DaytonDailyNews.com

Out of almost 2,000 entries, five finalists have been chosen in Doritos' annual Super Bowl commercial contest, and Dayton proves its "center of the universe" status again, scoring two serious local connections.

First, there's 2000 Tippecanoe High School grad Mike Goubeaux's spot, "Too Delicious," which he directed; second, there's "Free Doritos," starring 1985 Northmont grad Steve Boot.

Five commercials were chosen as finalists in the contest; the winner will be determined by Internet vote — view the five finalists (and all their initial competition, if you've got the time) at www.crashthesuperbowl.com. Votes will be accepted until Jan. 25; the winner won't be known until the beginning of the Super Bowl, Feb. 1. Those registered to vote can only do it once a day, but will be entered in a drawing to win two Super Bowl tickets themselves.

The five finalists have already won $25,000 each and a trip to Tampa, Fla., to watch the game. The winning entry will be shown during the game's NBC broadcast and tracked by USA Today's "Ad Meter," which polls audience responses to the ads — typically the most high-priced TV time bought by advertisers all year. If the broadcast ad tops the Ad Meter poll, the Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" contest winner will receive an additional $1,000,000.

Boot, who stars in the commercial (he's the first guy to throw the snow globe), worked with Herbert Brothers of Batesville, Ind., on the job.

"I'm basically an actor — I did whatever they told me to," Boot said. "But if we win the million, they've got a wonderful script and we've all agreed to use the money to make a movie."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2403 or ldempsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.