Super Bowl ads go for silliness, tears and nostalgia as Americans reel from ‘collective trauma’ of recent upheaval — ‘Everybody is stressed out’

At a difficult time for America, Super Bowl advertisers ask viewers to take care of themselves and others — and maybe even crack a smile.

Ring shows how neighbors can use their doorbell cameras to find lost pets. A Budweiser Clydesdale protects a bald eagle chick from the rain. Novartis touts a blood test that can detect prostate cancer. Toyota reminds viewers to wear their seatbelts.

Mister Rogers is invoked twice: Lady Gaga sings his classic “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” in...