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 11 of 14)
151. I thought all the ads were very lame except the Budweiser horse and dog doing the "hi-five". Must be a writers strike thing.
Posted at 9:52AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Steve
152. the budweiser with the dalmatian and horse - what a winner -- as always they give the viewer good ideas to think about..... soome of the others were so out of line i could not believe ad people would pay so much to put such a low level of substance on the air
Posted at 9:57AM on Feb 4th 2008 by karen
153. So, Mzztlve, Just how may supporters did you collect with this rant? I always believe that you have to look at where issues come from! You are a very poor example of the Cause! I was raising in that cause,then found it again ,then took action against the violater, and now watch the Superbowl knowing that, that person now understands what it feels like when the"hunter gets captured by the game" LOL! Yeah GIANTS!!!
Posted at 10:00AM on Feb 4th 2008 by zooom
154. IF YOU DIDN'T BUY A TICKET,YOUR COMMENTS ARE STUPID..THINK ABOUT HOW THESE PLAYERS WERE MADE TO DO THIS TYPE OF WORK THEY WERE MADE IN SCHOOL BY WE THE STUPID AMERICANS.IF YOU ARE STUPID ENOUGH BY YOUR COMMENTS BUY A TICKET AND THEN MAKE SOME NOISE...
Posted at 10:25AM on Feb 4th 2008 by james schulke
155. Mzztlove - Really get a a life. If you want to do some good, go volunteer at an abuse shelter. But get off the football as the cause. Football is not the cause of domestic violence, men are.
Posted at 10:55AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Cari
156. I love Brittney and hope she recovers soon. I hate that this has happened to her. And before everyone bashes me, she is young, has people on top of her all the time and is in a divorce situation. I think I would of lost it too.
Posted at 10:58AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Cari
157. Superbowl is GAY! In the entire game...where were the shots of the cheerleaders?
Posted at 11:01AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Scott
158. Lighten Up.....What does D. Violence have to do with the Superbowl.....Get a Life.....Just like a Nagging Woman.....LOL
Posted at 11:01AM on Feb 4th 2008 by Smitty
159. MZZT…honey, it’s clear you have some issues. But let me tell you, I’m a female…and I love the Super Bowl….hell, I LOVE football! It is more than just men bashing other men – but obviously your background could make you see it that way. But nay woman….it’s classic man vs. man, strategy vs. strategy, offensive vs. defense!! Oh…and lots of cute butts in really tight pants. LOL (sorry boys, I love the game and know a lot more about it than most females…I’m STILL a girl.) It’s also, for a lot of people, and reason to get together with great friends and good food and just have a great time watching a great game. Now, I don’t think there are many who would disagree that domestic violence is a problem but let me ask this: do you really think the Super Bowl, your lack of viewing it, or patronizing the advertisers is going to make a difference?? If you believe that you are a deluded as your rant makes you seem. You also fail to mention – or maybe even realize – that domestic violence is not only perpetrated AGAINST women by men – it is also perpetrated AGAINST men by WOMEN. It is not as exclusionary or as black and white as you’d like believe. And I would like to point out, that screaming your ideas in the same breath in which you belittle and degrade those of others is not a way to be heard. As a matter of fact, your behavior is VERY MUCH like the abuser you so seek to eradicate – albeit, in a wholly inappropriate forum. So I suggest, woman to woman, you seek help to get past your issues and/or prayer to soothe your soul. Now…all that being said….YAY GIANTS….and Patriots? SUCK IT you cheatin' bast**s!!
Posted at 11:20AM on Feb 4th 2008 by BasicGrl
160. I AM A WOMAN THAT HAS BEEN ABUSED AND I STILL AGREE WITH THE GUYS THAT SUPERBOWL IS NOT THE PLACE FOR THIS....AND GUYS ALSO GET ABUSED I HIT THE HELL OUT OF A GUY AFTER I HAD BEEN ABUSED AND I WAS IN ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP..I DO NOT DO THAT ANYMORE BUT I TOTALLY BELIEVE IN EQUAL RIGHTS
Posted at 11:42AM on Feb 4th 2008 by JENNIFER
161. HAS ANYONE NOTICED JUST HOW MUCH BRITNEY SINGS AND DANCES LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON... CREEPY!
Posted at 12:15PM on Feb 4th 2008 by RED
162. To #1: My family owns a video production house and we have been trying to sell a PSA for the Super Bowl for over 22 years - without any success. Even though I agree partially with your statements: it's NOT always the women that get hurt....it's just that we men process it differently. It would be great to make a PSA with your subject...but in a way it really is...maybe it would even help YOU! Any takers for the next Super bowl??
Posted at 1:40PM on Feb 4th 2008 by Michael
163. This is for #5 Brian and all that are like him. The commercials are not getting worse . They happened to be quite good this year , especially "Rocky"-themed Bud. Also, us senior citizens are not in bed before the game starts ( all my friends were up well past midnight EST). Brian, if you have figured out by now why the FCC is involved then I hope you don't have little children. The Hip-Hop culture is making things worse for everybody, thanks to stunts by Jackson-Timberlake and don't say it was by accident because that is alot of bull****.
Posted at 2:05PM on Feb 4th 2008 by David Day
164. MZZTLOVE, honey it's clear you have some issues. However, your airing them as a comment regarding super bowl ads does you or your "cause" absolutely no good. I'm a female and I love football and I love the super bowl. It's not just men bashing men, it's man vs. man, strategy vs. strategy, offense vs. defense in a testerone filled environment. AND lots of guys with great butts in really tight pants!! (sorry fellas, I totally get the game and rules, but I'm still a girl!! ) And half the fun is getting together with friends and eating great food while you watch the game. A good time is had by all and everyone goes away having had a great time. Now, I don’t think there are many who would disagree that domestic violence is a problem but let me ask this: do you really think the Super Bowl, your lack of viewing it, or patronizing the advertisers is going to make a difference?? If you believe that you are a deluded as your rant makes you seem. You also fail to mention – or maybe even realize – that domestic violence is not only perpetrated AGAINST women by men – it is also perpetrated AGAINST men by WOMEN. It is not as exclusionary or black and white as you’d like believe. And I would like to point out, that screaming your ideas in the same breath in which you belittle and degrade those of others is not a way to be heard. As a matter of fact, your behavior is VERY MUCH like the abuser you so seek to eradicate – albeit, in a wholly inappropriate forum. So I suggest, woman to woman, you seek help to get past your issues and/or prayer to soothe your soul. Now…all that being said….YAY GIANTS….and Patriots? SUCK IT you cheatin’ bastids!!
Posted at 2:12PM on Feb 4th 2008 by BasicGrl
165. MZZTLOVE, there is diffenitly a problem with domestic abuse, it is horrible, we do need to spend more money and time solveing this problem, I love watching the super bowl. I raised a son, have a great relationship with my Dad, played touch football with my family on thanksgiving holidays and can't imagine my life or my kids life without it. Please don't mesh the two together. People need to be physical with each other in a structured way to relieve agression. What you are saying is everyone who loves football or plays it, is ok's with domestic abuse. That is just too unfair. Have you ever tailgate with a group of friends? Has your family go to watch games together? It is a bonding experience. It can bring people together. Domestic abuse is a dysfunction of a normal personality, yes both people in the realationship. Mental health is the real issue not football.
Posted at 2:29PM on Feb 4th 2008 by becky