So you’re finalizing plans for the Super Bowl get together. The new plasma screen TV is hooked up and working, you’ve got the appropriate mix of cocktails for the guests and the chili isn’t too spicy.
Now comes the tricky part: How to politely tell everybody to shut up during the commercials.
On Sunday, humor will again reign supreme in the advertising bowl, as America’s biggest companies pony up to a record $2.3 million for 30 seconds of airtime.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect during the CBS telecast Sunday.
– – –
Anheuser-Busch, for Budweiser and Bud Light
With nine spots in the Super Bowl, A-B is once again the biggest advertiser. In one of its best, A-B spoofs its stately Clydesdales advertising in a spot titled “Donkey.” The commercial takes us to an ass that aspires to be, but of course, a Clydesdale. “Since I was born, I dreamed of being a Budweiser Clydesdale,” the forlorn donkey states. “I even tried hair extensions on my lower legs.”
– – –
Pepsi-Cola
Pepsi, a perennial big spender
in the game, comes in this year with the most dramatic promotion: a 100 million iTunes song giveaway. But the ad is the highlight of the promotion. The commercial features 16 teenagers who were sued by the recording industry for illegally downloading music. The track? Green Day’s version of “I Fought the Law.”
– – –
Staples Inc.
In its Super Bowl debut, the office supplies retailer introduces us to Randy, who holds back office supplies for ransom. Office workers must abide by a policy of “baked goods as currency.”
– – –
MasterCard
In another spot for its never-ending “Priceless” campaign, Homer Simpson complains about the price of everything from a haircut to groceries. The payoff is Homer sitting down at a bar when the voiceover chimes in: “Getting your errands done quicker to spend more time with your family? Priceless.” When the announcer begins to repeat himself, Homer snarls: “Yeah, Yeah. I heard you the first time. Stupid voiceover.”
———-
Edited by Michael Kellams (mkellams@tribune.com)
