Super Bowl XXVI's Best Commercials

No matter how hectic watching America's biggest game with a group of 60 middle and high schoolers can get, when the two to three minutes of advertisements came on during breaks of NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl XXVI, all was quiet--then and during Madonna's halftime show. Overall, this year's ads were lacking creativity.

We had the same usual suspects: a talking baby, GoDaddy.com girls and B-list celebrities, which grace our televisions every year. Also the beer companies, whose humor is pointed towards my 21-35 year-old population, was lacking any humor at all. Among all the 30 second to one minute bits of $3.5 million of television exposure, here are my favorites:

5. The Dog Strikes Back-Volkswagen- Here is your prototypical Super Bowl advertisement: high quality by way of a costly budget, animals, and plenty of time to tell a story. Though I love Star Wars, it falls in the rankings because of the last 30 seconds.

4. 2012-Chevrolet- As a proud owner of a Z71 Silverado and lover of the recently bankrupt Twinkies this advertisement was an easy sell to me. I honestly will not be surprised if this is how the world is post 2012. Chevrolet had a strong night with the New Grad spot as well.

3. Transactions-Acura- More commonly known as "the one with Jerry Seinfeld," this commercial was a witty minute full of reminders of the greatest television show of all-time. But Jay Leno? More of a Letterman guy myself.

2. Matthew's Day Off-Honda- Needless to say, the nuances that come along with Honda's quick version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off were not picked up as easily by the youth group as they were by the older folks in the audience. Hats off to Honda for their rendition of one of my all time favorites.

1. It's Halftime in America-Chrysler- Was there any question here? Clint Eastwood's raspy voice in a pep talk to America makes this the obvious No. 1. "This country can't be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines. Yeah it's halftime America and our second half is about to begin." Inspiring words from Dirty Harry.

The Best Super Bowl Ads

Part of the tradition of Super Bowl Sunday is watching the TV commercials between the game. For some, it is the reason they watch the game. The 61 commercials played during the Super Bowl this year cost $3 million dollars per 30 second spot ($100,000 per second). After a week to think about it, here are some of my favorites.

1. Doritos- "Grandpa's Ashes"

Grandpa's Ashes got by far the most laughs during my Super Bowl party. Some of the other Doritos ads were creative but none of them could top this one.

2. Volkswagen- "DarthVader"

At first I wondered what child wants to be Darth Vader, the bad guy, out of all the characters in Star Wars, but really liked this commercial. The more I see the advertisement the more I like it.

3. NFL- "Best Fans Ever"

Best part of this commercial? The Duke boys from The Dukes of Hazard jumping a ravine with a Atlanta Falcons flag raised high above General Lee, their iconic car.

4. Bridgestone- "Beaver Returns the Favor"

I missed this commercial during the game but after seeing it I am a big fan. The official name of the commercial is "Carma." I am a sucker for puns.

Off By A Little

Maybe it is a good thing I didn't write a detailed analysis of how the game was going to go because well... it didn't really go that way. Except for the points. I only missed the point total by one, which in my book is pretty impressive. The defenses didn't play up to their capabilities, but in the end what happened? Defense won the Green Bay Packers their fourth franchise Super Bowl.

This year's Super Bowl goes down as the most watched television event ever, ousting last years Super Bowl in the Nielson ratings. As far as the game went though there wasn't a whole lot of substance. There was no defining picture or moment stuck in my head. The only thing I can think of was the bad calls made against Green Bay. The Steelers had their chances and were given a few more by the zebras, but they couldn't pull off the win.

The Star Spangled Banner was "bombed" by Christina Aguilera, who forgot an entire two lines from our country's national anthem. I am taking the higher road. and not even waling down the path making fun of her. The good news is she has another gig to try again after her "fumble." She has been demoted from the Super Bowl to the New York Mets Class A minor league baseball team.

The halftime show was... interesting? It was neat to see artists under the age of 60 dance and try of so hard to cover other's songs. The best part was Usher's jump down the stage to a full split. "Never in a million years," Graham said, as he watched in awe.

Give credit to North Texas. They tried as hard as they can and all reports coming out of there said the atmosphere was incredible and the people were even better. It is just a shame no one in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has a shovel. Flash forward two years to the Super Bowl at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New York. Did you really think that idea through Roger Goodell?

Either way a good time was had by all (outside of the 100 people arrested Sunday night in Pittsburgh for disorderly conduct) as the nation got together to watch. I know I did. I got to watch a football game with four guys, who knew football, on a 48" TV and surround sound. It was almost as good as the Jerry Dome I am sure. Too bad it was the last game of the year, but as they say, "there's always next year."

Now that the game is over... who is ready for the NFL draft?

Super Bowl XLV

The Super Bowl is truly an amazing sporting event. Everyone in America watches, along with much of the world. Whether it be for the commercials or the actual game, people pay attention on Super Bowl Sunday. Everyone has an opinion about the game. Who they are pulling for. Who will win. How they will win.Who will be the difference maker. How good, or bad, will the halftime show be.

So here is my opinion about how the big game will go...

The best two defenses are playing each other, but I don't think that defense will win this championship. Expect a big game from Pittsburgh TE Heath Miller as he takes advantage from too agressive Green Bay LB's. Big Ben joins the ranks of the greats of all time and wins his third in a high scoring affair, for these two teams at least.

Steelers- 30
Packers- 26

(I had full intention of writng at length why I thought the Steelers will win, but studying for an Anatomy test and a run got in the way.)