For the first time in its history, Super Bowl ticket prices are dropping.  Many still unsold.

Media credentials have been reduced.

Advertisers have cut back dramatically.

Hotel rooms and restaurants in Tampa sit empty within blocks of the Super Bowl complex.

Are these a sign of the economic times, or the beginning of the end of an overblown, exaggerated, Christmas-wannabe, consumer-advertiser wet dream?

Please see this AP article here regarding how the recession has hit the Super Bowl.

I have no doubt that the current economic crisis is keeping much business away from the Super Bowl this year, but could this also be the perfect storm forming that makes the average American wake up and realize that this event is never all it's hyped up to be?

Every year the Nielson ratings show that Super Bowl viewership, while starting high at the beginning of the game, dramatically drops with each subsequent minute that passes.  Are those 100 million viewers really interested in the football game?  By the end of the game, you've got no more viewers left than any other playoff game leading up to it.  Is this really America's game?  Would MLB or NBA fare better if they had single game playoff matches culminating in a single game finale for all of the marbles, and we could then pump up that single event?

It's been my perception that the majority of the games themselves usually end up being lopsided victories, or contests that look far from the best two teams duking it out.  They are usually sloppy, and the players look rusty from being off for 2 weeks and feeling the final grind of a long drawn out season.  Also, we never get the matchup of AFC-NFC titans that we all want to see.  It's usually some upstart catching fire in a bottle.  Cardinals?? boooooring.  Pittsburg?  been there, done that too many times already.   Also, who are the stars of this game?  Being an average NFL watcher, I can only say Steelers QB Ben Roethlesberger is a name.  Cardinals QB Kurt Warner is obviously known for his past MVP and Super Bowl heroics, but does anyone really consider him a star?  He's certainly another feel-good story for this year, but can you name any other marquee names in this game?  When you look at a World Series or NBA Finals, you've always got marquee names.  Not 2 rosters of 80 unrecognizable no-names. Snooze.  My point is that its rare that we ever get to see the two best teams with the most stars playing in the big game, thus justifying all of the hype.

Also, what's up with the super media hype?  Why is it so important to know that Boldin's favorite color is pink?  Why is it so important to get a unique angle on any player, coach, or situation with the team or its home town?  I think there's come a turning point where the media is more of a story than the story they are covering.  It's ridiculous.

Advertising:  yes, this is a singular opportunity for a business, cause, etc. to get themselves noticed before 100 million people in one whack.  The numbers pan it out that the money spent for 30 seconds here is worth more than 30 seconds aired for months during other TV faire.  However, does Budweiser truly need to spend millions to advertise their brand?  Doesn't everyone already know they are the King of Beers, and likely 90% of the viewship already has a 12-pack in hand for the big game?  Why over-expose?  And what about the movie business...? When a new trailor for a tent-pole movie comes out during the Super Bowl, sure it's going to get noticed.  However, you just spent a $million or more in advertising, and you run the risk of your movie being a bomb at the box office.  "Come see LOVE AMONGST THE DAISIES by Jane Austen this spring."  BOMB! Just threw a mill out the window.  Better hope DVD sales come through.  Finally, there are those ads that look to break new ground in the media, a la Apple in the 80's.  Michael Jackson's Thriller, plus lizards, plus Naomi Campbell advertising a drink does not equate to ground breaking.  Haven't all 4 been done before?  One more finally...there's typically only 1 ad each year that is somewhat amusing, while the rest of them bore us to sleep or leave us scratching our head because some genius making 7 figures thought it was clever.

This whole soire seems like a giant feedback loop where the NFL, media, businesses, and fans circle jerk each other so much that you just see a giant black cloud of entertainment.  Whether it's the ads, the news stories, human interest stories, the buzz, or the actual game, this event has tried to create something for everyone, and it's all so superficial and pointless.  Even more and worse, it's just grown boring and overdone now. 

I wasn't wrong in calling this a Christmas wannabe.  It's two weeks of ultra hype that's everywhere you look, trying to sell sell sell.  When the actual day gets here, we're giddy and happy for the first hour, then it's all down hill.  You just feel gluttoned and bombed from the fat food and overstimulation of the senses from flash advertisements and greatest halftime show ever for this year.

Finally, the greatest act I ever saw surrounding Super Bowl mania was years ago when The Simpsons ran a contra-halftime show episode.... Bart and Homer were watching the big half time show, and there were clowns and giant goofy balloon float animals dancing to queer Small World music.  Our favorite son, Bart, simply says, "Come on! Where are the snipers when you need them??"  My feelings exactly.  Except snipe me to put me out of my misery of being surrounded by a country full of Super Bowl idiots.

Give the Super Bowl a rest this year and the following years.  Go for a walk.  Go to Sunday evening church.  Call your mother (if you can get her to answer the phone because she's watching for Super Bowl ads).  Read a book.  Go plant some vegetables in your early spring garden rather than stuffing those brats, Tostitos, and beer down your gullet.