• by Manning Field , February 1, 2007

It seems as if some readers are misinterpreting my stylistic choice to use self-deprecating hyperbole to make a point. The snarky voice in my left ear would whisper, "Tell them to read the title on the blog," while the polite voice on the right would shout "Pipe down, Rusty, and just do what Joe asked you to do." Sorry, can't help it. I'm also watching Mitch's posts closely, as I'm concerned about his volume of commentary. The fact is he's, beating me. I'm not really a big fan of that.

(Hint -- self-deprecating hyperbole to make a point coming.) I cannot wait for the Super Bowl this weekend. I love football. I especially love football on television. This is the first time in many years that I'm not going to the game in person. Lotsa drivers why I'm not going, but the primary one is, I want to see the Super Bowl.

The irony of the Super Bowl is when you go to it, you miss the Super Bowl. It's a television event. When you go, it's awesome no doubt. But when you return to work the next Monday, you have lost all context around the water cooler. And it's not one of those "oooh, don't tell me what happened -- I taped it." It's over -- you are out of the loop. A cultural milepost slept through...

To me this is the ultimate and continued validation of the power of live ad-supported, high-production broadcast television. It ain't dead. It's getting better -- having to work harder. You'll hear me talk about the ad-supported value exchange a lot, but this is fundamentally what it's all about.

So on Sunday, with my friends and family, I'll be sitting in front of my television and sharing the communal experience of the Super Bowl.... and you can only get it from TV.

So show a little love on the responses. We need to beat my friend Mitch.

Manning