Media Hype

Reporters are usually sensitive to anything that smacks of hype — overselling and exaggeration. Yet they do it themselves and a prime example is the Super Bowl. Every conceivable angle is analyzed and beaten to death in the two weeks before the game. One would think we were about to experience an earth-shaking event rather than football. It is odd to see journalists lose their sense of proportion like this. One would expect a more restrained and dispassionate approach. The National Football League aids and abets the mania leading up to the event, and players and coaches go along with it. At some point, one wants to say it is just a game — nothing more, nothing less. There will be a winner and loser, and morning will come and life will continue.