Thirty-six years after the iconic line “I’ll have what she’s having” from When Harry Met Sally… first made audiences laugh in 1989, Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan have reunited for a Super Bowl commercial.
The 60-second ad for Hellmann’s mayonnaise, released online ahead of Super Bowl 59, takes place at Katz’s Deli—the same location as the famous scene from the film. In a nostalgic nod to the original, Sally (Meg Ryan) dramatically enjoys her sandwich, this time due to a generous serving of mayonnaise.
A Modern Take on a Classic Scene
In When Harry Met Sally…, Sally famously fakes an orgasm at Katz’s Deli to prove a point to Harry (Billy Crystal), stunning onlookers. The unforgettable punchline comes when a nearby woman quips, “I’ll have what she’s having.” (Fun fact: That woman was Estelle Reiner, mother of director Rob Reiner.)
The new ad stays true to the scene’s humor. After Meg Ryan’s exaggerated reaction to her mayo-laden sandwich, actor Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The White Lotus, Anyone But You) delivers the legendary line: “I’ll have what she’s having.”
Fan Reactions: Nostalgia vs. Criticism
The ad quickly gained traction on social media, with When Harry Met Sally… fans expressing excitement over the reunion. One Instagram user commented, “I literally gasped. This made my heart happy.” Another said, “Absolutely the best. I can’t stop watching this.”
However, not all reactions were positive. Some fans felt that Sweeney’s delivery of the famous line didn’t do it justice. Others voiced concerns over classic film reunions being repurposed for commercials, citing previous examples like Scrubs stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison in T-Mobile ads or Wayne’s World stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in an Uber Eats commercial.
The Power of Nostalgia in Advertising
While opinions vary, the Hellmann’s ad demonstrates how nostalgia remains a powerful marketing tool. By recreating one of cinema’s most famous moments, the commercial taps into cultural memory, engaging both long-time fans and newer audiences.
With Super Bowl ads often being as anticipated as the game itself, this When Harry Met Sally… revival is sure to spark conversations long after the final whistle.
