirty razors filled with hair and shaving scum are not what you need to see while eating your chicken wings, nachos and pizza. Apparently, the Dollar Shave Club people made this ad themselves (and that’s the CEO stepping out of the shower). Maybe seeking outside help would be better next time.
https://youtu.be/gKAObR3Zmcg
Xifaxan: Is diarrhea the ideal topic while people are watching football and eating? Yes, maybe some of that Super Bowl party food will have an effect after the game or the next morning. The attempt to make a cute mascot out of the human intestinal tract is somewhat amusing, but not enough to distract from the subject of this ad.
Movantik: Super Bowl 50 advertising reached out to the entire audience, covering both diarrhea and constipation. But hey, if you didn’t know what OIC (Opioid-induced constipation) was before watching The Big Game, you learned something with this ad. Well, except the actual name of the product that can help you. (We had to go to the website, OICisDifferent.com, to learn for ourselves.)
https://youtu.be/yr78_7Kip3Q
Skittles: Another ad that will likely give America nightmares. Was there anything more disturbing than a singing portrait of Steven Tyler made out of Skittles? OK, maybe Tyler’s joke about it on Twitter.
A WISE MAN ONCE SAID: SPENDING TIME W/ A TRUE @SKITTLES ARTIST BUILDS CARICATURE…#SB50
— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) February 8, 2016
https://youtu.be/21ivbtgqJkg
Doritos: There was some disagreement over this one among the Comeback staff, but those who were rather horrified eventually won out. Snack chips causing potential medical emergencies, including premature birth and endangering fetuses, isn’t exactly light-hearted fare. And did it make anyone actually want some chips?
https://youtu.be/ko7GuDOv4BM
Mountain Dew Kickstart: #PuppyMonkeyBaby. If the idea is to create an ad that everyone talked about, then this bizarre commercial for Mountain Dew Kickstart accomplished its objective. But at what cost? The hybrid creature consisting of a puppy, monkey and baby is the stuff of nightmares and bad 1980s horror movies. If there’s a bright side to this ad, it might be a cautionary tale against drinking too much caffeine and sugar.
https://youtu.be/ql7uY36-LwA
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