Honestly, if you told me in 1989 that Harry and Sally would be back at that same cramped table 36 years later arguing about a sandwich, I would’ve believed you. Some things just don't change. But seeing it actually happen? That hits different.
The Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal commercial for Hellmann’s mayonnaise (or Best Foods, depending on where you live) wasn't just another Super Bowl ad. It was a cultural "pinch me" moment. It’s rare to see two titans of the rom-com genre step back into their most famous shoes without it feeling like a desperate cash grab. Somehow, this one felt real. Maybe because Billy Crystal was literally wearing the sweater. You know the one. That chunky, white Aran cable-knit that launched a thousand Pinterest boards.
Why the Hellmann’s Reunion Actually Worked
Most people expected a quick nod or a cheap parody. Instead, we got a full-blown reconstruction of the most famous fake orgasm in cinematic history. The ad, titled "When Sally Met Hellmann's," dropped for Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, and it didn't pull any punches.
The premise is simple: Harry and Sally are back at Katz’s Delicatessen. Harry (Crystal) is his usual cynical, dry-witted self. Sally (Ryan) is still the high-maintenance queen of specific orders. When Harry quips, "I can't believe they let us back in this place," and Sally shoots back with, "Nobody remembers that," it feels like no time has passed. Except, you know, the hair is a little different and the cameras are higher resolution.
The Mayo Factor
The plot twist is pure marketing, but it’s handled with a wink. Sally’s turkey sandwich is "not doing it" for her. She looks genuinely distressed. Then comes the Hellmann’s squeeze bottle. She slathers it on, takes a bite, and the table-pounding begins.
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It’s a beat-for-beat recreation of the 1989 performance. The moaning, the head-tossing, the frantic "Yes! Yes! Oh, God, yes!" It should be cringey to see actors in their 60s and 70s doing this, but Ryan sells it with the same comedic precision she had decades ago. Billy Crystal’s reaction—"This one’s real"—is the perfect verbal volley.
The Sydney Sweeney Cameo Nobody Saw Coming
The original 1989 scene famously ended with director Rob Reiner’s mother, Estelle Reiner, delivering the punchline: "I’ll have what she’s having." It is arguably the most famous line in movie history.
For the 2025 commercial, the torch was passed to Sydney Sweeney.
Sitting at a nearby table, looking like she just walked off the set of Anyone But You, Sweeney delivers the iconic line with a straight face. It’s a smart move. It bridges the gap between the Boomer/Gen X nostalgia and the Gen Z audience who might only know When Harry Met Sally from TikTok clips.
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- The Setting: They filmed on-site at Katz’s Deli on the Lower East Side.
- The Vibe: The director, Jake Szymanski, mentioned that the two actors hadn't been back in that building together since 1989.
- The Dialogue: Crystal actually improvised several of his reactions, keeping that "Harry" energy alive.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Original Scene
To understand why the Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal commercial landed so well, you have to remember how scandalous the original was. In 1989, people didn't talk about women faking it. Not on screen, anyway.
Nora Ephron wrote the scene after a conversation with Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner where she explained that, yes, women do this. Crystal was the one who suggested they should actually show it in a restaurant. Ryan was the one who insisted on doing it for real—banging the tables and everything—while the extras around them were genuinely shocked because they didn't know what was about to happen.
By the time they filmed the commercial, that "trepidation" Ryan once felt was gone. She told People magazine that Hellmann's approached them with an enormous amount of respect for the source material. They weren't trying to replace the movie; they were celebrating the 35th anniversary of a masterpiece.
It Wasn't Just About the Mayo
Look, we all know it’s an ad for mayonnaise. But the subtext is about the enduring chemistry of these two. You can’t fake the way Billy Crystal looks at Meg Ryan. During the shoot, Crystal was reportedly looking out for her, even making sure the makeup artist got her "the good eye drops" when her eyes got red from the long day.
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They talk on the phone. They’ve stayed friends. That’s why the commercial doesn't feel like a simulation. It feels like a check-in with old friends who just happen to be global superstars.
The Actionable Takeaway for Nostalgia Lovers
If the Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal commercial gave you a sudden urge to revisit the 1989 classic, you aren't alone. Searches for "Katz's Deli turkey sandwich" and "white cable knit sweaters" spiked the morning after the Super Bowl.
If you want to recreate the "Harry and Sally" vibe without the Hollywood budget, start with the basics. Get the right bread (rye is non-negotiable), pile the turkey high, and maybe—just maybe—don't forget the Hellmann's. Just keep the table-pounding to a minimum if you're in public.
To see the full version of the reunion, look for the "extended 60-second cut" on social media. It includes a few extra lines from Crystal about "competing with a condiment" that didn't make the 30-second TV broadcast. It’s the closest thing we’ll ever get to a sequel, and honestly? It’s enough.
What to do next
Go watch the original film on Max or your preferred streaming service to see just how closely the commercial matched the lighting and choreography. Then, check out the behind-the-scenes interviews from the Hellmann's set to see Crystal and Ryan reflecting on their 35-year friendship.