TV Junkie: Super Bowl AdFest - Check Out Chloris Leachman as #GoGranny
Weekend Edition
The focus this weekend is the media circlejerk otherwise known as Super Bowl Sunday. Ad time costs about $100,000 per second this time around (what recession?) with some sponsors spending upwards of $20,000,000 (not including production costs) over the few hours the game will transpire. We've already seen several of the ads, and there are some good ones (like the "Darth Vader VW" spot), but there's the perennial debate about whether or not this big spend is "worth it" for the sponsor.
If it's a well produced ad, then yes, it is worth the spend because the ad will be picked up and discussed on other TV shows, not to mention countless websites, and it can potentially go viral from there. If the advertiser is just spending more money to spread the same crap around, they will still get the exposure which is worth something but definitely costs more per impression since they will have far fewer impressions than a viral spun ad. Whether we're talking about broadcast networks or basic cable, advertising will be part of the package so there's no use railing against the ads. If you're into movies, the Super Bowl will provide you with a pretty good idea of what Hollywood is banking on this year as there will be at least 14 films marketed during gametime.
Even if ads don't make it on the air during Super Bowl Sunday, they can still refer to the game or even other advertisers - check out Network Solutions' "Go Granny" ad (above), featuring the incredible Chloris Leachman, in a parody of the GodDaddy.com Super Bowl ads that the PC cops have been howling about for years. Chloris says that she's just one phone call away from taking the "sisters" back to the Super Bowl. Of course the campaign has a Twitter handle, @Go_Granny and a hashtag, #gogranny.
We reported on a poll the other day that stated that 78% of Americans planned to watch the game which makes Sunday afternoon a great time to go to the movies or do some other activity that is usually difficult to do because of crowds. For even the most jaded, Super Bowl Sunday still can serve a positive purpose.
If you're into the event from both a sports and humor angle, be aware that The Onion SportsDome will be active online and on Twitter throughout the day.
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What the heck else can we point you to this weekend? Tonight there's plenty of comedy, from Bill Maher to Joan Rivers' "Fashion Police;" Saturday it all comes down to Dana Carvey hosting "SNL;" and thank goodness the game ends early on Sunday so that the Showtime block of "Californication," "Episodes," and "Shameless," as well as HBO's "Big Love" are unaffected. A lot of hype has been made about Fox's Super Bowl-themed "Glee," what with it's "Thriller" dance number. This may or may not flop. If the game is not a nail-biter, people will tune to something else and may not come back to Fox for "Glee" if they're not already fans. If the game is fantastic, there's a good chance that viewers will be suffering from TV-fatigue and may turn off the set when the game is over. The chances are more likely that Sunday will be a washout for the TV musical.
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Remember when we bitched about TV remakes yesterday? NBC has announced that it will fund a pilot for a remake of the UK's "Prime Suspect," Helen Mirren was that show, good luck NBC!
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We will be going to the Writers Guild Awards in New York City tomorrow afternoon where we will be taking photos and doing video interviews to present to you next week. We will also be tweeting from the event starting at about 2:30pm tomorrow - follow us on Twitter.
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The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan: Tonight - "Real Time With Bill Maher" (Charles Ferguson, John Fund, Anthony Weiner, Mona Eltahawy, Neil Degrasse Tyson), "Funny or Die Presents," "The Ricky Gervais Show," "The Onion News Network," "Fashion Police," "Comedy Central Presents" Chris D'Elia and Nate Bargatze), Fallon (Kate Walsh, comic Rob Brydon, Lissie performs). Saturday - "An Idiot Abroad," "Saturday Night Live" (Host Dana Carvey, Linkin Park performs). Sunday - Super Bowl XLV, "Californication," "Episodes," "Shameless," "Big Love" (on rerun).
Tonight
8:00pm Real Time With Bill Maher HBO - Charles Ferguson, John Fund, Anthony Weiner, Mona Eltahawy, Neil Degrasse Tyson
8:00pm Fringe Fox - A scientist dies after ingesting a cloud of blue powder that disintegrates his bones; a person from Walter's past reluctantly agrees to help with the investigation.
9:00pm Funny or Die Presents HBO - Sunday morning sitcom "It's Gert"; Movie of the Week "Death Hunt"; "Men of Unquiet Desperation: The Prick".
9:30pm The Ricky Gervais Show HBO - Ricky relates some interesting animal facts; after remembering that he needed to add an onion to his grocery list, Karl asks himself a deep question; entries from Karl's diary include Karl pondering why people bother to take pictures of mimes.
10:00pm Onion News Network IFC - Scandal erupts over a conservative senator's relationship with a horse; Brooke Alvarez in the FactZone.
10:00pm The Soup E! - Joel McHale and Co. break it on down now
10:00pm Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Starz - Batiatus is stunned by the return of his father, which puts his attempts to gain rank by exploiting those above his class at risk.
10:30pm Portlandia IFC - Fred and Carrie discover that their maid is none other than their favorite singer-songwriter Aimee Mann.
10:30pm Fashion Police E! - Joan Rivers and friends will review SAG Awards fashion and then some
11:00pm Comedy Central Presents Comedy Central - Stand-up sets from Chris D'Elia and Nate Bargatze
11:35pm Late Show With David Letterman CBS - Musician Justin Bieber presents the top 10 list; TV personality Martha Stewart; Robert Plant performs.
11:35pm The Tonight Show With Jay Leno NBC - Actor Hugh Laurie; actress Hailee Steinfeld; comic Finesse Mitchell
12:35am The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson CBS - Comic Matt Lucas.
12:35am Late Night With Jimmy Fallon NBC - Actress Kate Walsh; comic Rob Brydon; Lissie performs.
Saturday
10:00pm An Idiot Abroad Science - Ricky Gervais' friend Mr. Pilkington is sent around the world.
11:25pm Saturday Night Live NBC - Host Dana Carvey; Linkin Park performs.
Super Bowl XLV is the event of the weekend. Look for pregame coverage to practically begin at dawn on the sports networks before the actual game gets underway on Fox.
3:00pm Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers Fox - We'll be watching for the commercials.
7:30pm Glee Fox - Coach Bieste and Mr. Schuester plot to bring the warring glee club and football team together; Sue desperately tries to win cheerleading Nationals
9:00pm Californication Showtime - Charlie discovers his vasectomy was botched; Hank's relationship with Abby gets more personal
9:00pm Big Love HBO - Bill tries to overcome the anti-polygamist sentiment swelling among state officials; Barb's attendance at a fashion show triggers resentment amongst the wives; Rhonda and Verlan try to shake down Alby; Nicki pushes for Cara Lynn's adoption.
9:30pm Episodes Showtime - Matt invites Sean and Morning to a charity event; Beverly and Carol commiserate.
10:00pm Worst Cooks in America Food - The chefs learn how to make a sausage meal from scratch; seafood fears in the main dish challenge.
10:00pm Shameless Showtime - The family schemes a fake wedding when they learn of a substantial dowry; Frank gets bad medical news; Steve looks for a new car.