While we all gather ’round the television in the name of football for this Super Bowl Sunday, there’s one part of the broadcast that’s just as memorable as the game itself: the commercials. Last year’s Bowl saw its fair share of memorable musical ads, from a claymation Eminem ranting about why he won’t do a commercial for Lipton, to Justin Bieber and Ozzy Osbourne teaming up (and both dissing the Biebs) for Best Buy. But what about the odd and shameless world of the celeb ads that most Americans never see?
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‘The Music of Super Bowl XLVI’ Main
As we gear up for the commercials we’ll all be talking about this weekend, we bring you 20 rockin’ commercials we promise you’ve never seen before, all from foreign countries. Take our guided tour through obscure international spots (Michael Jackson moonwalking around a scooter), stars laughably mis-matched to products (uh, Karen Carpenter hawking chocolate), and even an over the top multi-diva gladiator action (Britney Spears, Beyonce and Pink battling Enrique Iglesias for Pepsi).
| next: David Bowie for Vittel Water |
Beyonce and J.Lo for Pepsi
Beyonce and J.Lo star as action stars a la “Charlie’s Angels” in this foreign Pepsi commercial that first aired in 2005. First the two pop superstars fight each other ninja-style, but soon band together to wear sexy leather outfits and beat up bad guys. Oh yeah, and they drink Pepsi afterwards to quench their thirst. Uh, makes total sense.
| next: David Bowie for Vittel Water |
| next: Lionel Richie for Potato Chips |
David Bowie for Bottled Water
It’s always refreshing to see a star that possesses a sense of humor about himself. David Bowie does just that in this 2006 commercial for French bottled water, Vittel. The ad, however, also serves as a tribute to Bowie’s cast of personas throughout the years. Poor guy — turns Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke and all the rest live in his house with him.
| next: Lionel Richie for Potato Chips |
| next: Michael Jackson for Suzuki Scooters |
Lionel Richie for Walkers Potato Chips
After seeing this new U.K commercial from August 2010, viewers might think that Lionel Richie is even more of a sensitive wuss than they did before. He gets his butt kicked over Walkers Extra Crunchy potato chips, right after singing a tearful “extra crispy” revision of his own 80s hit “Say You, Say Me” about them. We’re glad you can have some self-aware fun laughing at yourself, Lionel. Thanks for the hilarious clip.
| next: Michael Jackson for Suzuki Scooters |
| next: Wham! for Maxell Cassette Tapes |
Michael Jackson for Suzuki Scooters
In this Japanese ad from 1982, a tux-clad Michael Jackson dances to his “Off The Wall” jam “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” with a beautiful woman. Totally normal, uh, except for the the fact that there’s a scooter in the foreground. MJ and his lady friend don’t even ride the Suzuki scooter, which seems like it should be more important than the MJ dance moves. But we’ll give MJ some extra points for that supposedly sexy wink that looks more like a wince.
| next: Wham! for Maxell Cassette Tapes |
| next: Britney, Pink, Beyonce, Enrique Iglesias for Pepsi |
Wham! for Maxell Cassette Tapes
Eighties pop duo Wham! hawk Maxell cassette tapes in two Japanese commercials using, but of course, their famous Wham! dance and a song called we think is called “Fish Face.” Also, apparently cassette tapes make George Michael fly?
| next: Britney, Pink, Beyonce, Enrique Iglesias for Pepsi |
| next: Madonna for BMW |
Britney, Pink, Beyonce, Enrique Iglesias for Pepsi
This 2006 Pepsi commercial feels more like a male fantasy than an ad. Britney, Beyonce and Pink wear Gladiator-style bikinis and sing Queen, then Enrique gets mauled by a tiger. It’s so long and elaborate that viewers might not even realize it’s a commercial at first. It’s more of a bizarre dream really, but no, you’re wide awake.
| next: Madonna for BMW |
| next: The Carpenters for Morinaga Milk Chocolate |
Madonna for BMW
Madonna’s ex Guy Ritchie directed this short Bond-esque film — err, I mean, BMW commercial. Madonna plays, but of course, a diva who bosses around Clive Owen and pees her pants. More surprising than that, the commercial highlights the music of British band Blur, not Madonna.
| next: The Carpenters for Morinaga Milk Chocolate |
| next: 50 Cent and Jay-Z for Reebok |
The Carpenters for Morinaga Milk Chocolate
If you lived in Japan during the 1970s, you might think The Carpenters were angling for citizenship, considering their constant appearances in Japanese commercials. But this ad really makes you wonder just what those Japanese ad men were thinking. Here, rail thin Karen Carpenter, who famously died in 1983 as a result of her extreme anorexia, enthusiastically promotes Morinaga Hi-Crown Milk Chocolate by walking on the beach and looking at flowers. Notice you never see her actually eat one.
| next: 50 Cent and Jay-Z for Reebok |
| next: The Jackson 5 for Alpha-Bits Cereal |
50 Cent and Jay-Z for Reebok
It’s slightly believable that Jay-Z and 50 Cent own Reeboks in real life, but they don’t rap about them, as this 2003 commercial suggests. Well, maybe 50 does, but Hova?
| next: The Jackson 5 for Alpha-Bits Cereal |
| next: J.Lo for Harman Kardon Speakers |
The Jackson 5 for Alpha-Bits Cereal
Michael started early with his appearances in ad campaigns, performing alongside his brothers in this 1973 commercial for Alpha-Bits. Who better to shill for the spelling-friendly breakfast cereal than the kids who made “ABC”?
| next: J.Lo for Harman Kardon Speakers |
| next: Michael Jackson for Pepsi |
J. Lo for Harman Kardon Speakers
“You can complement a beautiful space, or simply create one,” Jennifer Lopez instructs as her Harman Kardon surround sound system transforms an old living room into a sleek, modern space. The European ad has a touch of Hollywood magic not only with Lopez as the star, but with the director of “Casino Royale” and “Green Lantern” Martin Campbell adding his own cinematic touch to the advert.
| next: Michael Jackson for Pepsi |
| next: Mariah Carey for Intel |
Michael Jackson for Pepsi
Though this is not the one where Michael’s hair caught fire, this Michael Jackson Pepsi commercial is by far the most bizarre. Called “Dreams,” the 1992 clip involves time travel, peacocks, and desert playtime with kids — foreshadowing what’s to come for the King of Pop.
| next: Mariah Carey for Intel |
| next: Whitney Houston for Diet Coke |
Mariah Carey for Intel
Mariah Carey is admittedly adorable in this 2006 Intel commercial, but for some reason, Ms. “Butterfly” doesn’t exactly seem tech-savvy. Good thing Intel didn’t ask her to make or use the computer — just sing and act flirty in the ad.
| next: Whitney Houston for Diet Coke |
| next: Celine Dion for Callaway Golf |
Whitney Houston for Diet Coke
The jingle is so catchy and upbeat, but would you really expect a Whitney ballad like “I Will Always Love You” to be the musical accompaniment to a caffeinated beverage? Whitney’s so spastic in this 1988 Diet Coke ad, you’re not sure where to look. We humbly submit that “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” might have been just as apt for this ad as her emphatic “Diet Coke, yeah!”
| next: Celine Dion for Callaway Golf |
| next: Cher for Jack LaLanne Spa |
Celine Dion for Callaway Golf
Celine Dion playing air guitar with a golf club won’t just hit you with its cheesiness — it just may inspire you not to buy Callaway golf clubs. This 1998 Callaway commercial starts seriously with Celine at her piano, but it takes a big turn for the worst when she starts tossing around “Titanic” theme song puns.
| next: Cher for Jack LaLanne Spa |
| next: Janet Jackson for Japanese VCRs |
Cher for Jack LaLanne Spa
This 1985 ad for Jack LaLanne Spas reveals several things about Cher, who acts more smug than sexy: She works out in heels and a wig, and she doesn’t like the holidays.
| next: Janet Jackson for Japanese VCRs |
| next: Madonna for H&M |
Janet Jackson for Japanese VCRs
What to do when you can’t land the King of Pop for your 1984 VCR commercial? Just like using the machine itself, make a copy: hire his familiar but not yet super-famous sister Janet to don the red leather jacket and bust out the moonwalking moves. Ms. Jackson, not yet “nasty,” does a remarkable job imitating her brother, but she shines the most when she’s just herself. And she does rock that red leather jacket with some serious style all her own.
| next: Madonna for H&M |
| next: Ringo Starr for Pizza Hut |
Madonna for H&M
Madonna and H&M are a realistic match in this 2007 commercial: They both seem European and high-class. And hey, when the recession hit a year later, many fans could use some cheap, stylin’ clothes so they could still afford the “Sticky And Sweet” tour tickets they bought in droves.
| next: Ringo Starr for Pizza Hut |
| next: Ricky Martin and Janet Jackson for Pepsi |
Ringo Starr for Pizza Hut
It’s hard to think of something sadder than a Beatle in a pizza chain commercial, but in the 80s, Ringo Starr showed up in this clip for Pizza Hut. At least Paul McCartney’s 2005 ad for Fidelty Investments retirement planning, made just as the “When I’m Sixty-Four” songwriter literally was approaching that age, was for a product that implied wealth. Members of the Monkees also appear in this Pizza Hut ad, but for them, that was probably a good career move.
| next: Ricky Martin and Janet Jackson for Pepsi |
Ricky Martin and Janet Jackson for Pepsi
Several versions of this Pepsi commercial popped around the world in 1999. This one suggests a flirtation between Janet and Mr. “Shake Your Bon-Bon,” which we now know to be a bit, um, misleading.