Super Bowl LIII will air on CBS, which makes Maroon 5 interesting as Levine is a mainstay on NBC's "The Voice"GETTY IMAGES
The reported selection of Maroon 5 as the halftime act for Super Bowl LIII is "hardly surprising, considering the NFL's penchant for successful yet nonthreatening middle-of-the-road acts in recent years," according to Matt Bonesteel of the WASHINGTON POST. Maroon 5 "fits that bill perfectly." Variety yesterday reported that the band would play the halftime show, though the NFL "will not comment until the halftime performer or performers officially are named" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/19). CNBC’s Mike Santoli notes Maroon 5 is not an "edgy choice," but the "target audience for the Super Bowl is literally everybody." Santoli: "It’s lowest common denominator. It’s broad. it’s not going to offend anybody” (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 9/20). THE RINGER's Michael Baumann wrote Maroon 5 may not be the "best or most popular band," but its music appeals to a "boring, down-the-middle, white bourgeois taste." Baumann: "You know what? That's fine" (THERINGER.com, 9/19). ESQUIRE's Matt Miller wrote Maroon 5 is a "logical choice," as it is "safe during a time when the NFL doesn't want to take risks, when a political statement would be disastrous." However, everyone will "forget Maroon 5 performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show as Maroon 5 performs the Super Bowl Halftime Show" (ESQUIRE.com, 9/19). DEADSPIN's Barry Petchesky wrote Maroon 5 likely will be like "almost all halftime shows, fine and forgettable" (DEADSPIN.com, 9/19).
A ROTTEN GEORGIA PEACH: SI.com's Jonathan Jones writes Maroon 5 is a "totally good and safe pick to play the NFL's biggest show." However, a problem with that selection is that Super Bowl LIII will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Atlanta is "home to some of the best rappers in the game today, and ever" (SI.com, 9/20). USA TODAY's Dan Wolken wrote it would be "almost impossible to pick a pop act this side of Nickelback that says 'not Atlanta' like the one they chose" (USATODAY.com, 9/19). But FS1’s Jason Whitlock said, “The fans in the stadium and the majority of people watching the game on TV do not want to hear hip-hop” ("Speak For Yourself," FS1, 9/19).
PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS? In K.C., Pete Grathoff noted many people online were wondering yesterday why an "artist from Atlanta was not chosen to do the halftime show" (KANSASCITY.com, 9/19). Yahoo Sports’ Shalise Manza Young wrote on Twitter, “Atlanta has one of the richest music scenes in the country and you pick Maroon 5.” Atlanta-based WQXI-FM’s Mike Bell: “With Atlanta’s amazing hip hop and R&B Heritage the NFL goes with Maroon 5 for the Super Bowl halftime show. … Lame.” FS1’s Shannon Sharpe: “WTF. Outcast, Usher, Ludicrous, T.I, Migos, Yeezy, Lil Jon are ATL originals and we get Maroon 5?” ESPN’s Elle Duncan: “I was not naive enough to assume the NFL would ask Dem Franchise Boyz to do the halftime show in ATLANTA but damn not even big name, mainstream Atlanta artists made the cut? Feels like a real miss but I have faith @maroon5 will find a way to add representation anyway!” The Tuscaloosa News’ Cecil Hurt: “I’m excited about Maroon 5 in Atlanta. Now excuse me while I head to New Orleans to eat at Applebee’s.” The Ringer’s Shea Serrano: “having the super bowl in atlanta and getting maroon 5 to perform at halftime is like going to pappadeaux and asking the waiter to bring you some long john silver’s” (TWITTER.com, 9/19).
TEAM OF RIVALS? ROLLING STONE's Daniel Kreps noted the game will air on CBS, which "makes the Maroon 5 selection interesting" considering lead singer Adam Levine is a "mainstay on NBC's 'The Voice,' one of the rival network's highest-rated shows" (ROLLINGSTONE.com, 9/19). NBCSN's Dan Patrick said the "curious part" of the choice is that Levine is "on an NBC show, and the Super Bowl is on CBS this year” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” NBCSN, 9/20).
