Do you find other parades to be good television or just the Rose Parade? I'll admit I'm not a big fan of parades in person so it is no surprise that they are even worse on TV when the immediacy is lost. Unless I have a personal connection to the person I don't see what is interesting about the 3rd Distric Councilman waving to me from a rented Thunderbird or the marching band from a college I've never heard of playing the same songs every marching band in the country plays in.

Of course, I'm also ruined by having had to attend many really lame parades because my first wife was marching in them.

Plus, the "Rose Parade" is a Portland thing that I must insist was stolen by Pasadena 17 years before Portland thought of it. The sneaky bastards.

I dunno - does it come with the basic Direct TV package?

If parades were not television shows, I'd never see them. Macy's, Rose, all of the large events are primarialy television events to me. I've never seen the Macy's Parade in person.

I've been lucky to see the 'big' parades in person. That said, it's nothing I have to see in person. For me, going to these types of things (a.k.a. things that are early in the morning and/or require discomfort of any sort) is not so much about the parade, but the company and everything else associated with going.

Stephanie Edwards speaks.So apparently she didn't want to be anywhere near Bob Eubanks.

A bit of fallout:

Hmm. Well, as usual for young'ns that grew up sans personal TV, my tastes were heavily flavored by my parents' opinions. They never liked the Macy's parade. I remember wanting to see the big balloons but they'd always change it on me. I remember sneaking the Hollywood Christmas parade. I had to sneak it not because it was about Christmas but because my parents didn't know any of the celebrities. The little I've seen of the DooDah parade on TV (seems I always miss it) I've always enjoyed.

I like public spectacles and large crowd gatherings.

Nah, it's the "Grand Floral Parade" in Portland!

I think the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Grand Floral Parade are good on TV because of the all-floral nature - other ones, not so much.

And Mardi Gras parades would (and do) make Horrid television. The floats are quite ugly on TV (and many are in person, too, for that matter) - and the main reason for floats is to hold riders who then throw throws. You don't get any of that on Television.

(But please don't make me give up Le Krewe D'Etat parade with potentially ugly floats but biting commentary!)

Ok, what is the DooDah parade?

That is its official name but I don't know anybody who calls it that.

That's my problem with the Rose Parade (either one) on TV. The attraction is that the floats are all organic and yet that doesn't show up well on TV. Many of the floats they could just be painted and you'd hardly know the difference.

At least a giant balloon maiming people on the streets of New York has some drama.

It's a parade that doesn't take itself too seriously.