Bierman’s six-pack: Issue #4
Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts – some sports-related, some not – and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week.
- What a Great Super Bowl!
The game itself? A total dud. But watching the Chiefs look confused, flustered, and ultimately embarrassed? That was pure joy for me.
Mahomes is a great QB and a future Hall of Famer, but he’s so overexposed. And something about his demeanor just irks me. As for Kelce, I lost a lot of respect for him after last year’s Super Bowl when he screamed at Andy Reid on the sideline. It showed a side of him I didn’t expect – disrespectful and kind of bratty.
At least this should finally put those conspiracy theories to bed about the NFL doing everything it can to help the Chiefs win. While I am far from an Eagles fan, I was absolutely cheering them on, and they delivered a dominating performance. Six sacks, three turnovers, and a pick-six on defense? Wow, quite impressive.
Even though Saquon Barkley had one of his worst games of the season, Jalen Hurts stepped up big time with his legs and his arm, earning a well-deserved MVP. Congrats to the Eagles and their fans on a great season!
Now, if only Zac Taylor could figure out how to win a game in September, maybe Joe Burrow and my Bengals will be playing in this game next year.
2. The Commercials and Half-Time Show
I’m hearing a lot of chatter that this might go down as one of the worst halftime shows ever. It wasn’t my cup of tea—I couldn’t name a single Kendrick Lamar song—but there are plenty of people who love his style. Clearly, the NFL and advertisers were targeting that crowd. I will say I enjoyed seeing Samuel L. Jackson as “Uncle Sam,” and the choreography was impressive as always. Still, I can’t help but wonder: why is it so hard to find a halftime performer or band that everyone can enjoy? Or maybe I’m just getting old and crotchety.
As for the commercials, I genuinely enjoyed most of them this year. We’ve been going to Super Bowl parties the past five or six years, but this time we decided to just chill at home—partly so we could actually watch the game and the commercials without constant socializing. And honestly? It was kind of perfect.
My favorite spots: Hellman’s homage to When Harry Met Sally, the Uber Eats Football Eating Conspiracy with Matthew McConaughey, and the Michelob Ultra Pickleball ad with Willem Dafoe and Catherine O’Hara playing beer-loving hustlers.
Least favorites? The Coffee Mate and Seal ads were just plain weird.
Maybe next year, we’ll get a halftime show and commercials that strike the perfect balance. But until then, there’s always this gem from a few years back that always makes me laugh.
3. A Nod to a TV Classic
I caught a few minutes of an old Diff’rent Strokes episode the other day, and it took me right back to being a kid in the ‘80s. Man, I lovedthat show. The theme song is still catchy, Phillip Drummond ranks as one of the best TV dads of all time, and Gary Coleman had perfect comedic timing with his iconic, “Whatchu talkin’ about, Willis?”
One of the things I remember about Diff’rent Strokes being set apart from other sitcoms at the time were its “very special” episodes, which tackled heavy, often taboo topics for TV at the time – like bulimia, alcoholism, and even the dangers of sexual predators. While the show may feel dated in some ways now, a lot of its messaging still holds up.
It’s also bittersweet to realize that Todd Bridges is the only surviving main cast member.
While it may not go down as one of the greatest of all-time, I always enjoyed it and am grateful I grew up with shows like that. And seriously, who wouldn’t want a dad like Mr. Drummond??!?
4. Game Night is Fun Night
One of the things I’m really grateful for is growing up in a family that loved playing board games. I remember sitting down for endless Scrabble battles with my older brother and his girlfriend (now wife) when I was around 10 or 11. I’m convinced that playing so much of it helped me become a better speller – and eventually a better writer. It also taught me just how competitive I can be – it felt so awesome when I finally beat them fair and square.
Thankfully, my wife and kids also love playing games. We recently got introduced to a newer one called CodeNames. It took me a little time to warm up to it (and fully understand it), but it’s a fun one and I would highly recommend. Our family favorites are Scattergories, Rummikub, and we’ve even recently began playing old school charades which I’ve really enjoyed.
Now, one of my all-time favorite games is Risk, but I just can’t convince enough people in my family to play it with me. So, if you’re up for a game of world domination, hit me up.
5. Scheffler is Good, but Is He Great?
I just don’t like LIV Golf. I have no interest in watching it. While I harbor no ill feelings toward the players who went over there – I get it, take that huge payday – I’m just not invested in it. I just really enjoy watching PGA golf because these guys are still incredibly talented, its what I grew up with, and I like the rules and structure of it.
That said, it recently dawned on me that I probably need to ease up on how much praise I’ve been heaping on Scottie Scheffler. On our last podcast, I called him the most dominant and best golfer since Tiger Woods. And while that might be true, I have to acknowledge that his incredible 2024 season happened against a field that didn’t regularly include some of the sport’s top talent – guys like Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Bryson DeChambeau, among others.
That’s not to diminish what Scheffler accomplished. Winning nine tournaments in a season is no joke, and taking home the green jacket at Augusta – where those same LIV players were present – was proof of how great he can be. But when the PGA Tour fields are missing so many elite players week in and week out, it does water down the competition to some extent.
I’m not saying he can’t be one of the all-time greats. I’m just saying I need to pump the brakes for now.
6. Guilty Pleasure Flicks
Let’s wrap this week’s edition with a throwback to some movies I could rewatch over and over again—but wouldn’t necessarily admit at a dinner party (we’ll chalk this confession up to my lingering Super Bowl hangover). Here are a few of my guilty pleasure favorites:
- Iron Eagle – It’s basically Top Gun with a high schooler and a rocking rendition of “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” What’s not to love?!
- Pitch Perfect – The songs are insanely catchy, and Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, and Brittany Snow?! C’mon!
- National Treasure – Nic Cage saving our country’s most precious documents in increasingly ridiculous ways? Yes, please.
- Reindeer Games – My wife hates this movie and refuses to watch it with me at Christmas. But Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, and the late, great Dennis Farina—plus a cool twist ending—make this an all-time underrated gem!
- Under Siege – Steven Seagal as a badass Navy cook taking on evil Gary Busey and Tommy Lee Jones, with an assist from Erika Eleniak? Sign me up every time.
This is basically the perfect list, but would love to hear from you too Sandman Nation – what are those flicks you just love to watch, even if you’re slightly embarrassed to admit it?
Thanks for checking out this week’s Six Pack, Sandman Nation! I’d love to hear your thoughts: what resonated with you, what you disagree with, or your own takes on these topics. Drop your comments below and let’s keep the conversation going. Have a great week!
