Football Not Your Thing? No Problem!: Super Bowl 51 Alternatives

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u   2017 Pro Bowl

So what?  Football’s not your thing.  There’s no judgement here.

You can still partake in the food and booze, but you don’t have to watch the game, or the pre-game, or the pre-pre-game.

Or, maybe you’re interested in the Super Bowl for the commercials.  This year, a 30-second commercial will run anywhere from $5 – $5.5 Million.

To put it in perspective, in 1967, a 30-second commercial cost $42,000.  In 1995, it cost about $1.5 Million.  In 2005, it cost just over $2 Million.

So, has the ceiling been reached?

This year, the Kraft Heinz company has decided to give 42,000 employees a day off instead of buying a spot in the 2017 Super Bowl.

If the commercials are all you’re interested in on Super Bowl Sunday…well…you don’t even have to turn on the Super Bowl!  That’s right, Foootball Garbage Time has you covered!  You’re welcome.

The Bud Light “Ghost Spuds” Commercial

The Budweiser “Origins” Commercial

Historical Fact: Neither Anheuser nor Busch started what we now know as the Budweiser Company.  In actuality, Busch, who was already a successful brewer, bough the Budweiser company in the 1880’s from his friend, Carl Conrad, who started the company.

Febreze “Recognizes the Stinky Bathroom” Commercial

Mr. Clean “Gets a Little Dirty” Commercial

Kia Niro “McCarthy the Hero” Commercial

Buick “Cam Newtown” Commercial

Now you’ve got a taste of some Super Bowl 51 commercials – the good, the bad, and the politically driven.  I’ll let you decide which is which.

But if that is not enough, well, like I gave you for Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl 50, here’s some alternatives for ALL of Super Bowl 51 Sunday.

1. THE PUPPY BOWL Xlll

Date: Sunday, February 5th

Channel: Animal Planet

Time: 3pm ET (But, there will be Puppy Bowl events starting at 11:30 am – Hurray!)

This will be the 13th year for Team Ruff and Team Fluff to shine.  And like previous years, these adorable puppies are up for adoption.

2. THE KITTEN BOWL lV

Fanpop.com

This kitten may or may not be at the Kitten Bowl.

Date: Sunday, February 5th

Channel: Hallmark Channel

Time: 12pm ET (Pre-Game); 12:30pm ET (Play-Offs); 2pm ET (Championship)

It’s been on TV nine less years than the Puppy Bowl, but it’s no less cute!  Can’t wait?  Check out the LIVE Kitten cam of the Kitten Bowl training room!

3. THE FISH BOWL (RETURNS)

Date: Sunday, February 5th, 2016

Channel: NAT GEO WILD

Time: 4 pm ET

If you’re just not sure you want to commit your evening to watching fish, here’s a taste.  Woohoo.

4. SyFy

4:30 pm – Mission Impossible lll

The third installment of the “Mission: Impossible” installment, staring Tom Cruise as retired superspy Ethan Hunt.  Yes, he’s awesome.  Again.  And Felicity is in it.

7:00 pm – Mega Shark vs. Kolossus

Russia’s search for a new energy source accidentally awakens a giant robot doomsday device from the Cold War.  But that isn’t the only threat to humanity when a new mega shark swims into the scene.  Because who doesn’t like huge sharks taking on ancient giant robot doomsday devices?

9:00pm – Lake Placid vs. Anaconda

A sheriff must find a way to kill two warring monsters before they destroy the whole town in this thriller about corporate greed and science gone wrong.  Although I’m not sure how a Lake fights an Anaconda.  Sounds…wet.

5. Other Stuff

If all else fails…there’s always Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Streaming.  Or just randomly cruise YouTube.  That’s always a good way to spend the day.  Or go for a walk.  I think it will be rainy outside on Sunday, so perhaps you can recreate one of the Top 5 Movie Rain Scenes?

And if you’re interested, tune in for Lady Gaga’s Half-Time Performance…or just watch it on the internet on Monday.  Or not.  Whatevs.

Enjoy NON-Super Bowl Sunday!