Best And Worst Super Bowl 2012 Commercials

Super Bowl XLVI is in the books and the New York Giants are once again champions of the football world. But they weren't the only winners on Super Bowl Sunday. There are also ad execs around the country patting themselves on the back for a job well done while -- like the Giants -- the whole world was watching.

There were plenty of solid ads this year, but here are the five that were the biggest hits (and five that came up short).

5. Dannon Oikos Green Yogurt

Besides the fact that Uncle Jesse from "Full House" is still finding work, this one gets a thumbs up because it goes from cute to funny out of nowhere at the end. The only thing that would have made this better is if John Stamos stood right up and said "THE HAIR, WATCH THE HAIR!"

4. Volkswagon: The Dog Strikes Back

For the second year in a row, VW knocks it out of the park. Following up "The Force" with "The Dog Strikes Back" is a perfect 1-2 punch, as the car company knows the magic behind solid commercials: kids and pets.

3. Chrysler: Halftime With Clint Eastwood

Here's another company that got it right for the second straight year. Last year it was Eminem, and this time around Chrysler goes with Clint Eastwood to score "cool" points. The Hollywood icon not only talks about Detroit rebounding from the brink during the Halftime ad, but how it's "halftime in America too".

2. Skechers: Mr. Quiggly!

There's no way for a French Bulldog to outrun a pack of grehounds... unless he's wearing the Go Run Skechers, of course! Beyond having the cutest dog on Super Sunday, Skechers also gave us a clever cameo from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

1. M&M's: Sexy And I Know It

The group LMFAO could be near the end of their 15 minutes of fame, but this is one heck of a way to go out. There's something oddly enjoyable about seeing an M&M shake what it's momma gave it to the song "Sexy And I Know It".

These three companies didn't quite spend their money wisely.

1. Go Daddy: Body Paint

How many times can the folks at the domain registration company put together a "see more" ad that never actually allows you to see much? Time for Go Daddy to find a new angle.

2. Bud Light: Platinum

Does anyone know exactly what this is? For pouring in (pun intended) so much money into the launch of a product, the people watching the commercial should have some idea what they heck they are getting and that certainly wasn't the case with Platinum.

3. Audi: Vampire Party

Clearly the folks at Audi never saw "Twilight" because otherwise they would know what happens to vampires when they are exposed to light. Well, I mean, I'm told the commercial didn't jive with "Twilight"... let's just move on.

4. Pepsi: King's Court

It was clever using Elton John as the "King", but you can't have the star of the commercial be the winner of a reality show that no one watched ("The X-Factor"). Flavor Flav was a nice touch, but not enough to save this one.

5. H&M: David Beckham Bodywear

A nearly-naked David Beckham should never, ever be featured during any NFL game and especially not the Super Bowl!

Agree? Did we miss something? Check out every single ad that aired during the Super Bowl and judge for yourself!

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: The Hunger Games Won't Actually Make You Hungry

The Hunger Games is a big deal. The book series was a best-seller. Your mom/girlfriend/wife/daughter has probably read them. And now the first book in the trilogy is a live-action movie starring Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks and Woody Harrelson.

How do I know? Because a teaser trailer that will be broadcast before the Super Bowl has made it's way online already.

Good luck finding an embeddable version but you can watch the teaser here.

Take The Running Man and combine it with the Japanese cult classic Battle Royale and that will get you to The Hunger Games. Set in a future where The Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match and sets in motion a series of events that will tear their world apart.

Now commence your "Who would survive The Hunger Games, Eli Manning or Tom Brady?" discussions.

For more Super Bowl commercial moments, keep an eye on our Super Bowl Commercial Stream.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Kraft belVita Introduces "Breakfast Police"

We don't learn too much about Kraft's belVita breakfast biscuits in their new Super Bowl commercial, except that they apparently give you energy that lasts all morning. So I suppose that makes them the energy drink of breakfast biscuits.

Instead, it's all about the breakfast police, two local cops with way too much energy, way too much time on their hands and way too little patience for free range bunny rabbits.

belVita's official tagline is "Power Up, People." It's unofficial tagline is "eating this gives you free reign to insult little league pitchers," which might sell a few more packs if you ask me.

This commercial will run before the game and not during the game itself, likely because no one gets punched in the groin during it. That's a Super Bowl commercial requirement, I think.

For more Super Bowl commercial moments, keep an eye on our Super Bowl Commercial Stream.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Hulu Introduces Will Arnett As New Pitchman

Up until now, Alec Baldwin has been the face of Hulu in their commercials for the Super Bowl or otherwise. From the looks of the teaser for their 2012 commercial, it looks like Arrested Development and Up All Night star Will Arnett is taking over that mantle.

That is, if he can ever get in the building:

It's all about Hulu Plus now, considering that's the only way Hulu is going to make any money. They also promote a Twitter hashtag, #mushymush, which seems to be what TV on Hulu and otherwise is trying to turn your brain into.

See how many TV show references you can find in that teaser. I think I caught SNL, Battlestar Galatica, Arrested Development, The Larry Sanders Show and All In The Family. Plenty more when Hulu premieres their Super Bowl commercial during the, uh, Super Bowl.

For more Super Bowl commercial moments, keep an eye on our Super Bowl Commercial Stream.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Coca-Cola Polar Bears Watching Game Live

It's Super Bowl Sunday and Coca-Cola is back with another polar bear commercial, of course. The trick this year, however, is that the commercial may change based on how the game is going.

For now, the commercial features two polar bears, one rooting for the New York Giants and one rooting for the New England Patriots (though it's hard to tell which is which since they're both wearing colors that work for each team). One of the bears is forlorn over the outcome of the game but gets super-psyched when some of his buddies, who aren't watching the Super Bowl for some reason (Canadian bears?), offer him a Coke.

From there, things get slippery...

Depending on how the game is going for both teams, the spot will be altered to feature a fan of the team that's losing. Regardless, everyone still gets a Coke in the end and, therefore, we are all winners. At least in polar bear world.

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Dannon Oikos Ad A Winner

A word is never spoken between John Stamos and his co-star in this spot for Dannon Oikos yogurt that will debut Sunday during the 2012 Super Bowl.

It's a little bit sexy, a little bit playful and it has a very clear message -- do not EVER come between a woman and her Oikos. Stamos tries to tease his companion with the yougurt, and pays a heavy and painful price for his trangression.

Superbowl-commercials.org really likes this one. It writes:

"What's great about this commercial is that it's fun and playful throughout, without being a Super Bowl commercial "event", thanks to the wordless banter of its two stars. The ending just knocks it out of the ballpark."

-- Check this StoryStream for a look at several of the ads you will see for the first time on television today during the Super Bowl.

Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt Super Bowl 2012 Commercial - "The Tease" (via OikosYogurt)

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Downy Remakes Mean Joe Greene Classic

The New England Patriots and New York Giants are the main event of Super Bowl Sunday, but you know there's a lot of people watching for the commercials as well.

Everyone remembers the Mean Joe Greene Coke commercial from 1980, or has at least seen it at some point in their life. A young boy meets Mean Joe Greene in the locker room, offers him a Coke, Greene throws him his stinky jersey, everyone is happy.

This year, Downy brought in Amy Sedaris to remake the commercial and meet a slightly-older Pittsburgh Steelers LB Mean Joe Greene on his way to the locker room.

The ad's a winner because it covers every base. It's got the nostalgia factor, reenacting one of the most famous football commercials of all time. Sedaris pulls in "the kids" or whatever demographic is said to be fans of Sedaris. And there's a body function joke, the core of any good Super Bowl commercial. If they could have somehow worked in a fart or a guy getting kicked in the groin, it might have been an all-time great.

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Did Pepsi Drop The Ball?

Elton John has worn some crazy outfits over the years, and you can add the one he has on in this new Pepsi commerical to the list.

King Elton, as guardian of the Pepsi, winds up overthrown -- or dropped through the floor, really -- by X Factor winner Melanie Amaro, the hero who exclaims "Pepsi For All."

Superbowl-commercials.org does not like Pepsi's effort here. It says:

"Pepsi was clearly just trying to shoe-horn their "Where There's Pepsi, There's Music" slogan into any concept they could, but came up short here. It reminds us of some kind of summer-camp sketch from our pre-tween years. They should have just given away $10 million worth of Pepsi instead."

This one isn't on my list of favorites, but the outfit make it worth looking at -- once, anyway. Oh, and how in the world did John walk in those shoes?

Pepsi - King's Court Super Bowl (via Pepsi)

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Let There Be Auto Ads

We have been reviewing Super Bowl 2012 commercial here at SB Nation New York, and despite our best efforts it feels like we have just scratched the surface. With time running out on us, here are a few of the automotive commercials we have not yet touched upon.

First up is a Chevy Volt commercial. The use of aliens is always good. Oh, and aliens leering at earth women is just creepy.

Chevy Volt "Aliens" | Super Bowl XLVI Ads | Chevrolet Commercial (via Chevrolet)

This Chevy Silverado ad says you better hurry up and get the truck you want, since the apocalypse is upon us.

Chevy Silverado "2012" | Super Bowl XLVI Ads | Chevrolet Commercial (via Chevrolet)

This ad for the Cadillac ATS is confrontational, and very cool.

Cadillac ATS | "Green Hell" Super Bowl XLVI Commercial (via cadillac)

Toyota reinvents the Camry, and some other interesting stuff.

Toyota Camry 2012 Big Game :60 Commercial - It's Reinvented (via ToyotaUSA)

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Teleflora Ad Features Adriana Lima

Teleflora's new Super Bowl Sunday ad is bound to draw a mixed reaction. It features a very sexy and provocative Adriana Lima, and the men the ad is aimed at will love it. There will be women, though, who are offended by Lima's line -- "Guys, Valentine's Day is simple. Give, and you shall receive." An obvious sex-for-flowers reference.

The ad is pretty simple, pretty direct and the message is unmistakable. Sex sells, and Teleflora isn't hiding the fact that that is what is being referenced. Me? This is Adriana Lima, and I could watch this ad all day.

Here is what Superbowl-commercials.org had to say about the ad:

"We think it's safe to say that where they dropped the ball with last year's ad, Teleflora will get everyone's attention this time around. It's not creative, but it's sexy and effective."

Teleflora - Super Bowl Ad - Adriana Lima (via TelefloraFlowers)

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: 'G.I. Joe' And 'Avengers' Movie Trailers

Let's continue previewing some of the 2012 Super Bowl commercials with a look at a couple of the movie trailers you will see on Super Bowl Sunday.

The first is for 'G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation.' SuperBowl-commercials.org summarizes the trailer this way:

"Despite the first movie being utterly terrible, the trailer for the inevitable G.I. Joe sequel will make its Super Bowl debut this Sunday. What's striking about this sequel is how not-terrible it actually looks, like the G.I. Joe movie the first one should have been."

G.I. Joe: Retaliation Super Bowl Spot Official 2012 [HD] - Dwanye Johnson (via clevverTV)

The second trailer is for 'The Avengers.' Lots of stuff going on here with things getting blown up and stuff flying around, but it's only 15 seconds long. What you will see on Sunday is apparently only 10 seconds of this trailer. It leaves you wanting more, which I guess is the point.

Marvel's The Avengers Super Bowl XLVI Commercial - Teaser (via MARVEL)

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Sacha Baron Cohen Is Back

If you loved 'Borat,' then this 2012 Super Bowl commercial is just for you. Sacha Baron Cohen is back with a new movie, 'The Dictator,' and this ad will be a piece of the movie trailer.

I have to admit I am not a big Baron Cohen fan. The trailer is pretty funny, though. Plus, Megan Fox sightings are always welcomed. You have to like the cheap shot taken at the Kardashians, too. I mean, don't you have to like any cheap shot taken at a Kardashian? That's also an interesting way to win a race.

The Dictator Super Bowl Spot Official 2012 [HD] - Sacha Baron Cohen (via clevverTV)

The movie is scheduled for release May 11. It is billed as telling "the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed."

-- Want to see previews of even more Super Bowl ads? Check out Superbowl-commercials.org.

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Adriana Lima Is Barely Dressed, Making Kia A Winner

All you need to know about Kia’s Super Bowl Sunday ad for its 2012 Kia Optima is that the unnervingly sexy Adriana Lima is barely dressed. That’s enough to make me want to watch it over, and over, and over again. Throw in other bikini-clad girls, music from Motley Crue and a fast car crashing through a wall and I’m all-in when it comes to liking this spot.

This one starts pretty innodenctly, but if you wait about 20 seconds you won’t be disappointed. If you are a red-blooded American man who likes hot girls, fast cars and rock ’n roll, that is.

"A Dream Car. For Real Life." — 2012 Kia Optima Big Game Full Commercial — Extended Version (via KiaMotorsAmerica)

There was one other benefit to this commercial from Kia. It gave me an excuse to ‘research’ some of the other Super Bowl Sunday commercials Lima has appeared in, Like the one below. Sometimes, even research can be fun.

Victoria's Secret 2008 Super Bowl Commercial (via VICTORIASSECRET)

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Matthew Broderick's Day Off

This Honda spot for the new CR-V is an obvious -- and well done -- on Broderick's movie 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off.' Cast as himself, an allegedy sick Matthew Broderick bails on filming for the day to live a little.

If you loved 'Bueller' you will, at least, get a kick out of this spot. If you know the movie and its trivia by heart pay close attention as there are several nods to the original movie in the clip. There are apparently more than two-dozen references to the original film in the ad.

Here's a link to another clip that gives away some of the 'Bueller' references you will find in the Honda ad. On Twitter, you can use hashtag #dayoff to discuss what you find.

Without doubt, this is a Super Bowl Sunday must-see for 'Bueller' fans.

Official 2012 Honda CR-V Game Day Commercial - "Matthew's Day Off" Extended Version (via Honda)

Super Bowl Commercials: The Best Of All Time

While we are previewing commercials for the 2012 Super Bowl, it is only fitting that we look back at what exactly we will be comparing this year's ads to. Here is one list of the Top 25 Super Bowl commercials of all time.

The 25 Best Super Bowl Commercials of All Time (via list25)

Number one on the list is the EDS.com 'cat-herding' commercial, which I have to admit I do not remember. Personally, I love the Doritos commercial with the dog breaking down the door. The guy got what he deserved. The Budweiser Clydesdale/Rocky commercial is good. Rocky references are always appreciated. I have to admit, there are a lot of spots out of these 25 that I had forgotten about. It's a fun trip down advertising's memory lane.

Which commercials from the 2012 Super Bowl will join the list? Well, you just have to watch and judge that for yourself.

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: Volkswagen With Another Winner

Volkwagen's 2012 Super Bowl commercial for the new Beetle gets your attention with a seemingly lonely dog waiting for the right car to chase. It ends by paying homage to last year's terrific Volkswagen ad featuring the miniature Darth Vadar. You know, somehow the best car commercials actually wind up having nothing to do with the cars themselves.

The clip below has a few extra seconds added to the end of it that you won't see on Super Bowl Sunday.

We will be previewing several of the Super Bowl Sunday ads here at SB Nation New York the rest of the week. We know some of you watch for the commercials, and maybe the halftime show, rather than the game itself.

(via Volkswagen)

Of course, since we mentioned the 2011 Darth Vadar commercial it would not be fair if we didn't give you a clip of that one, just for old times sake.

(via Volkswagen)

Super Bowl 2012 Commercials: 'GoDaddy' Ad Is Disappointing

If you have watched the Super Bowl before -- and if you haven't what exactly is the issue, anyway? -- you know that the GoDaddy.com Super Bowl ads are must-see TV for red-blooded American men on Super Bowl Sunday.

Here is a look at this year's Go Daddy ad which, of course stars race car driver Danica Patrick.

QR Code Super Bowl 2012 Commercial (via MichaelDuz)

To be honest, that's a little disappointing. Pretty tame by GoDaddy standards, though you never know what you are in for when the full version gets released on the GoDaddy website Super Bowl Sunday.

That's not exactly as enjoyable as this one:

Banned Go Daddy 2007 (via ShawtyTM1)

Or even this one:

Candice Michelle go daddy (via Beesdecember)

We will have more on some of the Super Bowl ads you will see as we get closer to the game. YOu see previews of many of the ads at SuperBowl-commercials.org.

Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Are They Worth The Money?

Super Bowl commercials can be funny, memorable and sometimes just plain stupid. But, they are always worth talking about. The real question, though, is whether advertisers get their money's worth.

In an article entitled 'When are Super Bowl Ads Worth $116k per Second?' The Migala Report says maybe they are, maybe they aren't.

"Super Bowl ads are best at achieving awareness due to broad reach, making the game a great buy if that's the objective. Introducing or establishing a new brand (like the monkey-based ads from Career Builders a few years back or Go-Daddy's provocative ads) that draws from a large, diverse audience makes some sense. Similarly, ads for new movies and TV shows can make sense, as awareness is an important goal," he said.

But, what about the brands we already know? Do well-known brands like Budweiser and Coke need more awareness?

"The only real reason those brands should be in the Super Bowl (or any other sports & entertainment arena) is if the venue provides an opportunity to transfer fan passion to the brand," he said.

Throughout the rest of the week we will look at some of the pre-released Super Bowl commercials to see what we like, and what we don't like.