Daily Dirt: Those commercials aren’t so bad after all, are they?

Get upset with too many commercials interrupting your TV viewing? Relax, sit back in that easy chair and enjoy. Just do it. Welcome to Vol. 115 of the Daily Dirt and the three thoughts you came here looking for:

1. Raise your hand if you hate television commercials. They interrupt our programs and sporting evens,  and many are simply unwatchable because they are so annoying.

But, we realize someone has to has to pay the bills, and advertisers do just that by sponsoring our TV shows and ballgames. We accept the commercials as a necessary part of life, and I have no problem with that.And let’s not overlook the fact some of those commercials are actually better than than the programming they are interrupting. I usually judge the effectiveness of a commercial by what I retain, mostly the catch phrases advertisers bombard us with over and over and over again.

Here are 10 of my all-time favorite catch phrases:

1. “Just do it” (Nike): My guess there is no more than about a dozen people on the planet who have not uttered those words at least once.

2. “I’m lovin’ it” (McDonald’s): When this first was introduced, I wasn’t too keen on it, but I have to admit McDonald’s hit a home run with this one.

3. “Have it your way” (Burger King): I’ll give you a heads-up. Food is the common denominator when it comes to this list.

4. “Finger lickin’ good” (Kentucky Fried Chicken): I just had KFC on Monday, and yes it is.

5. “Betcha can’t eat just one” (Lay’s Potato Chips): One what? One bag? No problem.

6. “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands” (M&Ms): I’ve never been a big fan of the M&Ms.

7. “The breakfast of champions” (Wheaties): The tag line is great, but so much the product. I need some frosting on my flakes.

8. “Every kiss begins with Kay” (Kay’s Jewelers): The perfect holiday commercial.

9. “They’re gr-r-r-r-reat!” (Frosted Flakes): They used to be greater when there was a heavier dose of frosting.

10. “America runs on Dunkin'” (Dunkin’ Donuts): I like my doughnuts like my corn flakes — with frosting.

There were easily about 100 more I could have chosen but I think you get the idea. They’re all gr-r-r-reat!!

2. Let’s go back to the 1990s. Specifically, 1990s television. Raise your hand if you had crush on any or all of the following actresses:

1. Jennifer Aniston, “Friends”: She was No. 1 by a mile for this decade. Everyone else was simply playing for the silver medal.

2. Christina Applegate, “Married  … with Children”: The finest “dumb blonde” character — ever.

3. Jennifer Love Hewitt, “Party of Five”: A very underrated show.

4. Lisa Bonet, “The Cosby Show”: I always thought she deserved a bigger role on this NBC hit series.

5. Sarah Michelle Gellar, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”: Even the vampires liked Sarah Michelle.

Honorable mention: Sherilyn Fenn, “Twin Peaks”: One of the strangest shows to ever mainstream TV, but also one of the best and Sherilyn Fenn was an integral part of that short-lived success.

3. Tonight will be interesting with the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings. As it currently stands, after Georgia is a crapshoot. Here’s one scribe’s opinion:

Tier 1(Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC, Pac-12, major independents)1. Georgia (8-0): Bulldogs by at least 40 this week in what should be a one-sided meeting with Missouri. (PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Steve obviously ignored the Tigers’ statement win over national power Vanderbilt last weekend. Mizzou is primed to pull off the upset, baby! JRG)

2. Ohio State (7-1): If the Buckeyes hammer the Cornhuskers, Scott Frost might finally be shown the exit at Nebraska. Put the poor guy out of his misery.

3. Alabama (7-1): The Tide should be on upset alert Saturday. They could be ripe for a shocker at the hands of struggling LSU. (PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Oh, Steve…you’re just trying to deflect for when Saban’s boys butt-whip Ohio State in the CFP after the Little 10 is handed yet another undeserved berth. #rolldamntide #kingSEC JRG)

4. Michigan State (8-0): Think Mel Tucker might be in line for a raise in East Lansing? (PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Hope Mel’s wife likes purple and gold. #geauxtigers JRG)

5. Oklahoma (8-0): Sooners are the only member of the top 10 sitting out this week.

6. Oregon (7-1): Duck fans are whining because they are ranked behind Ohio State in most national polls. “We beat Ohio State,” they say. “And you lost to Stanford,” I respond. (PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The tOSU stench here is worse than a Scottie’s Pottie in July. JRG)

7. Notre Dame (7-1): Who wins by more points this week — Georgia or Notre Dame, which plays Navy (2-6)?

8. Michigan (7-1): Jim Harbaugh is just getting roasted — again — after the Wolverines blew that game last week at Michigan State.

9. Baylor (7-1): One of two new schools to reach the top 10 …

10. Auburn (6-2): … and this is the other.

Tier 2(Conference USA, Sun Belt, Mountain West, MAC, AAC)

1. Cincinnati (8-0): I will not be surprised if the Bearcats are missing from the top four when tonight’s playoff rankings are unveiled. They have not looked good the past two weeks in getting past a pair of inferior programs.

2. Fresno State (7-2): Saturday’s date with Boise State (4-4) could be the most entertaining game on the board.

3. UTSA (8-0): UTSA and Cincinnati are the last two unbeatens in Tier 2.

4. Houston (7-1): Don’t sell the Cougars short. They should be able to run the regular-season table and finish 11-1.

5. Louisiana (7-1): Is there a better college nickname than the Rajin’ Cajuns?

6. App State (6-2): Mountaineers should not be tested the rest of the regular season.

7. San Diego State (7-1): Aztecs should not be tested against until Nov. 26 vs. Boise State.

8. SMU (7-1):  Ponies’ next three games are against Memphis, UCF and Cincinnati. If they go unscathed through that lion’s den they may deserve consideration for No. 1.

9. Coastal Carolina (7-1): Chanticleers have opponent left with a winning record — South Alabama (5-3) on Nov. 26.

10. Northern Illinois (6-2): Another potential upset here. NIU should not look past a dangerous Kent State team.

Steve Fact O’ The Day
As he’s grown older, Steve has developed a fondness for the taste of Squirt and says he relies far less on Coca-Cola for his daily soft-drink intake.