For myself, the most enjoyable aspect of this year’s Super Bowl half time show was searching for a malfunctioning light in the 1000 or so white tight clad ‘dancers’ during the Black Eyed Peas vomit worthy performance. This year’s half time show was worse than bad. It was boring, flat, uninspired and yet another blatant example of the NFL trying, but failing, to attract us ‘youth’ to the sport of football. I guess you could call it the ‘boob curse’, because ever since Janet Jackson’s ‘wardrobe malfunction’ the NFL just can’t seem to get it right at half time. Half time is either more boring than looking through your Grandpa’s stamp collection (cough cough* the Who, Paul McCartney) or over the top stupid and short on talent like last night’s performance by Will.I.Am and the gang.
I must admit that the NFL is in a difficult position. In a market where the fan base is dominated by baby boomer males, and in which the future lies in attracting a newer generation to the game it’s difficult to find a performer that grabs the attention of us radical youth and doesn’t sicken all the 50 and 60 something John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen fans out there. But, I think it’s safe to say that Will.I.Am dancing around in what looked like a Jetson’s Halloween costume and Fergie butchering Sweet Child O’ Mine is not the solution (no matter how skanky her outfit may be). Let’s be frank, Hip-Hop generally makes your ears bleed in live performances. I guess Usher realized that, because unless he had bronchitis or a malfunctioning microphone, he didn’t even try to sing last night. But I got to hand it to him he’s got some sweet moves. Getting back to the point, the answer for the NFL lies in a good performer. By that I mean someone who is flashy and stylish but can also sing. Artists like that are few and far between in today’s music industry, and looking for one that would entertain the younger and older generation makes it even more challenging. Inevitably somebody is going to be unhappy, but I think we can agree this year set the bar at a new low.
Unfortunately I didn’t catch Christina Aguilera’s lyrical flop during her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, I’m sure if I were American I’d probably be insulted, but as a Canadian I have to admit that I took a bit of satisfaction that amidst all the glamour and over the top patriotism (F22 fighter jets included), something as simple as the anthem got fudged up. Wrong notes have come to be expected…..but forgetting the words of your national anthem is just embarrassing.
It’s a good thing the game was exciting, but I think it is fair to say that in five years if we remember any of Superbowl XLV it won’t be the Steeler’s costly turnovers or Aaron Rodger’s clutch performance, it will be Christina Aguilera fudging the anthem and those silly Gaga like dancers trying to distract from the horrid performance put on by the Black Eyed Peas. The Superbowl will never be super without good performers, because that’s what people remember. If you don’t believe me….well, what do you remember most from Super Bowl XXXVII, Adam Vinatieri kicking the winning field goal to clinch the Patriot’s second Superbowl in three years, or Janet Jackson’s boob flash? Point and case.
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