VOA标准英语2010年-The Who to Rock Super Bowl Halftime Sh

The Who's Pete Townshend (r) and Roger Daltrey (l) will provide the halftime entertainment for the upcoming Super Bowl.

This year The Who becomes the latest in a series of rock luminaries¹ to headline the entertainment at the Super Bowl half-time show.  But the Who's Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, who played a three-song acoustic² set at their press conference, are the first to admit they don't know much about American-style football.

The band, led by surviving members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, are following in the tradition of such British rock legends as the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney. 

During the Super Bowl's half-time break in Miami, The Who is scheduled to perform a 15-song medley³ of some of its biggest hits.  At a press conference to talk about the show, Daltrey and Townshend compared the length of their performance to the game itself.

"What I find incredible⁴ about American football is that we're going to playing for about 12 minutes in the half-time.  But I've heard that some games, if you take the advertising⁵ out, there's 11? minutes of [actual] play.  I don't know how true that is, I hope I'm not going to be disappointed!" 
"What do you mean, we're working for longer than the players?" 
"Allegedly."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers compared American-style football to a popular sport in Britain.

"We have rugby, which is like American football without the breaks and helmets and the padding.  But it's a similar game, not the same but very similar." 
"With less injuries, actually." 
"Yeah, apparently⁶ they get less injuries than you guys with all the padding and the helmets.  But then the British are a lot lighter⁷."

The renowned⁸ British rockers were asked if they had selected a team they hoped would win the game.

"I'm a non-partisan here, all I care is that the best team wins and you get a good game - not one of those boring ones.  But if I have to root for one, I'll just say I just think New Orleans could just do with a little bit of luck.  And it would be nice for them."
"Well in that case, I'll go for the Colts."

The National Football League says it selects its half-time headliners from a wish list of the top rock acts who have expressed interest in performing at the Super Bowl.  The NFL covers the group's expenses, but does not pay an actual fee.  About 1,000 people work to prepare the field and stage for the half-time show.  But in a change from recent years, there will be no on-field audience gathered around the stage.

The multi-talented Queen Latifah and American Idol⁹ alumni Carrie Underwood will also be a part of the Super Bowl entertainment.  Latifah says she is proud to have been asked to perform. "When you sing America the Beautiful or the National Anthem¹⁰ you feel like you are representing America.  So you just want to show up and you want to do a great job, because you also know that everyone in that crowd is passionate¹¹ about our country," she said.

Prior to the opening kickoff, Queen Latifah will sing "America the Beautiful," and Carrie Underwood will perform the National Anthem.

 

1 luminaries   

n.杰出人物，名人（luminary的复数形式）

参考例句：

• In that day there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. 亚14:6那日、必没有光．三光必退缩。 来自互联网
• Includes household filament light bulbs & luminaries. 包括家用的白炙灯泡和光源。 来自互联网

2 acoustic   

adj.听觉的，声音的；(乐器)原声的

参考例句：

• The hall has a fine acoustic.这个大厅的传音效果很好。
• Animals use a whole rang of acoustic, visual,and chemical signals in their systems of communication.动物利用各种各样的听觉、视觉和化学信号来进行交流。

3 medley   

n.混合

参考例句：

• Today's sports meeting doesn't seem to include medley relay swimming.现在的运动会好象还没有混合接力泳这个比赛项目。
• China won the Men's 200 metres Individual Medley.中国赢得了男子200米个人混合泳比赛。

4 incredible   

adj.难以置信的，不可信的，极好的，大量的

参考例句：

• Some planets run at incredible speed.某些星球以难以置信的速度运行着。
• Her answer showed the most incredible stupidity.她的回答显示出不可思议的愚蠢。

5 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

6 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

7 lighter   

n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级

参考例句：

• The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
• The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

8 renowned   

adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的

参考例句：

• He is one of the world's renowned writers.他是世界上知名的作家之一。
• She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.她以提倡人权而闻名。

9 idol   

n.偶像，红人，宠儿

参考例句：

• As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子，他是父母的宠儿。
• Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。

10 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

11 passionate   

adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的

参考例句：

• He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
• He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。