As the hours of 2025 dwindled to single digits, Americans FINALLY heard a new sports expression that is NOT likely to catch on.
The guy from ABC-TV–describing the Michigan/Texas football game in Orlando–uttered a couple of ill-fitting words as he attempted to explain that one line shown on TV screens during football games is used to indicate ball placement.
“The line is literally an approximation,” he droned. Huh? He went from the tall weeds into the marshes for this contradiction….
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Soon, we’ll be in countdown for the 60th Super Bowl, not necessarily for the game itself, but for the introduction of some NEW commercials. We’ll learn that they’ll cost big bucks, and wonder if some of the ads seriously miss their mark, even if joyfully seen.
Here’s my take on several current TV commercials. AT&T had both the best and the worst ads, thus cited for two awards. It gets the golden “thumbs up” for the best, and the smudged horse collar for the creators of the commercial that shows two teenagers eves-dropping on their parents’ nocturnal conversation. Maybe it should be called the “whatever-could-they-have-been-thinking” award for their inappropriate innuendo.
A verbal whip-lashing is deserved from higher-ups for this violation of good taste. Happily, this ad was short-lived….
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The “thumbs up” ad came along later. It showed a young man–his family and friends gathered around the phone–to learn his “transfer decision.” We thought it would reveal his intention to transfer to another college. No, he was announcing his “transfer” to AT&T!
Contending for my “thumbs up” designation was Coca-Cola. Seen often during the Christmas season, it had all of the elements, including music, technology, animals, lighting and a convoy of 18-wheelers transporting Coca-Cola.
I can’t decide which category Liberty Insurance fits best. Who doesn’t smile upon seeing an emu in ads–whether or not said bird should be wearing pants–as questioned by the sports announcer? However, I’m at a loss to understand why it backs up Liberty’s warning us about “paying only for what we need” for insurance.
Honorable mention goes to John Travolta, who, in his Santa suit, does a fair job with his Greased Lightnin‘ dance moves that he helped popularize a half-century ago. He’s promoting Capital One….
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A final look-back at 2025 must include a pair of movies that shared the same topic and released in the year’s final quarter. In fact, they were featured only days apart at the Premiere Cinema in our town where I was transfixed for the better part of five hours.
Each deserves an A+ rating, whether or not either gets Academy Award recognition. I wish every American could see both, particularly young people whose perception of World War II horrors is limited.
I’m referring to movies beautifully done and important for all generations– Truth and Treason, followed by Nuremburg. The first is based on a true story of courageous teen-agers who stood up against Hitler. The other is a chilling account of World War II trials of Third Reich leaders in Nazi Germany. The downward slope from freedom–then and now–is slippery….
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My friend , Colleen Mink, is part of the Premiere Cinema’s management team. She remembers committing a blunder early in her career that could have sent her packing.
Warned that her chores would be many and varied, she was entrusted with a new walkie-talkie that could be helpful as she moves about the 14-theatre venue. Soon, she faced the decision of whether to attempt to repair a restroom commode, or call in a professional. Screwdriver in hand and her recently-entrusted walkie-talkie in her pocket, she decided to tackle the problem herself. Clutching the screwdriver, she was immediately in panic mode upon realizing what had caused the “ker-plunk” when the walkie-talkie slipped from her pocket into the water.
General Manager Mike Harris comforted her with the “it-could-have-happened-to-anyone” spiel and provided her with another walkie-talkie. After all, she tried, and she’s still in management….
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Dr. Newbury and his wife reside in the Metroplex. Speaking inquiries, newbury@speakerdoc.com, phone 817-447-3872.