Halftime Show

[AppleDumpling]

I don't understand this. They are talented women. They went out there and did their thing. Isn't that in itself empowering?

Sure it’s empowering to them. Because sex sells. They make a lot of money. So do strippers and porn stars, but I would hope my hypothetical daughter would aspire to be something better. I mean obviously football is heavily marketed to men, so it’s no surprise. Shakira and JLo are beautiful and talented women, no doubt. I don’t care for the way they choose to present themselves. IMO, to a certain extent, it degrades all of us. Interestingly, one thing that stuck out to me was the contrast between the halftime show and the commercial for “Make Space For Women” with the female astronauts, in support of girls in STEM.

Umm hello!?!?!? Adam Levine took his shirt off last year. Where's the outrage?

No outrage from me. I wouldn’t care one bit if he kept his shirt on or off. He wanted to show off his tattoos, which don’t appeal to me, but to each their own. Women/girls are much more sexualized and it bothers me as a woman. You’re free to disagree. I’m not outraged over Shakira and JLo either, just disappointed.

 

[SteveH]

First time the idiot behind the camera focused on the performers crotch I turned it off. Just one more reason that I have zero regrets walking away from watching the NFL, and I was a Chiefs fan too.

 

[AgentMama]

I re-watched the halftime show this morning, without any kids, and while it wasn't my favorite show, I felt much differently about it than watching it with kids. In hindsight, I should have just changed the channel until it was over, I guess I was caught off-guard.

There have been a ton of social media posts about kids seeing worse than this on the internet, etc. I'm not sure what other parent's parental controls or boundaries are, but our kids don't watch this anywhere else.

 

[fly girl]

Those who know me know in no way could I ever be accused of being a feminist or a prude, however it ( finally) dawned on me at age 60 as I was watching the 3-4 minutes of Jennifer Lopez that I could stand, how different our standards and expectations of performing are for men and women in our culture. Men can basically stand there and sing and we appreciate their talent. If they are known for their dancing ability, they do it with their clothes on. Women, on the other hand, must wear cat suits with as much skin showing as possible, mount stripper poles and generally behave as hoochie mamas in Go Go bars. Bottom line is a man can get by on his talent alone. A woman must also rely on her looks and sexuality. Now I know to an extent it’s always been this way- a woman’s face and body have always played more of a part in her career than in a man’s career (with a few exceptions of course). Any thoughts from you guys or am I just blowing smoke?

I do think many women get by on talent alone, but in general I agree looks play a larger part in a woman's career. Men's too, but not the same degree. I mean come on, if Britney Spears wasn't good looking, do you think she'd have a singing career?

As to Shakira and J Lo, dancing has ALWAYS been an important part of their act. J Lo started as a Fly Girl, dancing was first. Singing came after acting. I would have been shocked (and disappointed) if they just stood there and sang. As I said previously, I could have done without the stripper pole and J Lo's first costume, but the rest was on par for my expectations of them. They are doing what they do best, and if they like showing their bodies, more power. I am not a huge Lizzo fan, but I really love how she has no qualms about her body. Very empowering.

I can't name a whole lot of headlining female musicians that are famous and considered unattractive. Adele is not ugly. Sia covers her face, but that was more to hide her identity. The only current one I can think of who makes a point to conceal is Billie Eilish. She wears the baggy clothes on purpose. I am sure there are more, but the point is you really have to think about it.

Now when it comes to the men, I can instantly think of a boatload of unattractive guys. And I know it is all personal preference but Ed Sheeran, Keith Richards, Gene Simmons, and Post Malone come to mind. There's a ton more, but that is a start.

 

[Ariel484]

Those who know me know in no way could I ever be accused of being a feminist or a prude, however it ( finally) dawned on me at age 60 as I was watching the 3-4 minutes of Jennifer Lopez that I could stand, how different our standards and expectations of performing are for men and women in our culture. Men can basically stand there and sing and we appreciate their talent. If they are known for their dancing ability, they do it with their clothes on. Women, on the other hand, must wear cat suits with as much skin showing as possible, mount stripper poles and generally behave as hoochie mamas in Go Go bars. Bottom line is a man can get by on his talent alone. A woman must also rely on her looks and sexuality. Now I know to an extent it’s always been this way- a woman’s face and body have always played more of a part in her career than in a man’s career (with a few exceptions of course). Any thoughts from you guys or am I just blowing smoke?

Nope, that's exactly what I said to my husband - the men on the stage essentially threw on hoodies, stood there and rapped. JLo and Shakira had custom, strategically placed outfits made and danced their you-know-whats off. The difference was pretty striking.

 

[lovin'fl]

Hated it too. Has-been singers grinding half naked. Not my kind of music either. I guess it was fitting in Miami though, that music. Just not my thing.
The crotch in my face was awkward. Caught a couple quick shots of them licking their fingers in an overly sexual way...gross.

 

[Ariel484]

On another note, since there isn't a dedicated thread - Demi Lovato did a great job with the National Anthem! Normally her singing is a little too scream-y for me but I really liked her performance yesterday.

 

[lovin'fl]

Billie Eilish is one of the best current singers out there and she doesn't have to get half naked and bump and grind. Girl won tons of awards on her singing chops alone.

 

[VandVsmama]

Haven't read all of the replies yet, but this year's Super Bowl halftime show is also known as:

1. Shakira's Still Got It
2. JLo shows off her sparkly silver pantyliner
3. Fun Times with Old Friends at Scores
4. Crotch Grabbing 101 for 50 Year Olds
5. Reprise of Madonna's Vogue a la 2020

 

[lovin'fl]

On another note, since there isn't a dedicated thread - Demi Lovato did a great job with the National Anthem! Normally her singing is a little too scream-y for me but I really liked her performance yesterday.

Not a big fan of her but she did an excellent job as did the other lady.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I thought that Shakira did a fantastic job. She was high energy with lots of dancing. She looks like she's aging in reverse. Loved it.

JLo...could have done without the stripper pole and thong. She's got a great body, but I don;t care to stare at other peoples butt cheeks. Was waiting for threads to pop and it to fly off. Aside from the stripper pole I wasn't impressed with her dancing or physical activity. Felt she relied more on backup dancers.

Yes, it's definitely hard to follow Shakira, her dancing is incredible! J Lo paled in comparison, but I am impressed with J Lo being 50 years old and a sex symbol, so to me that's empowering in itself, so good for her. She is really fit and looks incredible, (even if I think personally she looks like she is trying a little too hard and didn't need to go that far with her outfit). I enjoy every movie she's done too tho I haven't seen her recent one yet.

 

[lovin'fl]

Haven't read all of the replies yet, but this year's Super Bowl halftime show is also known as:

1. Shakira's Still Got It
2. JLo shows off her sparkly silver pantyliner
3. Fun Times with Old Friends at Scores
4. Crotch Grabbing 101 for 50 Year Olds
5. Reprise of Madonna's Vogue a la 2020

And the A time show. Instead of half, you got another word.

 

[Ariel484]

Not a big fan of her but she did an excellent job as did the other lady.

Yeah, same here. Glad to see she is doing well, though.

 

[wishesuponastar]

On another note, since there isn't a dedicated thread - Demi Lovato did a great job with the National Anthem! Normally her singing is a little too scream-y for me but I really liked her performance yesterday.

I agree, I think Demi did a great job! I hope her demons are behind her.

 

[fly girl]

Not a big fan of her but she did an excellent job as did the other lady.

Yolanda Adams. She sang America the Beautiful.

 

[lovin'fl]

Yolanda Adams. She sang America the Beautiful.

She was awesome!

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Billie Eilish is one of the best current singers out there and she doesn't have to get half naked and bump and grind. Girl won tons of awards on her singing chops alone.

I am really out of the loop with many younger newer singers but I have seen Billie Eilish and wow she really is incredible. They're just different in their style. I just think we women should stand by each other regardless, women are hard on other women, just sayin. But I agree, Billie Eilish is mesmorizing with her singing and her artistry.

 

[declansdad]

Worst. Show. Ever. Hopefully next year, they'll have far better taste when selecting the performers.

I thought it was one of the better shhows they've had in a long time.

I thought J Lo's costumes were had way too much skin showing. Not thrilled with all the butt shaking either, but I know that is their thing. We pretty much ignored it.

Maybe next year we can have some mostly naked men up there for the women to enjoy. J/K

last year:

I don't understand this. They are talented women. They went out there and did their thing. Isn't that in itself empowering?

The most disappointing thing to me....no Pitbull!

Pitbull performed in the pregame show.

 

[VandVsmama]

Other general thoughts....

- what was the deal with the 70's-ish Solid Gold dancers at the end?
- the kids in sparkly white cages was...I don't know what that was, but it bothered me.
- who the heck was Mr Silver doing the rapping?
- how come in 1 part of the performance, all of the male backup dancers were dressed in these weird black & white outfits with skirts?
- JLo looks great for a 50-something year old woman, but next to Shakira, her outfits were not flattering
- what was up with the whole dominatrix thing going on with JLo?
- If I wanted to go see a strip show, I would have gone to a strip club.
- I liked the salsa dancing part.
- the simulated orgy thing with JLo was disturbing and was inappropriate for prime time television. HBO? Sure, go for it. But Super Bowl? No.

 

[nkereina]

The halftime show was meh for me. I didn't think it was the worst one I've seen, but it wasn't one of my favorites. Nothing particularly special about it, IMO.

The consensus I'm seeing today is that Shakira overshadowed J-Lo. Which is ironic because it was J-Lo's halftime show with "special guest Shakira". But at times it seemed like Shakira got more screen time than J-Lo.

The dancing was great. It would have been nice to have more of the kids singing. Also seemed like J-Lo tried to cram too many songs in. I didn't even notice Born in the USA until I re-watched this morning.