Janet Apologizes, Says Super Bowl Stunt Went Too Far

MTV.com ^ | 02.02.2004 | Robert Mancini

[yhwhsman]

Janet Apologizes, Says Super Bowl Stunt Went Too Far

One day after Janet Jackson's shocking Super Bowl halftime performance, the singer took responsibility for the breast-baring incident and said she never intended the stunt to go as far as it did.

"The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime show performance was made after final rehearsals," Jackson said in a statement released Monday (February 2). "MTV was completely unaware of it. It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologize to anyone offended — including the audience, MTV, CBS and the NFL."

Jackson's performance shocked onlookers when Justin Timberlake — who was performing with her — pulled off a piece of Jackson's costume, revealing her right breast.

MTV, which produced the halftime show for CBS, issued an apology shortly after the show, calling the incident "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and ... inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance" (see "Janet, Justin, MTV Apologize For Super Bowl Flash").

Timberlake also apologized on Sunday, calling the incident "not intentional and regrettable."

On Sunday, Jackson's reps told MTV News that the singer apologized for the move, but the singer issued no public statement on the incident until Monday.

For more on the weekend festivities, check out MTV Super Bowl Weekend.

—Robert Mancini

[NYCVirago]

A guy called Hugh Hewitt today and said that on the Grammies later this week on CBS featured performers are ....ta da....Janet and Justin. Plus Janet is releasing a new CD this Friday.

If CBS were truly sorry, they'd cancel Janet and Justin's appearance on the Grammys. But they're not, so they won't.

[LiberationIT]

Yup. What did the NFL expect? They contracted, through CBS with MTV, and got a juvenile, sophomoric show. No surprise there, it’s normal fare on MTV. CBS, as usual, provided no adult supervision

[hole_n_one]

Coincidental mistake or Jackson/Timberlake/CBS collusion?

If there's a poll, add 1 vote for the latter.

[SerpentDove]

>>It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. <<

The relentless assault on our intelligence continues...

[Spiff]

Liar, liar pants on fire.

My kids don't use that one. They say:

Liar, liar. Big and fat.
You lie like a Democrat.

And it fits Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, CBS brass, MTV brass perfectly.

[missyme]

I do not plan to watch the untalents of "The Grammys" I wonder how many other Freepers will not watch it.

[freemama]

If you call that statement accepting responsibility, you have to believe that this was an accident. It clearly wasn't. The costume was made to break away and it was choreographed in the dance at a point in the song where it made sense (in a very twisted way).

This statement isn't accepting any responsibility for a planned assault on families watching an event broadcast over public airwaves.

[Darlin']

"It appeared to me Janet's costume was made to break-away, so in my opinion the stunt was planned far in advance. They just didn't do it during their rehearsals in front of the CBS officials."

I agree, I've seen it replayed several times this afternoon and that is how it looked to me, too. Justin's hand went to a specific location, the piece broke away smoothly and he casually tossed it to one side without missing a step.

Earlier today, I heard a caller on talk radio say that at the end of the 1st quarter, CBS/MTV promo-ed the halftime show with a quick montage of all the acts. He said for about one second he caught a glimpse of the bared breast. If that is true, then it means they practiced that part in the final rehearsal and that the rehearsal was taped. It would also mean Janet's statement about CBS/MTV having no knowledge of "The decision to have a costume reveal ..." is as bogus as her right boob. LOL

[riri]

you actually know women that wear pasties??? can I hang out with you on the weekend?? lol

Well, they don't call him gamecock fer nuthin...

[hattend]

I haven't watched the Grammys since, hmmmm...can't remember...maybe 1980?

Can't see me ever watching them again

[Pharmboy]

Blockbuster is so 90s--they're dead anyway. Buh-bye; all they will be soon is a write off. Movielink.com is the future (and I have NOTHING to do with them financially except I rent their movies).

[Clint Williams]

It is truely shocking to see an bare breast of a woman on national TV

It's been a while, but didn't that occur on "Shaka Zulu"?

[missyme]

I remember as a little girl when I saw a commercial on the latest Barbie I would drag my mom in front of the T.V and tell her that's what I wanted...
Now I hear when little girls saw Janet's Hooter they drug there mom in to say Mommy I want implants too....

[IronJack]

Dear Janet,

We're not interested in your apology. Your act was in poor taste, as is your judgement. This tawdry little incident spells the end of your career. I hope you have good memories, because at this juncture, that is all you can hope for.

Sincerely,

America.

[NYCVirago]

This statement isn't accepting any responsibility for a planned assault on families watching an event broadcast over public airwaves.

Yep! Janet Jackson doesn't give an F'ing Kerry about children are exposed to. If she did, she wouldn't be going to court to give support to her pedophile brother!

[cwb]

I absolutely agree. In fact, when you looked at some of the players faces during the pregame/halftime shows, you could see that they're uncomfortable with these peripheral events. Heck...these guys are primed and ready to rip into someone after a weeks worth of non-football events. The tribute to NASA was great...but it looked so out of place with the sorrowful melody before guys start hitting each other. The Superbowl has become one long commerical event with a football game that breaks out in between spots.

[firebrand]

Good. May all their divisions die a quick death.

[hattend]

Even before that... "Roots" had nekkid breastages on network TV in 1970's.

They did have a disclaimer first though.

[MHGinTN]

"MTV, which produced the halftime show for CBS, issued an apology shortly after the show, calling the incident "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional what we wanted to feed the youth who would be watching because it was from MTV and ... inconsistent precisely as we had been informed the performance would go, except both floppers were supposed to pop out with assurances we had about the content of the performance" (see "Janet, Justin, MTV Apologize For Super Bowl Flash"). Janet appears quite average for the degenerates in the family from which she hails. Michael's pedophilia is more understandable now, though no less degenerate just because we see a familial pattern of deviancy.

[CFC__VRWC]

I wonder how many other Freepers will not watch it.

There'll be a few dedicated, iron-stomached Freepers who will watch the Grammys and get a live thread going - call it keeping tabs on the enemy. I may just check in on that from time to time instead of subjecting myself to the deluge of juvenile antics.