Dubbed an unofficial national holiday (most likely by the NFL's marketing weenies), Super Bowl Sunday brings with it some time-tested rituals. This year, Americans of all stripes will gather 'round their TVs, gorge on beer and fatty foods, and neglect the Pittsburgh Steelers/Seattle Seahawks game in favor of obsessing over the much more memorable advertising. Remember the 1984 game? No, but I bet you remember that famous Apple Computer ad based on George Orwell's 1984. Speaking of which, CBS has compiled a Top 40 list of Super Bowl commercials set to air as a special on the Saturday before the game. You can choose your favorite at www.cbs.com; I voted for the Apple spot, but Reebok's "Office Linebacker" from 2003 seems mighty formidable. Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials Top 40 Countdown airs 8 p.m. Sat., Feb 4, on CBS. Super Bowl XL kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Sun., Feb 5, also on CBS.
This article appears in Feb 1-7, 2006.