In an ESPN promotional ad for the College Football Playoff, a gaggle of partyers led by Jimmy Kimmel and Robin Thicke sing, “Yes, New Year’s Eve will be so awesome watching college football through confetti,” to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne.” The singing and new lyrics aren’t great, but the message is clear: The national semifinal games are designed to alter the American ritual of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Or, at least, delay them until after the final tick of the clock sometime around midnight.
ESPN wants to dominate New Year’s Eve, much as the N.