Super Bowl and the Halftime Show a Pop Culture Experience

At tonight's game after the New York Giants and the New England Patriots finish the first half there will be commentary from former football legends, and the a halftime show with Madonna.  Radio stations, and advertisers are pulling out the big bucks to promote her new bland single "Gimme All Your Luvin"and get people on board with her performance.  

As the game draws nearer and as Packers fan I honestly do not care who wins, I guess as a New Yorker I am going to root for the Giants.  The other thought/question that went through my mind was when did the halftime show become such a huge production?  In looking at the history of the Super Bowl the half time show did not have a major pop act until 1991 with New Kids on the Block.  Prior to 1991 the half time show was performed by a college marching band, and it may have included a big named variety star from the past like George Burns.

After 1991 the half time appears to have become a much bigger production.  In 1992 Gloria Estefan did a performance which centered around the Olympics that year.  1993 may have been the biggest of the early years with Michael Jackson.  1994 went the country route, and 1995 and 1996 went way old school with the likes of Patti Labelle, Tony Bennett (1995), and Diana Ross (96).

The show started to evolve into this megamix of performances and really took off in 2001 with the most meorable halftime (without a nipple) when Aerosmith, N'Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly performed.  This was a great combination of an eclectic variety of music that worked.  2002 was also great with U2. 2003 was an odd mix of Shania Twain, No Doubt, and Sting.  Then all this youthful momentum was burst, when in 2004 they got Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, P.Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock.  They all sang songs that were old, and not relevant to the time.  Yet the worst part was when Justin Timberlake created the wardrobe malfunction that got right wing America in a tizzy, and  while many should have blamed Timberlake people seemed to put the blame on Ms. Jackson.  This not only changed the look and feel of the Super Bowl half time show, but it made the FCC take a stronger stance on stupid issues.

After 2004 the Super Bowl went back an older demographic with Paul McCartney in 2005, The Rolling Stones in 2006, Prince in 2007, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 2008, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in 2009, and The Who is 2010.

2011 and 2012 have proved to be another changing direction.  With one of the worst half time shows ever in 2011 The Black Eyed Peas moved toward pulling in the younger demographic, but gave one of the worst performances ever.  This year the Queen of Pop Madonna is going to give us all her loving, and will hopefully give a good performance that makes me forget about some of the boring and awful years past.

Famous Super Bowl Commercials and the Marketing

This year many of the Super Bowl ads have been virally released prior to the big game.  I can't remember this happening in years past.  I have seen at least two or three that have been leaked, like the commercial with Matthew Broderick in a Ferris Buller's Day Off reprisal.  Part of the fun within watching the Super Bowl is funny commercials, and talking about them the next day at work.  While I love the internet I can't help but think that pre-releasing commercials ruins the fun.  I am sure there will still be a bunch of commercials that will have everyone talking tomorrow, but if this continues this will be a huge culture shift with commercials.

Today people often use their Tivo or DVR to fast forward through commercials,but many people look forward to them during this game.  Commercials have become a cultural part of this specific sports event, and launched major ad campaigns for companies. Prior to my recollection there were numerous Super Bowl commericals but here are some of the most memorable for me.

1991-Ray Charles for Diet Pepsi "You Got the Right One Baby"-People were laughing and singing this all the time!! It was a catchy add that helped keep Pepsi on the mind of the public (Coke has taken over).

1992-Cindy Crawfors-Pepsi-With the song "Just One Look" there are young boys ogling the new pepsi can, with the beautiful Cindy Crawford.  This was another score for Pepsi and help Crawford become even more of a house hold name.

1993-Jordan vs. Bird-McDonalds-The two of the greatest players on the court fighting it out for a Big Mac was genius, and not that McDonalds needs much helps, but this commercial had everyone talking!

1995- Budweiser "Frogs"-In the debate today many claim the Super Bowl to be a show about family but numerous Viagra and beer commercials I beg to differ, but this commercial just had everyone immitating those damn frogs, and I was only 11!

I hate to say it but after this my memory has become foggier, and even in the recent years commercials have not been the same as they used to be, in my mind because they mean something different today, and their meaning has evolved since their inception.  Viral marketing works better, hence why companies are working harder to put more things out over the internet today, or to start by leaking things on the internet.  It seems as though companies are afraid to take the risk (and I can't blame them) so they are leaking their material prior to the big game to build up the buzz.  I hope to see some great commercials tonight, and watch an amazing game.  Go Giants!  I will leave you with my favorite most recent Super Bowl Commercial that includes Betty White and a Snickers from 2010