Many people get the impression that celebrities are so much different than us regular folk, but the reality is that most of them are very similar to us in terms of what they like to watch on TV — especially when it pertains to the Super Bowl.
With that in mind, we decided to scour the Internet, and some of our celebrity interviews, to get a sampling of which team some actors, comedians, athletes, ad execs, magicians and supermodels are pulling for in Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jillian Michaels, fitness trainer, The Biggest Loser: “Green Bay, 23-17. Aaron Rodgers has finally earned the right to be called Brett Favre’s successor.”
Jack Nicklaus, golf legend: “Pittsburgh, 27-24. I am an AFC guy because of my long-time support of the Miami Dolphins. Even though I have always been a big fan of the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers, I still have to go with the AFC.”
Keith Urban, country singer: “Green Bay. I think they’re both obviously fantastic teams. I’d like to see the Packers win, just to be a nice moment.
I have a lot of friends in Wisconsin.”
Alyssa Milano, actress: “27-10 Steelers. The Packers are going to have a tough time running on the Steelers defense. The Steelers core team has not changed and many of them are veterans to the Super Bowl stage.”
Danica Patrick, racecar driver: “Steelers win, but the game will be extremely close and within seven points.”
Cloris Leachman, actress, Raising Hope: “Pittsburgh, 24-10. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger is 2-0 vs. the Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers, who is much less experienced and suffered several injuries.”
Tiger Woods, golfer, Stanford grad: “I’m picking the Steelers, can’t pull for Rodgers … he’s a Cal guy.”
Lance Burton, magician: “I like the Packers. I think they have a better overall team, but mostly, I’m picking them because I have a Packers jersey.”
Jay Mohr, comedian: “I have the Steelers, 3-0. It’s a barnburner. Field goal on the first drive and then everybody just kind of plays patsy.”
Bill O’Reilly, Fox News Channel host: “Green Bay, 28-17. Aaron Rodgers will have a hot hand and the Packers defense will get to Ben Roethlisberger.”
Marissa Miller, supermodel: “My heart wants Green Bay, I want the underdog. I want Green Bay to win, but it’s going to be a tough game.”
Nolan Ryan, Hall of Fame pitcher: “I really like Green Bay, but I’m going to go with Pittsburgh because for some reason I have a gut feeling it’s going to be their year.”
Jane Lynch, Emmy-winning star of Glee: “I say Green Bay because I am from the Midwest. But really? I don’t care! I hope somebody wins and is happy about it.”
Tor Myhren, creator of the E*Trade baby ads; worked on E*Trade and NFL commercials for this year’s game: “I actually think the Packers are going to win by two touchdowns, ’cause I think Aaron Rodgers is gonna tear ’em up. Although I hope it’s close because both of our commercials are in the third quarter!”
Mark Valley, star of Human Target: “Oh, Packers. I just haven’t liked the Steelers ever since Terry Bradshaw was quarterback. This is an old feud that goes back to the Dallas Cowboys, so there you have it.”
And our favorite comment comes from actor Jeremy Piven, who is apparently as outspoken and narrow-minded as his alter ego Ari on the hit HBO show Entourage (especially when referring to Pittsburgh’s much-maligned quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger):
Piven: “Jets and Bears would have been the greatest Super Bowl. Now it’s Rapistberger and the Cheeseheads. The Cheesy Rape Burger.”
CHANNEL GUIDE STAFF PICKS
We may not be household celebrity names, but we thought we’d also let you know some of our staff’s thoughts on the big game. Even though most of us are based in Wisconsin, we aren’t all necessarily Packers fans:
Athena, writer: “Packers win. Because Aaron Rodgers is way cuter than Ben Roethlisberger, and also much less likely to attack me in a hotel room.”
Barb, editor-in-chief: “I think it will be a nailbiter, and just like this entire season, we won’t ever be down more than a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers will bring it, and Packers will win 28-24.”
David, listings manager: “It’ll be Steelers 7, Packers 0 at the half. Aaron Rodgers will overcome his Super Bowl nervousness in the second half and throw for two TDs. Roethlisberger will be sacked by BJ Raji, Clay Matthews and a streaker from the stands. Packers 14, Steelers 7.”
Jeff, editor: “It will be closely fought, and I think it will be the first Super Bowl in history to go into overtime, where the Packers will win 17-14.”
Lori, writer: “Packers 35, Steelers 21.”
Meredith, managing editor, bitter Bears fan: “Don’t know, don’t care.”
Ryan, sports editor: “I’d love for Pittsburgh to win, which means they won’t. Green Bay is going to win by 6.”
Stacey, writer: “Steelers 27, Packers 24.”
Tom, D.C.-based writer: “For fear of alienating my Channel Guide colleagues in Milwaukee, I’m going with the Packers by a touchdown.”