Fox Mashes Up the Supers - 9 hours of politics/football on Sunday

[underpants]

Fox Mashes Up the Supers
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/business/media/28carr.html

Fox is going to get an early jump on Super Sunday. At 9 a.m. E.S.T. next Sunday morning — more than nine hours before the coin is tossed — players and tactics will be scrutinized, coaches will get the once-over, and sideline savants will predict the outcome.

The day will begin with an hour of “Fox News Sunday” where the host, Chris Wallace, will cover the battle in 22 states two days later as well as the match in Phoenix that night. A two-hour special, with the anchor Shepard Smith — transplanted from cable to the main network — as host, will then use reporting from various Fox affiliates around the country to create a blend of football and politics intended to build interest in the respective contests, and not so coincidentally, the Fox brand.

“There has been this aligning of planets,” said Marty Ryan, executive producer of political programs at Fox News. “We have 22 states and two competitive elections. That is the first time that has happened in 50 years and it takes place just two days after the Super Bowl.”

Of course, Fox is often accused of, well, rooting for the home team. Its broadcast will include an interview with George W. Bush, a football fan who once accused the Democrats of prematurely “dancing in the end zone” and whose vice president described the progress in Afghanistan as “three yards and a cloud of dust” (although critics might say “punted on second down” is more apt).

Bill Clinton, a wonk’s wonk, had other interests, but when it came time to refute charges of infidelity involving Gennifer Flowers, he chose the time slot on “60 Minutes” just after the Super Bowl.

[Kokonoe]

1. "There has been this aligning of planets"

I didn't know someone could buy the aligning of planets.

[dysfunctional press]

2. i have absolutely no interest in this year's game.

i don't know of anyone around here who's even planning on watching it or having any kind of get-together...first time in a lot of years, too.

[4_TN_TITANS]

3. I'll watch it...

but probably more for the entertaining commercials. The Pats have been in so many superbowls, it's getting kind of boring. Like the 'surpise' when the Yankees would be in the world series every year.