Why Andy Samberg Thought His 2026 Super Bowl Debut Was Perfect After “Avoiding It For A While”

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Andy Samberg will be appearing in a Super Bowl commercial for the first time in 2026, thanks to a partnership with Hellmann’s and Best Foods. This also brings back one of his popular skills that fans love.

Andy Samberg first became well-known during his seven years on Saturday Night Live, where he received ten Emmy nominations and won one for the 2009 song “Dick in a Box” with his group, The Lonely Island. After leaving SNL, he continued to find success in both movies and television, starring in the popular police comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the time loop film Palm Springs. He won a Golden Globe for his work on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and received two more nominations for Palm Springs.

Andy Samberg will be starring in a Super Bowl ad for Hellmann’s and Best Foods in 2026. The ad, titled “Sweet Sandwich Time,” is Samberg’s first for the big game, known for its memorable and funny commercials. He plays a character called Meal Diamond – a playful take on singer Neil Diamond – who grew up in a deli and shares happiness through music, all while highlighting Hellmann’s mayonnaise with a fun spin on the song “Sweet Caroline.”

Before the Super Bowl, Grant Hermanns from ScreenRant spoke with Andy Samberg about his Hellmann’s and Best Foods commercial. Samberg explained that he was excited by the opportunity to dress up as Neil Diamond and create a quirky, unusual take on the famous singer, which is why he thought the brand was a perfect fit for his first NFL championship ad.

He explained that he hadn’t created a Super Bowl ad in a while, even though he loves the exposure the game offers. He wanted to be sure any ad he did was genuinely funny. He thought the Hellmann’s and Best Foods ad had the potential to be a really funny success. He also praised the brand for being very open to his ideas, particularly letting him write and shape the lyrics and overall comedic timing of the commercial.

Once we began discussing the project, I started developing the character – this ‘Meal Diamond’ they envisioned – by fleshing out his backstory. I imagined he was born and raised inside a deli, and maybe never even left! He’s a bit like a flamboyant, over-the-top character, similar to Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno, but focused on the world of mayonnaise and sandwiches. As that idea came together, I got really enthusiastic, and we built the rest of the character from there.

Part Of Samberg’s Motivation Behind His Super Bowl Debut Was His Love For Neil Diamond

ScreenRant asked about the lyrics and how they came together, particularly in relation to the song Popstar. As a big fan of The Lonely Island, the interviewer was curious about the creative process of crafting a song that was even more concise than their typical Digital Shorts.

I was starting to feel pretty tired by the end of the season, so these Digital Shorts ended up being shorter and shorter. I figured people would be okay with something around 90 seconds. Luckily, we had a built-in advantage: everyone already knew and loved the song we were parodying, similar to what Weird Al does. It was easier than creating something completely new and hoping people would connect with the music. I knew the 30-second version for the ad would be different from the 60-second one, and that the longer version would allow for a more developed story, which we could share online. I really liked the idea of the 60-second cut. I didn’t give it the green light until I’d experimented with it a bit, just to make sure it was working. But once we started adding the pull-ups to the 30-second version, it still felt musically solid and like it told a complete enough story.

ScreenRant asked about Meal Diamond’s appearance, noting it successfully evokes the original Neil while still being distinct. They wanted to know how the team collaborated on costume, hair, and makeup to create a look that wasn’t a simple imitation, but a playful take on the character.

I keep saying, it’s probably not Neil Diamond himself, but someone fixated on him – we don’t really know why. [Laughs] Honestly, a big reason I wanted to do this project was because I’m a huge Neil Diamond fan, especially the song and his amazing style in the ’70s. I just loved that look! Watching old videos of him performing, I thought, “Wow, Neil Diamond really nailed it.” His long hair, the eyebrows – he was so into it and cool. And the clothes were so unique to that era, really specific and kind of wild. I just felt like I could really get lost in that character. It’s a great starting point visually because it immediately makes you feel good.

ScreenRant asked about the ad’s performance of rocking out and wanted to know how much of it was the actor’s own physical performance versus how much was inspired by the real Neil’s movements.

I really connected with the physical aspects of playing Neil Diamond. He’s a pretty relaxed guy, and doesn’t have a lot of outward energy. That helped me see this as a character to play, rather than just an impression. The biggest differences come through in the lyrics and how he moves, and I knew I’d have fun with the energetic, bouncy side of the role.

ScreenRant asked how it felt to film an ad in Cantor’s Deli, a well-known Southern California landmark. As someone who grew up in the area, the interviewer immediately recognized the location and was curious about the experience of both portraying the character and filming in such an iconic place.

As a huge movie and TV fan, and someone who spent a lot of time in LA, Canter’s Deli holds a special place in my heart. Before ‘SNL,’ my friend Akiva and I lived just a couple of blocks away, and it was our spot. After a night out, we’d always end up there – it was the perfect late-night fix. So when the director, Tom Kuntz, mentioned scouting locations, I immediately said, ‘Please, let’s shoot at Canter’s!’ It just felt like home. It was awesome being back there, and it really looked fantastic on camera. They have this amazing ceiling in one room, but we actually filmed in the room next to the Kibitz Room, the main dining area. Still, the whole place is so spacious and has such a cool vibe. I used to love hanging out on Fairfax – it’s changed a lot, but it’s always been a great area. I even remember when Largo was still around, and we’d walk from our apartment to see John Bryan perform on Fridays. It was such a great time.

So, it’s come full circle that you got to film here! We’re doing a promotion for a sandwich-related product, and you mentioned how much you enjoyed filming at Canter’s. Would you say that’s your favorite sandwich shop in the United States?

Andy Samberg loves Canter’s Deli, but when it comes to his absolute favorite deli sandwich in Los Angeles, he’d probably choose Langer’s. When he thinks of New York delis, Katz’s and 2nd Avenue Deli come to mind, along with many options in Brooklyn. He insists Canter’s is fantastic, but he’s hesitant to call it the best.

The reviewer at ScreenRant mentioned a brief appearance by Elle Fanning in the 30-second ad and wondered if she has a larger role in the full 60-second version.

The amount of time was actually pretty comparable. There was a slightly different setup during the 60-second segment, but it mostly came down to having space for a quick visit to her booth. She was amazing, truly delightful to spend a couple of hours with. She’s having an incredible year, recently being nominated for an Oscar and starring in a lot of great films – I especially loved her in the new Predator movie! I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time, especially of her show, The Great, and everything else she does. It was really cool to finally meet her and have her be a part of this, she really elevated the whole experience.

ScreenRant asked if the interviewee’s co-star attempted to suggest any additional scenes or material for her role during their collaboration.

We definitely had a lot of alternative lines prepared for her, wanting to give her plenty of opportunities to shine and try different things during the editing process. She was really collaborative, offering suggestions like, “Maybe I could say this,” and we’d say, “Perfect! Let’s use it.” I’d love to work with her on something where we could actually build scenes and have more back-and-forth acting. This project was structured around a song, so the moments we could use were already limited by the song’s timing and the length of the ad, which meant it was often just about getting the lines read quickly.

ScreenRant commented that it would be fascinating to see the actress try that comedic style, as she hasn’t had the chance to showcase it before.

Absolutely. Elle Fanning is really funny, and I think The Great shows that off perfectly. It’s a Tony McNamara show, so you expect it to be good, but she and Nicholas Hoult were just brilliant and hilarious in it.

ScreenRant asked, “I’m a big fan of Digman! Any news on season 3? I know Paramount is dealing with some challenges, but are there any positive signs that a new season might be made?”

While there’s no official confirmation yet, the show isn’t canceled. We’re still talking about bringing it back, and I really love working on it. I create it with Neil Campbell, and we’ve been lucky to have some incredibly talented writers. By Comedy Central’s standards, it’s been a success, and they’ve been happy with it. Honestly, I just want more people to see it! I’m really proud of the show, and it always makes me laugh, both when we’re making it and watching it. With ‘Digman!’, our main goal is always to pack in as many jokes as possible and just try to make each other laugh. So, I’m hoping we get the chance to create more episodes.

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2026-02-06 23:32