What I Enjoyed Most About SuperBowl Sunday
Tearsheet: Caitriona Moran
Super Bowl Sunday which is practically an American holiday, is a day of eating, drinking, and being merry, but most importantly, is the only day every year when you actually look forward to watching commercials. In Super Bowl LV, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the Kansas City Chiefs, and it was a Super Bowl like no other – taking place in the middle of a global pandemic.
There was a limited number of fans, only 25,000. The stadium however, looked full, while the remaining 30,000 seats were filled with cardboard cutouts. Before the game President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden addressed the nation, thanking frontline healthcare workers and calling for a moment of silence for more than 460,000 Americans who have died as a result of COVID-19. Together they urged citizens to get the vaccine and continue following CDC guidelines. In an interview with CBS earlier that day, President Biden said he is hopeful and expects the Super Bowl stadium to be full in 2022.
Amanda Gorman, 22, preformed a poem the NFL commissioned as she became the first person to recite a poem at the Super Bowl. Titled “Chorus of the Captains”, Gorman’s poem was an ode to essential workers, and was devoted specifically to Tremaine Davis, Los Angeles educator, Suzie Dorner, a Florida Nurse, and James Martin, a marine veteran who worked with the Wounded Warrior Project from Pittsburgh.
Not only was this Gorman’s second performance at a nationally covered event, but it was also her second high-fashion moment on live television. She wore a stunning metallic powder blue jacket from Moschino’s spring 2021 collection. She paired it with a pearl headband crown, a style that seems to be becoming her signature, and one she compelled her fans to try on her Instagram story.
"At the inauguration, I truly wanted to continue the history of strong women in headbands. It was my mom who suggested I wear it horizontal with my thick braids, I highly suggest a headband crown for anyone wanting to stand taller, straighter, and prouder.”
Following the poem, H.E.R. preformed America the Beautiful in the coolest denim in the front, leather in the back bell-bottomed jeans, a denim-and-leather patchwork jacket, and red Giuseppe Zanotti boots. Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan then sang the National Anthem in perfect harmony.Sullivan wore an all-white crystal stitched tailored suit with a matching crystal headpiece both by New York label Area.
At halftime, Tampa Bay was up 21-6. The highly anticipated performance by The Weeknd was so much more than anyone was expecting. He opened the show in a Las Vegas setting, which quickly transitioned to a chorus of robots with red eyes in white robes, in front of which he performed “Starboy” and “The Hills.” He then moved into a room of mirrors and gold lights where he performed “Can’t Feel My Face” in a mosh pit of dancers who sported the same red suit jacket and face wrap he wore to the Grammy’s this year; similar to the one he was preforming in, a custom red crystal embellished blazer by Givenchy. “I Feel it Coming” came next, with The Weeknd on top of the world, where he also sang Save Your Tears. Back on the stage, in front of an incredible violin orchestra, he served us “Earned It” on a silver platter. Moving onto the field, again in an army of himself, House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls came next. His final song, Blinding Lights, closed The Weeknd’s phenomenal performance at the Pepsi Halftime Show. His performance might have to move up to the number one spot of my favorite Super Bowl halftime shows.
Despite this game being deemed the battle of the best quarterbacks, gameplay was pretty uneventful, and it was more of a blowout than expected. The most exciting part of actual game time was the fan on the field, who announcers Tony Romo and Jim Nantz playfully suggested should be signed by one of the teams. They didn’t cover it on live TV but thanks to a tweet by BroBible, you can watch it here.
Finally, what we were all waiting for, he commercials. With a price of $5.5 million for an ad slot this year, I, like many Super Bowl commercial fans, was eager to see how this year would compare to earlier years. Even without Budweiser Clydesdales, and Pepsi ads – as they preferred to spend their ad money on COVID-19 relief -- this year’s ad lineup was difficult to pick favorites out of. But fear not, I did – and are my top-ten favorite ads from Super Bowl LV.
10. Oatly – I really couldn’t not talk about this one. If there’s one thing everyone in America can agree on, it’s that this commercial made us all uncomfortable. Twitter went crazy over this one.
9. Fiverr “Opportunity Knocks” – The Four Seasons Total Landscaping, which former president Donald Trump so hilariously accidentally scheduled a press conference at was the star of this commercial. One of the most ironically funny commercials of the night in my opinion.
8. Doritos 3D “Flat Matthew” – I couldn’t leave this one out. Matthew McConaughey starring, Queen’s “I Want to Break Free” playing in the background, it was a recipe for success. I didn’t expect anything less from Doritos, who continuously delivers stellar Super Bowl ads.
7. “The Neghborhood” DoorDash – In collaboration with Sesame Street, this commercial had such a feel-good vibe. Daveed Diggs, I love you always.
6. GM’s Will Ferrell Ad – This ad was stacked with some of America’s favorite comedians; Will Ferrell, Keenan Thompson, and Awkwafina.
5. Jeep “The Middle” – Jeep made quite the political statement with this one. In this ad, Bruce Springsteen – in his first commercial ever -- took us on a journey to Center Chapel in Kansas, which is the center of the United States of America. This commercial was about crossing the divide and coming together, Jeep reminding Americans that we’re stronger than any obstacle. “To the ReUnited” was their closing statement and has sparked some negative feedback.
4. Amazon’s “Alexa’s Body” – Michael B Jordan hotter than ever as Alexa. And this erotica style commercial was must-watch.
3. Cadillac’s “ScissorHandsFree” – Timothée Chalamet as the son of Edward Scissorhands. I have never been more in love. Winona Rider reprised her role as Kim Boggs, perfect.
2. Cheetos “It Wasn’t Me” – Cheetos takes the cake for feel-good nostalgia with their ad staring Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher and Shaggy. The only way this could’ve been better is if at the end Kutcher said, “Well damn Jackie, I can’t control my hunger!”
1. Uber Eats “Eat Local” – Right when the Cable 10 local access message came on, I knew I was in for a treat. Wayne’s World, you can manipulate me into eating local any day of the week. And the Cardi B cameo? I just know the energy in that room was immaculate.
Like everything this year, the Super Bowl was definitely different than usual. But complete with encouraging speakers, a phenomenal halftime-show, and feel-good commercial breaks, the NFL proved to America that they could play a full season. Even in a year without the Olympics, the Super Bowl lives on, and so does Tom Brady’s remarkable, winning his seventh Super Bowl, with no touchdowns from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Article by Katie Harkey, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
