The biggest football game of the year is now over, and while the Chiefs were busy cinching the win in those final moments, viewers at home were reeling from both the nail-biting game and various bombshell trailers, commercials and performances.
Here are some API folks who took center stage during last night’s broadcast.
Ken Jeong for Popeyes
Everyone’s favorite part-actor, part-comedian and part-doctor appeared in a Popeyes ad last night where his character, Howie, a cryogenically frozen man from 1972, is thawed under the guise that a better chicken wing has finally been invented — a Popeyes chicken wing, obviously. Howie (Jeong) goes on to learn about all the latest and greatest inventions of the 21st century, including but not limited to: Roombas, golden doodles and a drove of drones.
“Twisters” (2024) Trailer
A trailer for the reboot of the 1996 film “Twister” starring Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt and Philip Seymour Hoffman premiered last night. The 2024 film “Twisters,” directed by A24’s “Minari” director Lee Isaac Chung, features a storm-chasing crew made up of Daisy Edgar Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, and “NOPE” star Brandon Perea. From the looks of the preview, this team takes on the biggest and baddest tornadoes in hopes of one day being able to “destroy” one of the natural disasters.
“IF” (2024) Behind the Scenes ft. Randall Park
A behind-the-scenes look at Ryan Reynolds’ upcoming film, “IF,” features Randall Park as writer and director John Krasinski, a callback to the iconic gag on “The Office” where Park stands in as Jim (Krasinski) as a prank, befuddling Dwight (Rainn Wilson). In the BTS look, Krasinski (Park) explains the premise of the film, an exploration into a world of imaginary friends, complete with shots of him (Park as Krasinski) onset directing the entire production. Check it out and have a laugh!
Jason Mamoa for T-Mobile
“Aquaman” and PI actor Jason Mamoa made his Super Bowl debut in a musically-inclined T-Mobile commercial featuring “Scrubs” alumni Zach Braff and Donald Faison. The pair gleefully serenade Mamoa about the advantages of T-Mobile Home Internet while dancing like there’s no tomorrow (Braff even moonwalks! Who knew he could pull that off.) Eventually, Mamoa actually joins in on the festivity, flipping, belting and getting soaked “Flashdance” style all in the name of T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet.
“Wicked” (2024) Trailer
Musical fans and pop culture-scandal enthusiasts alike, the moment you’ve been waiting for is here. During football’s biggest game, a look at director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of “Wicked” premiered, complete with Ariana Grande as the put-together Glinda and Cynthia Erivo’s spell-binding Elphaba. Though it was only a teaser, the audience also got a look at Madame Morrible, played by Academy Award Winner Michelle Yeoh, a glimpse of Bowen Yang as Pfannee and heard a snippet of Erivo’s fabulous belt from everyone’s favorite, “Defying Gravity.”
Usher’s Halftime Show ft. H.E.R.
R&B legend, Usher, gave a magnetic performance during the halftime show last night. Between bops “Caught Up,” “Love in This Club,” “My Boo,” “Yeah!,” and more, the singer also brought out some incredible guest stars including Alicia Keys and our favorite filipina, H.E.R.. The latter graced the stage with her electric guitar and fierce black-and-white leather fit, totally shredding it Jimi Hendrix style as Usher did a quick change, going from “U Got It Bad” into “Bad Girls.”
