A happy twist to this year's super sunday: the high point of the day was absolutely the game itself. Everything from the pregame hype to the halftime show to the commercials was all completely lackluster, save for two commercials: the Mastercard Simpsons spot and that anti-drug ad where the girl watches her friend drown and does nothing. The Mastercard spot was easily the funniest spot of the day, and the anti-drug piece was poignant, chilling and effective. You saw the Cadillac spot where the sound has to catch up with the truck because it's going so fast, right? I thought my TV was broken at first, and by the time I finally figured out just what the hell was going on, the spot was over and I couldn't remember what I was supposed to go out and buy. Effective.
I'm afraid to even talk about the halftime show. Let me just start by asking this question: when the powers-that-be got together to go over the entertainment schedule for this year's halftime show, was there not one person in the room who looked at the lineup and thought "hey, aren't these the same acts we booked in 1998, 2000, and 2002?" I mean, Rhythm Nation? Really? Anyway, here are some answers to your questions about the other nonsense that went on today:
1) Yes, that was Aerosmith cashing in on a television event for the 388th time in their careers. And you wonder why the Rolling Stones are the same age as these guys and are yet somehow still magical. Newsflash: it's because they don't whore themselves out for each and every commercial opportunity that comes their way. If someone doesn't start a backlash against these guys, and I mean soon, then I will. They're just plain old, and we've had enough. At least the Stones still, you know, Make Records.
2) Yes, that was the American national anthem that you heard Beyonce perform. I'm not saying she's got a bad voice, and by all means bring a little of yourself to the performance, but that doesn't mean hijack the lyrics and leave the original melody for dead on the side of the highway. For crying out loud.
3) No, you weren't given any of the obviously necessary details about how the hell a streaker made it onto the field during the freaking Superbowl WHILE THE PLAYERS WERE GETTING READY TO KICK OFF. Maybe there's some sort of statute that I don't know about, but why is it that announcers always always always gloss over the fact that there is a Naked Person illegally running around the field during a nationally televised sporting event? They don't show the guy on camera, even from far away so as to obscure nudity and identity, and the announcers only barely mention the guy, as if there were a couple of birds on the field that everyone was waiting on. I get a text alert on my cell phone when Ben and J-Lo go outside to hail a cab, but a naked guy breaches post 9-11 security during the biggest tv event of the year in front of 100 million people and barely even a mention from anyone. I don't get it.
4) Yes, Justin Timberlake definitely, deliberately ripped off Janet Jackson's top at the end of his song and the place went dark .5 seconds after her silvery pastie was revealed to a national television audience. And with that little move, combined with the fact that she performed two songs that would've been outdated were we watching Super Bowl 23, we mark the end of another Jackson pop music career. No wonder she's been hanging out at Michael's preliminary court proceedings, she's prepping the next stage of her career.
One other thing to touch on: Ford's new car. I think it's a great looking car and the spots were kind of cool and if I win one on a gameshow next year I'm definitely keeping it. But if I win $75,000 on a gameshow next year I'm definitely not spending it on a Ford. Mainly because this Ford costs twice that: $150,000. I know. I think everyone in the country took one look at that thing and felt the same way. 150 g's for a Ford? Really? I'm with you: if I drop that much on a ride, it's going to be the one with the prancing horse on the back, not the blue oval.
