Some Super Bowl ads sought to leave us mildly unsettled by the thought of Jeff Bridges watching us as we slept, others tried to make us laugh by casting Danny Trejo as Marsha Brady, and Budweiser kicked us all in the soul nuts with that indestructibly cute dog. But nobody went for the jugular like Nationwide, who gave us a floppy haired dead kid and a painful reminder that the TV that you were watching the big game on could be 1080p anvil if mounted improperly.
Faced with this buzzkill, Twitter did what it does best, spitting out memes and funny reactions to the ad. Here are a few of the best.
Would it make you all feel better if I told you the family in that Nationwide commercial are VERY active in the white power movement?
— Jake Fogelnest (@jakefogelnest) February 2, 2015
My 10 yo daughter: “I don’t think Nationwide is on my side” — Nole Chick (@nolechick94) February 2, 2015
The half time show was all in the mind of the Nationwide kid before he died. — James Urbaniak (@JamesUrbaniak) February 2, 2015
“Wish my death could made some sweet bank for my parents.” — Nationwide. #SuperBowl
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 2, 2015
The second I see a kid in one of these commercials I immediately assume they’re going to die. Thanks, Nationwide! #SuperBowl
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 2, 2015
At the #Nationwide offices tomorrow: “Who the FUCK approved that dead kid ad?” Cormac McCarthy enters. CORMAC (Squiggy voice): Hell-o
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 2, 2015
@nick_pants pic.twitter.com/XGKFbgzqaR
— Telco (@TelcoAg) February 2, 2015
In their next ad, Nationwide is going to shoot the Budweiser dog.
— Patrick Burke (@BurkieYCP) February 2, 2015
Exclusive look at next year's Nationwide commercial: https://t.co/9hABItA5Om
— Gavin Jasper (@Gavin4L) February 2, 2015
— nick pants (@nick_pants) February 2, 2015
In real life, that Pac Man game is haunted by the ghosts of dead Nationwide kids. #synergy
— Brett Gallman (@brettgallman) February 2, 2015
Exclusive look at next year’s Nationwide commercial: https://t.co/9hABItA5Om
No one in the Nationwide advertising meeting put up their hand and went, "Let's sleep on this?"
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/apelad/status/562097171932000256
While everyone is having some fun with this commercial, it’s important to remember that household dangers are a serious risk to the safety of our loved ones.