What can $2.7 million buy you? A Super Bowl XLII ad. For many companies that is what they are going to pay for a 30 second ad. It seems completely ridiculous and a famous E*Trade ad from a couple of years ago poked fun at this. But is this price tag really that outrageous? I mean it is the most watched televised program in the U.S. all year. It is estimated that over 100 million viewers will tune in for the big game. In fact Super Bowl commercials have become synonymous with the game. There is even a “strange rumor” that people only tune in for the commercials. My girlfriend claims she is interested in the game between those two teams but when asked who she is rooting for she very suspiciously changes the subject.

Over the years there have been some great ones and some real duds. Sounds like some of the teams that have played in the game as well. In 2005 there was a Fed Ex/Kinko’s ad that poked fun at how to make a great Super Bowl ad. They said all you need is a celebrity, an animal, an animal that dances, a cute kid, a kick in the groin, an animal that talks, attractive females, an “optional” product message, famous pop song, and a bonus ending. While there have been many commercials that followed this recipe for success there have been many great ones that have taken a different route. It got me to thinking about what commercials have really been worth their hefty price tags in the past. Here is my list of the top ten best Super Bowl commercials. Some are part of the overall consensus and some buck the boring trend.

10. 1984 Apple's Macintosh – Not really a fan of this commercial but since it is considered one the of the best super bowl commercials I felt compelled by peer pressure to include it.

9. Nissan Maxima Pigeons – Hilarious. Who has not been targeted by angry pigeons before especially right after you get your car cleaned?

8. Pepsi Cindy Crawford – It’s beuuutttiiifffffuuullll. The can of course. It has nothing to do with Cindy and her short shorts, tight white tank top or long flowing hair.

7. Budweiser Cedric the Entertainer – “I got two logs for this fire”. Seriously when did Cedric develop his Barry White voice and Urkel like dance moves.

6. Monster.com When I grow up… - Made me want to submit my resume as soon as I saw it.

5. Budweiser Horses Playing football – Honestly I think all the Budweiser commercials with the horses playing football were great from the “they usually go for two” or the zebra checking the instant replay, but I decided to pick this one in particular because it made me laugh the most

4. Reebok Terry Tate – “Everybody knows you have to have a cover sheet on your TPS report. That aint new baby.”

3. Budweiser 9/11 Tribute – Great tribute to show we all remember those that were lost.

2. McDonald’s Jordan vs. Bird – Everybody has always wanted to see what would happen if these two all time greats were ever to go head to head. Extra funny when Larry said to Michael “no dunking”

1. Coke and a smile – Ok so there are conflicting reports that this did not actually debut during the Super Bowl but come on it is by far the best Super Bowl commercial there was so it has to go number one, even if we have to put an asterisk next to it

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