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

[hattend]

See #300

[hattend]

#300

[hole_n_one]

Transcript of Matthews/Kay interrogation

[umbagi]

This is what it's like to be an old fart. [...]

The NFL negotiated with CBS for a halftime show. CBS runs a broadcast network. They ought to know how to put together a half-hour variety act, suitable for broadcast television, without screwing it up to the point that half the country is outraged.

You're right, of course; I just naively expected the NFL, as part of the entertainment industry, to be more in touch with their audience and more aware of the product they could expect from MTV.

I have no idea what's in the contract language, but if there's a hook for the NFL to sue CBS over this, I'll bet they do it, just so it's real clear that they did not want this, and that they'll sue the next guy too, if it ever happens again.

I hope you're right on this, too, WRT both CBS and the next guy, too.

u

[Pharmboy]

Making a big deal out of something so tiny like this is a big mistake. We all need to just get over this and move on.

Hillary, y'know, every time you say the "move on" line, you must begin with "Now let's all just step back and take a big breath..."

You remember that, don't you?

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

I'm no prude, but there is only one thing I want to know from the entertainment industry; namely, how low is low enough for you? When will you stop trying to push the bar down? ... tell us EXACTLY where you plan to stop.

What, and spoil the surprise?!!

[DestroytheDemocrats]

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

This is a lie. She got exactly what she wanted. Publicity. Her name has been repeated about 10 million times since Sunday. I get so tired celebrities jerking everybody's chain.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

You know, there are SOME responsible parents out there who don't ALLOW their children to be exposed to objectionable things -- parents who homeschool, or send their children to private school, for instance. Those parents might think it's safe to watch the superbowl.

It's a sad commentary that there are people who think ripping your clothes off in public is "no big deal".

[Sidebar Moderator]

Don't use that expression again.

[Carolinamom]

No one seems to be commenting on the inappropriate, even sleezy, choice of the song/music in their "act" or the simulated sex of their body movements. In the replay, you will notice that just before he pulled the breakaway part of her costume, Jackson pauses as though she is waiting for what he is going to do. A plague on both their houses imo.

[BJungNan]

Uhhhh....yeah. And Slick Willie didn't inhale.

No, you mean Monica and she did not inhale, she...

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I hope society will become bored with this whole oversaturation of sleaze. I have no interest in seeing this garbage acted out on a stage, and I ESPECIALLY have no interest in having my children see it.

[YaYa123]

Mathews is blatant isn't he? Nasty even, and totally out to get Cheney...BIG TIME! He has been since before the war. We need to know why.

I loathe the way Mathews prefaces his loaded questions with hateful, personal bias against Cheney, and as far as I've seen, no one has challenged him.

[hole_n_one]

Matthews thought that the "AWOL" charge against President Bush warranted attention on his 'rat schilling show tonight.

He has become grossly overt in his disdain for the current adminstration......he's gone so far as to suggest that Bush had US soldiers killed based on a lie with nothing more than a mere political agenda afoot.

He's a vile, little creature.

[Danette]

Oh my goodness, I'm old. Of course, it was some 20+ years ago that I was in the Air Force.

[Carolinamom]

A Charlotte TV reporter interviewed a mother and her young daughter (approximately 8 and 10) who were surprised and disgusted about what they had seen. The older daughter said that all the kids at school were talking about it. I am so sick of the depravity coming from MTV and Hollywood.

[Walkin Man]

MTV, the vile channel that brought us the Maddona, Britney lezbo kiss and dirty videos from countless no-talent sleeze "artists" didn't know a thing about Janet's striptease at the Superbowl.

Uh...

RIGHT....jeez...

[Libertina]

Another lying Jackson. She wouldn't have had on that silver star/pasty if she hadn't meant to be bare. And great message - a guy rips off her clothes because he is enjoying a song... I am so SICK and TIRED of the base, immoral liberal destruction of our culture. I WANT BIG FINES! And the END of mtv.

[lawdude]

She is a pig bitch with all the class of a wet fart in church services!

[A CA Guy]

BS, she is accepting the publicity.

She knew this was family hours she flashed in, so what was she thinking?
For who's benefit was this done?

She was being selfish and perhaps a little desperate for attention.

Wonder how the numbers for her previous concerts have been? Based on her doing this, I would figure attendance has been down.