news-record.com

Super Bowl ads this year are going to be on the silly side. But they'll also be focusing on the public's hearty appetite for a good deal in tough, albeit improving, economic times.

From The Associated Press:

"Men march across a hillside without pants, toys joyride in Vegas and the miserly Mr. Burns from 'The Simpsons' loses his fortune but finds happiness. It's a sign that people are feeling better - or at least want to feel better - about the economy, experts say."

The ad line-up, according to the AP, includes cheap televisions by Vizio to budget cars from Kia. Denny's pushes its free Grand Slams again, Charles Barkley raps about $5 meal deals at Taco Bell, and the 1985 Chicago Bears' re-do their "Super Bowl Shuffle" for pre-paid cell phone brand Boost Mobile.

"Six months ago if you were optimistic or happy, it was awkward and people looked and said, 'How insensitive can you be?' "Allen Adamson, managing director of a branding firm, told the AP. "Now it's socially acceptable not to be sullen and depressed, but within reason. And I think the Super Bowl provides one of those venues where you can still kick back and have a good time."