Super Blog

So, despite my not being much of a TV sports enthusiast (apologies to you jersey-wearing fans) I am interested to see the ads and the half-time show at this year's Super Bowl. From a rhetorical analysis perspective, the ads should be fascinating. I know you were all thinking about the ads from that perspective, right? But seriously, apparently the ads now cost $3.5 million per 30 second spot, so think of the marketing genius (at least in theory) that would go into the production (about another $1.5 million or so) of said ads. So we know the occasion and the audience of the ads, but what will prove interesting is how the ads will make use of pathos - mostly humour; ethos - lots of famous people (Elton John, Matthew Broderick, John Stamos); and logic - maybe / maybe not. I was reading a Forbes article and a few others online about the poor ROI (return on investment) for the ads. Companies spend millions but don't recoup their investments in sales. The ads amount to very expensive entertainment, which of course, is not very logical in itself. 

Of course, the big Madonna half-time show and her cat-fight with Elton John and his husband also have the potential to be pretty entertaining. I am struck by just how American it all is - this huge national hoopla over a football game, and advertising, and Madonna (who falsely portrays herself as English now, with the pseudo-accent and all), and tail-gate parties, etc. Now if it were hockey, that would be different, right? 

Anyway, because you will no doubt want to be doing your own rhetorical analysis of those commercials on Sunday, I suggest, in my helpful way, that you work really hard on your essay tomorrow. It's Saturday, so what else could you possibly have to do? Keep in mind that you should feel free to be going back over your essay, editing, changing, moving sentences about, etc. Also, get out the axe! Seriously, don't get too attached to the text you have written - sometimes you have to be ruthless, unless you are writing a blog where you can just ramble on and on. But, in your case, make sure every word is necessary and contributes to your ideas. 

We'll read more Eric Liu on Tuesday when I plan to return. 

Have a super weekend! (I know, too obvious. Sorry.)