I like to think I’ve had numerous accomplishments in my life and here I find myself today in a new and some what exciting position….able to watch the Superbowl 50. For the first time in my life, I can find out what all the fuss is about and get stuck into this…what must be exhilarating sporting event! Surely it must be, the hype is insane, even here in Australia I find myself passing pubs advertising all you can eat chicken wings and pretzels while you watch the game, bring it on I say! Up until today, I have to admit, my knowledge of Superbowl has been limited to funny and creative commercial breaks – but this year…I’m going all in!
The first thing I notice about the Superbowl 50 as I flick on to Channel 7 at 10am is my little menu bar which advises me this show goes until 4pm this afternoon! What the!!! 4pm?! Are you serial? There must be some mistake? No? How long is this bloody sport, I mean I have heard endlessly about the half time break but is it actually a half day break? Geez…this could take a while!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfkWdqE8-1A
Trying not to be put off by the potential TV commitment I have signed up to, I notice Nothing says America like an extended long winded version of Star Spangled Banner – the American Anthem so there could possibly be no one better to pull off the worlds longest version than Lady Gaga! Surprisingly clothed, she resembles a Christmas bauble I’ve just taken off the tree in a red shimmer outfit and tastefully matched blue nail polish! It’s more than cringeworthy listening to her drag out each and every note of the anthem…I get the girl can hold a note but seriously! Finally after 3 minutes she finishes the longest version ever which could have been all wrapped up in 40 seconds….but I’m elated to hear the twittesphere is ecstatic with her performance!
Let the game begin…..I am trying to get my head around the basics of this sport, first and foremost…what’s with the costumes Are these guys playing football or entering a Spanish bull fight? These dudes are wearing some serious kit….I never knew you could get so much padding into your clothing…no wonder this game takes so long it’d take forever to run in that! Is it just me or do they resemble storm troopers!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA7VvJU5Lqw
20 minutes into the game and I’ve finally realised that the Panthers are indeed not from Penrith and the Broncos appear to lack that Bris-vegas buzz and I think I’ve managed to work out which team is which!
My second observation is…how slow is this game! There seems to be a lot of stopping and starting…mind you my attention is starting to wonder as I flick back to my trusted SBS Food Network during the game to quickly update my BBQ skills and find out who became the next Food Network All Star! Jumping back I’ve realised I’ve missed some critical moments when the Bronco’s have got more points on the board than the Panthers. I realised quickly I have absolutely no understanding on how the scoring of this game works…..If I am AFL illiterate then NFL isn’t even in my scope of understanding! Needless to say I finally witness my very first touch down and am openly feeling slightly disppointed hoping that the entire field would erupt with fireworks when some amazing dude smashed a giant leaping goal from half way down the field…alas I am wrong and am instead witness to some seriously cool high five action from some team players.
I few Facebook checks, an email browse, 3 cups of tea, a sandwich and a quick episode of Cutthroat Kitchen and I flick back to discover I almost missed the big deal – the half time entertainment! Well I have to say, it never fails to impress Bruno Mars morphs into Beyonce and Chris Martin and the Coldplay team kick some serious butt! Not to mention the highlights of the worlds most expensive commercials – even in Australia we get excited at a commercial valued at $4.5 million dollars!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2c2mPpvcpw
nickyainley 