The Super Bowl- Americs's Unofficial Holiday

What is it about the Super Bowl that intrigues all of America? Maybe not all, but the millions of viewers that choose to watch it every year increases, and the amount of pre-game and post-game media seems to increase, as well. People around the country go out and get as much snack food as they can, liquor stores have lines out the door and invitations to parties are sent out weeks in advance. Even non-football fans choose to sit down with their families and friends, making it more of a social get together than a football game.
When it comes to media, other than the inaugaration, I can't think of any other event that calls all types of medias into play. Of course, news channels have coverage on the sports slot for the event, showing highlights of pre-game shows and practices. ESPN has its 2 week coverage of the Super Bowl, letting us know if any of the big name players do as much as sneeze. However, its the other media that you wouldn't suspect to have coverage that is really showing how media is constantly changing for the masses. iTunes offers the entire game to be bought to put on a video iPod, the Weather Channel had coverage of the weather that would be occuring at the game every twenty minutes and newspapers had the game front page before it was even played.
I guess the Super Bowl has become much more than just a football game, it's American heritage. It's a way for all of us to get together and enjoy something. The game is a way to allow for social connection and interaction, to give us all something to talk about before and after the game is played. I think, however, the most important aspect of the Super Bowl is its reliablilty. Every year, at the end of every football season, there is going to be a Super Bowl. There is going to be a way for everyone to sit down and enjoy all types of media, whether watching it on the internet, updates on a cell phone, or live on tv. And even if you missed the game, you can still pick up a newspaper the next day with a full recap and pictures.
Especially during these uncertain economic times, the Super Bowl is a way for everyone to sit back and relax for one Sunday, watch some football, and maybe laugh at a couple of commercials. Maybe it's all as Super as they say it is.