[Dilbert San Diego]

I always wonder how the Super Bowl evolved, to have so much hype and hoopla surrounding it.

It’s simply the championship game of the NFL.

How did it evolve so that people have all these parties and events surrounding it?

How did it evolve so that major pop music stars are sought for the halftime show? How did it evolve so that the halftime show is some big bash in and of itself?

How did it evolve so that major companies have special commercials prepared just for that game?

How did it evolve so that tens of millions of people who never watch a football game all year, who know little of football, decide to watch the game?

[real saxophonist]

Look way wack. Bread and circuses.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

How did it evolve so that people have all these parties and events surrounding it?

In a word, Television.

Back when it started TV's were not common. People would try to get their friends who had TV's to invite them over to watch the game. For the teams that were playing this was the only way most of them could see the game as the Super Bowl was never played in the home stadium of either team.

Now it is just an excuse to party.

[ssaftler]

It’s simply the championship game of the NFL.

And even the first game or two was officially called the "AFL–NFL Championship Game". It was the bozos in the press, along with Lamar Hunt who bestowed such a grandiose name on it.

Now, why the hype? I'll give you the answer in simple symbols:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$