For the music lovers who also double as sports fanatics, the Super Bowl is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year: there’s sports, food, hilarious shorts disguised as advertisements, drinking, and a concert sandwiched in the middle! What is there to dislike? Nothing, I say.
That is, unless, the game falls short of exciting, or more likely, the halftime show is lackluster. Luckily for the music lovers out there, the halftime shows have a track record of being one of (if not the) most talked about moments of the year. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s stunt of 2004 is still one of the most absurd moments of television history, and it happened over a decade ago.
As far as highlights reels go (because those are big in sports), we think this one, highlighting the six most absurd moments during halftime shows, ranks up there as one of the best.
6 most absurd halftime concert moments
1991: New Kids on the Block
Picture this: It’s 1991. Disney has taken control of the halftime show, and their idea of entertainment is to put on New Kids on the Block and thousands of kids singing “It’s a Small World.” It’s bad, it’s bizarre, but it only gets worse: the majority of the nation didn’t even see the chaos unfold because the network aired a news report about the Gulf War instead of airing the halftime show. The beginning of an absurd era.
1995: No music, just an Indiana Jones reenactment
It’s 1995 now. Disney has control of the halftime show again. Am I sensing a pattern? This time, after the Small World fiasco, Disney wants to hype their newest ride at Disney World, an Indiana Jones-themed rollercoaster. Best way to do this? Make an Indiana Jones reenactment where a Harrison Ford imitator performed instead of actual music! How could it go wrong?
2004: Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake
It’s a new millennium. Goodbye, Disney. Hello, nipple. In 2004, arguably the most absurd halftime concert moment occurred. In what was deemed as a wardrobe malfunction by almost everyone (not including conspiracy theorists), Janet Jackson accidentally flashes all of America her nipple for 9/16 of a second on live television. The halftime show will never be aired live again.
2012: M.I.A.
2012: M.I.A. flips the bird. A lawsuit occurs, where the N.F.L. accuses M.I.A. of ruining their wholesome image. Hello? N.F.L.? When’s a good time to bring up Nipplegate again?
2014: Red Hot Chili Peppers
In 2014, the Red Hot Chili Peppers played their entire set unplugged. That’s right. Not one instrument was plugged in. Brings a whole new level to lip-syncing, huh? Fans quickly noticed nothing was plugged in, and Flea made a statement to several news outlets, citing the NFL’s desire to keep the game running smoothly as to why the instruments were “pre-recorded.”
2017: Lady Gaga
It’s 2017 in all its glory. Lady Gaga drops down from stadium roof as an entrance, and almost the entire show she is suspended by wires. The most glorious exit by any stage performer to ever be seen occurs.
Do you think 2018’s halftime show will have its own absurd moment? Let us know on Twitter.
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