Pow! Bam! Thud.

My usual modus operandi with regard to the Super Bowl is to do something else during the playing of the  game, and watch a video recording later, fast-forwarding through all of the commercials. I can't remember the last time I actually sat through the whole live telecast. Many, many years ago. But yesterday, at the invitation of some friends, I broke from my tradition and took a seat on the couch at the same time as the rest of the world.

Here is a quick review.

The game was a blowout, becoming painful to watch before halftime and staying that way. It reminded me of Super Bowls in the old days, which usually weren't very good games.

I only had to see Mudface Caligula once, and from a distance, with poor lighting. More than enough.

There was a Tom Cruise sequence just before kickoff. It was way too long. But it did give everyone time to contemplate how far plastic surgery has come.

The halftime show was completely lost on me. It would have been hard to put on an act in which I'd be less interested. To some people, it's music and art. To me, it's a cruel parody. I miss Chubby Checker.

The commercials were pretty awful. It seemed like every other one featured an explosion, or a raging fire, or flashing images, or some sort of violence. Loud! And bright, bright colors. I wasn't inspired to buy, or do, anything. I laughed out loud exactly once.

The whole thing felt dark to me, like Berlin 1936 Olympics dark.

Jon Batiste, who played and sang the national anthem, was fabulous as always. But sadly, there were no Marsalises, at least not while I was watching.

I lost $1 betting on the coin flip, but I won $2.15 on the game. 

The food and the company were most excellent.

And now, basketball.