OK, I've got to write something about this, it's been bugging me for four weeks. Show of hands: who watches Friday Night Tailgate on the Big Ten Network? This show takes product placement, a common practice for inserting marketing messages into inescapable spots in television programming, to absurd heights.
In particular, I'm talking about Ro*Tel, which is sponsoring the Ultimate Tailgate Package Sweepstakes. The BTN takes product placement here to new, hilarious levels. Friday night was the peak.
The BTN was in Columbus, Ohio, apparently previewing the epic OSU-Troy clash. The host was accompanied by former Buckeye great Butler By'not'e (always loved that name) and two young ladies attending The Ohio State Community College. They actually had a bowl of Ro*Tel on set, and were sampling it, when the host threw it to By'not'e for analysis, asking him something like "Can you taste the real diced tomatoes and green chilies, Butler?" It was asked in the same earnest tone reserved for questions like "What percentage of the offensive snaps do you think Terrelle Pryor will get tomorrow, Butler?"
He then put the two co-eds on the spot with something like "Will you be serving Ro*Tel at your next party, Mandy?" If I was Mandy, I would have been like "Hell yeah!" Who turns down free salsa, or whatever Ro*Tel is? Throw in some chips and the first keg stand is yours dude! And bring Charissa Thompson, the poor man's Erin Andrews!
When they threw it back to the studio, I half expected host Mike Hall to be doubled over on the floor with laughter. Milk coming out of his nose laughter.
Bottom line is, however absurd this is, whatever Ro*Tel is paying the BTN for the right to sponsor, roughly 1/22 of that money (after the revenue share with Fox) is coming back to Barry Alvarez.
Now, about that Solo Cup Stacking Challenge ... that's actually a perfect fit with a demographic that knows a thing or two about plastic cups.
Overall, I enjoy the show, it's funny and shows non-sports aspects of Big Ten campuses. Watch it next week, and get ready for some Ro*Tel!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Mmmm, Ro*Tel
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3 comments:
I never, ever watch that show. First off, the show itself is a silly waste of time. Second, the point of the Big Ten network is to be able to watch games that normally wouldn't be broadcast at all-- thus I only watch the actual sporting events. Third and most importantly, at some point last season they had a "which Big Ten college town is the best" competition. And at one point in the "competition," CHAMPAIGN-URBANA beat out Madison. After that, never again will I waste my time on that moronic show.
I watch the show every Friday night, but only for the first couple minutes. I get a kick out of the theme song. It actually starts out semi cool and then all of a sudden hits a switch and is the hokiest song I have ever heard! It's good for a laugh.
My wife loves that show...that in itself should tell you something.
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