Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan and Sydney Sweeney.
Condiment brand Hellmann's Super Bowl commercial, When Sally Met Hellmann’s, brings together Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan 35 years after the '80s hit rom-com When Harry Met Sally.
The ad evokes nostalgia with the line: “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Reprising their roles of Harry and Sally, the duo hilariously recreates the film’s unforgettable deli scene in Katz’s Delicatessen, with a creamy twist, thanks to Hellmann’s mayonnaise.
The 30 second commercial finds Sally sitting across from Harry, wearing his classic cable knit fisherman’s sweater, celebrating their anniversary over a traditional deli lunch.
Sally is displeased with her turkey sandwich until she adds a generous squeeze of rich and creamy Hellmann’s mayonnaise that adds mind-blowing flavor so palpable that the rest of the patrons can’t help but notice.
So much so, award-nominated actress and producer, Sydney Sweeney, takes notice, delivering the famous line, “I’ll Have What She’s Having.”
Meg Ryan said reuniting with Billy and stepping back into Sally’s shoes was a joy.
"I’m hoping it’ll be fun for fans to revisit this scene with its (wink, wink) new star, Hellmann's mayo," Ryan said.
Billy Crystal said the opportunity to return to Katz's Deli with Meg was a no brainer.
“Thanks to Hellmann's, who came up with the concept and wrote a really funny spot, we're bringing some laughs and nostalgia and helping When Harry Met Sally celebrate its 35th Anniversary during the Big Game this year," Crystal said.
The commercial, created by VML, was shot at the famed Katz’s Deli, with Meg and Billy back at the same table where they filmed the original scene, as well as Sydney delivering the famous line from the same table it was delivered at 35 years ago.
Sydney Sweeney said working with legends like Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal on this nostalgic and hilarious ad was such an honor.
"When Harry Met Sally is a rom-com classic, and adding Hellmann’s to the scene was a perfect match, so it was an easy yes for this project,” Sweeney said.
“I can’t wait for everyone to see it during the Big Game!"
To bring the flavor directly to fans, Hellmann’s is teaming up with Katz’s Deli to bring the iconic sandwiches featured in the ad to fans across America.
Beginning today through Sunday, February 9, mayo lovers can experience how Hellmann’s hits the spot with the official ‘What She’s Having’ Sandwich Package which features the main ingredients and a recipe card to make Sally’s very particular, and very delicious, turkey sandwich order (with Hellmann’s mayo of course) along with Harry’s pastrami sandwich, just in time for the Big Game.
Unilever North America SVP of marketing, condiments Jessica Grigoriou said the ad combines humor, nostalgia and the timeless appeal of Hellmann’s that will leave a lasting impression on fans just as the movie did 35 years ago.
"For our fifth year in the Big Game, we wanted to be as iconic and memorable as the moments and dishes that are part of the final Game Day of football season," Grigoriou said.
"By paying homage to the classic deli moment from When Harry Met Sally, with a creative remake to show fans how the deliciously creamy flavor of Hellmann’s can make an ordinary sandwich extraordinarily mind-blowing."
The ad is set to air in the second quarter and will close out Hellmann’s season-long winning streak of making game day delicious, from the viral launch of the mayo-inspired Will Levis No.8 fragrance to the humorous Mayotivations campaign and the introduction of Manny Mayo, the brand’s new, lovable mascot who joined the team earlier this fall.
VML executive creative director Susan Golkin said this is a once in a lifetime reunion of a classic movie duo for a classic brand like Hellmann’s.
"If you are going to show that Hellmann’s makes a sandwich better, you may as well start with the best sandwich scene in movie history. And honor it. Same intro, same camera angles, same famous deli," Golkin said.
