Gee Whizz, it's the Superbowl...

Hi there to all my American friends...

Later today some sporting event called the Superbowl is taking place. Now we don't follow this sport much over here in the UK, but that esteemed broadcaster, the BBC is taking the live coverage this year. Ironically it follows MOTD (highlights of today's 'proper' football. You know the game so called because the players actually kick the ball....)

Anyway perhaps someone can help me out with the rules of American Football just in case I decide to tune in.

I think I've got the basics - start the game, then after about 30 seconds stop for a ten minute ad break.

VJ it's just rugby with padding really...hehe

mgh .. true.. but why is snooker on so much ? because it's the cheapest form of telly per hour, or used to be £10k an hour.

although I do find it funny they were trying to make darts show biz and glamourous..
who remembers the day they'd be on tv surrouned by 54 843 empty pint glasses and surprisingly you could see the players thru the haze of cig smoke.

I was talking to someone about the Ad breaks in the superbowl (maybe on here) and they pay a shed load to put an advert up...

I do remember they showed it one year on channel 4 and they had one player have a rather nasty / graphic accident with their ankle

only player I know of is William Perry? the fridge.. shows how much I know about it... oh and John Madden (hey we used to play that on the mega drive and ps1).. hail mary was always a good call

I have NO idea what you're talking about.

Super bowl is what I put me Heinz Big Soup in.

deleted - duplicate entry - sorry

PS, as an American, I agree that "football" is probably not the best name for it (even though there is indeed plenty of kicking of the ball, for those who do not know the rules). But I didn't name it, and "that ship has already left the port"; it is too well entrenched here already. "American Football" is the best hope there is for a possible re-name.

$206 million have been spent on superbowl ads this year; just heard it in the news. Wow.

Wasn't it once called Gridiron so us Brits wouldn't mix it up with (real) football?

ORIGINAL: VinylJunkie

although I do find it funny they were trying to make darts show biz and glamourous..
who remembers the day they'd be on tv surrouned by 54 843 empty pint glasses and surprisingly you could see the players thru the haze of cig smoke.

Hey Fog, remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHnBppccI0o

He he - I do!!

I have to give it to you guys across the pond - you certainly know how to put on a show.

What a moving build-up - a rousing version of the anthem, an appearance of the heroes of the plane that ditched, a fly past and a General tossing the coin - brilliant!!

It must be absolutely marvellous to live in a country where you're actually allowed to celebrate your own patriotism, instead of feeling like a third-world backwater where you're made to feel embarrassed if you display your country's flag.

Good on you

what a first half, steelers dominant for 20 minutes then the cardinals look great for 9 minutes 45 then what a play from the defence....GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh dear this is going tits up

now it's a Ben special...22 secs left for Arizona...man it's tight

Anyone catch Springsteen? Incredible!

I used to get very excited about American Football in the 80's when I worked for an American IT company based in Massachusetts (Or in the case of the Bee Gees - Massive Chew Sets ) I attended a Super Bowl party in at a colleagues house when I was over for the whole of January 1985 and as I recall it was contested between The New England Patriots and The Miami Dolphins. To be honest, over the years I got bored with it and now very rarely stay up to watch the final. I did see some of the highlights on the TV this morning however and I have to say that 100 yard run for a touchdown was pretty impressive, as was the winning pass to secure victory in the last minute.

ORIGINAL: VinylJunkie
I think I've got the basics - start the game, then after about 30 seconds stop for a ten minute ad break.

Game? What game? We don't need no stinkin' game? We watch the Superbowl for the ads. The best part of the whole 5-hour show.

Yes, Steve,

a good superbowl shows the best of America - and the kitchyest, too. Petraus and the flight crew - genuine heroes - raised the level of such a commercial enterprise up a social notch. Personally, the pre and half-time shows are always dross. I went to a lot of the superbowls in the 70s and I guess Springsteen is better than the Coke "I'd love to give the world..." half time shows back then, but I've never liked Springsteen and the E string band (or Faith Hill). They say he's better live, but I guess I need to see him in person.

And the game itself showed the best and worst. You'll never see better acrobatics than the two touchdown catches, or a more game changing play than Harrison's interception for a touchdown. Too bad he had to ruin it for a thug mugging later - the commisioner ought to throw him out for next season.

Although I had no dog in the fight since I don't like either team (tho I hate the Steelers), it was, as you Brits might say, "a bloody good game." And it is always fun to see what the suits think people should see for 206 million dollars.