Television wags have sniped that the Super Bowl is the only television event where viewership would actually decrease if the commercials were removed. We'd have to agree. Even with sponsors not blinking at price tags clocking in at $2.7M to $3M for a 30-second spot, some ads are thrown overboard into the wake of the information diaspora that is the Internet. Over the years, various networks have turned away many an ad -- judging them as either too offensive, downright embarrassing or masquerading as dreaded 'advocacy ads.' We at The Videologist have labored -- undeterred by the NFL -- to wade through many bouncy chests, bared bottoms and awkward kisses to figure out why exactly these ads were dismissed. It was tough work.
'Britney Spears'
Pepsi, 2002
Spot Remover: Back when she was the embodiment of budding sexuality, Britney Spears brought her dance moves and provocative leering to new heights in this Pepsi commercial. Skimpy outfit aside, her curvaceousness had to be edited onto to the dance floor, leaving us an advert much like a 24-hour old lukewarm Pepsi-Cola. In retrospect though, what was the fuss all about?
A Likely Sponsor: 'Dance War' -- who knew this reject signaled the beginning of dancing as a contact sport?
Most Offended: The marketing geniuses at Coke.
Pepsi, 2002
Spot Remover: Back when she was the embodiment of budding sexuality, Britney Spears brought her dance moves and provocative leering to new heights in this Pepsi commercial. Skimpy outfit aside, her curvaceousness had to be edited onto to the dance floor, leaving us an advert much like a 24-hour old lukewarm Pepsi-Cola. In retrospect though, what was the fuss all about?
A Likely Sponsor: 'Dance War' -- who knew this reject signaled the beginning of dancing as a contact sport?
Most Offended: The marketing geniuses at Coke.
Technorati Tags: Viral Video, The Videologist, AOL Video Super Bowl, Super Bowl Commercials
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
1. THE SUPERBOWL IS A BIG TOODOO ABOUT NOTHING... MEN CRASHING INTO EACH OTHER AND HALF TIME SHOWS THAT BORDER DISGUSTING.. I WANT TO KNOW WHEN A ADVERTISER IS GONNA STEP UP AND ADD A AD OR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCMENT ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS.... EVERY 3 SECS IN AMERICA A WOMAN WILL BE BEATEN BEFORE DURING AND ESPECIALLY AFTER... AND EVERY 33 SECS A WOMAN WILL DIE AS A RESULT OF GROWN MEN BETTING THEIR WHOLE PAY CHECKS ON THIS GAME... I'M SICK OF PEOPLE THINKING THE GAME IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN " LIFE" AND IT'S TIME THE NETWORKS PAY ATTENTION.. I DON'T WATCH THE GAME NOR DO I SUPPORT ANY OF THE AD'S RAN ....DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN AMERICA AND YOU WHO THINK IT EASY TO LEAVE .. TRY WALKING A BLOCK IN THE VICTIMS SHOES... I BET U CANT QQN ANY TAKERS????
Posted at 2:05PM on Jan 30th 2008 by MZZTLOVE
2. The super bowel is an America dream... Man Vs Man and no one gets killed over views,ideas or beliefs.. Go find a Radical Muslim and see if they want to play fun games with you.... Not....End war stop Muslims
Posted at 2:09PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Raiders fan
3. I know nothing about football or any other sport for that matter BUT I STILL WATCH THE SUPER BOWL!!!!
Posted at 2:31PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Susan
4. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO TALKING ABOUT???? I swear people will use posts to talk about any damn thing. GO PATRIOTS!!!!!
Posted at 2:39PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Anthony
5. Of all the sports championships played, the Super Bowl has to be one of the most exciting. A one game, winner takes all war. I'll admit the commercials are getting worse every year, and after the Janet Jackson ordeal...most of the halftime shows can only be appreciated by the senior citizens among us, and lets face it, they're usually in bed before the game even starts. The FCC should lighten up and turn the Super Bowl back into the hip, fun spectacle that it used to be...I mean, honestly, who here doesn't like nipples?
Posted at 2:45PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Brian
6. I LOVE FOOTBALL. I enjoy the super bowl. No one is twisting your arm to make you watch the super bowl. I plan to watch some of the advertisements this year so I can know what gets so much attention.
MZZTLOVE, if you have a problem, solve it. It has nothing to do with football. If some guy is bopping you and you don't like it, get out of harm's way. It is YOUR responsibility. If you get killed because of your bad decisions, it cuts down the pool of losers.
Posted at 2:45PM on Jan 30th 2008 by David
7. i hate those adds . tells you who is makeing the money off of youuuuuu all year
Posted at 2:57PM on Jan 30th 2008 by mrs r
8. I personally DONT want to see nipples. Brian if thats what you want to see... go buy a magazine! As for the Superbowl. Commercials are difinately not so great anymore. Its a good occassion to eat and be with friends. Id like to see the Patriots have a completely undefeated year but I dont really care who wins, my team is already out :-( Go CHARGERS next year!
Posted at 3:10PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Stacey
9. Dance wars has turned out to be the biggest disappointment. It seems each week some of the performers get worse instead of better. They also need to control the screaming from those in the studio it makes it hard to hear the teams singing.
Posted at 3:19PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Bill Povse
10. You missed one of my favorite commercials, the farting horse for Budweiser Beer. This was a commercial slated to air during the Super Bowl. What a loss to viewers. This was the first commercial(American) I've seen in a long time that made me laugh till it hurt. Anyone who would like to see it, go to You Tube, and pull up "Banned Commercials, farting horse," if this doesn't make you laugh till you cry, you're beyond help!
Posted at 3:23PM on Jan 30th 2008 by lee rader
11. HEY MZZTLOVE,
Get a realistic perspective! This is a SPORTS game, not a platform to you to address your personal pet peeves. Yes domestic violence is an issue BUT THIS IS NOT THE FORUM FOR IT! Besides myself I know many men who have been psychologically & physically abused by their wives...you hear us whining? Deal with it or move on!
Keep your own issues to your own web page. I think most Americans watch the Super Bowl to be entertained, not beat over the head with society's problems.
Since you used ALL CAPS I think you have a chip on your shoulder with this issue. And you say every 33 secs a woman DIES? because some guy bet his paycheck on the game? THATS A LOAD OF BULLCRAP!!
Posted at 3:31PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Big Guy
12. Football is a great sport,I wait all year to watch the SuperBowl with friends, and yes if my beer is not refreshed when asked,someone is gonna get slapped.Thats the bottom line
Posted at 4:06PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Jason S
13. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THE SUPER BOWL TURNS OUT TO BE THE "SUPER BORE". THE HALF TIME SHOWS SUCK!!
Posted at 4:21PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Joe
14. Mzztlove
I agree with big guy. I was in a relationship with a woman who nagged and accused me of everything under the sun. I did hit her. I left and became a rat because I did.
I don't care about her anymore..that was 25-30 years ago. Sometimes it's not always the guy. I kept my self in check, but not everybody can stad the constant nagging, accusing and hitting of men from women.
Posted at 4:23PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Another big guy
15. Sorry
Mzztlove
I agree with big guy. I was in a relationship with a woman who nagged and accused me of everything under the sun. I did NOT hit her. I left and became a rat because I did.
I don't care about her anymore..that was 25-30 years ago. Sometimes it's not always the guy. I kept my self in check, but not everybody can stad the constant nagging, accusing and hitting of men from women.
Posted at 4:23PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Another big guy
Posted at 4:24PM on Jan 30th 2008 by Another big guy