Super Bowl 40

What a game! It was played fairly poorly, as most Super Bowls are. And both teams had missed chances. It's kind of too bad for the Seahawks that, even after a spectacular year, and their first appearance in the Super Bowl, they are made out to sound like losers by their own fans. And it's kind of too bad that the Steelers don't seem to be getting credit for winning this on their own terms, instead of being lumped in with a completely different team from years ago. But the commercials were mostly fun, few were offensive, and the NFL made use of the turned down mike and the five second delay.

Still, all in all, it lacked the boringness of many past games.

Next year, Seahawks fans.

It's halftime of Super Bowl 40

It's halftime of the big game. The Rolling Stones? Heh. They look pretty good for old guys whose bodies have been assaulted by tobacco, drugs and alcohol for years. But are those pit people really necessary? I think the fans in the stands are rocking enough without it. Besides, they couldn't come up with any Motown talent? In Detroit?

So far it's been pretty good football. Both teams have made their share of mistakes, but they're both showing why they are there.

The officials, though. That touchdown of Pittsburgh's? Shouldn't have been called a touchdown. They are sure going to be sheepish when they watch the game films. But, since they were so close that the Steelers would probably have scored anyway, it's probably not that controversial. Still, it looked like a gimme, and this is the pros. They don't allow gimmes at the Masters' in Augusta, either.

And the jacket's off and Mick's singing and strutting "Satisfaction." After this half the fans will probably go home, forgetting they are at a football game instead of a Stones concert.

Let's play ball! Enough British hips!

I Wanna Be A Producer...

This afternoon we took our 6 and 9-year-olds to see "The Producers: The Musical" at the movie theater. "But isn't that movie rated PG-13? And isn't it rated that for raunchy vaudeville humor and language?"

Yes, it is. But with the absence of violence and nudity, and the actual number of swear words at a minimum, we thought the vaudevillian "naughty" humor would mostly go over their heads, the gay element a non-issue, and we could easily handle any questions. That never were asked.

On the other hand, the musical numbers are fantastic, and it tells a great story of the friendship and trust that bloom (heh heh) between two people.

How much do we love this musical?

Sherman, set the wayback machine.

Back in the 1970s, I caught the movie once or twice. I was immediately enchanted by Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. And years later, I could still relate most of the plot, and sing most of "Springtime For Hitler."



Hubby, on the other hand, had never seen the original, but is a fan of Nathan Lane ("Why, it's good old reliable Nathan..."), Matthew Broderick (Save Ferris!), and other Mel Brooks works. ("Frau Blucher?" "neeiigh!") We casually talked about seeing it in development in Chicago, but life intervened, and all too soon it was opening night on Broadway.

A year later, we decided we wanted to see the original cast. So, impulsively, Glenn ordered premium tickets from Broadway Inner Circle, hired a friend to nanny for us, and took a whirlwind trip to NYC to see "The Producers." We ended up seeing Brad Oscar as Max, instead of as Franz Liebkind, but he was fabulous. Our only disappointments were missing seeing him as Franz, and seeing Nathan Lane. But we didn't worry too much -- we knew there would be a movie!

How much do we love this musical?

When hubby was in London last week, he didn't have time to go see the London production, but he did take time to shop. Between this trip and our NYC trip, we all have t-shirts, we have two hats, a sweatshirt, and we can show up in full garb. Which we did today when we went to see the movie.

We listen to both the cast album and the soundtrack, and compare the differences.

We own the script annotated by Mel Brooks and Tom Meehan.

We can't wait for the DVD.

When do we crown King George?

So my favorite moment during the State of the Union address tonight was when Bush said, "The Congress last year did not pass my plan to fix Social Security," and most of the Democrats stood up and applauded. His Majesty didn't seem amused, but I'm sure he will sleep easy at night knowing that he not only has the Congress firmly in his pocket, but unlimited power guaranteed by the Supreme Court.

I feel a bit like I'm a member of the rebellion against the Empire in "Star Wars." Hopefully, Obi-wan Kenobi won't be our only hope. But can we really rely on the Democrats?