2008 Super Bowl

Sharen Turney, chief executive of Victoria's Secret, has proclaimed that the brand has become "too sexy" and thinks the company should get back to its more sophisticated roots. The comments were made yesterday during a call with VS investors — the company had some explaining to do after reporting Wednesday a 12% decline in its fiscal fourth quarter net income.

The chief executive said that the brand strayed from its "ultra-feminine" image and started overusing "sexy" after the release of their successful Pink line. That line is aimed at college aged consumers and it triggered the rest of the company's designs to veer on the side of really young, too. She said that the 2008 Super Bowl commercial exemplifies the "less seductive" image that Victoria's Secret will take on going forward.

Do you think that the commercial varies greatly from their traditional sexy-fied marketing techniques, and would you be more likely to buy VS lingerie if they can get away from their Pink-tainted past?

• Fingers crossed people! — this strike looks like it could be resolved any minute now. This week I talked to a member of the Writers Guild of America to learn about life on strike while other striking writers hilariously penned some endings to a few of my favorite shows, like Gossip Girl (cartooned above).
• The Super Bowl came and went and so did all the hype around the commercials. I told you the ads I loved and the ones I loathed, and asked what you thought of the Doritos singer and Paula's performance.
• I discussed Lipstick Jungle with Brooke Shields and Candace Bushnell in the run-up to the premiere. So far, most of you prefer Cashmere Mafia over Ms. Shields' gang.
• Kate Hudson is set to star in the drama Big Eyes. After reading Molly's review of Fool's Gold, I wonder if you guys still think she ought to stick to comedy?
• Speaking of Fool's Gold, I need your help figuring out what in the world Matthew could be drawing-up for Kate in this week's Caption It challenge!
• Oscar season is here which means it's time to fill out your Oscar Ballot! As part of my coverage leading up to the big ceremony, I'm helping you out by highlighting some films that might be harder to catch in the theater.
• Rilo Kiley made one of my Valentine's Day playlists just as news broke that Jenny Lewis is going solo again! Along the lines of love, what do you think are the most romantic movies of all time?
• The Buzz Book Club is off to a fabulous start! I'm still enjoying reading through all of your comments about the first assignment. If you haven't started reading yet, there's still lots of time to catch up, and there'll be lots more to discuss next week.

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Dogs and horses, I'm sold! Of all the Super Bowl hits and misses, I've gotta say that the Budweiser commercial of a horse with a dream topped my list. Off the bat, I love checking out these horses and their doggie pals — did you know that the Dalmatian was introduced to the traditional Budweiser Clydesdale procession on Mar. 30, 1950 to celebrate the opening of the Newark brewery?! These companions to the hitch had a vital role during the early days of brewing, they were trained to protect the horses and guard the wagons while the drivers went in to make their deliveries. Nowadays, they typically ride shotgun, perched atop the wagon next to the driver anytime the Budweiser Clydesdales make a public appearance — each hitch, hamlet, and theme park usually has two Dalmatians each!

Curious to hear more (and see this year's commercial), then just read more

In light of Sunday's Super Bowl results, I'd have to say that Tom Brady is making a habit of losing these days. In addition to his team's Sunday loss, Brady has unloaded his 3,412-square-foot, three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath Boston condo for $5,285,000, according to Real Estalker. Property records show that he paid $4,125,000 for the 10 room condo four years ago, so I guess he's gained a million or so. The property's real estate listing calls the Burrage Mansion the "Back Bay's crowning jewel," so you might say the quarterback king has been dethroned.

The residence features "gorgeous museum quality lobby, elevator access to elegant foyer, [a] fabulous kitchen opening to [a] fireplaced family room, separate dining room, [and a] fireplaced living room," in addition to a "beautiful master bedroom suite with marble bath and custom closets." No pigskin off his back, though: I think his girlfriend Gisele prefers NYC better. To see floor plans of the Victorian manse, read more

This year's mixed bag of Super Bowl commercials included some cute, funny ones and others that were baffling, bad or downright offensive. Seriously, how did the SalesGenie panda spot make it on TV at all? It's just wrong. To see what else made my "worst of 2008 Super Bowl commercials" list, read more

I'm not a big football fan, but I do love oddball commercials. This one def qualifies. I just suggest you don't watch it while you're eating.

• Yesterday's Patriots-Giants game was the most-watched Super Bowl ever with 97.5 million viewers, the Associated Press reports.
• Speaking of the Super Bowl, the Arcade Fire apparently didn't give permission for their song to be used in an ad for NFL on Fox, Pitchfork reports.
• A Jim Henson biopic titled Henson is now in the works, though casting hasn't yet begun, writes ComingSoon.
• E! Online has news that the Spice Girls will wrap their world tour later this month, canceling dates in China, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.
• Variety reports that Robert Englund, mostly known as the man who played Freddie Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, will direct The Vij, "a dark gothic fantasy in which Christopher Lee is attached to star."
• People has more on that Sarah Silverman/Matt Damon video for Jimmy Kimmel Live.
• Sylvester Stallone has signed on to direct and star in two more action flicks with the same producing team he worked with on Rambo, writes Hollywood Reporter.
• The Wall Street Journal has more on what a strike settlement could mean for getting TV shows back this season., while Broadcasting & Cable reports on a WGA memo saying a deal isn't done yet.
• According to ComingSoon, Rob Lowe will join Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner in the comedy This Side of the Truth.
• Sarah Michelle Gellar hasn't signed on yet for the Buffy reunion at the Paley Festival, the LA Times reports (update! She will be attending after all); the festival will also include panels for Friday Night Lights, Damages, and Chuck, among others.

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