It was estimated that the 84th Annual Academy Awards drew in between 35 and 40 millions viewers Sunday (even though it was airing against the NBA All-Star Game). Although the Super Bowl XLVI trumped the award show drawing in 111.3 millions viewers (according The Nielsen Company), you couldn’t help but notice all the comparisons being made to the Oscars being the Super Bowl for actors and celebrities. Amongst Billy Crystal’s jokes and Sasha Baron Cohen spilling his urn of ashes on Ryan Seacrest, the hosts of E! and ABC’s Red Carpet Live used the “Super Bowl” analogy time after time during the pre show interviews.
Here are some commonalities between the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl :
1. Movies and football are deep rooted, historic American pastimes.
2. Both events recognize some of the best professionals who have shown excellence in their prospective fields within the past year.
3. Watching links us all to the feeling of excitement of going to the movies; just like watching the Super Bowl links us to feeling of going to games. Therefore televised viewership is phenomenal for both and the best commercials are shown.
4. Both give Americans an excuse to have parties and eat in order to celebrate players and actors that we love.
5. Actors and NFL athletes enjoy fashion. Many may not know but many players have stylists of their own who outfit them in the finest gear if they make it to the Super Bowl (also for game day attire.), much like the fashioned celebrities.
6. Teams can be compared to movies. It was frequently mentioned that people were rooting for movies like “The Help,” “The Artist”, “Hugo”, “Moneyball” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” This is much like the crazy fan following of the Giants v. Patriots this year.
7. There are winners and losers at both events. Jean Dujardin won and George Clooney lost. Competition is another quality Americans are drawn to.
8. Actors and NFL athletes both have a massive fan following and at these events Americans are forced to choose a side . There are fan favorite actors in movies and fan favorite players on teams.
9. “Movies are there for you during the good economic times and bad,” host Billy Crystal said. The same is true with Sunday & Monday Night Football.
10. Oscar and Super Bowl viewers get to see an inside look into the celebrities who attend, including a glimpse at their significant others and family members they bring.
11. Watching both events in person or on TV captures audiences of all generations because of the new and old professionals that attend in each field. Which leads me to my final analogy.
12. Academy Award champs get a metal trophy named after Oscar and the Super Bowl champs get a metal trophy named after legendary football coach Lombardi.
