Besides perhaps the Triple Crown races, this is the most forwardable event on television all year. It seems Savannah and Hoda were getting paid for every time they mentioned that the parade was an NBC exclusive. I’d like to see more floats and fewer song and dance numbers. I did enjoy that Italian opera singer and the Rockettes are always a good show. I realize that my tastes in music are not in line with the younger target demographics, so I don’t mind forwarding through what doesn’t appeal to me. Watching it live on television without the ability to fast forward would be an effective punishment for many forms of crime.
From a resources point of view, I’d feel a lot better about the parade if they recycled the helium. This resource is finite and dwindling fast.
Your OP was a wall o’text.
But I dove in with a song in my heart.
So glad I did. Very VERY entertaining.
Thanks. It was like I was sitting on your couch beside you watching!
Nice job!
KENT BROCKMAN: “Yes, whether you’re Christian or just non-Jewish, everyone loves Santa Claus!”
Roker seems to start at Columbus Circle, and when the last of the floats pass him he goes down to Macy’s. You can see the floats behind him when he’s up there.
Okay, before anything else, there are a couple things everyone needs to understand. One, I’m fully aware how awesome an experience watching a big event live is and how television can’t ever do it justice. I’ve been to football games, symphonies, ballet, theater, Vegas shows, Disney World, the works. The thing is, someone else was always taking care of the particulars for me, so I have zero experience getting good deals on tickets, finding accommodations, planning meals etc. (and cruising frankly scares me after all the horror stories), and with my needs there would be major logistical problems. I had spectacular live shows then. I have a TV and a DVR box now. That’s just how it is. Two, my point of comparison for the hosts isn’t anyone intelligent, well-informed, and grounded, it’s Matt Iseman, Akbar Gbajabiamila, Simon Cowell, Tyra Banks, Stephen A Smith, and a hundred other professional aggravations. Because of that, my threshold for what constitutes a tolerable host is way, way lower than yours. What can I say? Everyone kept yelling at me to grow a thicker skin growing up, so I did, and now I can’t relate to certain people.
Eyebrows of Doom - I’m not going to pretend to like granny showtune (or whatever it’s called) music any more than overproduced poetry recitation. I have zero emotional stake in the financial success or failure of any artistic work (and I find this one of the stupidest and most annoying aspects of YouTube movie discourse). If it found an audience, more power.
LSLGuy - Oh, wow, hey, awesome! 
So did you get to…uh…get to…keep anything? Or, ah, meet anyone cool? Or…anything else…noteworthy? (Trying to keep this as open-ended as possible.)
I always wondered how the performances avoided holding everything else up; thanks for the insight. And yes, I can imagine that some of the ladies are cold. Question: If showing the legs is required, can’t they put on sheer tights like figure skaters? I saw one dancer who used this material for the “fake cleavage” thing some figure skaters do, so I don’t see why this can’t be an option for everyone.
Beckdawrek - As it is every year (and I don’t even bother with the Christmas part). It takes me at least half the day. It’s fun, dangit! 
They get paid a handsome wage for being bubbly and cheerful, @Dinsdale.
Good work if you can do it.
I got to meet my Doper benefactor, a truly cool dude in so many ways. His Macy-ness is one of his smaller uniquenesses. I also met some of his regular IRL friends / parade marchers who’re also really neat people. And he arranged a sorta backstage tour of the balloon inflation process that begins around sunset the evening before and runs all night.
The Macy’s organization is really really, really good at this. And they provide a couple of cute “I was a 2025 parade participant” souvenirs.
Other than that and memories, not much. Any form of picture taking or recording while on the route is verboten. No real way to hide an e.g. GoPro on your costume and have it go undetected for long. I sure didn’t try.
As I posted earlier about watching the parade in person, it was really fun watching the balloon handlers, maybe the best part of the parade. Thank you for your service!
The balloon handlers themselves are just dumb ballast. We walk, stop, reel in, or reel out as & when told to do so. But we collectively do make an impressive sight as a small phalanx advancing down the boulevard with this giant thing looming over our heads.
The 2 or 3 people who’re in charge of each balloon are the talent.