Another scandalous performance at the Super Bowl
February 6, 2009
So, how about that Bruce Springsteen?
Now that we’ve had a few days to think about it, it’s time to file his stage discrepancies into the annals of Super Bowl “aww, shucks” history.
For those of you who replenished your booze during the halftime show, the performer pulled a PG-rated Janet Jackson incident. Like many other rock and rollers, as he crooned his heart out, Springsteen broke out the showmanship by sliding across the stage on his knees.
That sounds fine, maybe a little uppity for a family show, but we’ve seen worse. However, the floor-sweeper dude was either real thorough or Brucie’s pants were super slick. What was intended to be a standard concert move turned into 2009’s entry into the Super Bowl Hall of Fame’s “Oops, we did it again” moments. Springsteen slid crotch-first into a main camera.
Hel—lo, close-up!
While I’d love to say I’m surprised, in the shadow of “Nipplegate,” I can’t muster up such enthusiasm. Janet Jackson just took the cake for me.
Let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane, just for kicks, to see what else we can find in a racy round-up.
1. 2004 — Nipplegate
That is all. No explanation.
2. 2007 — Prince
Armed with his famous, however oddly-shaped guitar, the singer walked behind a stage curtain following renditions of hits such as “Purple Rain.” Whether it was an issue of him standing sideways or of him just wanting to play a raunchy game of shadow puppets … either way, it wasn’t very network-friendly.
3. 2009 — Springsteen
A video is available on YouTube of how the cameraman attempted to keep the singer from losing his balance. Not sure this was as scarring — or rewind-inducing — as Nipplegate, but this is another reminder on a family show that human beings have anatomy. And that’s just dirty.
4. 2003 — Shania Twain
She “felt like a woman” in crazy-tall boots and a skimpy piece of thankfully opaque fabric for a top. Again, I remind the network this is a family show. What ever happened to Barney?
5. 2001 — Britney Spears
See No. 4, but tone it down a bit. Meh. What else is new?