Monday, February 7, 2011

The Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is almost inarguably the biggest television event of the year. Every fan of professional football surely watched it, as well as the countless thousands that tune in just for the hype, or the halftime show, or the advertisements. It seems as though part of its widespread appeal is based upon its own widespread appeal. The fact that it’s so heavily anticipated makes people anticipate it even more.

I never saw the appeal of professional football. Perhaps I’ll address that in a future post. I didn’t pay attention to a single game this season, nor to I have even the slightest allegiance to either competing team. But sure enough, my television was tuned to it all last night. And I enjoyed it, too, if for no other reason than being part of it. It almost seems necessary.

It made me wonder what could have taken the place of the Super Bowl. If professional football had never developed, would some other sport have taken that niche of most-watched television event of the year? Would we be watching the World Series for its commercials alone? Would we develop a national fascination with curling?

In a parallel universe I think, eventually, something incredibly obscure could be built up to that level. Perhaps Japanese Bug Fighting would eventually engulf our attention as the final two competitors clashed for a title. Hell, I don’t even think it would have to be a competition. Just some annual and ever-evolving event that would build in popularity until that self-perpetuating cycle of public attention eventually warranted that sought-after position. Some parallel universe is collectively and unanimously pooled around some televised event that we cannot even comprehend. And they probably think football is completely retarded.

16 comments:

  1. Here we go, take the commercials and make an awards show for them. With brief glimpses of the game.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Man, I would definitely watch cricket fights on ESPN.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm glad the packers won, and I would totally watch Japanesse Bug Fighting lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. ive never been into football even saying football just puts me off but when you said Japanese bug fighting this sounds more entertaining

    ReplyDelete
  5. I dont see the appeal either, however, Futbol, now we are talking

    I support the blue samurais fully

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't see the appeal in watching sports. Playing, on the other hand, is an amazing experience.

    ReplyDelete
  7. At least bug fighting is life-and-death! I'm not a football watcher, either. I barely understand how the game works myself.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Have to admit I'm not a major football fan.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just like Soccer.

    And inazuma eleven. :c football not so much

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would watch bug fighting, and maybe only because is japanese

    ReplyDelete
  11. I wish Japanese bug fighting was on TV :(

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Not much of a football fan, but I definitely don't like rapelesburger

    ReplyDelete
  13. You're getting my hopes up for Japanese bug fighting. Football is just un-amusing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bugs shouldn't be forced to fight, that's inhumane.
    I didn't watch the super bowl, nor did I want to. I was playing happily playing a video game, presumably with a bunch of Europeans because everyone in American was apparently watching TV that day.

    ReplyDelete