Don't give NFL a pass on this one

Mercury News ^ | February 3, 2003 | Skip Bayless

[ejdrapes]

For me, the most entertaining aspect of the Super Bowl halftime show was the NFL's immediate ``outrage,'' CBS's ``apology'' and Janet Jackson's and Justin Timberlake's explanation of this ``embarrassing accident.''

Soon after Sunday night's game, copies of these carefully crafted statements were passed out to reporters at Reliant Stadium. Easily manipulated media members perhaps considered this ``a quick and upfront response to an unfortunate situation.'' No cover up here, during or after the show. Right?

[Publius6961]

Something tells me you're no conservative...

It's mindless statements like that that make me expect any day now to hear about the new official "conservative" brand of Kool-Aid.

[mr.pink]

Viacom (who owns both MTV and CBS) and the NFL and all the direct participants all knew ahead of that crude half time show that they could not get permission - but they could certainly get forgiveness!

I'm don't think the NFL knew Janet was going to have a boob popped, but the NFL certainly was aware of the sleazy outfits the dancers were wearing and should've canned that as soon as they saw it.

I'm no prude, but there is no reason the Superbowl cannot be a "G" rated event. As someone further up this thread stated...if that means bringing back "Up With People"...so be it.

[Daveinyork]

I was once a fanatical football fan. In the '70's and 80's, one did not bother me on fall Saturday and Sunday afternoons, or Monday nights without incurring my displeasure. A few years ago, it began to occur to me that I should not be watching a league that was dominated by the Dallas Criminals, and in which other teams were beginning to emulate them.

Then, I saw how my state politicians were blackmailed by the Steelers and Pirates (well-named) of Pittsburgh, and the Eagles and Phillies of Philadelphia, into robbing the taxpayers to subsidize the billionaire owners, and millionare players. I haven't watched a football game since. (I did tune in to the Superbowl this year out of curiosity with 7 minutes to go in the game after eating dinner with my wife, and shopping for office supplies in a deserted BJ's. I caught the only part of the game worth watching.)

So, I was shocked, but not surprised when I heard about the wardrobe malfunction on the morning news. Why, after all, would nudity gross out fans of a sport that thrives on theft of taxpayer money?

[randita]

If enough people turned off their TVs, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Or if enough people watched informative, educational programming (not necessarily PBS, but countless other excellent cable shows from History to Travel to Animals to Cooking to vintage movies), the sleaze would gradually wither on the vine.

[Twinkie]

Just from the few little sketches I saw on Monday's
news, the whole halftime show was filthy with people
twisting around in their scanty underwear grabbing
their crotches and such as that. It did one thing,
that halftime spectacle completely overshadowed the
game. Sports has become just another religion in this
country, and the halftime show the choir. Just like in
churches, sometimes there are prima donnas in the choir.
Everyone will be right back same time, same place next year and for those of us to whom this was too raunchy, they say
"if it's too raunchy, then you're too old".

[Drawsing]

all the players' pregnant girlfriends and rape victims...

That's a good idea.

As for me, I could see beforehand when Janet kept flashing her cleavage in the pre-halftime commercials and saying seductively..."I'll see you...at halftime." that I would not watch it. We turned it off and (believe it or not) had a Bible study with our kids, then turned it on again to watch a great second half.

[Twinkie]

Why did my post have one long line at the bottom? I guess I'm not doing this right, but it has never done that before.

[gathersnomoss]

BFD. They just bought themselves a bust load of publicity.

[randita]

I'd assume the NFL had a liaison between the league and Viacom. Either that liaison was thoroughly duped, which will be determined in the FCC investigation or he/she was complicit and ought to be canned pronto.

I just can't imagine any responsible adult watching a dress rehearsal of that trash and giving it the NFL stamp of approval for family viewing.

The NFL can whine and cast blame all they want. But they sponsored the event, they hired MTV and someone high up in the NFL approved the content.

TO make amends, the NFL should void all future contracts with CBS. CBS/Viacom has screwed them over royally and needs to pay the piper for their deceit.

[gathersnomoss]

I agree. The Super Foul Bowl will not be part of our viewing next year. I had enough to explain while Clinton was in office. The latest Filth-A-Thon has gone too far. Who needs it?

[gathersnomoss]

Unfortunately, the youth group at our church here in Richmond fell victim to this mess. I will suggest your alternative action for next years event, if there will be one.

[FormerACLUmember]

I am 1 and 1/2 years detoxified from TV. Such trash is long gone from my life.

[sarasota]

That's the "easy" solution. No, on network television, during a family event, we must demand more accountability.

[MEG33]

I agree.I think sports is a family watch time and that stunt was planned,Janet now admits.I think she and Justin should be fined,too..they did it!

[sarasota]

The FCC investigation is underway and I, too, hope that the "performers" will have to pay a price as well. Someone mentioned that they've been uninvited from the Grammy's. Any truth to this?

[MEG33]

Discussion only..I'll bet they are not disinvited..

[Drawsing]

Ha! This is comically tragic. My church cancelled Sunday evening services and called upon people to invite non-Christian friends to have Super Bowl get-togethers in their homes. How embarrassing. Oh well, lesson learned, opportunity for discussion and all that.

[Kieri]

Contact the FCC Commissioners here:

Chairman Michael K. Powell: mpowell@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy: kabernat@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: mcopps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Kevin J. Martin: kjmweb@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: jadelste@fcc.gov

Snail Mail:

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554 Even more info can be found at the FCC's contact webpage:

http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html

[sarasota]

They will discuss and not reveal their decision so that people tune in to see what happens?

[Russ7]

The Super-Bowl has been hijacked and corrupted. Time to find something else to do w/ your family entertainment time. CBS will not be part of the solution - they are the PROBLEM!.