Super Bowl's Most Awkward Moments: A Look Back at Cringeworthy Ads

The Super Bowl isn't just about touchdowns and halftime shows; it's also a stage for some of the most memorable, and sometimes regrettable, advertising moments. Each year, a handful of commercials manage to elicit a collective wince from viewers, whether intentionally or not. These spots often become water cooler talk, not for their brilliance, but for their sheer awkwardness.

Key Takeaways

• Some Super Bowl ads aim for discomfort to make a point or grab attention.
• Other ads are unintentionally embarrassing due to outdated sensibilities or poor execution.
• The "cringe factor" can stem from taboo subjects, suggestive content, or simply poor taste.

Febreze's "Bathroom Break" (2015)

Advertising a product designed to combat unpleasant odors is a challenge, but Febreze crossed a line for many with its 2015 Super Bowl ad. The commercial, which focused on the effluvium of bowel movements, pushed the boundaries of good taste. While some might have found humor in comparing flatulence to a steamboat whistle, the visual implications were enough to make viewers squirm.

Noxema's "Cream Your Face" (1973)

In a different era, Noxema embraced a slogan that would be unthinkable today: "Cream Your Face." Featuring football legend Joe Namath and burgeoning sex symbol Farrah Fawcett, the ad played on suggestive undertones that were more acceptable in the 1970s. The double entendre, coupled with the era's more relaxed attitude towards sexual innuendo, made this a memorable, albeit cringeworthy, moment.

GoDaddy's "Perfect Match" (2013)

GoDaddy had a history of pushing boundaries with its Super Bowl ads, often featuring scantily clad women. However, their 2013 spot took it a step further by showing supermodel Bar Rafaeli engaging in an extended, close-up French kiss with actor Jesse Heiman. The sheer length and intensity of the kiss, especially between two unlikely partners, was designed to shock and resulted in widespread cringe.

Doritos' "The Best Part" (2011)

Snack food ads often rely on indulgence, but Doritos' 2011 entry, "The Best Part," crossed into gross-out territory. The ad depicted an office worker licking nacho cheese dust off a colleague's pants. This depiction of extreme finger-licking and unconventional consumption methods was enough to trigger a visceral reaction of disgust for many viewers.

Snickers' "Kiss" (2007)

This Snickers ad was so controversial that the brand eventually pulled it. It featured two mechanics who, after sharing a Snickers bar, accidentally kiss. Their horrified reaction leads them to "do something manly" to compensate. The ad was criticized for its homophobic undertones, particularly a version that showed NFL players reacting with disgust to the male-on-male kiss, prompting outrage from the LGBTQ+ community.

Mr. Clean's "Cleaner of Your Dreams" (2017)

Mr. Clean's 2017 Super Bowl commercial tapped into the "uncanny valley" with a CGI-animated Mr. Clean. Beyond the unsettling appearance of the animated character, the ad featured a housewife being seduced by Mr. Clean's suggestive cleaning actions. The juxtaposition of a cleaning product with sexual undertones, especially involving a household appliance mascot, proved to be deeply uncomfortable for many.