Super Bowl: Television viewing guide for pregame programming
By Dan Caesar
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
PREGAME PARADE
The rundown of elements scheduled to be included in Sunday’s Super Bowl pregame shows that are being carried by the three major outlets that plan extensive coverage:
CBS
Noon-1 p.m. EST: Road to the Super Bowl (review of the season).
1 p.m.-2 p.m.: The Phil Simms “All-Iron Team,” a look at Simms’ all-time Super Bowl team.
2 p.m.-6 p.m. CBS did not make available a segment-by-segment breakdown of what features will air at what time. But here is what is scheduled to run in the four-hour block:
—A look at the rebirth of New Orleans 4› years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the region and how the Saints have helped lead the charge.
—A jailhouse interview with Plaxico Burress, two years after he made the Super Bowl-winning catch for the Giants.
—Feature on Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
—Feature on Saints running back Reggie Bush.
—Feature on the Saints’ defense.
—Feature on Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
—Profile on Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, who have combined for 147 career sacks, plus injury update on Freeney.
—Feature on Colts receivers.
—Segment on musician Wynton Marsalis paying a special tribute to his beloved city of New Orleans.
—Interview with President Barack Obama.
—Musical performances by Steve Winwood and Daughtry, plus Food Network personality Guy Fieri prepares tailgate food.
6-6:25 p.m.: Player introductions, national anthem performed by Carrie Underwood.
6:25 p.m.: Kickoff of Colts-Saints game.
ESPN
10-10:45 a.m.: Scene setter, then actor Andy Garcia narrates a feature on Super Bowl rings and the big stories behind the quest for this year’s prize.
10:45-11 a.m.: Feature on New Orleans coach Sean Payton offering a quarter of a million dollars of his own salary to help lure defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to the team. Also, a review of the NFC title game between Vikings and the Saints.
11-11:30 a.m.: Feature on Colts fan Matt Ellis, who is attempting to have autographs of all 53 players on Indy’s Super Bowl winning roster of three years ago tattooed onto his body. In this segment he is scheduled to add two more.
11:30-Noon: Appearances by entertainers Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider to plug an upcoming movie.
Noon-12:15 p.m.: Feature on the Saints Marching Club, a group of fans who have welcomed the team from road games with a “parade” — win or lose, since the team’s inception in 1967.
12:15-12:30 p.m.: Report on Colts receiver Pierre Garcon and how he is personally affected by the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti, where his parents and three older sisters were born and still is the home of many of his relatives.
12:30-12:45 p.m.: A humorous piece by Kenny Mayne about “Aints Bagheads,” fans who wore bags over their head so as not to be recognized during the Saints’ dark days. Cameo appearances are scheduled from famous New Orleanians Branford Marsalis, James Carville, Ellen DeGeneres, Aaron Neville and others. Also set is a feature on several key players (Jack Youngblood, Rod Woodson, Terrell Owens and Hines Ward) who have participated in the Super Bowl despite extreme injuries, a situation the Colts’ Dwight Freeney now faces. In another segment, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse — who lives in New Orleans — discuss Cajun Super Bowl cuisine.
12:45 p.m.-1 p.m.: Segment on Saints QB Drew Brees’ endeavors to help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina and the friendship he has with a 12-year-old battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
1 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: An exam of which key Super Bowl catch was more difficult — David Tyree’s in Super Bowl XLII or Santonio Holmes’ in Super Bowl XLIII. Also, an appearance by musician Kenny Chesney.
1:30-2 p.m.: A report on the relationship between the Manning family and the city of New Orleans. Also, commentators make their Super Bowl pick.
NFL NETWORK
9-10 a.m.: Scene setter, NFL Films feature on Vince Lombardi and his grandson, Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi. Also, update on the Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney’s playing status
10-11 a.m.: Reports from inside the stadium; Segment on what the Colts learned from their Super Bowl victory in the same stadium three seasons ago. A report on the Saints’ activities in the last week; Commentary from NFL Films’ Steve Sabol about “The greatest decade of Super Bowls.”
11-Noon: A debate whether this is the best Super Bowl QB matchup (Peyton Manning, Drew Brees) ever; discussion on this year’s Hall of Fame class; feature on Saints (and former Rams) defensive end Anthony Hargrove; discussion as to whether the Colts are the NFL’s model franchise
Noon-1 p.m.: A piece on Manning’s place in NFL history; a comparison of Brees’ status in New Orleans to Brett Favre’s previous connection to Green Bay; Part I of a ranking of the top 10 Super Bowls; Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, who played both Super Bowl teams this season, gives his perspective on how to stop both offenses; a look at the role special teams could play in the game.
1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Feature on New Orleans prodigal son (Manning) vs. adopted son (Brees); Part 2 of Super Bowl rankings; piece on how Manning deals with blitzes.
2-3 p.m.: Feature on how the Saints’ success has affected New Orleans; A discussion as to whether Colts coach Jim Caldwell gets enough credit; segment about Haiti with the Saints’ Jonathan Vilma and Colts’ Pierre Garcon.
3-5:30 p.m.: Interview with Hall of Fame coach Don Shula; entertainers Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider promote their movie; predictions for the game.
(NOTE: Times of some segments could change.)