As a longtime fan of the NFL – due primarily to my obsession with the New York Giants – I’ve always looked forward to Super Bowl Sunday, regardless of which teams are competing. It’s a package deal really, the food, friends, commercials, half-time show and yes, even the game itself. And while some years are certainly more exciting than others (the Giants’ last-minute victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII immediately springs to mind), I must admit I was extremely disappointed with the NFL’s championship extravaganza this time around.

Super Bowl XLV – as far as the Green Bay Packers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers – was all right in my book, and I suppose I should be happy that the four quarters of actual football were, if not mind-boggling, at least entertaining. It wasn’t a blow-out, there were very few bad calls (something that’s guaranteed to ruin any good football game) and hey, I was cheering for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Charles Woodson and wide receiver Donald Driver of the Green and Gold, not to mention their loyal fanbase of cheeseheads.

No, my problem with this year’s Super Bowl stems from the other attractions which made this the most-watched championship game in NFL history, namely the much-anticipated commercials and “up-to-the-times” half-time show.

And don’t even get me started on Christina Aguilera’s performance of our national anthem, I’m just not going there.