I have always been one to enjoy a good party and for that reason—some would say, for that reason alone—we have always gotten together with another family or two on Super Bowl Sunday.
And yet, there are always those nagging doubts about the “culture” my kids are seeing. It’s over-the-top, at best, and at worst it’s….Janet Jackson.
This article by Father Euteneuer doesn’t help.
And so yes, there’s some indecision in my heart. I’ve gotten fairly used to the crass commercials. We see them (and usually mute them) every Sunday.
The Super Bowl commercials are a crapshoot, that’s for sure. Two or three really great ones; eight or nine that just make me wince. You know the ones. They typically involve immodesty, absurdity and/or inebriation; oftentimes all three.
The half-time entertainment, though, is what is giving me serious pause. (Like I haven’t been serious up until now.) Frankly, I’m just not that crazy about the Minnesotan that’s performing. He’s really no prince, in my opinion.
Sure, the guy’s got talent. He’s also quite depraved.
So I dunno.
Perhaps I’ll just heard the kids out of the room come half-time and ply them with chips ’til the show is over.
More Doritos, anyone?
Yeah, I think I have about given up on TV, sports, American culture in general…so predictably, depressingly bad.
Having the same conundrum over here, except DH and the boys have been invited somewhere… so DH will have little to no control over the remote.
My boys love to watch the game so much. Makes me sad that they can’t b/c of the garbage that is inflicted on their little souls…
It is for these very reasons that we offer to host the get together so that we can have control over the remote. My husband loves it when I tell him, “Sit here with this and don’t take your eyes off that TV until the game is over”! And we don’t just mute it, we turn it to a “safe channel” like EWTN or the weather channel.
I have also found that it is a great time to let the children hear what you think about these things though in a non-lecturing way. It seems to have more of an impact. A comment like, “Oh my goodness, she looks like she is going to get ready for bed! How embarrassing! I wouldn’t want someone to take a picture of me like that” can really go a long way. It is so hard though to be constantly on guard.
This year my husband’s boss is taking her office and their families to Disneyland for the big Sunday, so no Super Bowl for us.(I’m hoping we’ll have the park to ourselves!)
I don’t worry about it anymore. My heart just hasn’t been in it since our wonderful Vikings (1) made it to the Super Bowl 4 times and still couldn’t win it; and (2) since Bud Grant left. And the half-time show this year? Okay, I’ve met him — and he is just icky.
I am also hosting. I totally agree with you about the commercials, yet, there I will be running to see the commercials. (I don’t care about the actual game, who’s playing anyway?) Your post has made me double think that though, I should not even place myself in that occasion of sin. I heard the half time star had a big conversion a couple years ago and is a born again christian! So maybe we don’t have to worry about him acting inappropriate.?
I just went back and read Fr Euteneuer’s article on the superbowl, great article! I printed it up for my DH. Thanks Margaret.
We have a family party for big sporting events like this, sometimes inviting close friends who don’t mind not watching such things as crass commercials.
We are a big sports family, so that is about all the kids watch with us on TV. We watch a lot of shows on DVD. This is wonderful, because you cut commercials, and you have seen it before, so you know what is coming when the little ones are watching.
I receive Fr. E’s letters in my email, and my heart just sank when I read it last night. I love football and the Superbowl hoopla (even the anticipation of the commercials) that goes with it, but I too am saddened by more and more of the content that reflects poorly on our country and panders to our baser instincts! It really was a thought-provoking letter (and good gut-check). Why COULDN’T the commercials and half-time shows be more “glorious” instead of….what they usually are? Like Matilda, I find myself making comments for the benefit of the little ears to try to counter the effect the advertisers are hoping for, IF I’m not trying to divert their attention altogether!…and that’s just through the regular season. May we have wisdom and temperance in how we approach our viewing–this Sunday and always. And may I take to heart my own words!
The solution in one word TIVO! My hubbie sets it on record and starts watching about 20-30 after it starts and fast forwards through the commercials/half time. I love Tivo. It is my friend in this jungle of atrocity.
Normally I could care less about the Superbowl, but this year it’s the COLTS! (Indianapolis is Colts Crazy right now.) My husband has always been a huge fan and I don’t think we’ve missed a game since we’ve been married. (Of course I always have a knitting project for the games – baby stuff!) And this Sunday will be our very last football game without a baby 😉