Best Super Bowl Commercials 2012: Our List

Pepsi with Elton John, Melanie Amaro, and Flavor Flav
X Factor winner Melanie Amaro attends the fabulous if intimidating court of King Elton John to sing for his spoils in a particularly amusing ad for Pepsi. It is hard not to like a commercial featuring a dance mix rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" as well as a completely nonsensical appearance by Flavor Flav. Not to mix metaphors, but this one really had all its bases covered.

H&M with David Beckham
David Beckham, long a favorite of gay men--especially us--showed up in this year's spot for retailer H&M. The star of the other football channeled Calvin Klein-era Mark Wahlberg by standing in his underwear and making the viewer wonder what, exactly, was being sold. Has H&M gone into the tattoo business? Have they begun offering personal training? Nope, it was an ad for their men's underwear. It looks as if bikini-clad girls aren't the only ones traipsing half naked through Super Bowl commercial breaks anymore.

Dannon with John Stamos
Bet you didn't think that the winner for most violent Super Bowl ad this year would also feature the always sweet, super sexy John Stamos, did you? Things get physical in this commercial for Dannon's Oikos yogurt after the Greek nice guy teases his sweetie with a spoonful of the creamy treat one too many times. Stamos is always great to see, but the real reason we liked this ad is the one-two punch of a very funny surprise ending.

Kia with Adriana Lima and Motley Crue
Mesmerizing Victoria's Secret beauty Adriana Lima dazzled in a spot for car manufacturer Kia. The dream-themed ad goes all over the place with cuts to the buxom model waving a checkered flag, footage of Motley Crue, a cowboy on a rhino, and other uncommon occurrences while "Mr. Sandman" plays. We've deemed this one winner of "randomest" in the subcategory of "most eyeliner."

Honda with Matthew Broderick
Anyone who's seen the 1986 classic comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off can't help but wonder what became of the wily title character. Now we know! He became the actor who played him, Matthew Broderick, and also a Honda driver. Like Ferris, Matthew fakes sick in the fun, nostalgic ad and takes a day off from filming and gallivants around town in his CRV as his agent nearly catches him at every turn. Things that would have made it way better: Jennifer Grey and a "Danke Schoen" song and dance number.