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 5 of 14)
61. What is the big deal? I have never watched a super bowl nor a super bowl commercial. I switch stations EVERY time a commercial comes on no matter what program I am watching.
Posted at 4:54PM on Feb 1st 2008 by Robert Bahr
62. you probably just want the public service announcment because you are one of those women..football. nor the superbowl makes men beat women or wives... my husband and i watch it every year and suprise its one of our favorite nights.. along with our anniversary and x mas.. if you or someone you know gets beaten find a support group or call the police and file a restraining order.. you cant possibly blame it on football..
Posted at 1:47AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by mischa
63. I think we should have two conferences designed by geographics. Players who come from regions in the US that can only play on the pro team in that region, and in the other conference players who are global coming from the the Big Cities on the Globe.
Posted at 7:08AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by sc
64. after reading all of this I have just figured out why the world is so jacked up.....
Posted at 7:21AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by eatagspot
65. the superbowl is the ultimate, granted the adds used to be much better. the creative ad guys must be on strike like the writers. this years bowl is all about history, two mannings in back to back bowls and we all know who will win. giants of course. next year it will be colts x giants and that will be to great! the half time show could use some more uummpphh in it again like in the past but all in all its the game that counts!
Posted at 7:40AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by loretta
66. HEY MZZT LOVE, you are a quite a piece of work, you rant and rave against the super bowl and sexuality but when I went to respond to your thoughts,your "user" id is a link to a PORN site, ROFLMAO I can't even make this up!
QUITE a contrast don't you think? Pretty sure that would be the EXACT definition of a hypocrit! Are you a closet politician? LOL
Posted at 8:31AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by D
67. Lol, I remember this commercial. I saw only a part of it on TV, and I saw the whole version in the movie theater when I saw Cats and Dogs. When I was 11, I used to imitate Britney in this commercial [and other music videos] when nobody was looking. I'd just grab a short skirt, a tight shirt [that I always pulled up], put on heavy eyeshadow and lipstick, danced, and sang in front of a bedroom mirror. call me pathetic if you wish, but i was britney's #1 fan when I was a pre-teen.
Posted at 8:48AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by Ophelia Easton
68. The game has turned into a big joke !! The NFL is just a money makeing machine ,3 mill for a 30 sec comercial ? All those guys are way over paid ,play 16 games a year ,Well ,they wont get any of my money ,Its all hype and no substance !!just my thoughts !!
Posted at 9:18AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by Harley
69. Wow...I find it intriguing that people use any kind of forum to air their dirty laundry. Including "Another Big Guy" who admits to hitting his girlfriend. He is right that it's not always the guy, but it's NEVER right to hit in anger, no matter who it is. Seems to me like football is an anger trigger for some of you. Just don't watch the game then. Go do something else. I will be watching...for the ads, but mostly for the football. It's my last chance to see football until August and it's my favorite sport. Go Patriots!!!
Posted at 9:21AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by Tanis Holmquist
70. to : MZZTLOVE, listen deary, this is superbowl sunday. i for one DO bet my entire paycheck for this week on this game, this has been a ritual in my family for years, and no woman in my family has died. heck, none of the women in my family complain at all about it. win or lose, it is something that we all look forward too. and i know that i speak for millions of football fans when i say, IT`S GAME TIME, HOLD OFF ON YOUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NONSENSE UNTIL AFTER THE GAME. last thing i want to see is some broad crying because she got slapped around by big daddy or her loser boyfriend. it`s time for football and good times with friends, lets keep it that way.
Posted at 9:30AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by john
71. i like those awful commercials go giants
Posted at 9:32AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by bill
72. I think that the old ad agents who made the super bowl ads years ago made good ones that were funny and cute and entertaining...now they make such ridiculous ones that no one can figure out what they are trying to say much less what they are advertising. Let's get back to good ones so we can watch the super bowl for the good ads.
Posted at 10:48AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by clean and cutie
73. well undfortunately you don't know how to use correct grammar and the public service announcer's association has better things to waste their money on than superbowl commercials...and I'm happy that they do. the superbowl is the superbowl. companies pay alot of money to make it into something more glamorous and if that's how they want to spend their money then fine but I'm still watching for the football.
Posted at 11:10AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by mikey
74. ALL YOU NEW ENGLAND MRS. BRADY LOVERS. HE'S A "NEW YORK" YANKEES FAN.
CHECK IT OUT
http://graphics.boston.com/images/bostondirtdogs//Brady_450.jpg
Posted at 11:10AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by wayne
75. LOL, why is the Britney Spears commercial in the same key as "Oops I did it again" and "Crazy"? Gotta love that Britney Spears.
Posted at 11:25AM on Feb 2nd 2008 by Nick