Super Bowl XLVI Preview: 8 Things More Relevant Than Madonna

While Madonna is viewed by many as one of the most important musical artists of all time, her time to headline a Super Bowl halftime show came and went 25 years ago.

There's no doubt the pop legend will be an improvement over the past few years' artists like the Black Eyed Peas and The Who, but the fact remains she hasn't been in the public eye since her last album was released over three years ago.

Madonna's time has come and gone, and here are eight things more relevant than her right now.

Snuggies

Please don't ask me how a blanket with sleeves became a profitable idea, but somehow Snuggies are popular.

The commercial has become a running joke among the American people, but I cannot tell you how many people I know who purchase this item for their girlfriends, mothers, aunts and grandmothers every holiday season.

Snuggies have hit all types of markets, with sports team editions such as this Buffalo Bills styled one seen on the laughing blonde woman.

Climate Change

As they say, "climate change is all around us" and I'm pretty sure it's politically correct definition has changed two or three times since Madonna last topped the Billboard Top 100 list.

Whether you want to call it global warming or climate change, it's existence has been debated by American Presidential candidates for the past decade or so.

While I'm sure there are plenty of people with more knowledge of the subject out there more than myself, the sheer fact that I've seen only two snowfalls and have been wearing only a sweatshirt around the city of Boston all Winter makes me stop and think a bit.

2012 Presidential Elections

In case you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, the United States is gearing up to elect it's next president.

The Republicans seem to be determined to find an alternative to Mitt Romney, with names like Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich and Hermain Cain all being named presidential frontrunners at one point or another.

Meanwhile, Obama doesn't look to worried, especially with that snazzy new Boston Bruins jersey to rep around the White House.

The Dark Knight Rises

Easily one of the most hyped movies of the upcoming Summer, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises is in the entertainment news constantly.

Whether it's the release of the teaser trailer back in July that got movie and comic geeks alike all jittery, or the constant discussions about whether we'll see Nolan bring Robin into the film, it's been non-stop Dark Knight talk since the second one ended.

Interestingly, every movie in the newest Batman trilogy will have been released the same years as Madonna's latest three albums.

Jersey Shore

Much to the dismay of smart people everywhere, it seems Jersey Shore wasn't just a flash in the pan.

Nope, the show is currently airing it's fifth season, continuing to make a mockery of Italian-American culture and embarrassing the state of New Jersey. And as I write that, I'm afraid there will be some Jersey natives who will argue this show is good for the state.

C'mon Madonna, you know it's time to pull off another headline-grabbing stunt when Snooki is beating you on Google's most searched list.

Kim Kardashian

Whether you're one of the guys whose girlfriends makes you sit through Kim Kardashian's television show or one of her adoring fans, everyone knows the newly-divorced socialite.

Kardashian has been a goldmine for entertainment magazines, from her outlandish wedding ceremony to the marriage's abrupt end, she has been stealing the public eye for some time now.

Sure, she's talentless, spoiled, and enjoys Googling herself, but somehow this woman continues to be one of the most discussed public figures in all of Hollywood.

Tebowing

You didn't think you were going to make it through this pop-culture slideshow without a Tebowing reference did you?

Sorry to disappoint those who were enjoying their Tim Tebow vacation, but the guy and his signature prayer on NFL sidelines has become a worldwide phenomenon.

There's a even a website where people can upload their own Tebowing pictures and share with other fans of the movement.

Regardless of what your thoughts on the Denver Broncos quarterback are, the guy has become one of the most popular names in sports over the past few months.

NHL

Sorry Madonna, but if America was given the choice between watching the Boston Bruins play the Montreal Canadiens for a period during half-time or watching your performance, I think they might just choose hockey.

Left to irrelevancy after the 2005 lockout, the NHL has risen from the ashes and has re-joined the NBA, NFL and MLB as the most popular sports leagues in the country.

Thanks to initiatives like the NHL Winter Classic and fantasy drafts before All-Star Games, hockey has once again become entertaining and winning over new fans on a daily basis.

Maybe if she does a good job at the Super Bowl, the NHL will let her sing the national anthem during game one of the Stanley Cup Championship.