Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

46° Evanston, IL
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Advertisement
Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive our email newsletter in your inbox.



Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite a few standouts, Super Bowl ads disappoint

Sunday’s Super Bowl not only lacked an exciting contest, but the commercial offerings also lagged behind what we’ve come to expect from America’s biggest game.

Despite the disappointment, some ads still stood out from the flotsam. Here are a few award-winners that caught my eye.

Best use of a Northwestern alum: Stephen Colbert for Wonderful Pistachios

These two commercials were awesome. Colbert really shined in his two spots — and put on for our school in doing so. One of these days, it will be nice when our star of Super Bowl Sunday is actually on the field. Until then, Colbert is a more-than-worthy replacement.

Biggest surprise: TurboTax 

TurboTax’s spot featured the normal guy who had to suffer through prom while the girl of his dreams went with another guy. Props to the company for delivering this storyline in such a fresh way. Although I still know nothing about taxes or how to do them, this commercial resonated in a way tax commercials usually don’t. While some may complain this ruins the ad, to me, that’s the beauty of it. Well done, TurboTax.

Biggest letdown: Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee

Okay, let’s get to why I’m really here. I own all nine seasons of “Seinfeld” on DVD, and I’ve seen almost every episode multiple times. So when I heard Jerry Seinfeld was seen filming in New York with former co-star Jason Alexander, I had high hopes for a reunion.

Instead, we got a Super Bowl spot featuring Seinfeld characters, Jerry as himself and Alexander as George Costanza. The addition of Wayne Knight as Newman was a nice touch, but overall, this whole situation left me unsatisfied. The commercial was for a short episode of Seinfeld’s web series featuring Seinfeld, Alexander and Knight reprising their roles from the show.

Seinfeld has played things cute for a while. He left his show while it was No. 1 in the ratings. And since, reunions have been few and far between. There was a little excitement when the cast got back together for “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but the show-within-a-show format of the reunion was another way for Seinfeld to keep things simple.

My take? I think Jerry is a little scared. And I understand. Why tarnish the reputation of a show many consider the best sitcom ever?

But it would be nice to have a little faith in the fans. Seinfeld has since said the Super Bowl spot will probably be the last time the “Seinfeld” characters will be on screen.

So if the Super Bowl spot and six minute webisode of Seinfeld and Alexander is the final time we’ll experience some of television’s most iconic characters, well, I can’t think of a bigger letdown than that.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Rohan_NU 

Activate Search
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
Despite a few standouts, Super Bowl ads disappoint