Will The NFL Never Learn? - Page 2

philfree · 09-10-2004, 02:35 PM

Will The NFL Never Learn?
9/10/2004 5:51 AM

By Rufus Dawes | FAQ

September 10, 2004 (morning)--The game’s purists will no doubt protest. Still others will simply ignore it or shake their heads that this is another example of the NFL’s arrogance. But the NFL is back in the music business eight months after it suffered through the embarrassment of the Janet Jackson-Justin Timberlake halftime episode.

If you’ve forgotten, Ms. Jackson’s breast was exposed at the conclusion of a song she and Timberlake were performing in Houston at halftime of Super Bowl XXXVIII. By the conclusion of the game and in the weeks that followed their antics were being discussed more than what took place on the field of play that day. Later, the commissioner was called to testify before a congressional committee and the matter was written off as a bad judgment call.

That the league would simply sweep those memories aside and go right back to having a musical component kick off its new season is difficult to understand. I don’t watch much major network television any more – which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who reads this column – but someone named George Lopez hosted last night’s “NFL Opening Kickoff” – a celebratory exercise including a long list of musical guests, sponsored by Ameriquest Mortgage Company and promoted by the National Football League.

I don’t pretend to be the face of America’s culture, but like most people I like my sports straight with no chaser. I don’t need Destiny’s Child, Lenny Kravitz or even the Boston Pops to get me pumped up for this year’s NFL season and I don’t think most of you do either. Is the atmosphere surrounding our games to become a present day version of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair with “bullies pushing about, bucks ogling women, knaves picking pockets, policemen on the lookout, quacks…bawling in front of their booths and yokels looking up at the tinseled dancers…not a moral place certainly; nor a merry one, though very noisy.”

On its face, the extravagance of pop music and the culture that surrounds it have precious little to do with football and everything to do with commerce. It’s all about grabbing the viewing audience’s attention and particularly that of a younger audience.

You see, the NFL is concerned that it is losing the battle to hold the interest of today’s youth. For evidence, it cites ratings from last year’s Super Bowl where viewership was down 13% for men 18-34.

But an hour’s worth of pop entertainment won’t make professional football more hip or more profitable and, anyway, what does being hip have to do with why we like football? Football is old school, simple with blocking, tackling, running and throwing. It’s managed to flourish all these years without a warm-up act.

The people who think up these ideas in the league office huddle together for warmth in what G. K. Chesterton called “the clean, well-lit prison of one idea.” It was bad idea then and it’s a bad idea now.
______________________

I couldn't agree more. When I first saw the the NFL Kickoff commercial I thought what in the hell are they doing? If I wanted to watch that stuff I go watch VH1 or MTV or one of those channels. I guess the cost to bring in those entertainers was offset by the revenue gained by the commercial spots.

I guess.

PhilFree

**Saulbadguy** · 09-10-2004, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcroft

I respect all that and basically agree -- but one the other hand, the fact that Lenny is there doesn't bug me, either. I mean, I don't need Lenny, but Lenny is easy enough to ignore. He's not bothering me, or the game I love. Who cares?

I'd rather see a kickoff show that is dedicated to football.

jcroft · 09-10-2004, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

Did you even read the article? The NFL put on a concert to try and gain the interest of people the age 0f 18-34 for football to try and keep the ratings up. My guess is it didn't work.

PhilFree

The NFL would do this to get people watching who probably wouldn't have watched the game alone. i don't know if it worked or not, but it doesn't matter. My only point is that it's easy for hardcore football fans to ignore.

If they start having Jessica Simpson as a sideline reporter and Elton John singing play-by-play, then I'll be concerned about it.

Right now, it's easy to ignore. That's all.

jcroft · 09-10-2004, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I'd rather see a kickoff show that is dedicated to football.

I probably would, too. But, from the NFL's perspective that is the domain of the networks, not them. ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX -- it's their job to do a kickoff show, not the NFL's.

**Bob Dole** · 09-10-2004, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcroft

My point is simply that they aren't infusing pop music into the game itself. The game itself is still pretty un-tainted. They do this stuff for pre-game and halftime, but they've left it very easy to ignore if it's not for you.

It pisses Bob Dole off that they extend haltime at the SuperBowl...

Judge Smails · 09-10-2004, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

I'd rather see a kickoff show that is dedicated to football.

Exactly. I saw there was a pregame on and was hoping for maybe a preview of the upcoming season or something along those lines. Instead, I was treated to Elton John's and his load of crap. I haven't watched a Super Bowl halftime since they were giving out the 3-D glasses at stores for the halftime presentation (I think 3rd grade, 49ers and Bengals?).

philfree · 09-10-2004, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Right now, it's easy to ignore. That's all.

True enough. Well except for the kuzillion commercials that were aired pimping the NFL Kickoff with Mary J Blidge, Toby Keith, Jessica Simpson ect. ect. ect.............I'd like to see the TV ratings for the pregame show.

PhilFree

jcroft · 09-10-2004, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_Damned_Dole

It pisses Bob Dole off that they extend haltime at the SuperBowl...

I'll agree there, too...I could do without that, for sure.

jcroft · 09-10-2004, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

True enough. Well except for the kuzillion commercials that were aired pimping the NFL Kickoff with Mary J Blidge, Toby Keith, Jessica Simpson ect. ect. ect.............I'd like to see the TV ratings for the pregame show.

PhilFree

Well, those are just like any other commercials. Annoying? Sure. But, I don't think they were any more of them than there were, say, iPod commercials.

Commercials can be annoying no matter what they are -- that's not exclusive to the NFL and this pre-game show.

R&GHomer · 09-10-2004, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENDelt260

Kiss sucks.

Kiss was the second best showing at the SuperBowl. Second only too Janet's boobie. IMO

**Skip Towne** · 09-10-2004, 05:08 PM

Say what you will but Faith Hill was quite an attraction at one Super Bowl. BTA, she is quite an attraction at any show.

Calcountry · 09-10-2004, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_Damned_Dole

It pisses Bob Dole off that they extend haltime at the SuperBowl...

It pisses Bunnytrdr off as well.

09-10-2004, 02:35 PM
philfree Indian Twitter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Free Agency Casino cash: $1156198	Will The NFL Never Learn? Will The NFL Never Learn? 9/10/2004 5:51 AM By Rufus Dawes \| FAQ September 10, 2004 (morning)--The game’s purists will no doubt protest. Still others will simply ignore it or shake their heads that this is another example of the NFL’s arrogance. But the NFL is back in the music business eight months after it suffered through the embarrassment of the Janet Jackson-Justin Timberlake halftime episode. If you’ve forgotten, Ms. Jackson’s breast was exposed at the conclusion of a song she and Timberlake were performing in Houston at halftime of Super Bowl XXXVIII. By the conclusion of the game and in the weeks that followed their antics were being discussed more than what took place on the field of play that day. Later, the commissioner was called to testify before a congressional committee and the matter was written off as a bad judgment call. That the league would simply sweep those memories aside and go right back to having a musical component kick off its new season is difficult to understand. I don’t watch much major network television any more – which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who reads this column – but someone named George Lopez hosted last night’s “NFL Opening Kickoff” – a celebratory exercise including a long list of musical guests, sponsored by Ameriquest Mortgage Company and promoted by the National Football League. I don’t pretend to be the face of America’s culture, but like most people I like my sports straight with no chaser. I don’t need Destiny’s Child, Lenny Kravitz or even the Boston Pops to get me pumped up for this year’s NFL season and I don’t think most of you do either. Is the atmosphere surrounding our games to become a present day version of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair with “bullies pushing about, bucks ogling women, knaves picking pockets, policemen on the lookout, quacks…bawling in front of their booths and yokels looking up at the tinseled dancers…not a moral place certainly; nor a merry one, though very noisy.” On its face, the extravagance of pop music and the culture that surrounds it have precious little to do with football and everything to do with commerce. It’s all about grabbing the viewing audience’s attention and particularly that of a younger audience. You see, the NFL is concerned that it is losing the battle to hold the interest of today’s youth. For evidence, it cites ratings from last year’s Super Bowl where viewership was down 13% for men 18-34. But an hour’s worth of pop entertainment won’t make professional football more hip or more profitable and, anyway, what does being hip have to do with why we like football? Football is old school, simple with blocking, tackling, running and throwing. It’s managed to flourish all these years without a warm-up act. The people who think up these ideas in the league office huddle together for warmth in what G. K. Chesterton called “the clean, well-lit prison of one idea.” It was bad idea then and it’s a bad idea now. ______________________ I couldn't agree more. When I first saw the the NFL Kickoff commercial I thought what in the hell are they doing? If I wanted to watch that stuff I go watch VH1 or MTV or one of those channels. I guess the cost to bring in those entertainers was offset by the revenue gained by the commercial spots. I guess. PhilFree
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09-10-2004, 05:08 PM	#25
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Say what you will but Faith Hill was quite an attraction at one Super Bowl. BTA, she is quite an attraction at any show.
Posts: 69,689