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Manuel
Today, at 5:30 p.m. , Super Bowl LVIII will kick off. And if you picked up our paper from last Sunday, you would’ve seen our annual Super Bowl preview.
It’s arguably the biggest television event in the United States on an annual basis. Whether you’re watching for the game itself, the commercials or the halftime show there is literally something for everyone.
Give the devil (read: NFL) its due. It truly has mastered the art of making this an event on the grandest stage.
So, this is a great time to reflect on my 38 years of Super Bowls and take the time to reflect on my three favorites in each of those categories. Favorite games, favorite commercials and favorite halftime shows.
Seems fun? Sure it does. So, take a ride with me.
Favorite Super Bowl Commercials:
3. Budweiser Frogs, 1995
It’s simple. It’s to the point. It’s memorable. Three frogs sitting on a log, looking at a dilapidated shack with a Budweiser neon sign. The ribbits transform into each frog taking a syllable: “bud”, “weis”, “er.” The rhythm and cadence increase. Hilarity ensues. One of the simplest ads, and archaic in this day and age. It did the job.
2. “Wassup!”, Budweiser, 2000
It seems ad executives over at the King of Beers have its marketing strategy for Super Sunday down pact. College buddies speaking in short hand. Beers in hand. Arguably the beginning of the bro movement that could still be ongoing today.
1. “Terry Tate, Office Linebacker,” Reebok, 2003
Reebok was once a major player in the sneaker market. And the Tate commercial encapsulated the in-your-face slant of the brand perfectly. A bulky linebacker randomly tackles all of his coworkers while doing arbitrary work. It’s probably the funniest Super Bowl commercial of all-time and truly creative.
Favorite Super Bowl Halftime Shows:
3. Katy Perry, 2015
Not everyone’s cup of tea. But certainly mine. The bubbly pop star at the peak of her powers breaks out a 15 minute set of her greatest hits. It’s complete with pomp and circumstance. She flies in on a mechanical shooting star. She has Missy Elliott as a guest star. She, at the beginning of meme culture, introduces us all to Left Shark. It was ridiculous, and I was completely into it.
2. Dr. Dre and Friends, 2022
A celebration of what has become the most influential music genre in pop culture and one of its biggest pioneers and movements. Dre and Friends brought the biggest stars of several generations of the genre (Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar) and they perform their heart out. The stage setup was fantastic. The energy was amazing. It won a freakin’ Emmy. It’s as good as advertised if that’s your cup of tea.
1. Prince, 2007
There is no better choice. It’s Prince doing what he does best. It’s pretty minimalistic in its approach and let The Artist shine in his element. He wails his hits. He wails on the guitar. He hits some incredible covers (“Proud Mary”, “All Along the Watchtower”) and then the coup de grace is the finale of “Purple Rain” Already one of my five favorite songs ever, a downpour happens while he performs it. Unreal stuff.
Favorite Super Bowl Games:
3. Super Bowl XXVII
Dallas 52, Buffalo 17
Yes, it’s a blowout. Yes, there’s no suspense. Yes, it launches what might be the best dynasty of the 1990s into the stratosphere. Full disclosure, I had a soft spot for the Cowboys due to my dad in the 1990s. It was the coronation of Aikman, Smith and Irvin as a truly elite offensive trio. Not the best Super Bowl of all-time, but was important to me at the time.
2. Super Bowl XLII
New York Giants 17, New England 14
The David Tyree catch game. The one that ended the perfect season of the greatest dynasty of the 2000s. The one that brought America the most glee it could possibly have gotten. It’s the one time that my favorite quarterback of all-time (Tom Brady) got his comeuppance. It’s not one I remember fondly, but it was such a dang good game.
1. Super Bowl XLIV
New Orleans 31, Indianapolis 17
Could there have been a better answer for me? Of course not. It’s the one time my team won it all. Tracy Porter picking off Peyton Manning and taking it to the house for the game-clinching pick-six. The onside kick to begin the second half. Drew Brees holding his son in the postgame celebration. It’s the only answer. It’s the reason I cling on to hope for the Saints. It was surreal, and that’s enough for me.
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