Super Bowl Without the Flash

Posted by Cynical Sarah on February 12, 2007

The best thing that ever happened to the Super Bowl halftime show was Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” a few years back. In the flash of a sticker-covered breast, the world of the Super Bowl shows changed forever.

Changed for the better I might add.

I was a little concerned the following year when it was announced that Paul McCartney would be the half time entertainment. It seemed like an extreme over-reaction – going from Janet and her breast to the oldest, tamest person they could find who was unlikely to do anything controversial during the show.

Back in the day, he was quite popular, but he just isn’t what I would call “rockin’ show” material. At least it wasn’t John Tesh or Enya.

The show was a little tame, though quite exciting for those closer to geriatric age. It didn’t get me all pumped up and excited for the rest of the game, but I did like the new direction halftime shows were taking starting that year. McCartney came out, sang and entertained without a million different other things going on to distract viewers from the music.

Instead of a huge production with lots of flash, lots of different hyped up stars and very little substance, the shows are now more focused on the music. Halftime is more like a concert now than a fancy pyrotechnics show set to music.

The next year, the Rolling Stones graced the stage during the halftime show. There was still a bit of a geriatric element to the show, plus the constant worry that Keith Richards could fall over dead at any moment, but the rockin’ factor was definitely much higher than what McCartney has.

Again, it was more like heading to a concert and getting to see a group really sing and do their thing. And despite his age, you can’t argue that Mick Jagger doesn’t still know how to pump up a crowd while he’s performing.

This year solidified it for me – my vote is that halftime shows are much better since the Janet mishap.

Prince came out for the fun this year. He’s definitely a performer they could have easily made a huge production for, especially considering he’s idolized by so many young pop stars who would have killed for a chance to join him on stage as well.

Pre-Janet we would have scene a show that had Prince surrounded by all sorts of purple pyrotechnics and lights as he was joined on stage by people like Jessica Simpson, the Pussycat Dolls and Mariah Carey in her grand comeback.

Everyone would be vying for a chance in the spotlight and poor Prince would get lost in all the commotion. Not that I think Prince would have agreed to do that kind of halftime show to begin with. It would take a huge pay check for him to lower himself to that level.

Instead we got a show that was the best example of how Prince can entertain thousands, even millions if you count the television viewers, all on his own. Plus I like that the producers are willing to start looking at edgier acts again.

Prince’s hit songs are all pretty tame as far as content and language, but if he wanted to, he could dig into a repertoire that includes songs like “Pussy Control” that would send censors and TV execs into a tizzy. Not to mention he’s got some sexy stage moves that could get him in trouble as well.

Lucky for us, we got some of the best of his hits from the past couple decades and fairly tame gyrations. Plus it was a rare treat to see Prince sing “Purple Rain” while being drenched by the rain in Miami.

- Sarah L. Polson

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Tags: humor, music, super bowl

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