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February 7

Soccer halftimes

Do big soccer games have big halftime shows like the one at the Super Bowl? A British friend of mine told me soccer games may have stuff like local kids playing a mini-game, which we have sometimes for NFL halftimes for regular season games, but what about for the FA Cup final or the Champions League final? -- Mwalcoff (talk) 01:53, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

For the games above there is generally some sort of on-pitch diversion such as a celebrity penalty shoot out but nothing big or produced. All half time periods last approx 15mins and its the first time after kick off that most people can get something to eat/drink or go to the toilet without missing the action (and also for the stadium owners to cash in). Food and drink vendors for general entry supporters usually close 10mins after the game restarts and remain closed for the rest of the night so its imperative for those that wish to get something to get it at halftime. Nanonic (talk) 07:39, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Here is a clip of half-time at THE biggest soccer match, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. As you can see, it's not exactly on a par with Madonna. However, most of the world weren't watching anyway, since TV will generally 'throw to the studio' and have 15 minutes of analysis of the match so far, and maybe a couple of ad breaks. And of course, everyone needs time to have a nice cup of hot brown. - Cucumber Mike (talk) 10:05, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I think it's interesting that they don't keep the concession stands open the whole game. Sure, most people will have their eyes on the field, but the workers are in the stadium anyway, so might as well stay open. American sports teams get a lot of revenue from selling $8 hot dogs and $10 beer. They install TVs in the concourses so you don't miss a play while waiting for food or drink. (Most stadiums also have vendors walking through the stands selling stuff.) -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:08, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I think thats partly because soccer is (relatively) continuous. It would annoy me if I had to stand up to allow someone to come past me just to go and get something to eat. Should have bought it at half-time. Like in the cinema. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.172.239.226 (talk) 01:55, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There's halftime in your cinema? Clarityfiend (talk) 09:57, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It must be the changing-ends that's really annoying. Blakk and ekka 13:44, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

See intermission. "Let's all go to the lobby to get ourselves a treat."

In reply to Mwalcoff. The workers are in the stadium yes, but they have to cash up, clean up and leave with the rest of the supporters - the 35 minutes of the second half is just enough time to do this. Since Hillsborough, I am not aware of any English football stadium which even tells you the 2nd (or even 1st) half is about to start so the 10min post half-time window is essential for those lagging behind in getting their food/drink. Also you'd have to factor in the 'not allowed to drink alcohol within site of the pitch' laws to stop people just getting drunk and irritated watching the game (and then causing a problem later) which stops clubs putting TV screens on the concourses. People walking through the stands trying to sell things will generally end up picking their wares (and possibly their teeth) up off of the steps after blocking someone's view. Nanonic (talk) 21:56, 11 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Name that tune

What is the name of the song playing in this ad? Raul654 (talk) 03:07, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

PS - It sounds like Fanfare for the Common Man but I don't think that's correct. Raul654 (talk) 03:14, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Are you sure? Sounds exactly the same to me. Adam Bishop (talk) 08:28, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

It's like Fanfare for the Son of Common Man. They've altered some of the notes of the original Fanfare while retaining its exact rhythmic pattern. It is not a recognisably distinct piece of music. -- Jack of Oz ^{[your turn]} 08:29, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, ok. That's why it doesn't sound like the version I know. Raul654 (talk) 14:28, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, on double-checking, I think it's the fourth movement of Copeland's third symphony,. which is the fanfare with some slight tweaking. Raul654 (talk) 14:35, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

What's the name of this song?

Can somebody name this song? --Sp33dyphil ©^hat_ontributions 06:30, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Nvm, it's called "Koston Miekka", by Kivimetsän Druidi. --Sp33dyphil ©^hat_ontributions 09:31, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

Bo Katzman

Where can I find information about Bo Katzman (Swiss singer) that is not in German? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Daddytreefrog (talk • contribs) 06:43, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Here? - Cucumber Mike (talk) 09:00, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Superbowl commercials

First question: Why are Sueprbowl commercials so popular? Yes I know that it is most widely-seen sporting event in the US, but the World Cup Final does not have special commercials (to my knowledge). I'm not sure if the Grey Cup has special commercials though (but I think they have). Are the airing of special one-time commercials during sporting finals an America-only thing, or are they actually commonplace throughout the world? Do the have equivalents in events like the FA Cup Final, UEFA Champions League Final or the AFL Grand Final? Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 10:37, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

One difference might be that the Superbowl is a North American sporting event, while the World Cup is international. So, you would want different World Cup ads in each nation. StuRat (talk) 10:42, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

But what about events like the AFL Grand Final or the FA Cup Final? Those are also very popular but local sporting events; the latter probably being a good equivalent of the Superbowl. And besides, do World Cup ads even exist? Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 10:53, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Super Bowl advertising.--Wehwalt (talk) 10:58, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

No. My main question is, if Superbowl commercials have any other equivalent (like World Series commercials or World Cup commercials), in America or elsewhere. Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 11:09, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

For the World Series, basically no. It's at least four games, and far fewer non-baseball fans watch the World Series, as opposed to the situation with the SB, where many people who don't normally watch football will watch the Super Bowl. AlexiusHoratius 11:13, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

What about the Grey Cup in Canada, FA Cup Final in the UK or the AFL Grand Final in Australia? Do they have special commericals as well? Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 11:16, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Then the answer is no, I know of no television event besides the Super Bowl where the commercials have become part of the show. It just goes to show how evil the NFL is if they can make us want to watch commercials ...--Wehwalt (talk) 11:19, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

But then why would be the Superbowl be different from so many finals around the world? The FA Cup does not have special commercials, it does not have half-time shows (if it has concerts, it is either before or after the actual game). Besides, why would they want to commercialize the event? Is it all about the money? It's to see who's the best in the sport, not to sell commercials. And why would they call themselves "world champions" anyway? I don't see any other local sporting events where the winners crown themselves "world champions" (except the World Series, where ironically only two countries are qualified for). Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 11:48, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

They commercialize it because the NFL and the networks that broadcast the games are businesses - it pretty much is "all about the money" at the end of the day. AlexiusHoratius 13:15, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Other American sports generally do "series" of games, not a single 3-5 hour game, so the viewer numbers are probably lower. Soccer/FA Cup etc doesn't have many breaks in play so the opportunity to show commercials is diminished. AFL... not sure why (and I am a huge AFL fan), it is just something that hasn't caught on. Most traditions start organically - ie no one decided that they would make it a tradition, it just became one, by each company (both the people making the adverts and those selling the products) trying to outdo each other. The-Pope (talk) 14:06, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Having now seen a feature about the Coca-Cola "advert" during the SuperBowl (it was made by a company in Royal Leamington Spa, not far away from my house), I think I know what's being asked now. The half-time show during the Superbowl probably wouldn't be replicated for any of the Cup Finals in the UK as there's only 15 minutes. However, the idea of having a real-time, ongoing advert on screen during play - now I can see that happening here. More's the pity. --TammyMoet (talk) 14:10, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Most watched U.S. television program in history (114 million viewers during half-time in 2012). Seems worth a little extra advertising effort. 75.41.110.200 (talk) 18:20, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I think it's become a bit of a self-reinforcing tradition for the ad industry that the actual Super Bowl is their metaphorical Super Bowl. Advertisers have used the Super Bowl when they want to send a big message because they know that it's by far the easiest way to reach the most people at the same time. (No other TV event in the US has nearly the ratings of the Super Bowl). The first "big" Super Bowl commercial may have been Apple's 1984 ad that year. Master Lock supposedly used to spend their entire TV ad budget on one Super Bowl ad each year, an ad that claimed you could shoot a bullet through a Master Lock without breaking it. During the dot-com bubble, a lot of Internet companies used the Super Bowl to try to introduce themselves to the American public. As more advertisers used the Super Bowl as a key part of their marketing, the public started to catch on. Media outlets started "vote for your favorite Super Bowl commercial" contests. The Super Bowl is unique in that people actually watch the ads on purpose. Some people only watch the game for the ads. So not only is the Super Bowl an opportunity to reach half of America, it's an opportunity to do so knowing many of them are actually watching the ads rather than flipping between channels or getting a snack or something. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:17, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Regarding the AFL Grand Final, occasionally there may be adverts largely made or at least first screened during the game or its coverage (I'm thinking of some of the CUB adverts for example), but in some ways it's not really analogous to the Super Bowl. For example while the AFL is increasingly a dominant football code in Australia, our largest state New South Wales and largest city Sydney would still regard the NRL Grand Final in Rugby League as the biggest football game of the year. The third biggest state Queensland and city (Brisbane) would probably agree. Alternatively some would say the Rugby League State of Origin series were bigger than the NRL Grand Final. So while I'd say it's the biggest single game overall nationally all things considered, the AFL Grand Final isn't as much a national event as the Super Bowl is in the USA. Couple the essential halving of the viewing market between AFL and Rugby with the far smaller overall population in the country, and there's far less reason to create an advert specifically for the event; in fact it's probably not really economically viable. The Melbourne Cup would perhaps be an event that could be considered a single once-a-year national event, but at only three minutes long it's probably not worth making an advert as it can't be screened during the race - plenty of people tune in to watch the race itself, but don't watch any of the accompanying coverage where adverts would be slotted in. --jjron (talk) 12:19, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Well, in association football, there are generally "commercials" as advertisers pay for space on shirts and on boards near the field. The NFL does not have ads on its field or uniforms. Most other single-game finals of major sports the world over seem to be in sports where the clock runs continuously, rather than in the NFL, where there can be many, lengthy breaks (the two minute warning has long been repurposed).--Wehwalt (talk) 12:24, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Tea Party hidden track

Where was the hidden track on the Tea Party album Triptych recorded? Any info would be helpful. 180.181.84.225 (talk) 13:56, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I couldn't find much information specifically about that untitled track on the internet. Some people on Amazon seem to be a bit annoyed that you have to pay extra for a 60-second track of a grandfather clock chiming, but that's the only mention I've found. I'd assume that it was recorded here: October 10, 1998 – March 3, 1999, at Alkemical Studios, Montreal, and Studio Morin Heights, Morin-Heights, Quebec, as that is where the rest of the album was recorded. Sorry that I couldn't be more helpful. Lhcii (talk) 15:05, 10 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

national championship american football high school

Is there a national championship for American football high school competition for all 48 states champions? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.53.229.71 (talk) 16:56, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Which two states don't play football? I don't know of any national high school athletic championships in any sport. 75.41.110.200 (talk) 18:06, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

There is a High School Football National Championship as well as some other sports championships, which you can see by googling. Most of them are based on polls rather than direct competition. There does seem to be a truly national cheerleading championship competition, if you want to count that. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:59, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The logistics of conducting an actual tournament for a national championship make it nearly impossible to do. First, most states do not have a single champion. They have a champion in each of various classifications based on enrollment. But they are not the same in every state. (Pennsylvania has four classifications, while Wisconsin has seven, for example. Some states, such as New Jersey, have only regional champions. ^[ref]) And even if the classifications were all the same in every state, a tournament would entail 51 teams (including the District of Columbia) in each classification having to travel great distances. The expense would be enormous and a great drain on schools which are already facing budget issues. (Many must hold fundraisers to pay expenses just to go to state tournaments.) Also, a tournament with that many teams would require some teams to play five or six more games, which is probably not physically a wise thing for young athletes. And in many high schools, the best athletes often play multiple sports. Extending football play by more than a month would run nearly halfway into the winter sports season, preventing those athletes from competing in basketball, wrestling, swimming or whatever. → Michael J Ⓣ Ⓒ Ⓜ 22:43, 7 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

As noted, most states don't even crown one football champion, they have many. In my home state (North Carolina), they have 4 school athletics classifications for all sports except football, where they have 8. That makes 8 different state football tournaments, and 8 state champions. And this is just one state. Football teams can only play a maximum of once a week, and there just aren't enough weeks in the year to have enough games to determine a national high school football champion. Even if you ran a tournament involving all 51 states (and DC) within, say, the largest divisions of each state system, that would still take 6 weeks to run, usually after a 4-6 week state tournament to crown the state champions. High school teams usually play a 10 game regular season starting in early september and wrapping up around Thankgiving; they'd be playing football well into January to run that National tournament. I don't see that happening. --Jayron32 06:23, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The first (soccer) eleven of my old school (ie 17/18 years old) once reached the semi-final of the English Schools Cup. IIRC, they played a match every three weeks, starting in Rd One v the champions of one of the neighbouring counties, win-or-lose straight knockout, then as they progressed the travel distances got longer and longer.

The main beneficiaries were probably the second XI who got to fill in for the first team players in the regular (local) league every third week.

The whole thing was incredibly low-key though, no media interest whatsoever. We (the rest of the pupils in the school) barely noticed it was happening either until we were told in one school assembly that our team had reached the quarter-finals and we all had to go down to the playing fields to watch that game. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.172.239.226 (talk) 02:23, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

I am from New Jersey, a relatively small state. If I recall correctly, we had 28 state football champions, one for each of four divisions for public schools and three for private, four regions of the state. I believe it is a little smaller today. And I agree, travel would be formidable, and expense. Too say nothing of the fact that the boys' basketball coach is impatiently waiting for football season to conclude so he can have his power forward, point guard, and sixth man.--Wehwalt (talk) 12:28, 8 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]