Super Bowl Sunday
Today is the day of the national American football championship in the United States - the Super Bowl. It is the most popular sporting event of the year, watched by close to 80 million people. Many people outside the U.S. don’t understand American football very well, and I have to admit I am not really much of a football fan. But like all American children, I learned the rules and played in school and have watched many games, including many Super Bowls.
Two reasons why Super Bowl Sunday is so popular, however, have nothing to do with football! In fact, many of the 80 million people who will watch the game today haven’t watch another game all year. This is the only game they watch. Why? First, American football has two periods or “halves” (the plural of “half”). In between the two halves, there is a halftime show. In most other professional football games, there is a small entertainment show, often with cheerleaders (mostly girls or women who try to get others excited about the game by jumping up and down and wearing short skirts) and a marching band (a musical group that walks around or marches as they play). But the Super Bowl is different. The halftime show is a major production, with famous singers and stars and other performances. It is a huge event.
The second reason people love to watch the Super Bowl is - and don’t laugh! - the commercials! Yes, the announcements during the breaks in the game are extremely popular. In fact, because so many people watch the Super Bowl, advertisers have to pay close to $3,000,000 for a 30 second ad. Every company tries to produce an ad that people will remember, one that is funny or clever, that people will talk about the next day at work. A lot of people watch the “game” really to watch the commercials. Strange but true.
I haven’t watched the Super Bowl in many years. I prefer to go out to a nice restaurant with my wife on Super Bowl Sunday, because the rest of the country is busy watching the game at home or at Super Bowl parties with their friends, and the restaurants are empty. There’s nothing like a nice, quiet meal for me.
~Jeff
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
hi Jeff
thank you very much for your posts I learn very well.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Dear Jeff,
Very interesting! The same happen in Brazil. It happens especially in the Soccer World Championship.
I’ve been listening your podcasts and reading your blogs. It is really first rate. Congratulation !!!
Thanks,
Luiz
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Dear Jeff
It seems we are alike. Although I am a sport teacher I prefer having a good meal to watching popular sports. To tell the truth, I thought Americans weren’t used to enjoying a meal and sharing this pleasure with friends or between lovers.
In France, things have changed. Fast food is becoming more and more popular by the new generation.
Thank both of you for your wonderful podcast
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Dear Jeff,
I really appreciated your description about the Super Bowl.. and your personal ’strategy’ facing the event. It reminds me while people here was whatcing the football (soccer) world championship.. the streets were pretty empty and silent (very odd, good photo Op isn’t it?) and I used to enjoy a good motorbike ride and a better, relaxed, meal. Time to slow down. So, well done Jeff!!! Let’s people have fun whatcing the game and leaving the field for calm eaters!! At least untill we’re speaking abuot freedom in our countries.
God bless freedom.
Thanks for having me writing here.
Thanks to all the ESL staff.
Matteo
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hi Jeff.
I would like to know the rules of this game. Right now I’m watching it. I´m in Mexico and I hope they show the US commercials as well.
I can´t understand the game but Im anxious to see the halftime show and also those commercials.
J.C
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Hi Jeff
I think you are very romantic .You are right , it’s the best time to have a romantic time ,siting for a long time in a fancy cafe …candle … romantic music …and …
it’s the best …
Jamshid from Berlin
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I agree, for many people U.S football rules looks crazy…
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Hi, Jeff
In your blog Jan,3 you told that it is the most popular sporting event of the year, watched by close to 80 million people, but, you know what, a NBA game, in which Yao and Yi played, two Chinese basketplayers, attracted many people’s attention, which is as two times as that of watching Super Bowl. I, a Chinese guy, am so proud of that.
And could you pls talk somthing about NBA’s history, because of my lack of it.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:29 am
It’s really funny stroy and I also learned the American culture through your text in which helps me improve my reading skill day by day. I have to admit that I am not a primium member that someone pay for this podcat of your website but I just listen to your nice voice with almost perfect transcript in the podcast for a long time. I love to visit your space where you guys how to work there If possible. Actually I have an oppotunity to go there CA. next month. I have listened to this podcast over 1year. And while I visit here, I got a confidence of English through you guys. My testimonial seems not fit here today. But Don’t get me wrong, everybody! I am not kinds of person who assist for money^^.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Thank you for your post about the Superbowl in the U.S.. I love your podcast and blog as they are both educational and interesting, reflecting the daily life of American people. Thank you so much!