The Cheap Seats

Football

The Morning Hit - February 8, 2010: Saints win the Super Bowl, Ovie and Crosby battle to the end, Women's hockey team arrives in Vancouver

New Orleans Saints win their first Super Bowl, 31-17 over Colts - The ultimate underdogs, they ain't. Not anymore. The Saints are Super Bowl champions now. Great game that didn't disappoint. The Saints really earned this victory!

Turkoglu returns with protective face mask as Raps rally to down Kings 115-104 - It was Toronto Raptors forward Hedo Turkoglu, who wore it reluctantly Sunday to protect an orbital-bone fracture below the right eye. Pretty sure I'd still be crying if my orbital bone was broken. is Turkoglu a super-hero?

Ovechkin gets hat trick; Capitals win 14th in row, beat Penguins 5-4 in OT - Three goals from Alex Ovechkin. Two feet of snow on the ground. One big comeback against a detested rival, with punches and name-calling added for good measure. It is turning into a phenomenal rivalry - every time these two play there are fireworks all game lone.

Champions Tour Gives It Another Shot in Montreal - It has been eight years since the golf circuit for old guys – then called the Senior Tour, now referred to as the Champions – has been part of the Canadian landscape. Nice to see more professional golf in Canada. Now if only they could change the date of the RBC Canadian open...

Women's hockey team among first wave of Canadians to arrive for 2010 Olympics - With the anticipation building on their flight from Calgary, members of the Canadian women's hockey team got their first glimpse of a 2010 Olympic venue from the air on Sunday night. Obligatory Olympic post. I have to say I'm a bit reluctant today given CTV's bombardment of their promos last night.

The best Super Bowl ads that you couldn't see in Canada

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We all know the real reason anyone watches the Super Bowl is to see the ads - at least that's what I've observed. There is usually just as much hype leading up to the big day for the over-priced ads as there is for the over-paid players.

I've also noticed a steady decline in the 'awesomeness' factor of the ads. They used to be so dependable, so reliably funny, smart and entertaining. Now they're mostly whacky concepts and more often than not include animals put in human roles. That said, there were some good ones this year, including a few from Doritos and Audi that I found to be pretty funny.

So without further delay, click the read more link to watch some of the best ads we could find.

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New Orleans Saints win Super Bowl XLIV

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In between the 891 CTV Olympic promos (DID YOU KNOW THE OLYMPICS START ON FRIDAY?), Drew Brees was able to lead his New Orleans Saints past Peyton Manning and his Colts to a 31-17 victory.

It was a close game that oddly flipped the Saints way on defense. Both teams were hailed for their stunning offense coming into the big game, but oddly enough it was Tacy Porter's fourth quarter interception that won the Saints the game and their franchise's first Super Bowl.

For the full story on the Saints win, click here.

We'll follow-up with more coverage and hopefully the best of the Super Bowl ads that ran in the US (not Olympic promos). For now you can check out this year's banned Super Bowl ads.

Let us know in the comments below what you thought of the game.

For all our Super Bowl XLIV coverage, click here.

Banned (Super Bowl ads) in the USA

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Just as pillars of the free speech movement -- Larry Flynt, 2 Live Crew, and uh, many others -- have fought to be heard, the interweb has triggered a time when such controversy can move well beyond the court of law and into the broadband-enabled court of opinion.

The elite arena for mass advertising has long been the Super Bowl. From Coke's Mean Joe Green to Apple's 1984 to the E-Trade monkey -- brands have spent and made millions off the big game. And while the game's broadcaster has always reserved the right to refuse those it doesn't deem fit to spend millions-per-second, a more recent phenomenon has seen some brands use their rejection as a selling point in and of itself. Last year, GoDaddy.com used its rejection as a way to get potential customers to log on to its site to see just what sort of elicit behaviour got its ad banned. Sure, it ended up being a bit ZZzzz, but the ruse worked, at least enough to have them go for the same gimmick in 2010.

And let's not even get into the ongoing "controversy" that's preceded Sunday about CBS' inclusion of what many have called an anti-abortion ad from Christian group Focus on the Family, that features NCAA football star Tim Tebow.

After the jump we take a look at a fistful of ads that got stuck with the label "banned," and may still reap the publicity rewards.

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The Morning Hit - February 5, 2010: Super Bowl preview, Kovalchuk is greedy, Another flying elbow in the QMJHL

Super Bowl Preview: Where Art Thou, Defense? - That the Roman numerals of Super Bowl XLIV make the National Football League's championship game look like shorthand for "Super Bowl Xbox LIVe" is fitting. I think I'm cheering for the Saints - just because it would be a great story for that city.

Ilya Kovalchuk sent to New Jersey from Atlanta for players, draft pick - Atlanta general manager Don Waddell dealt his captain to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, matching one of the Eastern Conference's top teams with one of the game's most dangerous snipers. I'm not saying he's greedy or anything, but Kovalchuk turned down $100 million dollars. Before you say this is an 'I want out of Atlanta' move - his agent said he wants the league max for his client. That's more and Ovechkin. Is Kovalchuk better than Ovie? I think not.

Canadians more interested in Super Bowl ads than game itself: poll - More Canadians were interested in watching the Super Bowl ads this coming Sunday than the big game itself, according to a new poll. I would say I'm guilty of this.

Sens turn it up to 11 against Canucks - The familiar refrain of Jason Spezza scoring and Brian Elliott stopping everything in sight continued on Thursday night as the Ottawa Senators extended their franchise record winning streak to 11 games with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Spezza heating up before the Olympics is a huge win for Canada.

And the hits just keep on comin'... - The QMJHL has indefinitely suspended Val-d'Or Foreurs defenceman Marco Scandella, also a World Jr. team member and one of the best blueliners at this year's tourney, indefinitely for this flying elbow against the jaw of a Rimouski Oceanic player on Wednesday night. I personally don't think this hit was that dirty, but with every hit being under the microscope, this will likely see some severe punishment as well.

The Morning Hit - February 3, 2010: 4 hurt in Super Bowl stage collapse, Habs get dealt another blow, New-look Leafs are obviously cup contenders

Washington Capitals beat Boston 4-1 for club record 11th straight victory - Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau finds it hard to believe his club has won a franchise record 11 straight games. Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien feels the same about his team's eight-game losing streak. This Ovechkin guy MUST be on steroids... but seriously, good for the Caps. The city is loving this new-found hockey success!

4 injured in small stage collapse outside site of Super Bowl in Miami - Four people were injured when a small stage collapsed outside Sun Life Stadium, where the Super Bowl is being played this weekend. I guess you can say that the stage pulled a 'Favre' and collapsed...  No? Too soon?

Habs' sniper Cammalleri out six weeks with knee injury, no surgery needed - Michael Cammalleri will be out for about six weeks with a knee injury but the good news for the Montreal Canadiens' top scorer is that he won't need surgery. A good news / bad news deal for Habs fans. I was jogging on the treadmill when I saw Cammalleri go into the boards and I almost fell off squirming from the sight of his leg twisting into the boards like that. He's lucky he doesn't need surgery.

J-S Giguere second Leafs goalie to record shutout in debut, Toronto wins 3-0 - It was a good night for the whole team, which general manager Brian Burke had remodelled in a flurry of activity over the weekend. Some of the greatest contributions were made by new players, led by Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Start engraving those names on the cup now! No but seriously, we'll see how long this fire lasts under the Leafs now that they know they are all trade-able.

Indiana Pacers beat Toronto Raptors 130-115, snap Toronto's 5-game win streak - The Indiana Pacers were on their best behaviour while their teacher was away. Good run by the Raps. Let's hope they can bounce back with a few more back-to-back wins.

The Morning Hit - January 29, 2010: Oilers still can't win, Raptors continue the streak, Crosby ready to lead Team Canada

Oilers' winless streak now sits at 12 games after 2-1 loss to Blues - The Oilers' winless streak has reached a dirty dozen. I wonder how many players on this team want out?

CFL commissioner Cohon asking fans to weigh in on overtime solutions - Once again, CFL commissioner Mark Cohon is asking for input from Canadian football fans. This is why I like the CFL more than the NFL. There. I said it.

Depleted ski team still confident about winning medals at Olympics - When the hype is removed and the high expectations are stripped away, all that remains is the skiing. I mean it's not like CTV is heaping on expectations and pressure on these athletes.

Bosh, Turkoglu get double-doubles to lead Raptors past Knicks, 106-104 - Bosh had 27 points and 15 rebounds and Hedo Turkoglu set season highs with 26 points and 11 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors rallied for a 106-104 victory over the New York Knicks. Bosh is headed to the all-star game, and boy did he prove his case last night.

Stage will be set in Vancouver for Sidney Crosby to lead Team Canada - Veteran defenceman Scott Niedermayer may wear the C for Canada, but there won't be a hockey player under more scrutiny in Vancouver than Sidney Crosby. In many ways, Team Canada will be the 22-year-old star forward's team. Let's hope Sid can start finding the net again before the Olympics start.

The Morning Hit - January 28, 2010: CFLer named to bobsled team, Arenas suspended for the year, Alomar heads to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

No wait here - Alomar named for induction to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame - Unlike Cooperstown, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame isn't wasting any time in adding Roberto Alomar to its ranks. Congrats to Alomar - I am being nice so he doesn't spit on me. But well deserved.

NBA commissioner Stern suspends Wizards' Arenas, Crittenton for rest of season - When Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton brought their dispute to work, they needed to leave the guns at home. Harsh punishment, but I'm ok with it.

From the CFL to the Olympics, running back Jesse Lumsden named to bobsled team - Jesse Lumsden could win an Olympic medal before he ever wins a Grey Cup. Good for Jesse. 100 bucks says he pulls up lame with a shoulder injury in the first quarter run.

Lecavalier has nifty goal, Niittymaki has strong game as Lightning beat Montreal - Key goals and strong goaltending paid off for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who finally have their first three-game winning streak of the season. Montreal can't seem to buy a break right now. What with team feuds and all.

Professor says his formula shows Canada will lead the medal parade in Vancouver - Canada will indeed own the podium at the Vancouver Olympics, according to a medals projection by a Colorado College economics professor. I call BS. I bet this guy just has a time machine in his basement and he purchased a Sports Almanac in the future just like Marty McFly.

The Morning Hit - January 26, 2010: Favre may or may not retire, Footballer shot in the head, Yzerman nervous about injuries

Patrice Cormier releases statement accepting season-long suspension from QMJHL - Patrice Cormier is going to accept his punishment from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Enough has been said about this whole thing, so I'll just leave it at that.

Team Canada boss Steve Yzerman keeping an eye on team's injured players - These are the truly anxious moments for Steve Yzerman. Maybe Phaneuf and Fisher will make the team after all!

Salvador Cabanas, star on Paraguay's World Cup team, shot in head in Mexico City bar - Salvador Cabanas, the top player on Paraguay's World Cup team, was shot in the head before dawn Monday in the bathroom of a bar in a well-off neighbourhood in Mexico City. Terrible news, as of right now he's clinging to life in hospital.

Favre's inspirational performance marred by late interception; will he be back? - Battered and beaten, Brett Favre limped off the field for perhaps the final time. I say he plays one more season. Anyone want to bet?

Rare goal from Lukowich leads Canucks to fifth straight win, 3-2 over Sabres - It took 12 seasons, but Brad Lukowich is finally living his NHL dream. This Canuck team is looking more and more like the Canadian team to beat nowadays. Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto are all looking pretty bland. The Habs and Sens have at least turned it up recently.

Brett Favre shops for a TV, might hang with sales guy in Miami

In case you hadn't heard, this weekend there are a couple of big NFL games happening. One, featuring the Vikings of Minnesota and the Saints of New Orleans, will star the Vikings' 79-year-old quarterback Brett Favre. When he's not defying age and being looked upon as a dirty traitor by the fine folks of Wisconsin, Favre can be seen in TV ads. Here, he's taken a break from playing pick-up with his buddies in reasonably-priced jeans to "hilariously" shop for a TV at Sears. As an actor, his power is really in what he doesn't do. Sometimes it's hard to even see if his lips are moving.

On a semi-related note: J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets!

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