Get in the game at NFL Experience

Professional football became this nation’s favorite game (sorry baseball fans) in no small part due to the marketing the National Football League has put behind it, especially in the last two decades. That hype machine is sharpened to a tight focus at the NFL Experience, the interactive fan theme park…

Letters from the issue of Thursday, January 31, 2008

A BANANA REPUBLIC Jabba in control: Isn’t it great that Maricopa County’s dictator has sent his men to Central America to train police, though it was really [Chief Deputy] David Hendershott who sent himself and the others? (“Jabba in Paradise,” The Bird, Stephen Lemons, January 24)? Maybe Hendershott can teach…

Where’s the party? A quick guide to a dozen hot Super Bowl soirees

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 Super Thursday (sponsored by New Times): At Axis/Radius in Scottsdale. Featuring performances by Diddy, Next, and local rapper Pokafase outside, and a celebrity golf classic (hosted by Nick Lachey and NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson) inside. Tickets cost $175 to $1,000. Call Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444 or visit www.axis-radius.com…

Pamela Anderson, Shawn Marion all in at Super Bowl poker party

The Super Bowl party scene has opened for business, and we were on the red carpet Wednesday night at Venue of Scottsdale for Hearts and Helmets. Pamela Anderson and Shawn Marion hosted the poker party. While star power wasn’t overly bright, as many celebs won’t arrive until tomorrow, but we…

Jordin Sparks returns home, and brings with her Sanjaya

Sanjaya Malakar sure knows how to steal the show. He did it on American Idol, and somehow he did it again Wednesday at the Skye Supper Club in Peoria. He’s not incredibly talented, and he’s less than sexy… but he still managed to be one of the main attractions on…

The best of (half)times, the worst of (half)times

There aren’t many events that can lay claim to having had both Prince and Carol Channing as their main attraction. But over the past 42 years, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has seen it all, from conventional marching band fare to Britney Spears trading verses with the only woman more…

It’s called a “media circus” for a reason

In the middle of a crowded Super Bowl Media Day, New York Giants rookie cornerback Darren Barnett asked, to no one in particular, “I’m I the only one that guy interviewed?” Turns out “that guy” was a bilingual puppet from Spanish language network Telemundo. Thomas BondTake a look at our…

Mexican hotties vs. U.S. beauties at Media Day

Hundreds of reporters descended on University of Phoenix Stadium for Media Day Tuesday, and we couldn’t help but notice the difference between the way some female U.S. and Mexican TV reporters dressed for the assignment. Bill JensenInes Sainz, with TV Azteca. Bill JensenMarisol Gonzalez, with Televisa. Bill JensenAccess Hollywood’s Maria…

Giant Upset?

Since the TV networks have every single stat associated with the 2007-08 Giants and Patriots covered, I thought it might be fun to take a step back and look at some historical Super Bowl stuff. This is all done with one thing in mind… what are the odds we’ll see…

New Times Sponsored Events

NEW TIMES PRESENTS P. DIDDY AT AXIS/RADIUS SUPER THURSDAY Diddy is slated to perform at the AXIS/Radius Super Thursday presented by New Times and Movin 97.5 on Thursday, January 31st. This will be Diddy’s only Bowl performance and his only Scottsdale appearance. Indian Plaza will be completely shut down from…

Satisfy a Super Bowl-sized sweet tooth

Your mate bounds into the room, somersaults over the couch and yells, “Honey, I got us tickets to the Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona on February 3! Let’s spend the weekend!” From here, it can go two ways — you are either thrilled and join in his celebratory dance, already…