It’s almost time for the big game, and the real MVP of the event always seems to be the commercials. This year, as usual, some of the best will come from some of the biggest food & beverage companies that release their most creative, memorable, star-studded and expensive commercials during the Super Bowl.
At an estimated $5 million for a 30-second spot, they ought to be well done, and they are. Here’s a rundown of expected ads. Take your beer and bathroom breaks cautiously so you don’t miss any.
Pop Corners: Breaking Bad good
Frito-Lay is an annual standout among Super Bowl commercials, and this year the PepsiCo snack division offers two. For Pop Corners, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul reprise their characters from the “Breaking Bad” TV series as cookers of the addictive chips, and recruit their former drug dealer-partner Raymond Cruz to “distribute” them. Cruz acts as crazy as he did 10 years ago.
Doritos: Jack Harlow's triangles
The shape of Frito-Lay’s Doritos inspires Jack Harlow to add the musical metal triangle to his rap songs, sparking a nationwide craze with the simple instrument. Other music celebrities make cameos but, come Grammys time, it’s Elton John who wins triangle player of the year.
Pepsi Zero Sugar: Steve Martin and Ben Stiller
Like its Frito-Lay sibling, Pepsi Cola has created two spots, both for the same brand. Pepsi Zero Sugar uses Steve Martin and Ben Stiller in separate commercials to get you to believe the cola really tastes great … or were they just acting? Don’t blink or you’ll miss the two-second appearance of Stiller’s “Zoolander” character.
Anheuser-Busch: Michelob Ultra’s Caddyshack
Anheuser-Busch InBev is another annual advertiser, and this year they have no less than five spots. Michelob Ultra has attached much of its marketing to golf, and the beer goes two rounds on Sunday. A Caddyshack-inspired ad pits tennis superstar Serena Williams against actor Brian Cox – complete with the song “I’m Alright.” The second one features Ricky Fowler and Tony Romo promoting the beer but also new Netflix golf series “Full Swing.”
Bud Light: On hold
If some phone system puts you on a lengthy hold, why not have a beer and dance the time way away, as do actor Miles Teller and wife Keleigh.
Budweiser: Six degrees of Kevin Bacon
Playing on the “six degrees of separation” or “six degrees of Kevin Bacon” games, a six-pack of Budweiser bottles gets passed around while Bacon narrates offscreen.
Busch Light: Out in the busch
In the final Anheuser-Busch ad, an outdoorsy Busch Light spokesman finds singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan out in the woods, and the whole spot starts sounding like one of her ads for the SPCA.
Sam Adams: A Boston accent
That annoying Boston accent gets overwhelmed by the fantastical pleasantness of the everyday people encountered by "your cousin from Boston" in a star-less Sam Adams beer commercial.
Miller Lite and Coors Light: Wanna bet?
Molson Coors plays two of its American beers against each other in an ad cobranded with online betting site DraftKings.
Oikos: Deion Sanders' family reunion
The Greek yogurt apparently is the source of strength for retired NFL star Deion “Prime Time” Sanders and his family at a picnic, but Grandpa proves to be the strongest.
Hellmann's: Puns in the fridge
With names like Jon Hamm and Brie Larson, it’s no wonder they end up in a giant refrigerator hawking the mayonnaise and trading puns. Then comedian Pete Davidson shows up.
Planters: Mr. Peanut gets roasted
Planters' Mr. Peanut gets roasted, this time by comedians.
Avocados from Mexico: Anna Faris in Eden
Anna Faris, star of “Scary Movie” and TV show “Mom,” plays Eve in a Garden of Eden re-creation in which avocados replace apples.
Pringles: Stuck on you
Kellogg’s Pringles brand continues its campaign in which the cannister gets stuck on people’s hands, this time including singer Meghan Trainor.
Heineken 0.0: Ant-Man and The Wasp
The zero-alcohol Dutch beer somehow co-brands itself with upcoming Marvel Studios movie “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.” Paul Rudd stars in both the movie and the commercial.
BTW: Kansas City by 7.
