The Road to Super Bowl XXXV

Super Bowl side line By PAMELA DAVIS, BABITA PERSAUD, ANGELA MILLER, Times staff © St. Petersburg Times, published January 25, 2001 Halftime set up an event itself MTV has about six minutes to set up its halftime show stage. While the crew swoops into action, folks in the stadium will be treated to a three-minute video about football players who retired this year. After the 11-minute halftime concert, MTV has about 51/2 minutes to take the stage apart and leave the field. During that time, another stadium video will play as will first half statistics and taped music. "If Aerosmith and 'N Sync were in concert at Raymond James Stadium next Sunday you would probably allow about a day and a half to two days (setup) on that operation. So if it takes them five or six minutes you've got to stand there and give them a standing ovation," said Bob Best, executive producer of the Super Bowl pregame show. MTV has created a 153-foot-wide stage that will reside on the 50-yard line. Runways connected to the stage will reach each sideline. Lights will be set up on the stage and there will be a "surround-sound feel." "We're putting a lot more time and effort into the lighting, sound and staging versus just having cheerleaders or choreographed stunts on the field," said Salli Frattini, MTV's executive producer of the halftime show. -- PAMELA DAVIS Dish restaurant hosts ESPN affair Dish restaurant in Centro Ybor will be the backdrop of an ESPN Super Bowl party Saturday night. Tampa Bay Bucs player Chidi Ahanatou, baseball player Roger Cedano and NFL alumni Paul Hornung, Art Shell, Carl Eller and Steve Young are scheduled to appear. ESPN's The Life, a new show, will tape a segment from Dish that night to be broadcast later. -- BABITA PERSAUD 'Souper Bowl' to help those in need In an attempt to share some of the focus on Sunday's game with those in need, money and food will be collected for charities from houses of worship across the country as part of the "Souper Bowl of Caring." The event raised $3.1-million last Super Bowl Sunday in its 11th year, with more than 30 churches throughout the Tampa Bay area participating. Nationally, 11,211 congregations took part. This Sunday, youths from all denominations will stand at sanctuary exits with soup pots asking for $1 from people as they leave services. "The Souper Bowl of Caring demonstrates the power of working together," said the Rev. Brad Smith, Souper Bowl's executive director. -- ANGELA MILLER Bunnies won't be on Bayshore From the Discretion is the Better Part of Valor Department: Don Wallace, founder of Lazy Days RV SuperCenter, says he got a call a couple months ago to rent his palatial Bayshore Boulevard house, reportedly the bay area's priciest at $8-million-plus, for a Super Bowl party. Actually, Wallace's wife got the call and asked if she was interested in turning over the house for a party hosted by Playboy magazine. The party is set for Saturday night -- at the Rain Lounge in Channelside. Jay Mohr joins media frenzy Comedian/actor Jay Mohr enjoyed the media frenzy, hopping from radio booth to radio booth Wednesday afternoon at the Tampa Convention Center, the staging ground for thousands of media types who have descended on the city. Mohr, perhaps best known for his role as the obnoxious sports agent in Jerry Maguire was last seen chatting it up with Chicago's AM670 "The Score." Past 14 Days March 16, 2008 March 15, 2008 March 14, 2008 March 13, 2008 March 12, 2008 March 11, 2008 March 10, 2008 March 9, 2008 March 8, 2008 March 7, 2008 March 6, 2008 March 5, 2008 March 4, 2008 March 3, 2008 Search further back Today's Super Bowl story lineup Nothing but blue skies For Ravens' Lewis, no answers, just pain At decisive moment, Armstead went right Celebrities can eat; the rest can forget it We paid for it; it paid off Be cool, be cool A reward for being unique Football, hard? Try owning a club or two AFC Guest analyst NFC guest analyst Sports Babe planning long vacation to regroup Dilfer in his glory Sharpe remarks Reselling tickets is big business Super side line Autograph demands are a sign of Faulk's times Ravens quotebook Whether wide or short, every kicker has a friend Some Sharpe words greet Lewis critics Reluctant convert finds his bliss on O-line Celebrity predictions Hilliard can take a hit Lomas Brown in line for a title Giants quotebook Celebrity watch A field guide to the celebrities Media follows the NFL's food trail Super volunteers have more answers than Regis Philbin Rooms are available, but they'll cost you Super Bowl side line Lots of money, but not for all Sand sculptures fill tall order Complaint brings an apology, tickets Art of the game Highlights of the week New rumor, new denial: no Parcells Bucs' Lynch takes a ride into the wild blue yonder Redner to teams and NFL: I must get this off my chest Loving every minute of it