Blink

ABC’s Super Bowl Ball

January 25, 2009 8:19 PM

ABC is getting a little, well, ballsy in its attempt to counterprogram NBC’s Super Bowl halftime show. A few weeks ago, the network announced plans to air a special abbreviated edition of its summer hit “Wipeout” opposite Bruce Springsteen’s half-time performance.

Now comes word that ABC will dispatch actors dressed as giant rubber balls onto the streets of two major American cities in order to get the word out about its stunt. Starting this week, residents of Tampa, Fla. (site of the big game), and New York should be on the lookout for street teams featuring a new “Wipeout” mascot ABC has dubbed “Ballsy.” He’ll be accompanied by thespians portraying cheerleaders and couch potatoes. The actors will hand out “Wipeout” T-shirts and rubber balls emblazoned with tune-in information. ABC is dubbing its Sunday special “Wipeout Bowl I: Cheerleaders vs. Couch Potatoes.” The show will start during halftime, then pick up once the Super Bowl wraps.

—Josef Adalian