On Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI, my favourite sports event of the year. Why is it my favourite, you ask? Because of everything unrelated to the game itself that comes with it.
First of all, Odell Beckham Jr. (OBJ) caught the first touchdown of the game at betting odds of +800, so Drake cashed his $600,000 bet. The rumour is that he tore his ACL though, so pray for OBJ. I myself, feeling like James Holzhauer, confidently wagered that OBJ would have more than 63.5 receiving yards in the game. He did not have more than 63.5 receiving yards in the game. Consequentially, I will be eating Mr. Noodles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for the rest of the semester.
The halftime show was incredible as well. If I was not constrained by time, I would be writing an article on it myself. I think it was a moment for hip-hop and the surrounding culture. Watching the Mount Rushmore of 2000s rappers from both the East and West coast come together for such a miraculous performance was likely a once in a lifetime opportunity. Here are my quick takeaways for those who did not see: Snoop Dogg is still unbelievably cool, calm and collected. Mary J. Blige has the voice of an angel. And 50 cent still exerts swagger with every move. Oh, also, Kendrick Lamar may actually be the best rapper of all time.
Lastly, the Super Bowl always comes with some of the best commercials of the year. This year was no different. In no order, please see below for the top five Super Bowl commercials of 2022.
FTX – Don’t Miss Out
Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for Larry David. I have seen the entirety of Curb Your Enthusiasm countless times, and I am three-quarters of the way through Seinfeld. Accordingly, watching Larry David roll through human history disagreeing with some of the most important inventions of all time was hysterical.
At one point in the commercial, Larry appears while the Declaration of Independence is being written. Someone exclaims, “The people shall have the right to vote!” Larry swiftly responds, “Even the stupid ones?” as he moves to rip up the Declaration. Later on, he comments on the invention of the dishwasher. Larry says, “Why not just put the dishes in the shower?”
If you are looking for a good laugh, this commercial is unlikely to fail.
Lay’s – Golden Memories
In this commercial, Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd reminisce on their lives at Seth Rogen’s wedding. It is difficult to not enjoy watching two of the most likable guys on the planet banter back and forth. Honestly though, who doesn’t like Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen?
They crack jokes throughout the commercial—at one point, Rudd mentions the pair’s first heart-to-heart. The scene changes to what looks like an airplane falling out of the sky, and Rudd, with an oxygen mask on, screams to Rogen, “I’ve never seen any of your movies!” Rogen responds, “Even the ones we were in together?”
The commercial is fun, lighthearted, and comical. Not exactly roll-on-the-floor laughing funny, but enjoyable enough to crack my top five.
Toyota – The Joneses
This was another example of a commercial that was not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, but still very entertaining. Toyota’s commercial followed the Joneses—Rashida Jones, Leslie Jones, and Tommy Lee Jones—in a little “Keeping up with the Kardashians” spoof. It really just shows them driving their Toyota’s around. But then, Nick Jonas appears and says that instead, it is “Keeping up with the Jonas’s now.” Tommy Lee then shoots the Jonas brother a death stare, and drives away.
These commercials make me question my sense of humour. There is not really anything funny about it. If anything, it almost seems lame. That being said, how can you not chuckle when Tommy Lee Jones looks at Nick Jonas like he has three heads. It had an odd premise but Toyota nailed the execution.
GM/Chevrolet – New Generation
A personal favourite due to the appearance of Jamie-Lynn Sigler, also known as Meadow Soprano. In the commercial, she takes her fictional father Tony Soprano’s place in a remake of The Sopranos opening theme. David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, was also called on by GM/Chevrolet to assist in the making of the commercial. The execution was phenomenal. They included even more references to the show itself, including Meadow’s inability to park, and an appearance from her fictional brother A.J. at the end.
This commercial was just so cool. A really great nod to one of the greatest television shows of all time. It may not be as entertaining to those unfamiliar with the show, but as a true fan, I loved it.
Pringles – Stuck In
This commercial was not funny. Nor was it heartwarming. Not in my opinion. This was entertaining because of how terrifying it was.
I get it—I’m nuts. I am sure you’re thinking, “Relax, Sam. It is a freaking Pringles commercial!” I will not relax. Not for a second.
Anyone who has ever had a Pringle is familiar with the dreaded can. The first fifty per cent of chips are relatively easy to get; the next fifty per cent becomes extremely difficult. You will find yourself fighting with the can, shoving half your arm in just to reach the ones at the bottom.
But I never even considered getting my hand stuck in the can… UNTIL NOW. What a weird ad. Why are you advertising the worst part of the brand @Pringles? What kind of horror commercial is this?
I have included this in my top five strictly because from now on, I will never put my arm more than halfway down a Pringles can. I know what you’re all saying—It’s just a commercial. To that I say, The Exorcist is just a movie but it is still frightening.
So anyway, this commercial made the top five because I can now add “getting my hand permanently stuck in a Pringles can” to my list of fears.