Last year 108.5 million people tuned in to watch this 3-hour block of time, known as the Super Bowl. Some people watch because of the game, others because of the commercials, a few for the halftime show, and there are those that do because they feel like they should. Whatever your reason for watching is, you’re bound to enjoy the unexpected elements of the game. It’s fun to get caught up in the energy of the room, the excitement of the game, and the humor of the commercials. That’s why I refuse to show you the pre-released commercials because that would be like telling you exactly what the score will be and who will win. However, I do think it’s fun, in order to get psyched up for the game, to review some of the top commercials from previous years. Let’s take a look at the highlights from every Super Bowl from the past half of the decade.
2009 Super Bowl XLIII. In this game the Steelers defeated the Cardinals in a 27-23 point lead at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers became the first team to win 6 Super Bowls this year. This game had an audience of 98.7 million people making it the most watched Bowl to date. Jennifer Hudson sang the National Anthem and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at halftime. The most popular commercial this year as chosen by the USA Today Ad Meter was one about free Doritos (video below).
2010 Super Bowl XLIV. This game pitted the Saints against the Colts and the Saints won 31-17 in Sun Life Stadium in Florida. This was the first Super Bowl win for the New Orleans Saints. An audience of 106.5 million people tuned in to this game. The Who performed at halftime after Carrie Underwood performed the National Anthem. The Ad Meter voted the top commercial this year to be one by Snickers that featured Betty White and Abe Vigoda.
2011 Super Bowl XLV. This game (the best that I can remember) was played in Cowboys Stadium in Texas between the Green Pay Packers and the Pittsburg Steelers. The Packers beat out the Steelers in an exciting game that ended in a score of 31-25. 111 million viewers tuned in to watch the game this year. To entertain them Christina Aguilera stumbled through the National Anthem and The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, and Slash came together to perform at the half. USA Today’s annual contest for the best commercial ended in a tie this year between Bud Lights’ dog sitting commercial and Doritos’ pug commercial.
2012 Super Bowl XLVI. This match up between the Giants and the Patriots was a very popular one. It was held in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana and the Giants beat the Patriots with a mere field goal leading score of 21-17. The game was viewed by an average of 111.3 million Americans. For entertainment Kelly Clarkson sang The Star Spangled Banner and Madonna featured LMFAO, M.I.A., Nicki Minaj, and Cee Lo Green in her halftime show. The top rated commercial was voted on an online panel to be another dog ad by Doritos.
2013 Super Bowl XLVII. This year the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers battled it out in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Louisiana. The Ravens just barely beat out the 49ers in a 34-31 lead. This gave big brother and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh bragging rights over his little brother Jim who coached the 49ers. An audience of 108.69 million people made this a less watched game than in previous years, but a big one nonetheless. Alicia Keys sang the National Anthem this year before Beyonce dominated the halftime stage and brought on her counterparts Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for a short Destiny’s Child reunion. Budweiser won the ad contest this year with a sentimental ad about the life of a working Clydesdale.
Let’s hope this article didn’t make you feel too old, after all it’s all meant to be for your entertainment. So tonight, when you’re (hopefully) watching the game or at least scanning Twitter for the highlights, just remember the enjoyment you got from the past decades’ games and live in the moment of Super Bowl XLVIII.
To view the top 5 commercials from past Super Bowls visit:
http://superbowl-ads.com/article_archive/top-5-super-bowl-commercials-by-year/
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