Super Bowl
By Laura Nachman
Delco Daily Times
February 7, 2005

Super Bowl XXXIX was a politically correct affair.  There were no wardrobe malfunctions and the commercials were mostly tame.  Even when Mike Ditka popped up in a commercial, it wasn’t for Levitra.    Here are observations from the telecast.

Best ads – The NFL players singing “Tomorrow” for The NFL Network, Brad Pitt running from the papparazi for Heineken, the frozen man in the Ford Mustang convertible, the Burt Reynolds ad for Fed-Ex-Kinko’s, the Degree “Mama’s Boy” ad, and Gladys Knight playing rugby for MBNA.

Other celebrities in ads – LeBron James for Bubblicious gum, P. Diddy and Carson Daly for Diet Pepsi, Cedric the Entertainer for Bud Light, Cindy Crawford and Carson Kressley (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) for Diet Pepsi, MC Hammer for Lays potato chips.

Movie Trailers – “War of the Worlds” with Tom Cruise, “Constantine” with Keanu Reeves, “Triple X” with Ice Cube, Vin Diesel in “The Pacifier,” “The Longest Yard” with Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, “Hitch” with Will Smith, “Be Cool” with John Travolta, “Batman Begins” with Christian Bale, and “Robots.”

“Super” Exposure – More people saw Virgin mogul Richard Branson in his commercial during the game than during his series “The Rebel Billionaire.”

Reggie Salute – The Eagles wore the late Reggie White’s #92 on their helmets.

Closest we came to a wardrobe malfunction – When Paul McCartney took off his jacket between songs, Bill Belichick’s hoodie, Cris Collinsworth’s tie.

Curses to the FCC commercials – The scantily-clad woman in the www.godaddy.com ad and the sexy babe for Tabasco sauce.

Did You Notice – Injured tight end Chad Lewis congratulating tight end L.J. Smith after his touchdown, construction worker/tight end Jeff Thomason was called for a penalty on a kickoff return.  Troy Aikman called Brian Westbrook, Michael.

Best Couple – Former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush in their cute matching blue jackets.

Worst Couple – Charlie Daniels and Gretchen Wilson

Animal House – Bears, dogs, monkeys, parrots, groundhogs, and other animals starred in ads.
 
Fox promos – Fox played it safe with promos for its established hits “American Idol,” “The Simple Life,” “The O.C.,” and “24.”