Last year, I put up a a post about the Super Bowl, HERE, and by popular demand, I have decided to do so again this year. The format will be a bit different, but hopefully, it will still be somewhat amusing…
First, how bout that opening? After last year’s ridiculous first play–the punt return of power–this Super Bowl started generically, and it was an omen of quarters to come.
Then the commercials began, and the Bud Light one where the guy breathed fire, was funny–but it was totally blown away by a little commercial for a small film called IRON MAN, which looked fantastic. Seriously, the Iron Man commercial set the standard for entertainment during the game, and it set the bar very very high. C’mon, the part where he shoots the tank. Ridiculously badass. Frankly, up until the fourth quarter, that ad was unmatched. The closest thing to challenging it was the Diet Pepsi Max commercial–which featured the wonderful Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J. It was hilarious, especially because both rapper-actors were so happy. I’ve never seen them so joyous, and it was all because of Pepsi.
So, how did I feel about the game from the Iron Man ad to the fourth quarter? Well, frankly, I found the game to be pretty dull and by the numbers. I was really, really bored from the 2nd quarter-3rd quarter. The first quarter blew by so fast, had some good drives, and some scoring, but the 2nd-3rd quarters were just achingly banal and uneventful. There was some good stuff in the mix. I think there were some alright defensive plays, and the Etrade baby commercials were also excellent, as was the Wanted movie ad and the Audi commercial that spoofed The GodFather. Foxes ongoing promotion for their Terminator television show, wherein they showed the FOX Sports bot vs. a T-800, were a supercool part of the show as well. So, yeah, I didn’t remember much from the middle of the game other than the commercials, suck-a-doo.
I will highlight one athlete during this banal period, however. How bout that kid Wes Welker? That guy was ridiculous. I mean, c’mon. He was always finding an open space. He was catching like a mo-fo, and he took it to the limit every play. The fact that Brady DID NOT throw to Welker during the last drive of the game is, in my opinion, one of the fatal reasons the Patriots lost. I am 90% sure that Welker had found pockets during that fateful final drive; and he could have caught the ball, gotten the Pats some yardage, called a time-out, and made those hail-maries that Brady threw to Moss a little more successful. So, yes. Wes Welker. Watch this kid. He’s a champ in his heart.
Oh wait, in between the 2nd-3rd quarter dullfest, there was the halftime show!!!!! Don’t I have to take about the half-time show. Well, not really. Tom Petty appeared to be the long lost brother of the BeeGees and played a fine set, but the network showed an inordinate amount of teenage sluts dancing on the field, which sucked, as did the overall feel of the show. Look, I like “Freefallin” and “American Girl” as much as the average person, but I felt the whole thing lacked energy and was just kinda “meh”. The best part of the halftime concert was that the main lights were down, and the cell-phone lights and stage created an optical illusion that the band was playing on an intergalactic platform in outer space–which was wicked cool. Plus, the band looked like they were having fun, and I enjoy seeing performers having a good time doing what they love to do. So, there were some alright aspects tot he half-time show, but for the most part, it was “meh.” At the party I was at, the vast majority of the time was spent discussing what other bands we’d rather be watching–my top pick was R.E.M playing “End of the World (as we know it)”, with follow-ups like “Losing My Religion”, “Shiny Happy People”, and “Revolution”.
So, now, let me get to the 4th quarter. It freakin’ ruled. As the third quarter ended, there were people at the party saying this was one of the dullest Super Bowls in recent memory, but then, in the 4th quarter the game just opened up. The drives were fantastic on both sides, and Eli Manning truly came into his own and rocked house. Excellent. Watching Patriots let the win slip through their fingers in that last 46 seconds was tragic, but I had a quiet satisfaction that the Giants won (which I’ll get to in a minute). Frankly, I felt that Brady dropped the ball having NOT thrown to Welker, who had REPEATEDLY found openings and made plays for him; but I’m no expert, so if I am wrong, correct me in the comments if Brady made the right call throwing to Moss. The excitement of this fourth and final quarter actually made up for the mundane play of the second and third quarter, and I heard many folks say that it was a “great game” when all was said and done. It’s like when you see a movie and the beginning is good, and the ending is awesome, but the middle is crap–and you still think it’s awesome.
When the game ended, I was torn. Really. Here’s the deal. I’m not a huge fan of The New England Patriots. In fact, if it weren’t my best friend, Dean, I’d hate their guts. To me, they’re the Dallas Cowboys of the 2000’s, a team that bullies and boasts and acts like they’re all that. Sure, they’ve had success, and they are good at the game, but the way that some of their players conduct themselves ON the field (I couldn’t care less about their personal lives) really rubs me the wrong way. HOWEVER, all that being said, my heart breaks for them this morning, because they had an amazing season, and they worked their tales off, and it WILL BE FORGOTTEN in the archives of football lore becuase of last night’s loss. And that is said. They could have been legendary heroes, but the Giants stole their mantle of heroism and are now this year’s success story. You could see this truth on Bellichicks face after the game, and it was a very sad night for him and his team. I feel for them, I do.
BUT on the other hand. I love the underdog when it comes to the Super Bowl. I routed for the Bills repeatedly in the 90s, only to see them lose time and time again, and last night, in an odd way, it was as though the Giants won a cathartics victory for them, for ALL underdogs, but for the Bills specifically. The Giants WERE the Buffalo Bills this season, and the Patriots were the Cowboys. It was the same scenario on a different day; and I was ecstatic that the underdogs won. For Eli in particular, it was amazing, because he never needs to spend another holiday being asked, “So when are you gonna win a Championship like your brother?” He can now freely enjoy his holidays like everyone else, and for him, I am ecstatic. Plus, it was awesome as balls that Peyton Manning (Eli’s older brother) not only came to the game but kept to a corner to avoid stealing the spotlight from his little brother. It’s called class, folks. Love it. And how bout that Plaxico. That dude is all heart, and his tears at the end of the game, released only after he spoke of his emotions, were some of the most honest and beautiful tears I have seen in professional sports. Plaxico, I call you “Sir”, and I salute you.
So, there you have it. Some good. Some bad. The game was half awesome/half dull, which averaged out to a ” pretty good”, and the commercials had some solid highlights, which were great. Overall, I was down with the day, and I look forward to the magic again next year. Plaxico, I salute you. Bill Bellicheck, I am sorry for your pain. Eli Manning, Congrats. And Wes Welker, great job on being the most underrated member of your team. You rocked ass last night.
Asa bonus, here’s a little exchange that took place that I know many of you will appreciate.
Liz - “Ugh, there’s Gisele [something, she’s a super model]. I think she’s Tom Brady’s date, but I don’t get why people think she’s so attractive. There’s something about her that just–ugh, I just don’t think she’s that attractive.”
CC - “Yeah, it’s because she has a horse-face on a woman’s body.”
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA