NFL Don't Preach: Madonna As Super Bowl Halftime Act Draws Mixed Reaction

The NFL last Sunday announced that MADONNA will perform at halftime of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, and THE DAILY provides a roundup of coverage surrounding the selection. The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER reported the decision "sparked mixed reviews among viewers and pundits alike." ESPN's MIKE GOLIC said of recent halftime performance choices, "I've not been happy with a whole lot of them. Feel free to get someone in the now." Branding strategist ADAM HANFT said, "There are broad segments of the audience that she appeals to (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 12/5). Indianapolis-based SG Entertainment Owner STEVE GERARDI said, "It's impossible to please everybody. I'm sure a lot of people will say, 'Why didn't they get TAYLOR SWIFT or the Foo Fighters or JAY-Z?' But Madonna is an American icon" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/6). In California, Landon Hall wrote the 53-year-old Madonna is the "latest selection for the show who is in the AARP-eligibility range." Super Bowl producers "should quit while they're ahead with the '80s nostalgia thing, because nobody will ever top PRINCE" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 12/6). BLEACHER REPORT's Tim Daniels: "There was a time before the whole JANET JACKSON debacle when the Super Bowl halftime show was must-see television. Now, it's nothing more than an opportunity to use the bathroom and get another drink. ... You have to wonder how long the NFL will continue to trot out musicians who no longer capture the audience's attention" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 12/5). In Chicago, Mark Brown: "Being chosen to perform at the Super Bowl is proof positive that an act is 'so 15 years ago.' ... Being selected to play at halftime of the Super Bowl means that an act that once might have been considered edgy -- like Madonna -- has become so mainstream that hardly anybody in middle America would find it objectionable" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/6). Music journalist Bob Lefsetz: "Nothing says America more than playing it safe." He added, "If she does 'Express Yourself' and 'Borderline,' I'll be happy. ... But she'll probably show a tittie or do something to piss off the NFL, isn't that her stock in trade, ambushing our sensibilities?" (LEFSETZ.com, 12/5). In California, Tony Hicks: "We're also praying JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE is nowhere in the vicinity" (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 12/5).

TWITTER REAX: The Twittersphere predictably had a lot to say about the choice of Madonna. Raptors analyst Eric Smith wrote, "Nothing says 'cater to your predominantly male audience' like Madonna as the halftime act for the Super Bowl." ESPN's Michael Smith wrote, "Did the BCS select the Super Bowl halftime entertainment?" CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman wrote, "Madonna for the Super Bowl show. Were the Bangles unavailable, NFL?" SI.com's Richard Deitsch: "With Madonna performing at this year's Super Bowl halftime, I predict JOHN RIGGINS will be the Super Bowl MVP." The National Post's Bruce Arthur wrote, "Having just seen Nickelback as the halftime act at a championship football game, I am in no place to make fun of Madonna at the Super Bowl."