Posted on 02/02/2004 12:50:44 PM PST by mhking
MTV tries it's hand at damage control, but fails miserably
MTV has rather deftly changed it's text on it's Super Bowl page from the text originally up there (and touted by news programs and websites everywhere:
Janet Jackson Got Nasty at the MTV-Produced Super Bowl Halftime ShowThey've replaced the text with the more pedestrian and contrite:Jaws across the country hit the carpet at exactly the same time. You know what we're talking about...Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and a kinky finale that rocked the Super Bowl to its core. P. Diddy, Kid Rock, & Nelly rounded out the halftime show in the midst of the greatest game on earth. MTV was Super Bowl central, so armchair quarterbacks, fair weather fanatics and fans of Janet Jackson and her pasties were definitely in the right place. So strap on those pads, keep your head down and get the full recap of The AOL Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show produced by MTV.
The tearing of Janet Jackson's costume was unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance. MTV regrets this incident occurred and we apologize to anyone who was offended by it.They've also removed the initial press release from their site (the one that touted Janet's "shocking moments"). Of course, anyone who knows how to use Google can find it in their cache.
FCC Chairman Michael Powell is understandably outraged, and has demanded an investigation into the incident.
I can't figure out who would be fined though. All the CBS stations? Of course not - none of them knew what was coming. The CBS O&O's? I'm sure the same thing applies there. Network brass? Possibly. I'm sure they knew what was coming. MTV? Works for me. Janet and Justin? Also makes sense. If I were a local official in Houston, you can bet I'd look seriously into whether any local obscenity ordinances were violated by the pair.
After all, once the smoke clears, Janet, I'm sure, will be happy with the free exposure (pun not intended) for her new CD, due to come out the end of March.
Producer Dallas Austin was quoted recently as saying about Janet's new album:
"To me, this is her Dirty Mind," Austin explained, referring to the Prince album that established him as a hormonally charged pop star. "It's a really sexy record, but not in a sensual way. It's bold, it's fun, it's really positive. Nobody's sad, nobody's mad. It's just really fun songs where she happens to be talking frankly about sex."
I'm sure Clear Channel is happy - they're the most likely candidate to replace MTV as producer of the halftime show for next year's Super Bowl in Jacksonville.
We're not sure how it works, but we know it has something to do with self-restraint. Many of the things we "don't do" in our society (like baring breasts in public) are totally arbitrary. But they help us get across to children the concept of there being things that "you just don't do" and they also serve as a kind of "Identification Friend or Foe" that is essential as we navigate our way among strangers in our enormous communities.
Someone who accepts the generally-recognized taboos is displaying evidence of having been socialized as a civilized human. It happens, but the guy in a coat and tie who suddenly pulls out a knife and stabs you is a rarity. These little restrictions we place on ourselves may seem stupid and silly, but as a device for communicating "I am capable of self-restraint and I know basic civilized behavior," they save us a lot of time.
Secretary Rumsfeld is almost hilarious in the way he uses 1950's language to swear. His is an extremely sophisticated act, and one thing it shows us is how many of the taboos that used to restrain people's behavior are gone now. When I was a kid, adults of a certain social class did not say 'Damn' or 'Hell' in public. All of that is gone now. We've all seen corporate CEO's spew the f-word in meetings as if it's an everyday word, the way Rumsfeld uses "Oh, goodness gracious no."
When 'Hell' and 'damn' entered the everyday lexicon, the signs were still saying "Savagery 110 miles."
A lot of people saw what happened on TV yesterday -- and it wasn't just Janet and her boob -- as the sign that says "Pavement ends 500 feet."
Is that an over-reaction? I don't think it is. The signs that there is a fundamental "self-restraint" problem out there are all around us. This thing yesterday just happened to hit us over the head with it in a very symbolic way.
Keeping certain, totally arbitrary body parts covered is not being prudish, it is broadcasting to those around you "I am not a danger to you because I know how self-restraint works and I practice it." At one time, not making certain arbitrary mouth-noises was another of those signals. These public displays of self-restraint exist in civilizations because they are useful. When they are all gone, we will not know friend from foe. We will not know who can be trusted, and who can't. Our civilization will be impossible to conduct.
Very good. I've also seen it said this way: "Let it all hang out? It took us 2000 years to tuck it all in!"
From the Houston DA's office (by email):
I concur with your outrage but the law in Texas does not criminalize the exposure of a woman's breast in public. The touching of the breast of another to gratify sexual desire is only specifically prohibited if the person touched is under the age of 17 years. I did not see the act, but as I understand the facts, Ms. Jackson could have filed an assault complaint. I do not know whether she has done so or not.
I have been here a few years, and I am not sure I am 'up to snuff on what a hideous act this was'. Did I miss a class that was offered last semester?
The UNcovered book was simply the tip of the iceberg (if you'll pardon the pun). The whole halftime show was a disgusting display of simulated sex acts and crotch grabbing. Oh, and the lyrics to most of the songs were just as pleasant. I was tuned in to watch a football game, not MTV filth. Children and families should be able to watch ANY football game, much less the Super Bowl without being "exposed" to such garbage.
Rock, be rocked, or step aside (a-la Z-Rock).
Trajan88
I have watched almost every single football game this year, not once do i see a halftime. Unlike you fairweather fans, I am busy making food or drinks, using the facilities and otherwise preparing for the second half. I don't tune in to the Super Bowl to watch halftime and the commercials. There is ALWAYS an alternative to the halftime show. Many channels used to countdown to the 2nd half with a timer, so you wouldn't miss any football, and I am sure there are still channels that do that.
Since when is the halftime show a part of the game? You say you were tuned in to watch football, but you don't even mention how good the game was. Where was the backlash against NBC when they showed the women's soccer team strip down, on a tape-delayed broadcast? They made the concious decision to show that after they saw it happen. So, it's ok for NBC to show our women's soccer team celebrate without shirts in the Olympics, but a musician gives us a little teaser and its the end of the world. Convoluted logic if you ask me.
Well, now that you mention it, humboldtconservative's post #40, which you responded to, was not addressed to you. Whazzup with that??
LIBERALS CANNOT BE TRUSTED
She may have gotten the attention ... but at the expense of so many
Today we should be talking about the game .. Instead we are talking about her breast
It's a very sad day when we have to have parental supervision to watch a Super Bowl Game
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.