I’m wondering if there’s some place I need to go to turn in my manhood. You see, last night the Super Bowl was on and I didn’t watch a second of it. I hung out with the kids until about 8:30, watched “Thank You For Smoking”, and the incredibly crude (and not so funny) “Sarah Silverman Program”, then curled up with Elaine in the warm comfort of our bed.

Funny thing is, I don’t think I missed anything. Maybe it’s not having a team to root for in the big game, maybe it’s the fact that I’ve grown to loath commercials (working evenings means I watch my favorite shows after the fact, so I can skip right through the commercials), but I don’t regret not tuning in.

Is there something wrong with me?

Jim: Blasphemy! Heresy! Thou art half a man, Cam Edwards, for thine betrayal of the Big Game is a cardinal sin against all that is awash in testosterone! Your–

Nah, not really. Although I will point out that I watched the game live at 1:30 a.m. out here, and you missed a pretty good one - because of the downpour, it was a wild game - lots of fumbles, a kickoff returned for a touchdown, some long runs, some big interceptions at the end, and fairly competitive until about midway through the fourth quarter. I didn’t have much of a dog in this hunt; I was watching with some Bears fans, and felt bad for ‘em. I hope Peyton’s ring means he won’t be in every frickin’ commercial during NFL games anymore, along with his brother and father. I remember the Super Bowl being a big deal as a kid — big parties, a real enthusiasm for who was going to win - these were the Joe Montana-Jerry Rice years, a team that was fun to watch.

The other thing is, you Patriots fans have had several years in a row where your team was in it, the ultimate emotional investment (and payoff/reward) in a game. A game between two teams you have no great passion for isn’t going to hold your interest by comparison.

So what did you think of Thank You For Smoking? I thought it was brilliant, but my enjoyment may have been partially because the indefatigable PR guy reminded of somebody or some people (Hint: Initials are “MM”; or maybe even “MK”) and I’m curious if you thought the gun industry lobbyist reminded you of… oh, anybody in particular. During the line, “they’re calling this an assault weapon, but in their eyes, ANYTHING’s an assault weapon, even my kid’s BB gun” – well, I fell out of my chair. Just sounded very familiar.

Cam: I liked the ending to the movie much better than the ending to the book. I though Christopher Buckley really wussed out on the book’s finale. The movie’s ending was much more consistent I thought.

And I enjoyed the gun lobby guy, though I would have liked to have seen more MOD scenes in the movie.