McCollum's Column: A batch of Citations with a Super Bowl touch
Here’s a few special “David Citations” of the interesting, zany and weird related to the Super Bowl:
Overall, on two fronts: The game was exciting — good but not great. The commercials had their moments, but generally were similar to the game — good but not great.
And the meat and potatoes on the “Black Eyed Peas”: I’ve heard comments all over the board from “best halftime show ever” to the “worst ever” to bring back “Up With People.” Much of the effect could be divided along generational lines. Several noted that things picked up when Usher and Slash entered the mix. It was one of the most energetic shows I’ve seen. But it enhanced criticism that the “Black Eyed Peas” are great on videos, not so much in live concerts.
How far they’ve coming in wiring: I remember the Orange Bowl halftime during the 1978 game between Arkansas and Oklahoma when Walt Disney World sent out its electrical light parade, now a staple attraction, for one of the first major runs. Mostly, in those days, the golf carts and floats had that electrical glow. Sunday, it was the performers who were really wired. I just hope someone doesn’t try to imitate it in a thunderstorm.
Best “hurry up”: The workers who got all the performers and the stage and electrical and technical stuff off the field from the halftime performance in order than the second half could begin seemingly without a hitch.
And the National Anthem malfunction: Christine Aguilera now enters the ever-growing Hall of Shame list on the worst celebrities to sing the Star-Spangled Banner, which, granted, is a tricky piece, especially if you get lost and have a brain melt. Those “ramparts and gallantly streamings” have plagued many a singer, especially if he or she tries to get too fancy with the style. However, these folks are pros and before one sings the Star-Spangled Banner in any public gathering, he or she needs to make sure they know the words.
Worst effect of a flyover: Nice, but over a domed stadium?
Best feeding moment: Cameron Diaz stuffing kernels of popcorn into the mouth of A-Rod.
Best Madden 2011 moment: Former NFL coach and commentator John Madden, who doesn’t figure to be the prototype of a social networking guy, shown texting next to George and Laura Bush in Jerry Jones’ box.
Worst PR and a greater black eye than the peas: The fact that 400 people who had gone to a lot of trouble to purchase tickets and to travel to Arlington were suddenly denied what were temporary seats because they were inspected and deemed unsafe by fire marshals. I’m all for safety. Here’s my problem: The teams had two weeks to prepare for the Super Bowl. That was certainly enough time for NFL (whose officials run the game), with Jerry Jones’ micro-managing sense, to get those seats checked out and make sure they could pass inspection before giving those ticket-holders a slap in the face colder than the outside air.
The consolation: The NFL announced that those fans denied seats would get triple the value of their tickets (about 2,400) plus food, beverage, merchandise and would be the NFL’s guests at the game next year. But does that include airfare and hotels at Indianapolis? But from what I hear of the location of the vanquished seats, get $2,400 a pop for them is a pretty good deal.
The Packers: With the number of injuries they had during the season and during the game (including losing their two starting cornerbacks by the second half), this may have been the best adjusting-on-the-fly runs to a title ever.
So much for establishing the run as the key to a title: The Packers won while rushing for only 50 yards. The last four Super Bowl champions have rushed for fewer than 100 yards.
Aaron Rodgers: Can’t forget Bart, but Brett who?
Best commercials: I, like most everyone else, loved the Darth Vader commercial. I also like the Doritos “grandfather” commercial, although the ad had a funny “ambush” scene but might have been too edgy for some. I thought it would have been better if the “Doritos Give Life” theme was better emphasized.
Things you can always count on in Super Bowl commercials: Someone is going to either get whacked on the head or hit in the crotch. Staples of slapstick.
Also good: The Doritos ad with the tempted dog crashing through the door, the Chevy ad at a Senior Citizens home.
Lacking: The Clydesdale commercial didn’t have its usual punch, Emimem’s two-minute “Imported from Detroit” ad was too long and belabored the point and the Joan Rivers “GoDaddy” girl ad would have been funnier with Betty White as the newly unveiled “girl.”
Most underrated pre-game commercial that maybe not as many people saw: The young cub who got all A’s on his report card and Papa Bear suggested they go to McDonald’s to celebrate. The Bears surround a car with a family eating McDonald’s food and allow the family to feed them. Then, they shake the car and a single french fry falls to the ground. “There’s always a fry left at the bottom,” says Papa Bear.
Best comment to Green Bay fans: A Dallas radio reporter congratulated them, thanked them for coming then said, “When you leave, please turn the heat back on.”
The irony about Darth Vader: The 6-year-old boy who played Darth Vader in the commercial was too young for the Star Wars phenomenon and admitted in a TV interview that before filming the commercial, he really didn’t now who Darth Vader was.
And the back-end, soapy, feel-good story about Darth Vader: Max Page, that 6-year-old boy who played Darth Vader, is a regular on “The Young and the Restless.” He also has a congenital heart defect that required a pacemaker to be installed at an early age. The prognosis is good. Yes, “The Force” has been with him.
(Sports columnist David McCollum can be reached at 505-1235 or david.mccollum@thecabin.net)
