Right now there are millions of 14 year old boys who idolize Justin Timberlake for the very first time. In case you missed it, the pop star boy wonder and his partner Janet Jackson fell victim to a 'wardrobe malfunction' during the Superbowl Halftime show produced by MTV.
During the 'accident', Justin reached over Janet's chest and riped down and across the front of her outfit, effectively (and expertly I might add) removing enough clothing for Ms. Jackson's breast to get a bit of fresh air.
All on live television.
For you french visitors, this doesn't happen normally in the United States and it's quite against the law. So maybe you can understand that it came as a shock to millions of people.
What I don't get (and this is what really bugs me) is why CBS, MTV, or Justin Timberlake would think we're stupid enough to believe this was an accident. All three parties were a little too quick to issue statements of apology for me to believe it wasn't planned from the beginning. Read what Justin had to say about the event:
Wardrobe malfunction? Dude, is that all you got?
Anyone who watched this on television could see that Justin was either trying to remove clothing or tear her arm off.
Governor Schwarzenegger has a name for this move and it's far from being called a 'malfunction'.
UPDATE: FCC has launched an investigation in the matter. Go get'em Colin Jr.!
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
This was one of the funniest things I had seen in quite some time. I had to replay it on my TiVO just to be sure it really did happen.
Further, given the rather exotic S&M theme of the dancers (which was quite a spectacle sitting next to high school marching band members) and the fact Jackson's nipple was cover with a metal pasty, there is no way in hell it was an accident.
Not bad for my first 'live' Super Bowl! (I'm in the UK...)
Accident? Really?!? So is Janet saying she tapes her nipples as a course of habit?
* heads off to check the replays (for research purposes of course...) *
That reminds me... It's been far too long since I've had a wardrobe malfunction.
That was no pastie - it's a piercing. Closeups reveal full nipple exposed in the center of the metal ring.
CBS execs approved the show, and probably had the apologies ready to go as soon as the calls started pouring into the network.
They approved that; they approved several "issues-based" ads from RJR Reynolds, etc. But not the MoveOn.org ad or the PETA ad.
What a bunch of hypocritical morons.
Hee-Hee! I was out of the room during the event, but I think that it's funny that Timberlake and his ex-main squeeze have been a part of "spontaneous" and "outrageous" live TeeVee stunts with female pop stars whose careers have been, shall we say, fading of late.
I believe the official term for the jewelry in question is a "nipple shield" — obviously a [sad] attempt to one-up the Britney-Madonna kiss controversy. Way to help influence prospective jurors for bro's trial, JJ.
I posted a fun little article about publicity stunts HERE. It's almost a surprise that the nipple (shielded or not) was a suprise.
Sorry, I copied in the wrong link. Guess I was just in shock by all this hoopla! Try THIS. There is also a animated image of the whole "costume malfunction" when you click on the link of the same name.
The other day I had a khaki's malfunction and almost sliced Mr. Lawrence right off. And, "no", I won't explain the nature of his name. ;^)
who cares? it's just a little nip.
Rachel, it’s not a 'nip' thing. It's the lame excuses that the guilty asshats at CBS and MTV are using to cover their behinds from an FCC violation and bad publicity.
It's like when O.J. said he didn't kill his wife or when Clinton said he didn't have sex with Monica. Well okay, maybe that's a little off base.
To me, if you have the nerve to pull such a stunt at least stand behind your decision. I suppose we should expect such a thing from CBS and MTV. They both suck enough wind to create level 5 hurricanes.
The Public VS. Pubic
At the risk of sounding old and lame, I have to say that this stunt took two people who are very (arguably to some) talented & deflated their performance to a shock value. As Americans why are we only "stimulated" when Brittany kisses Madonna- or Prince wears ass-less pants? De-sensitized? I think YES! Perhaps I am overly dramatic, but these actions parallel the movement of our culture. And you wonder why kids are ass-hats these days? Super Bowl is a daytime "family" oriented event- is it too much to ask that clothing stays on? Not to mention- isn't it time that the public demand the Jackson Clan to be decent....for once!
Perhaps the words stimulated, prince and ass-less pants should not have been used in one sentence. Please accept apologies.
Wasn't Prince once called "the artist formerly known as pants"? Or was it..."the artist formerly known as good"?
Yeah, I'm sure Justin "JT" Timberlake uses words like "regrettable." The man can barely speak coherent English.
At least Prince has the dignity to fade away and keep to himself, which is more than I can say for his evil twin Mikey Jackson.
Unfortunately I went to eat with friends during the halftime show. My hatred for pop music prevented me from seeing Jackson nipple-age. Oh well. Time to download loads of pics.
After reviewing this event 5,763 times, I can honestly say, I'm offended.
That was hilarious. Also, awesome blogging. I love the way you put things.
Cliff, by chance do you belong to Bill Clinton's prayer group?
actually, i was confused because the first reports i heard said it was planned. and then they were all, 'no, it wasn't.' but then i lost interest.
I have officially designated my blog as a Jackson-Free Zone. Any and all posts germane to the whole JacksonMania going around (be it Michael, Janet, or hell, even Tito) are verboten.
Reading all of this input I am surprised that not one mention was made of the overall shape and look of Ms. Jacksons breast.......even with all the "pushup" tricks she used, it looked, well, rather unattractive and and makes me wonder why she wanted to show it to the world. I have seen much prettier breast on the ladies at my health club, and most are over 50! Someone in the Jackson organization has told her she looks good baring her breast.......hmmmmmm, has she no mirrow in her dressing room?.... the emperor has no clothes!
I think Beerzie nailed this one. The pairing of currently popular stars with those of days (oh so recently) passed is as suspect as scraping the American flag off one of our nukes and placing it in Iraq just to prove we found something might be.
Just once, I'd like to see someone schedule a choir for halftime, if only to see if TV networks could find a way to spice it up.
There are good odds that Michaels in better shape if you catch my drift.
Oddly with all the talk and commentary, no one has figured out the issue. It's not about a naked boob, it is about my young boys thinking men can do whatever they want to women.
A naked boob is funny, agression against women is not.
I'm surprised after seeing and hearing JJ's right performance a multitude of times that not one individual has expressed curiosity about what's left.
Greg: You said it was against the law, so I have to ask; are you serious?!? What kind of antiquated law is that, and what IS the big deal? There's so much violence on tv all the time, and nobody seems to mind Christina Aguilera & Co. jumping around like street hookers, moaning about big dicks on day-time television, but a short glimpse of a boob during a sports event and the whole country goes crazy? That's really messed up. What's the difference between a boob behind a transparent shirt and a bare one anyway? I guess this is something I, as a Swede, will never be able to understand. Even though I've spent quite some time in the US, things like these just don't make any sense to me.
Pat, yes there are a number of things you can't do on television and one of them is nudity. You're right about Christina and co. but keep monitoring the news for the backlash that is coming from this latest incident. Broadcasters have been pushing the limits of the law for years.
And this stunt sets a new precedence.
nipple schmipple.... forget the breast, bring on the rest... how far into the future must we go before full nudity on tv is as accepted here in the good ol' usa as it is abroad?
Why is JJ like the moon? Answer: Only one side is exposed! But wait, it's the dark side, so I guess I'm wrong. Sorry!!!
"For you french visitors, this doesn't happen normally in the United States and it's quite against the law. So maybe you can understand that it came as a shock to millions of people."
Sounding like something of an apologist there, Greg, for the USA's bizarre and (to the rest of the big ol' world out there) incomprehensible and/or amusing inability to come to terms with sex.
So, it's quite against the law. Hmm, I see, well that quite explains a nation's mania.