Commercial Christmas In L.A.

Happy Holidays to readers, non-readers and soon to be readers. I hope you and your families are enjoying the season of good food, free gifts, and fun yet perilous travel. I have just finished a horribly failed attempt to move a television into my mother's living room and get the cable hooked up...min-electrical shocks, tears and fists slamming on the well cushioned carpet floor.

We are officially at halftime in Los Angeles with the Boston Celtics trailing the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 51-45. One of the things I notice early is the officiating; there are not many calls as the players are being allowed to bang and be physical, which is a good thing. The Celtics, who regularly get to the free throw line with high frequency have only taken two free throws in the first half (both with 12.5 seconds left in the second quarter). Secondly, I notice the incessant commericals. How many full, ahem, commercial timeouts are needed? The amount of timeouts called in the first half are the exact opposite of how the coaches coach.

The constant T-Mobile 'Fav-Five' references brought into any conversation between commentators or in studio analysts...sheesh. I have T-Mobile for service, but I am wondering how the NBA feels the Gorilla Marketing that takes place on all NBA/ABC telecasts works to draw people to change their service...I am of the opinion that adults are well set in their ways when it comes to cell service so the only other demographic left to market are the young'uns who have yet to enter in the cell phone market. I am not sure if it works but they apply the pressure well along with cross referencing Disney movies by using the tired old strategy of speaking to the star of the said movie who coincidentally happens to be sitting courtside (tell me that ticket was not provided by the good ol' folks at ABC). It's good to see that there is no holiday for for marketing strategies to absorb money from people whether they are struggling economically or not.

That is my halftime rant. For those who wonder where this is coming from, I have no television and this is my first...that's right, first NBA game being watched since the Finals in June. As for analysis, the Lakers are putting up quite the battle, but the Celtics are battle tested. At the start of the second half, the Celtics are trying to throw the game away, but the Lakers will not allow it. By the way, am I the only one who noticed after a courtside 'NBA Christmas on ABC/NBA' rap by a well known hip artist and overhyped media figure, Snoop Dogg who makes no secret about his gang affiliations, he threw up what appeared to be a gang sign? (sign shown below by hip hop recording artist, Jim Jones) Snoop and Jones are from rival factions, but the hand sign was similar to what Jones is displaying. I am not writing this to gossip; this is interesting as ABC, the 'family network' allowed that to be shown. I am waiting for the media backlash on that one, especially in light of the Paul Pierce playoff bruhaha last season. Stay tuned and if you hear about it on the radio or see it on televison, remember where you heard it first.

I will check in later with a full NBA article.