The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
I missed my 46th consecutive Super Bowl last night. For one thing, I’m not a fan of the sport (I’m a baseball and hockey guy). For another, I’m a contrarian by nature, so I tend to avoid most things that I’m told I absolutely have to do. And, finally, I have trouble with an event that takes itself seriously enough to call itself Super Bowl XLVI instead of Super Bowl 46. I used to make that point back when I was a TV weatherman by showing the predicted temperature for the big game in Roman numerals.
By all accounts, it was a good game, and I’m told my pal, Al Michaels, did his usual stellar job in the announcer’s booth. Apparently there were lots of new commercials that weren’t as funny as they were supposed to be. (I’m not sure what to make of a sporting event about which the overwhelming bulk of the conversation the following day involves the commercials and the halftime show.) Speaking of that, Madonna wore flashy costumes and left the obscene gestures to others.
Oh, and the team from New York won.
I hope this summary was helpful.
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Aug '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
Aaron Miller:
I just watched it, Tristan, and found it to be strictly pro-Chrysler.
...which is to say it was pro-union.
That was my take-away, also. Nowhere in the ad copy was it mentioned that Detroit is starting it's "second half" thanks to the involuntary tax dollars taken from American citizens.
Edited on February 6, 2012 at 7:01pmRe: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
Sean: Sounds like Pat is calling out James on the main podcast! · 55 minutes ago
I put a stop to this after show #100. Enough was enough.
May '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
tabula rasa:
I find it odd that so many of the ads are "high concept" duds. [The vampire ad nearly caused nausea]. So much money, so little return.
That seems common these days. Many ads involve dozens of actors (albeit, low-paid) and extensive special effects while other advertisers make more effective commercials by filming a handful of people in a single room.
Automobile commercials have always puzzled me. They go to such great lengths to be dazzling, but leave me with no memory of specific vehicle. It's not enough to grab the viewer's attention and place the product in there somewhere. The product itself must be a focus.
God bless the advertisers who communicate a product's actual merits.
May '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
Blue Yeti
Sean: Sounds like Pat is calling out James on the main podcast!
I put a stop to this after show #100. Enough was enough.
Thanks!
Ricochet was actually the worst offender. Rob was't satisfied with using Roman numerals. He divided them into volumes, too.
At least, I always assumed it was Rob's idea, since he always corrected James on the podcast.
Sep '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
Blue Yeti
Sean: Sounds like Pat is calling out James on the main podcast! · 55 minutes ago
I put a stop to this after show #100. Enough was enough. · 9 minutes ago
Nobody expects a Roman Enumeration.
Dec '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
Yup - first time I've ever seen someone score a buttdown.
Sep '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
tabula rasa
Pseudo: I'll bet you and Casey are still mad about the Doritos dog ad. Unlike Sarah Palin's target, this ad actually seemed to be promoting dog-on-cat violence. · 30 minutes ago
I am quietly sharpening my claws and plotting, scheming, waiting.
Mar '11
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
tabula rasa
Pseudo: I'll bet you and Casey are still mad about the Doritos dog ad. Unlike Sarah Palin's target, this ad actually seemed to be promoting dog-on-cat violence. · 37 minutes ago
I am FURIOUS! I am NEVER eating another Dorito as long as I live... after this bag.
Mar '11
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
"For another, I’m a contrarian by nature, so I tend to avoid most things that I’m told I absolutely have to do."
I too am a contrarian. But it seems that to avoid the Super Bowl is to fall in line with people like you. And that's not contrary enough for me. So I put the game on, dress in team gear, and sit with my arms crossed facing away from the TV.
Stick it to the man!
Jan '11
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
The Great Adventure!
Yup - first time I've ever seen someone score a buttdown. · 1 hour ago
Intentionally anyway ...
May '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
@Foxman: Technically the company has only had one filing. But they have teetered throughout the last 30 years and survived only by dragging down everything and everyone they touched.
Chrysler was near bankruptcy in 1979. Lee Iacocca sought and received a $1.5B loan guarantee from the federal government. Jimmy Carter signed the "Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee Act of 1979" (Public Law 96-185) in January of 1980. This allowed Chrysler to force its creditors into taking 30¢ on the dollar. It wasn't technically a bankruptcy but the law allowed the company to screw over a lot of people, including turning common stock into preferred stock that paid no dividends.
In 1998 Daimler-Benz bought Chrysler for $36B. Within three years they were bleeding red ink and shut down six plants and layed-off 26,000 workers. By 2007 Chrysler was sold at a $31B loss.
In 2009 it became the 7th largest bankruptcy in US history.
Jul '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
I found the chimps on the careerbuilder.com ad eridute and brilliantly funny, myself.
Nov '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
So who else was playing, besides the New York team? My husband and I were wondering this morning. (Bubble people, unite.)
Jun '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
Casey
tabula rasa
Pseudo: I'll bet you and Casey are still mad about the Doritos dog ad. Unlike Sarah Palin's target, this ad actually seemed to be promoting dog-on-cat violence. · 37 minutes ago
I am FURIOUS! I am NEVER eating another Dorito as long as I live... after this bag. · 2 hours ago
It's so refreshing to see a man (or cat) stick to his principles.
Jun '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
I not in advertising, but I maintain that the first rule of advertising is:
1. You can't go wrong with chimps or puppies.
Mar '11
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
tabula rasa
Casey
tabula rasa
Pseudo: I'll bet you and Casey are still mad about the Doritos dog ad. Unlike Sarah Palin's target, this ad actually seemed to be promoting dog-on-cat violence. · 37 minutes ago
I am FURIOUS! I am NEVER eating another Dorito as long as I live... after this bag. · 2 hours ago
It's so refreshing to see a man (or cat) stick to his principles. · 7 minutes ago
Yep, I stick to 'em like orange on fingers.
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
I don't remember their name, but I believe they were from somewhere in New England.
Aug '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
EJHill:
In 2009 it became the 7th largest bankruptcy in US history. · 4 hours ago
and in 2012, were somehow able to field Clint Eastwood and that Italian babe into the most over-priced advertising arena in the world. One to sell a hopped-up Fiat minicar, the other to sell a hopped-up Italian bankruptcy waiting to file again ( you have to wait a little while ).
Edited on February 7, 2012 at 12:22amMay '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
Weigh station. Perhaps you mean way station.
Don't you hate it when someone points out a petty mistake that in no way interferes with comprehension?
Me too.
Aug '10
Re: The Super Bowl: A Second-Hand Report
outstripp
Weigh station. Perhaps you mean way station.
Don't you hate it when someone points out a petty mistake that in no way interferes with comprehension?
Me too. · 15 hours ago
Yeah. I hate that, two.