Every Super Bowl season, fans eagerly tune in—not just for the game, but for the clever, star-studded commercials brands decide to debut. This year, one ad has everyone talking: a Hellmann’s mayonnaise commercial featuring none other than Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, reuniting more than 30 years after 'When Harry Met Sally' first hit cinemas. The commercial transports fans right back to New York City’s Katz’s Delicatessen, the setting of the film’s most famous scene.
Dressed in outfits reminiscent of their original characters, Harry and Sally sit down for a meal, setting the stage for this playful reimagining. Harry glances around the restaurant and quips, "I can’t believe they let us back in this place." Sally, unfazed, responds, "Nobody remembers this." But history soon repeats itself—this time, over a sandwich. After taking a bite, Sally realizes something is missing. The solution? A generous dollop of Hellmann’s mayonnaise. With just one more bite, she dramatically recreates her legendary fake orgasm scene, stunning fellow diners once again. Watching it all play out, Harry sighs and delivers the perfect punchline: "Here we go again." Adding to the excitement, the ad wraps up with a surprise appearance from Sydney Sweeney, who steals the moment by delivering the iconic line: "I’ll have what she’s having."
Billy Crystal shared with People his thoughts on revisiting this scene, noting, "It was our 35th anniversary of the film" and acknowledging the perfect timing of this collaboration: "It was really a fun idea." Released back in 1989, 'When Harry Met Sally' quickly became one of the most cherished romantic comedies, penned by the late Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner. The story navigates the twists and turns of love and friendship, which continues to resonate with audiences even decades later.
The Hellmann's spot was crafted with the creative aid of agency partners VML, Mindshare, and Edelman. Jessica Grigoriou, SVP of Marketing at Unilever North America, remarked, "This year, we’re tapping Into nostalgia and the timeless appeal of Hellmann’s, which has been involved in so many flavorful moments since 1913.”
The nostalgic tone of the ad is evident, as Ryan and Crystal reprise their roles at Katz’s Deli, reminiscing about the infamous scene. Ryan’s character initially enjoys her lunch until she decides to add Hellmann’s mayonnaise for extra flavor. Crystal, still the ever-witty counterpart, comments on her excitement, “This one’s real.” The commercial celebrates the original film's legacy, promoting the idea of reuniting for food and laughter, which is key to both the Super Bowl and romantic comedies alike.
This advertisement taps perfectly Into the theme of friendship, delicious food, and the ability of both to bring people together—highlighted by the fact it will air during Super Bowl LIX on February 9. Fans had been awaiting the ad since hints were dropped on social media, with both actors posting images from the set, generating significant buzz. The duo had previously teased the reunion by sharing photos from the famous deli booth and expressing their excitement on platforms like Instagram.
Ryan expressed her joy about revisiting her character, saying, “Reuniting with Billy and stepping back Into Sally’s shoes was delightful. I’m hoping it’ll be fun for fans to visit this scene with its (wink, wink) new star, Hellmann's mayo.” Crystal echoed similar sentiments: “The opportunity to return to Katz’s Deli with Meg was a no-brainer. Thanks to Hellmann’s for coming up with the concept; we’re bringing laughs and nostalgia to this year’s Big Game.”
Both stars engagingly reflected on their experience working together once more and the impact their original scene has had. Crystal reminisced, "When we walked onto the set together, it felt just like 'Here we are.' Same table, same pastrami sandwich, same indigestion. It felt great." Ryan added warmth to their reunion, stating, "What I like about it is you get the idea they’re still together, still talking the way they talk to each other.”
Fans of the film quickly shared their enthusiasm, and social media was set ablaze once teases of the ad hit people’s timelines. The original film continues to influence cultural references and remains pivotal for countless admirers of the rom-com genre. The ad also aims to rekindle the magic of these beloved characters through humor and nostalgia.
While 'When Harry Met Sally' has been credited with reigniting interest concerning whether men and women can be platonic friends, this ad focuses on the delicious union of food and humor. It serves as more than just advertisement—it’s about reviving memories and celebrating culinary joys as well. The Super Bowl ad not only showcases beloved characters revisiting their stories but also delights potential viewers with the promise of laughter and cherished moments once again.
With the Super Bowl just around the corner, attention has shifted toward the ads featuring big-name celebrities and nostalgic nods. United alongside Ryan and Crystal, will be other stars making their mark this Super Bowl season. While some are comedy-focused, others utilize heartwarming storytelling to appeal to various audiences. All eyes will surely be on how these creative endeavors resonate with viewers on February 9, promising to create new waves of joy and laughter all around.