Superb Owl Halftime

 As we approach the Superb Owl we end up in the now yearly discussion of the halftime show.  This year we are treated to Bad Bunny.  Apparently he is very popular among certain demographics, which is awesome.  He makes music that people like and listen to, more power to him.  However, that raises the question regarding what the purpose of the Superb Owl halftime show really is.  To start to answer that question, you'd have to look at the demographics of who watches the game.   Then you'd have to try to match the halftime to the demographic in one strategy.  Cater to the primary viewers.  Or, you could try to use the halftime performer to create a draw that would increase demographics that otherwise might not watch the game.  Bad Bunny might hit the first of those, but seems unlikely to draw new viewers.  

(Let's not forget that it is all about viewers, ratings, and ad rates.  Nothing else.)

Personally, I'm not a fan of Bad Bunny and am unlikely to watch the halftime performance.   I'm also not a fan of anyone at the alternative halftime show and probably won't watch that either.  In all honesty I don't know if I'll watch much of the game this year, but that's something else entirely.  But, I like the idea of a competing halftime show and of being able to measure which one gets more viewers.   

As an aside, it seems like the NFL could (through streaming or broadcast partners) offer several performers of different styles and genres during halftime.  

Having said all of that, my first thought on halftime performances for the Superb Owl is that local is better.   In this case, I would have looked first at bands from the Bay Area.   Green Day (who's doing pregame), Metallica, Santana, Journey, or a combination thereof.  Strangely enough there aren't many more options beside John Fogarty that have been popular.   Can you imagine Kirk Hammett shredding Don't Stop Believing?   

Beyond that, I would argue that the better option is to find an artist (or combination) that are hugely popular and have wide appeal.   While I'm not a fan, Taylor Swift is the most obvious choice for obvious reasons.  Foo Fighters are another, again not a huge fan.  While I'd prefer that they target music I like, I'm not stupid enough to think that doing so makes sense.  I do think that broader appeal is better than narrow appeal.  

I also think that style matters.   Some styles of music just work better as a big production than others.   Also it's probably a good idea to switch genres regularly to maintain broader appeal.  

 In short, I think that Bad Bunny is probably not the best choice and realize that I could be proven wrong    Ultimately it's just not a huge deal to me and It's highly unlikely that I'll watch.  On a personal note, I tend to focus on lyrics and when I can't understand the lyrics, I tune out.  I appreciate musicianship, but I don't want to see Joe Satriani shred for the halftime show.  

It might be fun to come up with a list of who we'd like to see at the halftime show.   For starters, let's stick to bands that are living.  

 

Right now, I think that the band that Sammy Hagar (who does have some SF roots) has put together for his retrospective tour/residency would be a good choice (especially if he could get Wolf to hop in).   Some combination of Styx, and Cheap Trick could be interesting as well.   Taylor Swift is the no brainer, and Chris Stapleton (who did an amazing job on the anthem) could be good as well.    Earth Wind and Fire are still amazing, as is Queen/Lambert.   Would I personally love some sort of old school rap thing with Sugarhill and Run DMC, absolutely, maybe throw Chic/Nile Rogers in for some funkyness.