Those crazy folks on Madison Avenue had a difficult task getting this year’s Super Bowl ads ready. At $3 million per 30-second spot, these commercials have to deliver humor and entertainment and pitch the product in some shape or form to consumer concerns. Unfortunately for advertisers, this meant trying to address the recession worries that seem to overshadow pretty much everything else nowadays. Recession = downer = not funny. So how did advertisers pull off funny commercials while tackling the recession? Let’s just say some did better than others.

Workplace anxiety

Slapstick has been a huge favorite of advertisers lately. In this spot, however, the slapstick goes to the side of frightening. Employees throw a heavy snow globe through a glass vending machine window and then at a fellow employee. Given all the stress that’s will be building in America’s offices over the next few months, this ad is just not that funny. Today it’s snowglobes, tomorrow it’s an AK-47.

Power Fantasies

Some advertisers obviously figured that, in a time when people feel helpless, the best commercial should fulfill that need for control. So they created this piece about a creepy guy who uses an omnipotent bag of Doritos to fulfill his criminal desires. See also the GoDaddy.com pervert spot (not shown here).

Inspiration

For decades, Budweiser has relied on the Clydesdale to awe consumers into buying a six-pack. So, does the Clydesdale featured in multiple ads last night have the clout to lift viewers out of their economic blues? Probably not. But, lucky for Bud, alcohol does.

Assurances

I think Hyundai was trying to shoot straight with this one. But, to me, promising people that they can bring their car back if they lose their job only underscores how precarious our situation really is. Result: good feeling gone; bad feeling still here.

Avoidance

Momma always said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Some advertisers listen to Momma evidently. Ads from Toyota, Audi, and Pepsi stayed far away from any sign of the office, taxes, or money problems.

Were these ads worth $3 million plus? Tell us which ones you liked or hated.