16 Super Bowl Commercials That No One Talks About Anymore

The Super Bowl is famous not only for football, but also for commercials. They cost millions and remain iconic. However, many others disappear despite once sparking laughter or controversy. Here’s a look back at 16 Super Bowl commercials that you probably haven’t thought about in years.

1. 1. Just For Feet – 1999

This ad featured a barefoot Kenyan runner being chased down and forced to wear sneakers, which critics slammed as offensive. The backlash was so severe that it even sparked a lawsuit. It’s remembered less for creativity and more as a lesson in advertising gone wrong.

2. 2. Outpost.com – 1999

In an attempt at shock humor, the company ran a spot where gerbils were shot out of a cannon at a brick wall. Many viewers found it more disturbing than funny. The ad is now cited as one of the worst examples of edgy marketing.

3. 3. Holiday Inn – 1997

This ad showcased a man’s transition through plastic surgery in a comedic way, ending with him attending a class reunion. Audiences criticized it for being tasteless and mocking personal choices. It disappeared quickly after the controversy.

4. 4. Pets.com – 2000

The talking sock puppet dog was everywhere for a short time, including during the Super Bowl. Despite the brand’s huge exposure, the dot-com bubble burst soon after, sinking the company. Today, the ad feels like a relic of internet hype gone wrong.

5. 5. Quiznos Spongmonkeys – 2004

Quiznos introduced these bizarre, shrill-voiced animated creatures singing about sandwiches. While memorable for its sheer weirdness, it left most people scratching their heads. The campaign was pulled not long after.

6. 6. GoDaddy – 2005

GoDaddy’s first big Super Bowl ad leaned heavily on risqué humor and innuendo. While it got people talking initially, the over-the-top style quickly wore thin. Today, most only vaguely remember it as part of the brand’s awkward beginnings.

7. 7. Apple Newton – 1993

Before the iPhone, Apple tried promoting its Newton device with a Super Bowl spot. The ad highlighted handwriting recognition, which famously didn’t work well. The failure of the product made the commercial an afterthought.

8. 8. E-Trade Monkey – 2000

A chimpanzee danced on screen with the line, “Well, we just wasted two million bucks. What are you doing with your money?” The odd humor left viewers more puzzled than impressed. E-Trade later rebounded with its baby campaign, leaving this forgotten.

9. 9. Groupon – 2011

This commercial tried to use humor about serious causes like Tibet to grab their viewers’ attention. Instead, it came off as tone-deaf and disrespectful for everyone who watched it. It’s now remembered only as an advertising misstep.

10. 10. Budweiser Frogs – 1995

The croaking “Bud-weis-er” frogs were once iconic and legendary. But over time, the novelty wore off and the campaign faded into history. Younger fans barely recall them anymore, compared to Budweiser’s Clydesdales.

11. 11. RadioShack – 2014

RadioShack tried poking fun at itself with an ad full of ‘80s icons cleaning out a store. While it was an amusing ad, it didn’t revive the struggling brand. The company filed for bankruptcy soon after this ad was aired.

12. 12. Miller Lite Catfight – 2003

Two women fought in a fountain over beer in a spot that was meant to be playful and fun. Unfortunately, those who were able to watch the ad criticized it for being more sexist than clever. It didn’t age well and quickly vanished.

13. 13. Nationwide – 2015

Nationwide aired a commercial featuring a young boy who never grew up because he died in an accident. The somber tone clashed badly with the festive event. It became one of the most criticized Super Bowl ads ever.

14. 14. Ford – 2008

Ford pushed its Sync voice system with a flashy commercial, but the product was clunky and barely worked. The ad was quickly forgotten as better tech hit the market. Today, most people don’t remember it ever aired.

15. 15. Pontiac Aztek – 2001

Pontiac promoted its Aztek SUV during the big game, highlighting its “versatility.” Unfortunately, the car itself became one of the most mocked vehicles in history. The commercial is just as forgotten as the product.

16. 16. Yahoo! – 2000

Yahoo! tried to ride the dot-com boom with an ad celebrating its internet services. While upbeat, it didn’t leave a lasting impression on viewers. With Yahoo!’s decline, the commercial vanished from people’s memory too.

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• Super Bowl commercials
• forgotten ads
• retro advertising
• Super Bowl history
• marketing fails