Posted on 02/04/2004 9:55:24 AM PST by NorCoGOP
OXFORD, Miss. -- What is it about Justin Timberlake? It seems that all the high-profile relationships in which he has been involved have led the girls to sheer desperation.
Surely you don't need to be reminded of the infamous Britney Spears and Madonna kiss, followed by Spears' quickie marriage and annulment with Jason Alexander. Spears, however, may have to raise her stakes if she wants to remain in the headlines. Much of the nation understands what I am talking about, just as they know of Janet Jackson's previous relationship to Timberlake and witnessed her exposure during the recent Super Bowl half-time show. On the other hand, maybe Timberlake does not bear full responsibility for these women's desperation. Recently, Hollywood has embraced a new movement to advertise shock. When did shock become synonymous with quality entertainment?
Maybe it is MTV. Maybe it is CBS. Both stations issued apologies stating that the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned and completely unintentional." It's easy to doubt that statement. After all, the Britney/Madonna kiss was entirely rehearsed, planned and intentional. Is the industry really above another ploy to grab attention? As Barbara Lippert, advertising critic at trade report AdWeek said, "shocking as it was, it was not a mistake. It's really sad. How are we going to up the ante next?"
After the exposure, stage lights at Houston's Reliant Stadium immediately went black. It's hard to believe that the technician exhibited such quick judgment without having been warned.
Timberlake issued a statement saying, "I'm sorry if anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl. It was not intentional and is regrettable."
Pictures have shown that there was no tearing on Jackson's dress, made of leather. And don't forget the lyrics to the song to which the two were dancing, "I'm going to have you naked by the end of this song." The timing of Timberlake's action does not appear "unplanned and unintentional." On the contrary, it seems quite deliberate.
Maybe it was because the show was mediocre, and the entertainers and producers needed something to create attention. Attention equals ratings. Well, mission accomplished. Conversation after the incident centered around the faux pas rather than the football game. Many fans were genuinely shocked, at least the people with whom I was watching the game; which takes me back to my initial query -- when did shock become synonymous with quality entertainment?
Maybe the shock movement began with the Bush administration's "Shock and Awe" campaign in Iraq. At least the Bush administration's attempt to shock the world was justified. While that movement received much attention, Hollywood seems to have jumped on the bandwagon.
Shock may generate attention, but is all attention good? Do these women have no self-respect? Their behavior is shameful, and I'm afraid quality entertainment is doomed as everyone tries to outdo the Joneses down the street. Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and all of Hollywood, want attention. They want to make headline entertainment news. Jackson got her wish as the "Today Show" mentioned her uncovering. It was in the mainstream news as well, not merely entertainment news.
And yet, it's also, in part, because of people like me that entertainers will not return to wholesomeness. I just wrote an entire column about it, and if you're reading this, then you just read an entire column about it.
We're all playing into Hollywood's effort at notoriety. Famous people want to stay famous, and they will do whatever it takes: A sad commentary on American culture.
No, I don't.
And don't call me "Shirley".
I practiced that approach throughout my long career, and guess what!! It works!!
Just what part of television has been mistakenly associated with the term "quality"?
Thanks for this tid-bit. This clinches it for me. 1. The Lyrics said he "was going to see her naked". 2. He ripped off her clothing. 3. She was wearing the "pastee" and 4. now the lights immediately went off after it.
Can we say - Planned.
The halftime show would have had to improve a great deal in order to even aspire to being mediocre. It was total garbage.
Yeah, right. And manure on a pig makes it look unsightly too.
For the encore, will she kiss Madonna's boob, or will Madonna kiss hers?
Well, I kinda thought Madonna might manfully rip Britney's boob cover off first, and THEN kiss it. But, you could be right.
Shock requires no talent. It's easy. That's what's so attractive about it.
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