Headline Roundup • February 10th, 2025
Super Bowl LIX: ‘Safe’ Commercials Draw ‘Mixed Reviews’
Summary from the AllSides News Team
As the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, many spectators were also focused on the commercials, which sparked various media coverage.
From the Left: An analysis from Associated Press (Left bias) concluded this was “a complicated Super Bowl for advertisers” and that Sunday’s commercials “went for easy laughs and nostalgia, largely steering clear of controversy.” The AP noted most ads were in production this past fall, during the election, “so avoiding controversy was even more of a priority than usual,” but that this could also “backfire” on advertisers because of how much money they spend on trying to stand out. One expert said, “Everybody wants to be safe [this year], but you also want to be interesting. Safe advertising isn’t the advertising you notice or remember.”
From the Right: Fox News (Right) mentioned several commercials that got “mixed reviews” from commenters on X. Among the highlighted ads were Dunkin’s ad featuring Ben Affleck, Mountain Dew’s ad featuring Seal, and Häagen Dazs’ ad featuring Vin Diesel. An article from The Daily Mail (Right) highlighted criticisms of an ad from the telehealth company hims & hers that, as The Mail described it, “admonished Americans for being obese and shamed the healthcare industry - then promoted its own weight loss drugs.”
Featured Coverage of this Story
This year’s Super Bowl commercials went for easy laughs and nostalgia, largely steering clear of controversy and leaving the surprises on the football field, where the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs.
Eugene Levy’s eyebrows flew off and buzzed around after he ate some Little Caesars. Four old ladies went on a joy ride in a commercial for WeatherTech, while sloths had a case of the Mondays in an ad for Coors Light. And British singer Seal became an actual seal, sad that he couldn’t hold Mountain Dew with his flippers.
Dunkin'
Ben Affleck's 2025 Super Bowl commercial return received mixed reviews.
British singer Seal and "Fast & Furious" star Vin Diesel also received varied responses to their respective Super Bowl ads.
For his part, Affleck brought back the DunKings for Super Bowl LIX, but he was missing Matt Damon and Tom Brady. Instead, Affleck was joined by his brother, Casey Affleck, and former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.
The commercial also featured Donnie Wahlberg, Jeremy Strong and his former "Chasing Amy" co-stars, Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith,...
