Warning! Super Bowl LIX is just around the corner, with FOX televising it nationally on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Some of our supporters no longer watch NFL games. For families still viewing it, we remind parents that the halftime performances and many commercials presented throughout the game are not always family-friendly. This year, there is a valid concern about one halftime performer, rapper Kendrick Lamar, since he is known for vulgar lyrics. Often, halftime during the Super Bowl is much easier to skip or avoid by switching to something other than the show and its accompanying advertisements.
All Super Bowl advertisements and entertainment should be suitable for all ages since children also watch the big game. But this year, parents should be forewarned that ads can ruin family time once again. 1MM wants to give parents a heads-up, specifically about Hellmann’s commercial starring Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, and Sydney Sweeney.
The commercial has Ryan and Crystal’s reenactment of an inappropriate deli scene from the movie When Harry Met Sally, in which Ryan verbally implied an orgasm while simulating the emotions of a sex act. In this Super Bowl advertising version of the movie scene, Ryan depicts her inappropriate reaction to enjoying Hellmann’s mayonnaise added to her sandwich. The ad ends with Sweeney telling the waiter, “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Vulgar and offensive advertising is never appropriate – especially when entire families are watching. Young children will not understand all the ad’s implications but will likely reenact the scene. This type of advertising is wrong on so many levels.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Army Times in 2018, that the advertisement program for the NFL championship game “is designed for fans to commemorate and celebrate the game, players, teams, and the Super Bowl.” As such, fans would most definitely include children.
Thankfully, 1MM has seen a positive change in Super Bowl advertisements over the past several years. Even though we still see room for improvement, 1MM believes our voice is being heard.
Your efforts have helped make a huge difference for families across the country!
If you agree that Hellmann’s marketing campaign is inappropriate, please sign our petition urging the company to cancel its Super Bowl commercial immediately. Don’t forget to share this information with your family and friends to warn them today!
