sjbooher: Funny. B+
jtherkal: Really? Funny? If you’re going to redo a classic, you have to come a little stronger than that. Not only did I not think it was very funny, it’s annoying to the point that I’ll change the channel next time it’s on. Ditka saved this one. D.
sjbooher: Awesome effects, dude. I like this one a lot. In these cold winter days, if your product can make the consumer think about a nice summer atmosphere for even a minute, it’s probably a win. A.
jtherkal: I feel like I’ve seen winter in the summer or summer in the winter a bunch of times before. I live in the cold. And no crappy lime-flavored Bud Light is going to make me forget that my feet are numb right now because the floor in my apartment is akin to an ice rink. Winter sucks, but there are beers made for winter. Like Guinness. Not Corona, not Bud Light Lime. Know your place. Also, I just don’t think it’s a very clever idea. Oh, look at me, my six pack turns winter into summer. Blah. D.
sjbooher: You are right on one account, at least. I definitely remember the Coors Light ads that sweep snow in on a hot summer day. So I guess I have to count this as a jack. Downgrade. B.
sjbooher:Last year, I thought the NFL story ad incorporated the good aspects of a “based on a true story” movie — not so much this year. If last year’s version was a wide-release, nationwide movie, this year’s is a made for TV joint. The interview portions are engaging and interesting, but the scripted portions are garbage. D+.
jtherkal: Agree. Totally. Someone probably said, “let’s make it more exciting.” Which translated into trash. Booooooo. D.
sjbooher: I defer. I’ll go C. I hate this type of ad. How cute. Ugh.
jtherkal: I’ve been a big fan of some of the GE ads in the last few years. This is not one of them. I even read some post or article about how GE thought this was going to be a great Super Bowl ad. It wasn’t. D.
sjbooher: Booorrrrrrrr-ing. Boring and not funny. Mob themes are so overused at this point that it is extremely difficult to come up with something with originality. On top of that, this spot pales in comparison to the other Denny’s one, which was one of the best ads of the night. Nanerpus! The lone redeeming quality is the announcement of the free Grand Slam, which is an amazing promotion. D.
jtherkal: Boring? Nah. I can’t argue with mob themes being played out, but when that waitress draws the whipped cream face on the pancakes–it’s comedy! I love it! (begin Brian Fellows voice) That face is silly. (/Brian Fellows voice) Unfortunately, this should have been an ad for whipped cream, how it can make every situation fun or whatever. Instead, they roundabout you with some Denny’s stuff about having a serious breakfast. I don’t really think of Denny’s as serious anything. Not with Moons Over My Hammy. B-.
sjbooher: Try the Denny’s just off the 5 in the hidden California oil country. DEFINITELY serious breakfast.
jtherkal: They finally show the product at the end. I’m not really a fan of this whole campaign, and this hasn’t really done anything to change my mind. If anything, I like it less than the other ad. D.
sjbooher: I love this campaign, and this ad only strengthens the case. The music, look and feel of this campaign conveys superiority and dignity, much to the contrast of the buffoonery that is the trademark of quasi-competitor Sobe Lifewater. A.
jtherkal: I like the message. I like the image Toyota is going for. But it’s boring. And jammed into the Superbowl, boring ain’t gonna cut it. Yawn. D.
sjbooher: Definitely agree on boring. At least I know what a Venza is now, though. It worked in that way, where few ads do. C-.
sjbooher: Brilliant. Epic. Awesome. Some of the greatest athletes of all-time, a stirring background track, and the most on fire dude (Lil Wayne) on the planet to do the voice over? I’m sold. Now… what am I supposed to buy? That’s the problem here, as I don’t know what the hell is being advertised. Maybe it’s only the start and it will soon all make sense, but for now, I cannot give the Grade A approval. I also found it interesting that they chose an MC that the ignorant masses might label a “Gangsta rapper”… now that is G. G+ C+
jtherkal: Wait, Gatorade starts with G, and all these words start with G? Unless they’re introducing some new product that’s simply called “G,” this is sort of worthless to me. Gatorade already has a great image. It’s cool. People like it. You just need to remind me that it’s there and that it’s refreshing. So unless they reveal some new product at some point, D.
sjbooher: Hmm… your follow-up doesn’t scream “God awful” to me.
jtherkal: Now here’s a solid concept gone totally awry in execution. Jessica Simpson plus beer? Daddy likey. But wait, where is the bikini? Shouldn’t she be washing a horse or lathering up with oil? And is pairing her with that line a joke? Be smart, drink smart? It must be a joke. I’m sorry, but until you get her in panties dripping chocolate syrup onto her chest, I can’t endorse this ad. D.