SUPER BOWL ISN’T JUST ABOUT SPORTS
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanSuper Bowl XLVII certainly had its share of surprises this year. Beyonce’ and her much awaited reunion with Destiny’s Child was the talk of the century in the music world and it led to a super energetic half-time extravaganza.
Shortly after the half-time show was over and the teams ran back on the field to finish the game and get down to business to compete for the grand title, the power in half of the stadium went out.
The commercials were hard-hitting and we saw winners and losers, some that sparked enthusiasm, drew emotion and made us laugh as they tend do each year as they draw millions of viewers to their couch to catch not only the sport of football itself but also to watch how the advertisers stake their claim in our minds through imagination.
So let’s take this one point at a time. The lights dimmed and Beyonce’ appeared like a shadow in the night. She knew exactly how to get the stadium going with her energy and vivacious smile. She used the power of song and dance to entice her audience and fuel a fire from within.
In black leather and richly colored gold nails, she was right where she wanted to be, in the spotlight. The rumors had started much earlier, even before the big game began, and as soon as Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams appeared in a puff of smoke, we knew that this reunion was for real. They make a super trio, all decked out in form-fitting leather leotards.
The special effects on the background screen and on the floor of the stage conjured up a 3-D image in this half-time party full of hologram silhouettes. Every woman in the world was most likely snapping their fingers and shaking their hips to “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”. Beyonce’ gave us songs from the past and songs from the present and delivered just what we were looking for.
Perhaps all the electrifying magic that lit the stage on fire caused a surge of power that kept the stadium half in the dark with a half hour delay in the game as crews feverishly worked to bring the lights back up. The momentum was interrupted as the Baltimore Ravens clung to their stronghold with a score at that point in the game of 21-6. This strange stop to the game may have been a blessing in disguise to the 49’ers who seemed to turn around and become stronger and fight back to the finish once the power was totally restored.
While the E-trade baby commercial has also tended to be my very favorite each year, the honor went to the Budweiser “Brotherhood” commercial, almost as touching as Hallmark and their ads that bring a tear to our eyes. The Clydesdale horse becomes a superstar but never forgets the man who raised him. Budweiser seemed to dominate this year with some creative advertising.
Tide’s “Miracle Stain” gave us a chuckle as husband and wife used the dirty jersey strategy to convey that they were rooting for the winning team although they didn’t both agree on the same team.
As you watch a baby move into motion it gets you every time and this year Hyundai’s “Space Babies” was a very creative campaign to answer the million dollar question, “Where do babies come from?”
Go Daddy.com gave us sexy, silly and all the in-between.
South Korean rapper PSY is at it again and America cannot seem to get enough of him. We just saw him perform in Times Square on New Year’s Eve for his birthday and now he is dancing for Wonderful Pistachios in Northern Hollywood. Even the nuts are going ‘Gangnam Style’.
Finally, would you sell your soul for a sleek new Mercedes-Benz? One man decided that his soul was worth more than $29,900. Stars were out in full force for this one as your normal Joe had a chance encounter in a Mercedes-Benz with the gorgeous swimsuit model, Kate Upton and R&B Superstar, Usher only to be given a choice of the car or his soul by none other than the devil himself, Willem Dafoe.
How can we forget the symphonic sounds of our National Anthem sung only as Alicia Keys can with her sweet melody and powerful voice. She was followed by the very talented Jennifer Hudson who also sang an award-winning rendition of “God Bless America”. It was emotional for all as 26 children from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut accompanied Hudson for this moment of joy and blessing.
As we look back on the evening and the millions of viewers and media and officials that once again made it a record-breaking Super Bowl, we salute both football teams who played their very best. The Baltimore Ravens made their way to victory in a very, very close game as they scored the winning touchdown to make the final score 34-31. Super Bowl in 2014 will be held in the wintry cold city of East Rutherford, New Jersey at their new stadium so pack your coats and lets see who makes it to the finals once football season gets underway later in the year.
Until then, TOUCHDOWN!
PHOTO CREDITS: A/P, Film Magic, Wire Image, Reuters/Susan Goldman/Insider Images/Handout
