I love the speed with which the marketing kicks in. There, in the post-game show, is a pitch for Super Bowl product from the NFL Shop. (Big display up on its Web site, too.)

Actual news, too. At least, it sounded as if Jerome Bettis made his retirement official. If that's the case, it's a smart move. Always good to go out a winner, especially when you don't know how much more punishment your body can take.

The post-game has been going for more than 15 minutes. We've had the trophy presentation, the MVP announcement, words from Cowher, the announcement from Bettis — all with bad sound, by the way — and the NFL has tried to sell us stuff. Shouldn't we move on from the "Grey's" promos to "Grey's" itself?

Nope, more yakking. But not too much, thank goodness. Now we can find out what "Code Black" actually is , after a few more commercials.

Michaels and Madden have Seattle in trouble — Pittsburgh in position to force Seattle to use up its timeouts. "Almost home," says Michaels as the Steelers have a third and short. "No different than week one," Bettis is heard saying to his team. First down. "That was a Super Bowl-winning first down," says Madden.

Michaels says Roethlisberger is "attempting to become the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl." I like that "attempting to," since ABC has basically given the game to Pittsburgh.

I know, Pittsburgh has things under control. And you will hear no complaints from me if they win. The bride, for that matter, has gone to bed. But even with all the history here — for Cowher, Roethlisberger, Bettis — the game is not one for the ages. In fact, it's been a snore — and Madden and Michaels underscore that by noting that the Seahawks have mismanaged their offense at the end of each half.

Game over. Let's see how long they milk the post-game coverage.

History kind of repeats, doesn't it? Each quarterback has a key drive going, and each gets intercepted. "The ebb and flow of this one — wow," says Michaels. Ebb and flow, but not much scoring. Ebb and flow, but the kind where the highlight reel consists of offensive miscues. I prefer the ebb and flow where one team grinds out a touchdown, and the other team responds in kind, back and forth in a way that makes every down feel like a game-winner.

Yes, like that trick play Pittsburgh just pulled. Now, do we get the Cowher-by-11 graphic?

Haven't seen a really good commercial in some time. Well, that "MacGyver"/MasterCard spot was all right.

Al Michaels must love challenges. He always gets so excited at the possibility — pretty much recommending that a call be challenged.

Honda commercial with "Down Home Girl" as the background music. The Stones recorded that song, by the way, for their "Now" album. One of my favorites. Also notorious for producer Andrew Loog Oldham's liner notes, advising people to buy the album: "If you don't have bread, see that blind man knock him on the head, steal his wallet and … you have the loot. If you put in the boot, good, another one sold!"

Imagine a similar pitch to young people wanting Super Bowl tickets…

Nice piece with Bettis and Parker on the sideline.

Steelers are on the verge of another score. The game could be getting out of hand. Early in the half, Michaels alluded to Cowher's ability to hang on once he gets a big-enough lead. We'll probably get the elaboration if they score here.

Hummer "Love Is Strange" ad. One of those where you wonder, what on earth is this an ad for? Then realize, oh, for something I will never afford.

"Big, big play" for Steelers, says Michaels, and the Seahawks intercept. I guess we'll hold off on that Cowher-holding-leads piece.

14-10. We have now had more scoring in the second half than in the first. Maybe Michaels was right about the second half.

Michaels admits they were about to put up a graphic about Cowher with 11-point leads.

It just occurred to me that, while I've been watching the game in HD, I haven't felt any great impact from it. That's a function of what we get used to. Since I have been seeing the HD version without comparing it to something else, it's just the picture I have come to accept. If I went to another room to watch the analog feed, or catch highlights on analog later, then I'll be more aware of how good HD looks (or, more precisely, how bad regular TV looks when you have been spending time with HD).

Michaels again urges the audience to stay: "Some Super Bowls are over after the third quarter. … Not this one."

Well, everyone's awake now, thanks to the Parker touchdown. And 22 seconds into the half, we're going to a commercial.

And … we're back. Graphic about Parker setting a Super Bowl record. Madden on Steelers: "Now they can really put pressure on Seattle." Seahawks get a first down. Seahawks get another first down and then some. Drive stalls, Field goal missed.

They're playing that "Monday Night Football" music again, It's going to be odd not to hear it next year — unless ESPN carries it over.

Liked the NFL Mobile ad — treating Browns fans as old-school, but not that old-school.

Pizza break. Much chatter from the gang-of-four commentators, but the best thing was the shot of Holmgren jawing with the officials. Clarifies a little more the situation right after the half, when ABC tried to interview Holmgren — and got an answer that didn't match the question.

"Addicted to 'Lost' " promo. I'm guilty. The bride concurs.

Stones. Good blend of football/Stones footage over the years. The tongue. Ah, memories. Saw them in '75 and '78. Erratic sound. Are they bleeping him? Yes they are! The last word in the "dead man" line in "Start Me Up" is obviously missing.

The band still rocks, and even brings a new urgency to "Satisfaction." I suspect that if I was in Detroit, at the performance, I would have loved it. On TV, not so much,

Is it only 8:22? Feels much, much later. I don't usually watch football games as closely as I have been watching this one, and it stretches the time.

A good move by the producers: Giving Steve Young a microphone to hold. Reduces the wild gestures.

I understand the corporate synergy between ABC and Disney, but haven't we had enough of the "Going to Disney World" commercial? Let's see the crime-prevention cellphone ad again instead.

The bride is snarling at the reference to the Super Bowl as "the biggest game in the world." The Olympics are coming up, she says. I might also mention the World Cup; does anyone from there go to Disney World?

More clarification of the Holmgren comments at the end of the half. I'm still confused. Of course, the Seattle offense was, too,

Michaels striving for optimism with more than a half to play, recalling the Super Bowl two years ago had a "phenomenal" second half after a lackluster first. I'm just sorry "Topper" is over on TCM.

Hey, "Independence Day" is on HBO!

Michaels and Madden are justifiably on Holmgren now for mismanaging the drive — criticism that feels even more appropriate when the Seahawks miss the field goal.

First half ends.

"Mission Impossible 3" ad. Insert your own goofy-Tom-Cruise joke here.

I know there's a lot of football left. Still, if you're ABC and this is your last NFL game for the foreseeable future, wouldn't you want a better one than this?

I hate seeing the Muppets sell things.

Wouldn't you liked to have seen a picture of the Seattle player hiding behind towels to get his groin taped — instead of just a description of it? I'll bet some of you would have liked to see it without towels.

When Michaels starts telling stories about the referee, you know the game isn't thrilling anyone.

Roethlisberger makes a big pass to the three-yard-line. Suggested Stones song: "Down the Road Apiece."

The new Go Daddy ad. A blog reader suggested a link where I could have found it (and other Super Bowl ads) online. Every time I went there, the computer jammed. Now I can see I wasn't missing much.

"Poseidon" ad. I saw the TV remake. No rush to watch the big-screen one. especially not after that ad.

Please, please tell me we have seen that "Desperate Housewives" ad for the last time.

Good angle on the replay of Roethlisberger's attempted touchdown. Michaels momentarily muffs the announcement — thinking Holmgren has to challenge, then correcting himself to say it's up to the replay official. Now we're getting a slow-mo replay. I don't think he made it. But my opinion matters zip.

Ooh, a stat on the percentage of overturned calls. Especially useful given that this call stands.

Jay Mohr, Pepsi can, Jackie Chan. Stunt can gets crushed — much the way the big foot crushed that guy in the FedEx ad. Trend alert!

I am trying to think of Rolling Stones songs (they're doing three) that are suitable for a football game. Dipping into the CD rack. "Start Me Up" has been overused, and the game is long since in progress. "Let It Bleed." 'You Can't Always Get What You Want."

Inspired: The shaven-animal ''streaker" in the Budweiser commercial.

More homage to Jerome Bettis. Great player. But I'm tired of hearing about him and his possible retirement. I know that the people televising a game want it to have a narrative thread, and they've seized on Bettis as one here. (Others: Seahawks as Super Bowl rookies, Cowher's lack of a Super Bowl win.) But when you've heard it and read it and heard it and read it, the story line ceases to feel important. It's like reading a book to your kid every night. The kid may not be tired of it, but aren't you?

Trend alert! More NFl and Dr. Seuss — in a United Way spot.

More punting. Madden says both teams look a little tight. Well, maybe if the networks and the NFL didn't delay the game for two weeks and then make the teams sit through hours and days of hype, they'd still be on their playoff rolls.

"V For Vendetta" ad. Is that the Carver from "Nip/Tuck"? Glad he's still getting work. Not a bad trailer. I'd go see the movie. Well, I'd rent it from Netflix.

Jay Mohr, Diddy, Pepsi can. I recently watched a lot of Mohr in his old "Action" series, so I have a good feeling about this ad. I know, he's making more of a reference to his "Jerry Maguire" work. Still, you should see "Action." It's coming out on DVD.

Seattle touchdown, Michaels immediately notes the penalty. Replay after the official's call. Live play, then replay again. Can't believe that a little push-off like that is penalized. As someone once said, this isn't patty-cake.

I'm having a hard time listening to Michaels and Madden. Not that they're bad. Just that after awhile, it becomes noise — and I can figure out everything I want just from the pictures.

Good Nimoy ad for pain-reliever. VERY funny Ameriquest ad. (I know, some of the ads in the Super Bowl have been shown before. But I'll take my entertainment where I can find it.)

"Believe me, this is a Pittsburgh Steelers crowd," says Madden. Not exactly a 12th Man, though, given the way the team is moving backward — salvaging just enough to get a fourth-and-9 for punting.

Kathy Griffin, Jim Gaffigan and that guy from "Ed" in a Sierra Mist commercial. Kathy always makes me laugh.

Secret revolving Bud Light wall. All right, a little funny.

Oh, Bruce Willis has remade "Die Hard 3." No, wait, It's called "16 Blocks." I am sure it is COMPLETELY different.

If somebody doesn't score soon, I'm going to start wondering what's on TCM. Hmmm. "Topper" with Cary Grant. I'll stay with the game a little longer. But my younger son is upstairs watching "Wedding Crashers." Lucky kid.

I've never been a fan of defensive battles. Not enough scoring. Too many shots of guys lamenting failed interceptions,

Oh, the hybrid ad. I read about this online. Of historical note (bilingual) but not engrossing. Like the prehistoric FedEx ad. Odd to see it followed by the chasing-bear Bud Light spot, though. Are menacing animals the substitute for the fart jokes of past years?

Before I switched back over from the DVR to live, I heard Al Michaels saying that everyone and his grandmother has assessed the game. So true. Of course, ABC was putting a lot of that analysis on the air to fill its hours of pre-game coverage. Have you been watching? Isn't pre-game the time for snacks and idle chatter?

Of course, for many party-goers, the game itself is for snacks and idle chatter — until the people actually watching the game yell — and all head swivel toward the TV.

Kickoff at last. Bizarre graphic around the players' self-identification. It's as if they had their heads superimposed on an especially garish Hot Wheel. At least ABC shrank the graphic when play resumed.

Madden declares Holmgren a great play-caller. Almost immediately the Seahawks have an incomplete pass and a sack and have to punt.

Bud Light commercial with people crazed about hidden beer. Who runs this business, Meredith from "The Office"?

Burger King musical ad. Colorful, but did it make you want to go out and buy a Whopper? At least the Bud Light ad suggested an irrational love of the product.

One of the first things I had published was a letter to Sports Illustrated in praise Joe Namath. I retain a lingering fondness for the guy, and the hope that he has indeed put his personal problems behind him. Besides, the guy's a showman, even now, and I enjoyed his mischievous grin while showing off the Jets logo in his jacket lining.

My wife is snarling at the terrible towels waving over the introductions of MVPs from the Steelers' Super Bowl wins.

Teams presented. Color guard. Moment of silence for Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King. Of course, some people are making big noise during the moment. I guess it's hard to be respectful after pounding brews for hours.

Dr. John, Aaron Neville and Aretha Franklin on the National Anthem. Big mistake. Aaron's struggling, and feels out of synch with Dr. John. Aretha's trying to save it, but she's not being presented clearly — muddy sound, staticky pops.

Greatest televised national anthem ever is still Marvin Gaye's.

I actually backed up the DVR to show my wife the Harrison Ford/Dr. Seuss thing. It's kind of awful (as Ford overacts) but in a way a bold, silly, laugh-out-loud way,

What is this, karaoke night? Nice period costumes for the folks, but the music mostly isn't doing it. I would have listened to John Legend work through all of "Grapevine" but got nothing from Joss Stone("Signed, Sealed & Delivered") or india.arie ("Dancing in the Street," zzzzzzz). Stevie himself sounded out of breath on "Living for the City." And lots of audio issues — they couldn't seem to get people's microphones on at the right time. And a trruncated-for-medley "Superstition" doesn't cut it.

I went back into the recording more than once to be sure of that one phrase, and still am not sure. ABC's supposed to be on tape-delay, but it sure sounded like an f-bomb was dropped on my TV.

What's with Steve Young's arm movements? He looks like one of those old Crazy Eddie commercials. ("Those Seahawks! Their lineups are … insane!") Mick Jagger once again proves he is a very smart man (although a very old one, too, especially in HD), by refusing to make a prediction in the game.

Michaels and Madden on the scene. Artsy photos of guys with the Lombardi trophy. No way you'd ever get me in a shot like that. Feels too much like jinxing it — holding the prize before you've won it.

Little slow on the dialogue between Berman and Michaels. But can I contain my excitement over the (Brand Name Here) Pre-Game Show? Well, yeah.

Two of the commentators (Irvin and Jackson) pick the Steelers. Two others (Young and Berman) pick the Seahawks. Should any of us be surprised by such balance?

Kind of cool ad for "Grey's Anatomy." But definitely more aimed at the guys in the audience than the show usually is.

Oops. Overlap between an announcer and Berman.

They're playing a hip-hop song about the Seahawks on ESPN, but ABC is really pushing the whole Detroit/Motown thing. I just wish their song choices weren't so predictable — Jackson 5's "ABC" just now — as if they had just stuck some greatest-hits disc into their player

Maybe they'll try to have some fun during the game itself — Eddie Kendricks' "Keep on Trucking" when a team is on a good drive, say. Or Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'." Or Jr. Walker's "I'm a Roadrunner." They play a lot of Jr. on XM Radio's Soul Street channel, and it's fun to hear stuff like "Cleo's Mood" and "Shoot Your Shot" without the pops on my old LP.

Obvious but a great tune: "Standing On the Top" by the Temptations and Rick James for the end of the game. (At least it would be more interesting than "Dancing in the Street.") Edwin Starr's "I'm Still a Struggling Man" for Cowher if the Steelers lose. Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There" on a great pass play.

Well, we know we're getting closer to game time. (Only about an hour and a half to kickoff. ) ESPN has wrapped up its six-hour pregame show and is showing bowling.

My wife is rolling through the on-air menu. ABC is running a profile of Bill Cowher. The bride, a hard-core Browns fan, will watch anything instead of Cowher. I flip back to ABC. "Blind me!" she screams as Cowher appears onscreen.

Now she is off on the size of the knot in Michael Irvin's tie. Maybe she should be blogging!

ABC interviews Bill Belichick. Such a dull man. Also very unsuccessful when he coached the Browns. My wife peeps not. Belichick is not the coach of the Steelers.

Still, I need to remember to set up the DVR later for "Grey's Anatomy." The time set on the DVR menu is probably unreliable, since game length is unpredictable, and so is the duration of the post-game show. But it's one of my wife's favorites.

And the ESPN and ABC guys are talking about strategies, talking about matchups, talking about thing that will have gone out the other ear sometime in the next 2 1/2 hours,  before the kickoff finally happens.

Oh, there's the Jessica Simpson ad for Pizza Hut. Too bad we already did the Super Bowl grocery shopping. (Just back, in fact.) I've got a nice bag of crunchy cheese curls here, and there's a pizza in the oven. My goal is to have eaten enough before the game starts that I won't be tempted by the food ads.

Channel flip: Stevie Wonder being interviewed on ESPN. The interviewer — Kenny Mayne, late of "Dancing With the Stars," is reminscing about when he interviewed Stevie in 1986. Hey, I saw Stevie in concert around 1974. Do you care?

Uh-oh, Stuart Scott is doing one of those recaps of how much food will be eaten. Time for another handful of crunchy cheese curls. Back to ABC. Aw, nuts, a Pizza Hut logo on the interview desk…