By Michael Hollingshead
If you haven”t heard already, Sunday”s Super Bowl had more to it than a football game.
I admit it, I watched the game with friends instead of going to the CES Fireside, and I was punished for my decision … at least that”s how I feel.
The half-time expos? of Janet Jackson”s chest left me and my friends speechless, confused and in shock. In fact, I”m still in disbelief two days later.
Though I made a conscious decision to watch the game, I did not sign up for a little light pornography on the side, courtesy of Justin Timberlake”s curious hands.
As if that wasn”t bad enough, I was then treated to a streaker in his G-string just before the second half, who danced on the 30-yard line before sprinting down field to elude security.
And, to top it off, I watched a handful of advertisements about male-enhancement prescription pills. Thanks Cialis.
All of this was viewable to the average Joe, Jane and little Tommy right there on national TV — during the most-watched event of the year.
What is this world coming to?
If I had children watching the game with me, I would be outraged. But, to tell you the truth, I would also be very ashamed for my poor decision to let my kids watch it (as I am with myself). Now I know why my old man never let us watch the Super Bowl in my youth.
The game itself was great, probably one of the best NFL games I”ve ever watched. Carolina and New England gave the world something no one expected to see: a high-scoring, last-second thriller.
Tom Brady and Jack Delhomme were great, the defenses were entertaining and a game-winning field goal by Patriots” Adam Vinatieri to cap off a 32-29 shootout was fitting.
Still, I can”t help but sit here wondering why I had to see what I saw during breaks in the game.
It bothers me.
Here is this great Super Bowl game, one that will likely be compared with previous great finishes, and all I can think about is how disturbing the half-time show was.
MTV produced the “flirtatious” episode that featured Timberlake and Jackson bumping and grinding all over the stage, doing their best to shock the world and force parents to change the channel.
I was offended even before Jackson”s shirt fell apart.
CBS, MTV and the NFL issued statements of apology for the incident, but I”m not so sure it wasn”t planned — at least in some part — but someone who works at the top.
Curious folk are piping up in Internet chat rooms saying the exposure was planned ahead of time by people at MTV. But even if it was, there is little anyone can do about it now. MTV issued their apology, claimed they didn”t know, and in so doing side-stepped any responsibility.
Even Timberlake said he was sorry about the “wardrobe malfunction.” Everyone has apologized and pushed the blame somewhere else, and the FCC has started investigation, but the R-rated material already did its damage on live television.
The end to purity has come.
Even sports are no longer safe to watch on TV.
