One of the main reasons to watch the Super Bowl is, of course, the commercials. While the Budweiser ad featuring a plucky puppy and the subsequent GoDaddy ad that mocked it have gotten a lot of attention this year, Lindsay Lohan’s surprise ad for Esurance also garnered some attention. A lot of eyebrows were raised and there were a few disapproving blog posts, but for many people, it made them fall in love with Lohan all over again.
Lindsay Lohan made her film debut when she starred in Disney’s reboot of “The Parent Trap” in 1998. Then, in 2004, when she starred in “Mean Girls,” her popularity exploded. Unfortunately, however, partying, drugs, and drinking and driving quickly took her from “talented star” to “tabloid-fodder train wreck.” She has been in and out of rehab for years and has become something of a joke. Her recent Esurance commercial, however, proved that she has not lost her sense of humor or her comedic talent.
In the commercial, Lohan can be seen speeding up to a school pick-up zone, where she knocks over a traffic cone in the process. She tells her costar, a kid standing at the school pick-up zone to “get in,” but he refuses, claiming that she is not his mom. Lohan then launches into an explanation of how she is “sort of” his mom, being that they are both between the ages of 25-35 and that they have both “clocked a lot of miles.” When the kid still refuses, she drives off in a huff, demonstrating more poor driving skills. It is a short little commercial, but Lohan looks great in it. Even more importantly, she is funny and proves that she is willing to make fun of herself.
The ability to make fun of oneself has saved a lot of celebrities. For example, Tori Spelling, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and many other stars have been saved from oblivion because of their ability to do just that – poke fun at themselves. Everyone loves a star who does not take his or herself too seriously!
Of course, the naysayers are all complaining that Lohan should take her past and her mistakes seriously. Many have even said her appearance in the commercial proves that she has a lack of concern for others and for her own shortcomings. Most, though, see the commercial as a sign that Lohan has come to terms with her past and is ready to move forward. One can only hope the latter is true.
Lohan has led a rocky life over the past decade, but few would argue about the tremendous talent she demonstrated earlier in her career. Fortunately, for her, the American public tends to love a redemption story almost as much as they love a “train wreck” story. Only time will tell what the future holds for Lohan, but many are speculating that this new Esurance commercial is a step in the right direction.
Opinion By Susie Potter
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Featured Photo by Brian Frank – Flickr License
Main Image by EyesOnFire89 – Flickr License