Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Super Bowl Ads: Offensive, Funny Or Just Boring?
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Feb 7, 2011
Modified Feb 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 7
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Feb 7, 2011
Modified Feb 7, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In between Green Bay's win and the Black Eyed Peas' embarrassing halftime show, the world's companies came to the Super Bowl to hock their wares. And according to USA Today, everyone thought that Doritos ad where the pug jumps into the clear glass door was hilarious. Volkswagen and Bud Light had some popular spots too, but last night controversy was spelled G-R-O-U-P-O-N.
In one of their spots last night, Timothy Hutton spoke about how Tibet's culture is in "jeopardy," but thanks to Groupon he can still get 50% his fish curry at a Tibetan restaurant in Chicago. They pretty much killed their presence in China and offended plenty of Americans. As Rohit Bhargava said, "The strategy behind their campaign is explained well by founder Andrew Mason on the Groupon Blog ... however without the context of the thinking behind the ad, their 30 second spot in isolation came off as offensive, amateurish and insensitive." To their credit, Groupon has set up a website to donate to charities associated with their "controversial" ads, like Greenpeace, Tibet Fund and Rainforest Action Network.
Living Social's ad that tracked a man from lumberjack to cross-dresser wasn't exactly well received either. Aric Zion wrote on Twitter, "Living Social: 1. Groupon 0 for their ad #brandbowl in poor taste. 4 a social company, they're not being very socially responsible.." But according to some, Living Social's spot was the reason Groupon even had a Super Bowl ad in the first place. Meanwhile, were surprised to see Eminem make another appearance in that Brisk tea ad. Or really, that Brisk tea still existed.
Tagged
doritos
groupon
living social
super bowl
super bowl ads
super bowl commercials
tibet
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Published Oct 8, 2026
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
By
Alec Hamilton
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .