Aubrey Plaza talks Ritz Super Bowl ad with Michael Shannon, which was filmed in November
For the second straight year, Aubrey Plaza is starring in a Super Bowl commercial.
Last year, Plaza, who is from Wilmington, and former "Parks & Recreation'' co-star Nick Offerman paired up for a Mountain Dew commercial during the big game.
The actor, 40, appears alongside actor Michael Shannon and music artist Bad Bunny in an ad for Ritz. For Shannon, an Oscar-nominated actor who has appeared in "The Flash" and "Boardwalk Empire," this is his first ever commercial. As for Bad Bunny, it's his first Big Game ad.
The commercial is Plaza's first on-screen appearance since the death of her husband, screenwriter and director Jeff Baena. Baena, 47, who died by suicide on Jan. 3.
"This is an unimaginable tragedy," the Plaza and Baena family said in a statement after the director's death. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time."
The commercial was filmed on Nov. 20, 2024, in Brooklyn. This is Ritz's Super Bowl commercial debut. Last year the snack's parent company, Mondelēz International, brought Oreo to the Big Game for the first time.
Inside the Salty Club
In "Ritz Salty Club," Plaza, an Ursuline Academy grad, and Shannon bicker over who is saltier.
Plaza, of course, has built an entire career on her dry humor and quick smackdowns. And The Salty Club is filled with people who aren't exactly rays of sunshine.
At one point, the "Parks and Recreation" and "White Lotus'' star refers to herself as "the human version of Monday." Shannon says that when he smiles, "people assume it's a glitch."
When Bad Bunny appears and professes his love for Ritz crackers, Shannon scolds him and points to a sign that says, "No smiles allowed." Plaza warns that his jovial spirit could get them kicked out of the club.
"So?" the artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, asks while lowering his sunglasses. His attitude change is welcomed by the Plaza.
Speaking to Paste BN on set, both actors seemed right at home with their salty alter egos.
"I like to just slip it in right in, one bite, almost swallow it," Plaza says in response to a question about how she prefers to eat a Ritz cracker. "I like when someone frisbees it into my mouth."
Do either of them watch the Super Bowl?
"I reenact it as it's happening," Shannon, 50, deadpans. "I watch the plays and then I play out all the positions."
Plaza is a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, who will attempt to prevent the Kansas City Chiefs from a three-peat on Sunday.
The actor is no stranger to sporting events. Over the summer, she was shown on the scoreboard during the WNBA finals, sitting courtside and reading what appeared to be a novel.
"I find it soothing to read courtside during WNBA games. I retain more information," she explains of the incident with a straight face. "I always used to do homework with the TV on. It's like that, kind of."
When Shannon is reminded that his "The Flash" movie trailer ran as a Super Bowl commercial in 2023, he immediately dismisses how the Ritz commercial will fare with Paste BN Ad Meter panelists.
"I just hope we boost the sales of the crackers," the actor insists. "What matters is, 'How many boxes of Ritz crackers do they sell?'"
While Shannon concerned himself with the sales, Plaza was doing the selling.
"I've eaten about 20 crackers and they're still good," she says. "They're so buttery and salty and they remind me of my childhood."