The Super Bowl (and all of the talk that went with it) got me to thinking…if you’re not into watching it; does that make you “Un-American”? Is football as American as apple pie, and not liking it make you the enemy? What exactly defines us as Americans? Or for that matter “Un-American”? Must we like certain things, eat certain items, etc.? Can’t we have pride in our country, of our servicemen and women, but as a right we’re guaranteed choose not to watch a sport? It doesn’t seem like it’s a love for the game anymore, but rather what player is getting paid the most. It’s more about money and less about the purpose of the sport.
For the Super Bowl, advertisers (manufacturer & companies, etc) pay big money to have their commercials shown during the famous “Half Time Show”, trying to reach an audience of millions upon millions all at once. Is this just another shift into the retail era where it’s money that matters and not the actual game? How many people either didn’t start watching until halftime or turned it off shortly after?
So instead of being “Un-American” maybe I can be called “Anti-spam” or “Anti-forced retail”, something of the sort. I’m as American as they come, at least I believe so, but would rather things not be SHOVED in my face. If I wanted to enjoy the game, couldn’t I simply enjoy the game?
Oh, and don't even get me started with the butchering of our National Anthem; that started this whole thing off, now that, my friend, is "Un-American!"
Not liking football does not make you Un-American...since baseball is the American Past time...lol
ReplyDeleteHowever, the butchering of the National Anthem was the most disgraceful thing I have seen. In fact I have noticed an annoying trend starting regarding the National Anthem that really is Un-American, such as failing to stand, not stopping what your doing (i.e.- drinking your beer) while it is sung and then there are the singers these days...they either forget a line or turn it in to some hip hop or pop sounding song instead of the tribute to this great nation that was intended!
Baseball was originally the "All American" sport, but Football has slowly taken over as America's favorite sport. I love football, but I rather go to a game than watch on TV. I don't see why we have to complain about the commercials. This is how companies get the word out, and companies like Pepsi, and Budweiser have a lot of money to play with advertising, and I think now coming up with the most interesting/comical commercial during Superbowl is sort of becoming a tradition rather than a marketing tool. Do they really think we are going to buy more Pepsi, and Doritos because of these commercials? No, and they don't "need" us too either. They are industry leaders.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, a lot of people look forward to the commercials knowing the companies work very hard & pay lots of money for these spots. Being that the Superbowl is the most viewed/largest audience broadcast it only makes sense advertisers would take advantage of this... isn't that what commercial advertising is all about? (Being viewed by the largest audience.)
I guess my point is I don't see it being "thrown in our face" anymore than the every day "every 90 seconds" regular old commercials.
And no, you're not un-American if you don't like football or watch the Superbowl... plenty of people don't. =)