Super Bowl halftime shows finally acquired some ennui thanks to the Weeknd, who had to navigate pandemic precautions in the process of incorporating 55 backup dancers in bandaged faces. But the opening provided a meme for all sorts of bewilderment, as Scarborough can now confidently be known for more than just inspiring Wayne’s World.
Certified insurance spokesman
A surprise appearance in a State Farm commercial made Drake feel like a throwback to when Super Bowl spots weren’t spoiled ahead of time. But the CRTC’s idea to treat the advertising as programming ended last year. And this provided a wider reach for the Ontario government advisories to stay home “until we all get the vaccine.”
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif picked up an antibacterial endorsement deal. While the Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman was widely lauded for opting out of the NFL season to work as an orderly in a long-term care home in Montreal, his interviews about it came with a credited sponsor: Procter & Gamble signed him up to pitch Microban 24.
The big game’s lousy subplot
CTV’s airing of the Super Bowl meant repeated plays of a Skip the Dishes ad starring John Hamm but also the hangover from Bell Media layoffs. While his longtime co-anchor Jay Onrait acknowledged going solo after the game, Dan O’Toole used Twitter to pop off about Bell Let’s Talk. TSN’s former Ottawa reporter also told his story:
Christopher Plummer dead at 91. The great-grandson of John Abbott, Canada’s third prime minister, earned tributes for a stage and screen career that scaled new heights in his final decade. His filmography also contains a last-minute fill-in for a shamed Kevin Spacey, and Toronto’s psychopathic Santa in The Silent Partner.
Finally, personal brand is strong
Dominique Baker is the Ottawa-based influencer who made national news when it was discovered she took an Air Canada junket to Jamaica while on vacation from her job as a federal manager of border and travel health. While she apologized last month for taking the trip, Baker announced that she’s living the dream of influencing full-time:
