Anyone else watch the Superbowl and disgusted by the commercials?

[big_slacker]

I haven't had TV service for years now, but I grew up and love watching football. I typically watch online which usually loops the same few online commercials which I ignore.

OMG the commercials on last night's game!

I know that this forum filled with people who have largely rejected consumerism will agree, but I would think even the average American would insulted and disappointed by the over the top pitching of substandard products. First the drugs..... Really, a little mini film about constipation? Then the shitty food. In utero baby wants a diabetes bomb dorito. Then the pimping of substandard beer. The onslaught continued so may products I finally started taking my headphones off every time they cut from the game.

I felt like I needed a shower afterwards. I felt like I was watching 'Ow My Balls' from the movie idiocracy.

[I'm a red panda]

I only watched about 20 minutes of the superbowl.
 I remember rolling my eyes at a mortgage (?) commercial that seemed to imply that spending was the only necessary function of being an adult.

[big_slacker]

I only watched about 20 minutes of the superbowl.
 I remember rolling my eyes at a mortgage (?) commercial that seemed to imply that spending was the only necessary function of being an adult.

Ah yes, the quicken loans one. I had blocked that one out. Basically said that they're doing everyone a favor by making sure everyone got mortgages so that people could buy more crap to fill their new houses with.

[Mr. Green]

I only watched about 20 minutes of the superbowl.
 I remember rolling my eyes at a mortgage (?) commercial that seemed to imply that spending was the only necessary function of being an adult.

Ah yes, the quicken loans one. I had blocked that one out. Basically said that they're doing everyone a favor by making sure everyone got mortgages so that people could buy more crap to fill their new houses with.

I thought it was hilarious, in a sad way.

[Polish_Hammer]

Keep 'em coming I say.  I don't want more people to become mustachian. Let others keep  running on that hedonistic treadmill so we don't have too. I'll just sit back and smile knowing I'm not a sucker

[Paul der Krake]

For the other financial ads, the "new money" from Paypal was weird and seemed to want to hype something that isn't very exciting.

The LG ad for their 4K tv was horrendous. OMG I can't believe someone actually OK'd it.
Jeep always has some great emotional story lines, too bad their cars suck.

Loved the crazy Dad who lends his Hyundai, and the prius ad too.

[Khaetra]

I thought the Doritos was funny.  My other favorites were the Hyundai First Date, Drake's T-Mobile and the Avocados (Scott Baio is included free in the tour!).  The monkeypuppybaby was just weird and scary and the Quicken Loans was a big nope.

[partgypsy]

I don't have regular tv and so was looking forward to watching the ads, in a kind of outsider observer way. I got to see first half commercials but not the 2nd half. I liked the marmot, prius and Jeff Goldblum ads, monkey baby ad was weird and disturbing, I was fascinated that there is enough demand? to create a full length well produced ad about opiod induced constipation. I don't like the self-aggrandizing/tugging on heartstring crap like the gaga's star spangled banner and jeep commercial but I guess it can't be avoided.

[ABC123]

Gotta admit, I thought the Doritos ultrasound one was pretty funny.

[Chris22]

Gotta admit, I thought the Doritos ultrasound one was pretty funny.

That one and the ShockTop making fun of the guy at the bar.  The rest were pretty dismal, except a couple car ads for supercars (NSX, Audi R8) that were cool.

[NESailor]

I thought it was hilarious, in a sad way.

Haha, me too.  Then I told my wife that the world pictured in the commercial was like a special kind of hell - debt debt and more debt so that everyone can stare into their devices to buy more junk.

[JZinCO]

I only watched about 20 minutes of the superbowl.
 I remember rolling my eyes at a mortgage (?) commercial that seemed to imply that spending was the only necessary function of being an adult.

Ah yes, the quicken loans one. I had blocked that one out. Basically said that they're doing everyone a favor by making sure everyone got mortgages so that people could buy more crap to fill their new houses with.

I thought it was hilarious, in a sad way.

even nonmustachios get what's wrong with that commercial. I remember saying out loud, "Can you say credit bubble?!" to a symphony of laughs.
Most of the commercials were nice overall. Lots of puppys, horses, cuteness, and, of course the NFL telling families to stop dis-enrolling children from peewee football (masked by smiling babies).

[OmahaSteph]

For the other financial ads, the "new money" from Paypal was weird and seemed to want to hype something that isn't very exciting.

Yeah, this one had me SMH.

[Shor]

I thought it was hilarious, in a sad way.

Haha, me too.  Then I told my wife that the world pictured in the commercial was like a special kind of hell - debt debt and more debt so that everyone can stare into their devices to buy more junk.

I was too busy reading quarterly earning reports on my phone, so I don't remember most of the commercials..

I remember there was a cute one with wiener dogs dressed up like hot dogs running in a field! That one made me hungry.
And also the hat commercial where the dogs dress up like a human to get in to the grocery store. I thought those were both pretty funny.

[Giro]

I don't have regular tv and so was looking forward to watching the ads, in a kind of outsider observer way. I got to see first half commercials but not the 2nd half. I liked the marmot, prius and Jeff Goldblum ads, monkey baby ad was weird and disturbing, I was fascinated that there is enough demand? to create a full length well produced ad about opiod induced constipation. I don't like the self-aggrandizing/tugging on heartstring crap like the gaga's star spangled banner and jeep commercial but I guess it can't be avoided.

not Gaga.  I thought she sang the hell out of that song.  I loved the classical undertones.  It was the best part of the whole game for me. 

[green daisy]

I thought the constipation one was funny because it was so inappropriate.  A diarrhea commercial came in later in the game (I forget what product it was for).  So I guess you're covered no matter what pooping problem comes your way! 

[Giro]

My husband and I often joke that we will become potheads when we retire.  We've been drug tested for every job since 18 years old.  So of course last night....." does marijuana cause constipation?  Do I need to budget for a drug to combat my other drug's side effects?"

[NoraLenderbee]

They were commercials, which means they exist to sell you crap. I thought they were about equal to most other commercials in that way. I turned off the sound for most of them.

[Eric]

I'm not disgusted by the commercials, but I find it interesting in a social sciences sort of way how they are all discussed after the fact.  As if it's perfectly normal to comment and critique these ads that are designed to sell you stuff.  Which ads were most effective?  Which were least effective?  I guess it makes you at least somewhat aware of the purpose, but I still think that most people are just completely blind to the advertising effect.

[JZinCO]

Seeing the pharma commercials also made me think "oh. that's why prescriptions cost so much."
I had recently read that pharma reps were telling congress that health care costs so much because of "r&d" and that marketing was part of development...

[partgypsy]

I don't have regular tv and so was looking forward to watching the ads, in a kind of outsider observer way. I got to see first half commercials but not the 2nd half. I liked the marmot, prius and Jeff Goldblum ads, monkey baby ad was weird and disturbing, I was fascinated that there is enough demand? to create a full length well produced ad about opiod induced constipation. I don't like the self-aggrandizing/tugging on heartstring crap like the gaga's star spangled banner and jeep commercial but I guess it can't be avoided.

not Gaga.  I thought she sang the hell out of that song.  I loved the classical undertones.  It was the best part of the whole game for me.

I actually like Gaga. She sang well. I just don't like that whoever sings that song has to pretend and project they are the most patriotic-heart-felt-god-and country-loving person on earth, American flag shoes and all. Please.

[Bardo]

I've been pretty successful in structuring my life to minimize exposure to commercials, so I wouldn't have planned to spoil that by watching the Super Bowl.  I've heard many people say they watch the Super Bowl only for the commercials, which just strikes me as bizarre.

[nobodyspecial]

Don't have TV and I never understood the colonials misunderstanding of Rugby - but I almost want to watch the commercials.
Purely for the anthropology

[HipGnosis]

I have a DVR that records TV from broadcast stations (aka OTA). 
I watch darn near everything recorded (vs live) so I can fastforward over the ads.
I've recorded the Superbowl for years JUST because it's suppose to have the best commercials (of the year).  I FF thru a lot of the game actually.
I gotta say, the quality and appeal has gone done almost every year.   It's disheartening to think how much money is spent on them.

[RWD]

I've been pretty successful in structuring my life to minimize exposure to commercials, so I wouldn't have planned to spoil that by watching the Super Bowl.  I've heard many people say they watch the Super Bowl only for the commercials, which just strikes me as bizarre.

I have also managed to minimize my exposure to advertisements. I haven't gotten away from the Super Bowl ones as I go to a party every year. Historically the Super Bowl commercials have been clever with high production values. This year was pretty bland though.

[JPinDC]

The previews for all the new movies coming out were what really got me. I found myself saying "I didn't know they were coming out with a *INSERT MOVIE NAME* movie" over and over. My SO later reminded me that it's because we don't watch regular TV and never see previews!

[Bearded Man]

I was looking at real estate listings, doing my taxes, and finishing my accounting homework for my MBA. Generally I try to avoid the wasteful crap like football. My GF LOVES that crap though. Mostly opposites on career drive, etc.

[Chris22]

I was looking at real estate listings, doing my taxes, and finishing my accounting homework for my MBA. Generally I try to avoid the wasteful crap like football. My GF LOVES that crap though. Mostly opposites on career drive, etc.

I already got my MBA, I have plenty of time to watch football.  Nice try on the little dig though.  rolleyes

[MMM98]

I had a hard time relating to any of the post super bowl office talk at work.  I honestly did not know the game was being played this weekend.  Now how is that for completely disconnected from consumerism? Am I a  MMM convert Or am I just strange?

[LouLou]

I had a hard time relating to any of the post super bowl office talk at work.  I honestly did not know the game was being played this weekend.  Now how is that for completely disconnected from consumerism? Am I a  MMM convert Or am I just strange?

I actually like football, but I just didn't care this year.  I went to the grocery store during the superbowl, and I was amazed at how empty it was.  I didn't remember that the game was on until I was leaving.

[gliderpilot567]

Haha, I knew there would be a thread about that rocket mortgage commercial here! That one pissed me off. Even my wife thought it was dumb, some kind of vicious circle of consumerism.

We missed the gaga anthem and had to watch it on YouTube (I admit, she did good) because we were running a little late from a healthy mustachian bike ride Sunday afternoon. I finally bought my wife a bike after she's been asking for one for months and we had a great time.

The game itself was ok. We spent most of the first half chatting and bsing while making homemade guacamole and other stuff, while the game ran on our undersized and NOT 4k TV across the room. The second half, our boys engaged in rambunctious horseplay while chatting around the couch. Ok yes I know this is a thread about the commercials but this is what I remember!

My favorite commercial was Peyton Manning plugging Budweiser during the post game interview. Ha! I bet Anheuser Busch appreciated the free ad.

[Telecaster]

I only watched about 20 minutes of the superbowl.
 I remember rolling my eyes at a mortgage (?) commercial that seemed to imply that spending was the only necessary function of being an adult.

Ah yes, the quicken loans one. I had blocked that one out. Basically said that they're doing everyone a favor by making sure everyone got mortgages so that people could buy more crap to fill their new houses with.

Yeah, because the thing preventing me from buying a house is that I don't have a mortgage app on my smartphone.

Said no one ever. 

[6leakertweeker]

  Mainly, I was appalled that we used someone like Lady Gaga to represent our nation by singing the national anthem with 2 gallons of Elmers glue in her hair and 6 bottles of kindergarten glitter on her eyes.  She looked like an alien for heavens sake.  What a disgrace.  Oh and the purple nails?  WTF?   

[Paul der Krake]

I only watched about 20 minutes of the superbowl.
 I remember rolling my eyes at a mortgage (?) commercial that seemed to imply that spending was the only necessary function of being an adult.

Ah yes, the quicken loans one. I had blocked that one out. Basically said that they're doing everyone a favor by making sure everyone got mortgages so that people could buy more crap to fill their new houses with.

Eh, friction does matter in people's willingness to engage in certain transactions. It's hard to quantify, but it's there. As much as we like to make fun of "growth hackers" and "workflow optimizers", removing barriers is an effective and proven way to convert more consumers.

Yeah, because the thing preventing me from buying a house is that I don't have a mortgage app on my smartphone.

Said no one ever.

[Louisville]

  Mainly, I was appalled that we used someone like Lady Gaga to represent our nation by singing the national anthem with 2 gallons of Elmers glue in her hair and 6 bottles of kindergarten glitter on her eyes.  She looked like an alien for heavens sake.  What a disgrace.  Oh and the purple nails?  WTF?

Well, you've found a way to look down your nose at someone with different tastes than you. That's the important thing.

[gt7152b]

My favorite commercial was Peyton Manning plugging Budweiser during the post game interview. Ha! I bet Anheuser Busch appreciated the free ad.

He was basically plugging himself since he owns shares in a couple of Budweiser distributors. I would have invested in something a little tastier myself.

[The Guru]

I've been pretty successful in structuring my life to minimize exposure to commercials, so I wouldn't have planned to spoil that by watching the Super Bowl.  I've heard many people say they watch the Super Bowl only for the commercials, which just strikes me as bizarre.

Probably goes back to the late 80s- early 90s when there was a string of Super Bowl blowouts; 55-10, 46-10, 52-17, etc. IDK if the commercials were actually that clever then; but no doubt they've surpassed the game in terms of being overrated.

[Vertical Mode]

I'm always disgusted by the commercials, and not just during the Super Bowl. I only occasionally watch football anymore, and the saturation of advertising is one of the key reasons why. I haven't independently confirmed this (because I don't own a DVR), but I've had friends tell me that if you DVR a game and fast-forward through the time where the clock is running but no play is happening, you can get through an entire game in 15 minutes. This somehow expands to fill a 3:15 timeslot on broadcast TV...

The reason the 2-minute warning still exists is to maximize the surface area to latch commercials onto:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_warning

And yeah, that Rocket Mortgage ad was something else...

[JZinCO]

I'm always disgusted by the commercials, and not just during the Super Bowl. I only occasionally watch football anymore, and the saturation of advertising is one of the key reasons why. I haven't independently confirmed this (because I don't own a DVR), but I've had friends tell me that if you DVR a game and fast-forward through the time where the clock is running but no play is happening, you can get through an entire game in 15 minutes. This somehow expands to fill a 3:15 timeslot on broadcast TV...

The reason the 2-minute warning still exists is to maximize the surface area to latch commercials onto:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_warning

And yeah, that Rocket Mortgage ad was something else...

You cannot understate how important the two minute warning is for time management and play calling. It's a free time out and many times a game changer.

Can't argue about the game action being short (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/pie-chart-actual-football-watching-nfl-game-vs-replays-commercials-etc/). I could do without commercials (I always mute them except on the superb owl), but the reason I like football is because it has bursts of energy (unlike hockey, soccer, etc). If the action is more consistent we would see tired players and less athletic plays. I don't mind time spent in the huddle, waiting for the refs to start the play clocks, players lining up, etc. You can't deny that many times: say it's a one score game, 3 minutes left, your team has the ball). You want your time to run out the clock with running plays. So as a fan and a viewer there are times I want to see more standing around, waiting for the play clock to get below 5 before the snap, etc.

[iris lily]

I am not hearing any love for the commercial "Ryanville." Awwww, I liked it. Did not love it, but liked it.
The others that were highest rated were stupid. First Date was extremely lame. Dogs Buying Doritos barely funny. winer dogs rugging toward the ketchups, nice.

I saw these on youtube, i never watch football.

[Chris22]

Football, and golf, are great because they lend themselves to multitasking.  I can lay on the couch, watch football, and surf the internet on my phone, and be productive doing both.  Versus, say, basketball, where you can miss a lot of action if you aren't constantly watching.

But nothing beats the Sunday afternoon golf nap.

[jms493]

I like to watch the football...i skip halftime and the commercials for the most part.

[nobodyspecial]

  Mainly, I was appalled that we used someone like Lady Gaga to represent our nation by singing the national anthem with 2 gallons of Elmers glue in her hair and 6 bottles of kindergarten glitter on her eyes.  She looked like an alien for heavens sake.  What a disgrace.  Oh and the purple nails?  WTF?

Well, you've found a way to look down your nose at someone with different tastes than you. That's the important thing.

Funny how the most American production of the song was probably Mr Hendrix - and that raised a few eyebrows

[Vertical Mode]

I'm always disgusted by the commercials, and not just during the Super Bowl. I only occasionally watch football anymore, and the saturation of advertising is one of the key reasons why. I haven't independently confirmed this (because I don't own a DVR), but I've had friends tell me that if you DVR a game and fast-forward through the time where the clock is running but no play is happening, you can get through an entire game in 15 minutes. This somehow expands to fill a 3:15 timeslot on broadcast TV...

The reason the 2-minute warning still exists is to maximize the surface area to latch commercials onto:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_warning

And yeah, that Rocket Mortgage ad was something else...

You cannot understate how important the two minute warning is for time management and play calling. It's a free time out and many times a game changer.

Can't argue about the game action being short (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/pie-chart-actual-football-watching-nfl-game-vs-replays-commercials-etc/). I could do without commercials (I always mute them except on the superb owl), but the reason I like football is because it has bursts of energy (unlike hockey, soccer, etc). If the action is more consistent we would see tired players and less athletic plays. I don't mind time spent in the huddle, waiting for the refs to start the play clocks, players lining up, etc. You can't deny that many times: say it's a one score game, 3 minutes left, your team has the ball). You want your time to run out the clock with running plays. So as a fan and a viewer there are times I want to see more standing around, waiting for the play clock to get below 5 before the snap, etc.

Absolutely, it's important for game management and strategy. But the main reason it STILL exists (even though the stadium clock is official and they no longer need it for timekeeping purposes) is driven by TV and the fact that it's a convenient time to shoehorn in commercials. It could easily have gone the way of the drop-kick and become a relic of a past era of the game. I suppose your point about continuous action wearing down the players is true because substitutions are harder to accomplish; that's one of the things I like about hockey, it just doesn't stop! (until the whistles, and even then it sometimes keeps going as a boxing match).

[JZinCO]

I'm always disgusted by the commercials, and not just during the Super Bowl. I only occasionally watch football anymore, and the saturation of advertising is one of the key reasons why. I haven't independently confirmed this (because I don't own a DVR), but I've had friends tell me that if you DVR a game and fast-forward through the time where the clock is running but no play is happening, you can get through an entire game in 15 minutes. This somehow expands to fill a 3:15 timeslot on broadcast TV...

The reason the 2-minute warning still exists is to maximize the surface area to latch commercials onto:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_warning

And yeah, that Rocket Mortgage ad was something else...

You cannot understate how important the two minute warning is for time management and play calling. It's a free time out and many times a game changer.

Can't argue about the game action being short (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/pie-chart-actual-football-watching-nfl-game-vs-replays-commercials-etc/). I could do without commercials (I always mute them except on the superb owl), but the reason I like football is because it has bursts of energy (unlike hockey, soccer, etc). If the action is more consistent we would see tired players and less athletic plays. I don't mind time spent in the huddle, waiting for the refs to start the play clocks, players lining up, etc. You can't deny that many times: say it's a one score game, 3 minutes left, your team has the ball). You want your time to run out the clock with running plays. So as a fan and a viewer there are times I want to see more standing around, waiting for the play clock to get below 5 before the snap, etc.

Absolutely, it's important for game management and strategy. But the main reason it STILL exists (even though the stadium clock is official and they no longer need it for timekeeping purposes) is driven by TV and the fact that it's a convenient time to shoehorn in commercials. It could easily have gone the way of the drop-kick and become a relic of a past era of the game. I suppose your point about continuous action wearing down the players is true because substitutions are harder to accomplish; that's one of the things I like about hockey, it just doesn't stop! (until the whistles, and even then it sometimes keeps going as a boxing match).

It definitely could. I'm not one for stasis. Afterall, if football never evolved, we would still be playing rugby :)
And I have alot of respect for marathoner-type sports like hockey where the action never ceases. My girlfriend does martial arts and a 5 minute bout of BJJ absolutely wipes you out and then some.

[Gondolin]

even nonmustachios get what's wrong with that commercial. I remember saying out loud, "Can you say credit bubble?!" to a symphony of laughs.

This. After that commercial everyone in the room with me just turned to each other and said, "Umm.....Great Recession, anyone?".


In general, I think we've past the golden age of funny Superbowl commercials. There was a sweet spot when ad space was expensive but not crazy expensive where a bunch of creatives would be told to go make the ad and could come up with something clever. Now that Superbowl ads are $5M a pop and THE centerpiece marketing for many companies everyone is trying REALLY hard for a big laugh with tons of corporate committees and focus groups. As a result, lots of uninspired mediocrity.

[big_slacker]

It definitely could. I'm not one for stasis. Afterall, if football never evolved, we would still be playing rugby :)
And I have alot of respect for marathoner-type sports like hockey where the action never ceases. My girlfriend does martial arts and a 5 minute bout of BJJ absolutely wipes you out and then some.

Some rugby player or fan will be along shortly to tell you all about how rugby is tougher than American football, despite the fact that they're completely different games where very few athletes in either could cross over to the other at the top level. ;)

[nobodyspecial]

My girlfriend does martial arts and a 5 minute bout of BJJ absolutely wipes you out and then some.

It would any man. Or am I misunderstanding something about BJ ?