Top 5 list of Super Bowl ads

Now I cannot have an entertainment blog, and not discuss the Super Bowl ads before the big game. It just can’t be done.

As the ads for the big game are getting finalized, cut back, or eliminated (like PETA's porn ad) – most due to the economic freefall – I wanted to look back and mention my 5 favorite all time Super Bowl ads. Some you will agree with, in fact I think everyone will agree that they are all top ads which is rare in any list ever made. You may not agree with the order I pick. But you are more than free to correct me if you wish.

Number 5

I hate, with extreme prejudice, Grand Theft Auto. But I have to say that Coca Cola did a great job to twisting the hyper-violent, stereotyped, insulting game into something everyone can watch and enjoy. Though I still prefer Pepsi to drink.



Number 4

There is no office more interesting to watch than the one with Terry Tate. The mix of the monotony of daily work and the excitement of football is something that was truly inspired genius.



Number 3

It was hard to decide if this should be higher or not. But I settled for 3. Michael Jordan, and the equally famous Larry Bird, doing what only they can do – sink a basket like almost no one else. It just wouldn’t work with anyone else. And you just have to wonder who missed first (my bet is Bird would miss first).



Number 2

Now this one may get me a lot of heat. It is the first Super Bowl ad that I can remember. It is classic in every aspect. It was the true usher of the Super Bowl ad competition we all enjoy today. It is famous across the world (and copied without pause as well). But I place it 2nd.



Number 1

It’s artsy. It’s got a message. It was groundbreaking. And it was used to crush a Democratic Primary hopeful (thankfully) some 24 years after it was made. What more does it take to reach the top?



Of course there is one other Super Bowl ad that I must mention. It is separate of all the other Super Bowl ads. Created by Budweiser, it displayed the heart of the nation. It must be mentioned in any list of greatest Super Bowl ads, and is separate of any ranking.



So there is my list of the top 5 greatest Super Bowl ads. Now if I were to make the list go to 10, what else should I add? And what order would you have chosen?

And maybe, we can hope, the economic breakdown inspired something that can make my list next year. But with these greats, it’s hard to imagine.

Black Entertainment Television loses Procter & Gamble, but is it enough?

Viacom must be proud. I really have to believe that they are in a great mood today. If they aren’t all the better because I feel better. Why? Because Procter & Gamble and GM have pulled their ads from the network – specifically those found on Rap City and 106 & Park.

Both of these cable network programs are found on the infamous Black Entertainment Television (BET) [No relation], created by Bob Johnson based on the same theory as that of Marie Antoinette. But whereas Marie Antoinette was beheaded by the starving masses, the intellectually starving made Bob Johnson a billionaire. And Viacom was more than happy to jump on the bandwagon that Johnson started.

If television can be called the opiate of the masses, then gangsta rap and hip hop music videos are its crack. Bob Johnson figured out the formula and how to spread sales when he started his infamous late-night music video line-up. Viacom simply figured out how to sell this crack to schoolchildren during the day. Reginald Hudlin must be proud, because Sumner Redstone surely is.

But many others in the Black community, and those concerned about the welfare of children, were not pleased. Thus when the later re-named Hot Ghetto Mess was first imagined, we spoke out. While the changes were minor (program title was quickly altered, and some of the content it’s rumored) advertisers acted lest they stir the ire of the $1 trillion African American community. And again the voices were raised and that attention has caused action.

As most would agree, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that Rap City and 106&Park promoted videos to kids just out of school that focused on sex, violence and profane language. But for those, like the advertising executives at GM and Procter & Gamble, that obviously never actually watch the program an April Parent Television Council study found the following:

“…among other things, that Rap City featured on average 31.6 instances of sex, 25.3 instances of explicit language and 11.7 instances of violence per hour.”

And Bob Johnson had the balls to allege that Senator Obama was a drug dealer.

Don’t get too happy though. While these 2 companies are in the top 5 of advertisers in the nation they have not made the impact that really would have made a difference to Viacom. GM did take their ads from these BET programs, but it moved them to other programs on this troubled network. Thus the financial slap in the face has become a tap on the wrists and BET continues in silence.

And what about the advertisers that have not changed their position? That would be McDonald’s, YUM! Brands (ie. KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and A&W root beer), and Verizon. Not one of these companies seems to be fazed by children being spoon-fed sex and violence. Yet not one of these companies would dare advertise on a program targeting White children with the same reported numbers. Obviously their opinion matches that of Sumner Redstone and Viacom. What great company to associate with.

And the Black community must be admonished for supporting these kinds of actions. With so much money being spent on keeping up with the Jones’, so much importance placed on style over substance we effectively beg for more intellectual crack and they whip it up on demand.

But until we act in the same manner as the poor French with Marie Antoinette, expect to eat more cake and have children more damaged every year. I have to wonder how well Debra Lee, Reginald Hudlin, and Bob Johnson sleep? I’d guess as well as the crack dealer on the corner.

Fast Food: Some choices are healthier than you think

There is no end to the surveys, studies and pundits that mention men don’t see doctors or get annual physical exams. Recently there was a June 2007 survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians that showed that while 79% of men said they were in good health, 42% were diagnosed with chronic conditions. Obviously waiting for unbearable pain or illness to motivate a trip to the doctor is not a good idea.

But what can be done in the meantime? How can you keep your health up, and be motivated to live better? And how can you keep from going to the local fast food restaurant, which everyone knows is bad for you but tastes so good.

Well there might be a bit of help found in the question of fast food. A recent article I just ran across deals directly with the restaurants and foods that we love to consume. And the results are surprising. It seems that not everything you though was good for you is, and some are better choices than what’s been often lamented.

Now some things are obvious. Like the Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing. The number 1 worst fast food in America. Not that you would be surprised. Also on the no surprise list are Bob Evans Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes or Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger among others.

But also in the Top 20 worst foods are Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips from McDonald's (5 pieces) with creamy ranch sauce, Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger, and On the Border Grande Taco Salad with Taco Beef. Each of these trying to lure in consumers with the notion that they are “health” because of what they are comprised of or their name. A salad, chicken and turkey burgers all sound healthy, but that isn’t necessarily so.

There are quite a few “healthy” foods that just don’t make the grade. Take yogurt with fruit on the bottom, granola bars, chicken caesar salad, and the oft mentioned bran muffin. Each of them just aren’t what they are cracked up to be.

So now that you know a few of the bad choices and some of the hidden unhealthy choices that are presented as good for you; the question is who is the best and worst?

Well topping the very best fast food restaurants to eat at are Chick-Fil-A, Boston Market, and the favorite of Jared – Subway.The worst? Macaroni Grill is hands down at the bottom of the list. Only slightly better is Pizza Hut. And believe it or not the middle ground is held by (in order of best to worst) Taco Bell, Wendy’s, McDonalds, KFC and Burger King.

There is much more on the good and bad fast food out their. I’ve only scratched the surface of the full article. If you want to see how everyone really breaks down, and what is definitely bad and what the health nuts claim is good but isn’t, check out http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/index.html

Until your next annual physical (which you need to go to) this might help a little. Still a few push-ups won’t hurt either.