You probably already know that Ellen Degeneres is going to host the 79th Academy Awards and that Prince will be the half-time performer at the SuperBowl. But, did you know that Coca Cola is returning to the Superbowl this year?
The hype is definitely stimulating. I can hardly wait. Last year, I watched the SuperBowl for the first time. Of course, it was because I was at a loose end that day, and Seattle's team (what's their name again? Shows you how much I care about football) was playing. But, could I, a professor of mass media, resist the lure of "the best commercials in the world," which we have come to know as a breathtaking, "miss-it-if-you're-uncool" feature of this sporting event? I accompanied an equally clueless friend to a sports bar, where, despite this being "polite Seattle," one man kept aggressively shouting, "THAT"S WHAT I"M TALKING ABOUT!" everytime his team scored. I kept thinking a fight would break out -- but that only happens in other parts of the world. This country has way too many other things to fight over than football. Besides, the super-commericials and the Rolling Stones kept everyone mellow and mesmerized.
Makes me wonder -- maybe television and its hyper events keep us from taking a knife to each others' throats. Of course, television also distracts us from the fact that elsewhere, we are, actually, taking more than just knives to other people's throats.
This weekend will come and go, and then we can start the buzz over the Oscars. It's never about who won, is it? It's about the endearing nonsense that we construct as meaningful mass-mediations in our lives. I don't know about you, but I really can't not be there. If nothing else, it will keep me mellow.
