Super Bowl Sunday [ by Michael T] [News You Can Abuse]
February 08, 2010It’s now official, the Super Bowl is the biggest thing in America, bar none. I wonder what an alien race would say if they were to watch a telecast of yesterday’s game? Somehow I don’t think it would be very kind.
Granted, the game itself was compelling and well played. The Saints fought hard and played smart - thanks in large part to a daring coach. But the rest of the telecast was a joke - starting with pregame nonsense, military worship during the anthem and inane color commentary. Don’t even get me started on the idiotic, unwatchable commercials.
But here is where reality and showbiz diverge - instead of solving our problems, say the death of tens of thousands and the flooding of a city in real life, we root for a football team. Why? Because the team is based in the city of New Orleans. And as much as I love New Orleans, the fact that everything is now supposedly made better is a load of horseshit. The place is still in the dumps, dangerous in many places, hopelessly backwards in some cases, and very much in danger of being destroyed. No matter, a bunch of guys won a football game. God forbid Americans should deal with reality - instead it’s the same old delusional patriotism and disconnect from the real world.
Somehow, Super Bowl Sunday is now a national holiday. Yesterday’s game was also the highest rated television event ever - breaking a 27 year old record held by the final episode of MASH. But why is it such lousy TV? Start with the pre-game, which featured Guy Fieri serving crap on a ritz cracker. Literally an inedible sludge topped with shrimp - perfect for obese America. Then we suffered through the endless graphics and multiple camera angles during the plays - so much technology it was mind-numbing. Then, most importantly of all was the commentary. It was mostly inoffensive except for one moment when a commentator told the Saints not to blitz. What did they do? Blitz and cause the game ending interception. So much for informed commentary. Next time, I’ll watch on mute.
And if I see one more set of elderly “rockers” on TV, I am literally going to smash my head through the TV.
Then there is the violence - the game itself is under heat for former players with brain damage. This sport is brutal and destroys players’ bodies. Yet, this is treated as a necessary evil so that we may be entertained. It also extends to the embarrassingly stupid commercials - once a highlight. Now we have Betty White getting slammed to the ground, Bud Light trucks driving over human bridges and violin playing beavers. People are upset at the use of the word retarded? Well it has another meaning - to set back. And these commercials retarded the American population by at least a generation. If they weren’t stupid, they were offensive or just plain pointless.
Lastly, if I see one more “journalist” write “who dat - the Saints!” I will personally pummel them. Let’s not promote thuggish behavior or abuses of the English language folks. Especially if you use that same language to earn a living.
Yup, an embarrassment but not of riches. Stupidity and violence reigned supreme. Considering a country that voted for George Bush AFTER he blundered into two wars, that’s no surprise.
Was a good game though. Go Saints!
(0) Comments •
Next entry: Hospitals are Big Losers in the Health Care Debacle
Previous entry: Four Twenty Eight
