NEWS: Super Bowl Sunday: A Preview

CULTURE: Super Bowl Sunday: A Preview

A lot of people mistakenly believe that the holiday season ends once the New Year’s hangover has subsided. Not true.

This Sunday, millions of Americans will gather with friends and family for parties in front of their big screen TVs. They’ll drink beer, eat junk food, watch commercials, wager their hard-earned money on ridiculous bets, and, if they’re lucky, maybe even get to see Tom Petty’s nipple.

Oh, and there’s also going to be a football game.

It’s the purely American spectacle known as Super Bowl Sunday, and there’s a good chance that you’ll be partying even if you’re not watching the game.

Here’s a little information to get you ready for the big day:

COMMERCIALS:

With an estimated audience of over 90 million, airing a commercial during the big game means big bucks for advertisers. Considering that 30 seconds of time goes for a whopping $2.7 million, companies pull out all the stops for the spots, which are often more memorable and more talked about than the game itself.

The New York Times posted a nice little Super Bowl commercial interactive feature covering the last 24 years … everything from Apple’s 1984 ‘1984’ through last year’s Emerald Nuts ad where Robert Goulet fucks with sleepy office workers.

Who doesn’t remember that Doritos laundromat with Ali Landry, or the running of the squirrels, or the dramatic finish of Bud Bowl V?

Okay, the Bud Bowl was always stupid, but you know what I’m saying.

This year's lineup includes the requisite multiple ads from Budweiser, as well as Coke and Pepsi battling to sell drinks that aren't Coke or Pepsi, Bridgestone tire spots featuring Richard Simmons and Alice Cooper, and a little T&A courtesy of Victoria’s Secret.

Which will be the big winners? Find out on Sunday, or just wait for the buzz on Monday.

GAMBLING:

The money changing hands this Sunday isn’t just between advertisers and FOX, who is televising the game. It’s also the biggest single day gambling event in the country, and Vegas is looking to set a record.

Of course, the only Super Bowl related gambling that I’ve ever partaken in was the legal kind … you know, through the Vegas sports book.

Yeah, right.

I remember one year I was down over $200 before the stupid game even started. How is this possible? Because it’s the Super Damn Bowl, that’s how.

Vegas sets lines for damn near everything… and your friendly neighborhood bookie will most likely take those ridiculous bets. So, if you want to bet on the result of the coin toss, or the jersey number of the player to score the first touchdown, or perhaps go with the over/under for the yardage of the first punt, you’re all set.

If you can’t get in touch with your bookie, there’s always the crudely drawn block pool - or you can print this one, if you wish - that is required by law at any respectable Super Bowl Party.

In any case, the lesson here is to bring extra money, gamble responsibly, and hopefully go home with more cash in your pocket than you had when you arrived.

HALFTIME SHOW:

Who doesn't like Tom Petty?

THE GAME:

Ah, yes ... the game.

The 18-0 New England Patriots, entering the game as 12 point favorites, are looking to complete their undefeated season against the 13-6 New York Giants.

This game is a rematch of the final game of the regular season in which the Patriots came back late to win 38-35 to remain unbeaten.

I feel that the key to this game is that the playoff experience of the Patriots cannot possibly be matched by the streaking, yet inexperienced, Giants team.

Oh, who the hell am I kidding? I'll just be watching for the commercials.



crispy wishes good luck to all of his friends who are Patriots and Giants fans, but wishes even more that his Eagles were there.

Or even the Pakcers, because they're awsome.

And points for the now-proper spelling of Pakcers.

I'll be watching Puppy Bowl IV on Animal Planet instead.

Here's a recap of last year's Puppy Bowl:

The only other thing I'm saying here is that both SI.com and ESPN.com are going way overboard on the Tom Brady love; the latter seems to be doing a three-part piece even, with Part II (today's) titled Mr. Perfect. Seriously now, aren't even Patriots fans getting a little sick of this? As the members of the GridIron group well know, I'm a Colts fan, but if Peyton Manning got this much exposure (and even his many commercials aren't as overly flattering as these supposed journalistic pieces are) I'd be sick to death of him. Please let's just get this thing over with.

Oh, and go Giants.

well i just dont get your american football. plagiarism at its worst. tsk.

I'm just happy that I get to watch my Giants in the Superbowl again. It' sbeen 8 frickin years since the last one....and they lost that one.

The Weiner Giants???

GO PATS!

Kudos on the Pakcers spelling.. I grin whenever I see that.

Puppy Bowl!! Hooray! (Even though I was glued to the Puppy Bowl in the kitchen last year, I somehow managed to win 2 of the quarter squares and leave $80 up...let's hope that for that same luck this year). Personally, I'm cheering for Bruin

Another Boston Fan! Go Bruins! (kinda)

Dear Men of America,

Win or lose, Tom Brady still won't let you give him a handjob.

Best,

Fridge.

That's because they're awsome.

It's a win-win situation. Giants win: "little 'bro" gets the spotlight for a minute. Pats win: I don't have to listen to fucking annoying ass Miami fans anymore. Personally, I would have liked to have seen the Packers win it, but they blew their chance--wtf was that anyway? He's not going to miss the field goal twice, you know...

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Wow, really?

Does that still qualify as a Super Bowl party if you can't even watch the game OR the commercials? Or is it just a regular Sunday party?

It's probably an "ironic" party.

Let the trucker hats and lines of coke begin!

This make me wonder whether or not they actually broadcast the SB on the radio? They've got to, right?

PATS WILL WIN! I WISH IT WAS THE PAKC!!

Tom Petty? Fuck yes!

I refuse to leave the house.

But I might go to Mervyn's.

The only thing I care about is the new Iron Man trailer.

Despite the bags under my eyes that it will inevitably cause, I shall be watching...