In case you didn’t know there’s a certain game on television today that may or may not grab your attention.
Advertisers certainly think you’ll be tuned in as they will spend the equivalent of a small country’s GDP to tell you how great their product is, or at least entertain you long enough and then hope you remember which product it was that entertained you so well for 30, or 45 or 60 seconds.
In fact there was a show on earlier this week called something like the top 50 Super Bowl ads of all time.
In other words 60 minutes of television dedicated to old commercials, well not quite 60 minutes as it’s brought to you by newer advertising to fill in the spots between the old ads.
Yikes.
Now it all makes sense at some level. Millions are watching worldwide, and especially in the States. They will be watching live, and not on their PVRs because who wants to watch an old football game after the whole world has already seen it? Commercials maybe, see above, but not the actual game as once it’s decided who has won it’s ancient history.
If you’ve ever gone to a Super Bowl party, you also know how important the commercials are, and goodness knows they’ve gotten more entertaining as the years have progressed until now we’re talking about the 50th annual (although still several decades behind our very own Grey Cup and always will be, ahem) extravaganza.
Usually there’s lots of talking and partying during the actual game part at a Super Bowl party, and everyone quiets down for the commercials so they can hear them and talk about them and then debate which one was the best over the water cooler the next day at work.
If it’s a boring game, like the blowout two years ago, the commercials can save the day and carry you through the second half.
If the game is actually a good one, like last year, well until the heartbreaking end for Seahawk fans but still exciting, then the commercials carry less value, relatively speaking, I’m sure they are still worth their weight in gold to somebody.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict this game will be worth watching for more than just the commercials.
OK, it’s not the Seahawks from our neighbouring Seattle, but that also takes a vested interest out of the equation so you can just concentrate on enjoying the action.
And the game has a lot of potential, what with the crushing Denver Broncos’ defence battling the high-powered offence of the Carolina Panthers. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning, in the twilight of his career and after suffering an injury-plagued season (not to mention that loss to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl two years ago), versus the young and dynamic Panthers’ QB Cam Newton is another great angle full of potential drama.
Of course it also could be all over in the first 10 minutes (remember Seattle), as the young upstarts lay claim to what could be dynasty material if they continue onward and upward.
However I’m hoping for a better, closer game than that and I think that will be the case, like I know what I’m talking about, please don’t make any wagers based on my musings.
But, again, who wants to watch the Super Bowl without making a prediction?
It would be like watching the game and turning down the volume on the commercials, ahem.
So, let’s say Denver 23 Carolina 20 and there may or not be a missed field goal involved.
Anyway, whatever happens, enjoy the game, the halftime show, and, of course, those commercials.