Being that it was Madonna, I was really hoping for/expecting some sort of controversy from the once self-professed "Boy Toy." While there was a certain degree of sauciness, cheerleaders and pom poms, it was all pretty primetime tame. That was until M.I.A. flipped the entire world the bird.
For those of you who don't have Google, M.I.A. (aka Maya Arulpragasam) is a 36 year old British rapper who has been releasing music since 2005, but has yet to make significant in-roads into the North American market. Until now. What better way to launch a new record (out this summer) and promote a current single (the aptly titled Bad Girls) than giving everyone the finger during one of the biggest broadcasts of the year?
Apparently Madonna was none too happy to be upstaged, albeit several days after the performance. She too has a new single, Give Me All Your Luvin’, featuring M.I.A. and Minaj, a new album coming out, and a huge tour this year. Now all of that might have a sliver of attention taken away for a second or so.
Of course this isn't the first time something of this nature has occurred during the halftime show. In 2004 Janet Jackson managed to expose a bare breast while performing with Justin Timberlake. The FCC fined CBS $550,000 for what was clearly an accident. The fine was eventually overturned, but for all the children around the world who saw, or even heard about it, the damage was done.
So it looks like M.I.A. will have some explaining to do, and perhaps some cash to dole out. She recently split from her billionaire boyfriend, so that may have put her in a bit of a mood, given that, you know, he was a freakin' billionaire. As for right now, the rapper is uncharacteristically tight lipped about her performance, but it will be interesting to see if she gets fined, or better yet, if Madonna gets fined, for the obviously premeditated use of an offending appendage.
To "mm": I respectfully suggest that your "father" must have OTHER health issues that cause that type of behavior!!! At HIS age I don't think he would normally be influenced to act out otherwise!!!
Posted by: Dr. Margret Acton | 02/26/2012 at 11:40 PM
To "wishshewasm.i.a.": You said "Madonna's older but at least she can sing". YES Madonna can DEFINITELY sing! Rappers DON'T sing---they TALK over music---BIG difference there!!!! The REASON rappers don't sing---IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO!!!
Posted by: rapaintmusic!! | 02/26/2012 at 11:34 PM
"M.I.A" is 1 count them---1 person out of a planet of 7 BILLION humans----out of those 7 billion humans---ask how many give a rats-ass about her OR her career!!!
Like a lot of other "flash-in-the-pan" singers,hopefully she will fade into oblivion REAL soon!!!!!!!
Posted by: vince anderson | 02/26/2012 at 11:28 PM
Who REALLY cares what some idiot does-- like it really matters!!
Posted by: rap me not | 02/08/2012 at 03:24 PM
I have problem with the description (on the sympatico.ca home page), that "aging" celeb fails to outrage. They would never refer to George Clooney or Brad Pitt as "aging" celebs. Although I am no fan of Madonna, what a cheap shot.
Posted by: Bren | 02/08/2012 at 02:54 PM
I .... a good Christian lady .... now control ....these boards....and I will .... argue with myself....and my multiple .....usernames all day .... long. I ... am soooooo pathetic .... I could cry.....in fact....I'm crying right now.....soooooo sad
Posted by: Roger | 02/08/2012 at 01:50 PM
Saw the show and although not a huge Madonna fan, thought it was great from the staging (which was such a feat in such a small space of time) the acoustics....everything. Madonna looked absolutely fantastic (hate that expression "for her age") but that's what it was - fabulous. Just loved the costumes................
BUT I totally missed the Bird, until a friend told me about it the next day. I wish Madonna would sue the girl to the HILT because,THIS time Madonna dressed and danced specifically NOT to make it controversial, like she usually does.
Posted by: ms | 02/08/2012 at 01:17 PM
Joe is right on...give me actual musicians and i'd watch...Give me an aging has-been and throw in a couple of zero talent rappers and its time for me to get a snack..I am still amazed that people who consider themselves intelligent would waste their valuable time watching an old gramma lipsync. Get a life people.
Posted by: Tiddy | 02/08/2012 at 01:06 PM
I walk out the door and am exposed to a society that has no boundaries - yet some football game has a nip...has a middle finger...and they think it has traumatized the world. Watch some wrestling in the middle of prime time - there's an eyeful once the gals come on. As far as appropriate behavior...thats been lost for quite some time.... just my opinion
Posted by: JMO | 02/08/2012 at 11:43 AM
Kojak has never heard of sarcasm. I enjoyed your humour though, MM.
Posted by: funny | 02/08/2012 at 11:28 AM
@MM Actually your children did not see a nipple, I believe it was covered by a star shaped pastie. At least I think so. It was so quick and far away that none of the ten people I was with watching realized breast was (sort of, kind, a teensy bit) bared.
Posted by: Kojak | 02/08/2012 at 08:45 AM
Internet "writing" centers on much ado about nothing. The knack is to make up stories where there aren't any, all for the sake of pulling traffic to a home page. It's almost worth going back to reading real newspapers by actual real writers.
Posted by: Jyl | 02/08/2012 at 08:00 AM
Unbelievable that some people are worried that a child might see a bare breast. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, it's natural for children to see breasts.
Posted by: Maude | 02/08/2012 at 07:56 AM
Umm, "pom palm"?? Good job "writer."
Posted by: Robyn | 02/08/2012 at 07:52 AM
Re: danny weston's comment. Couldn't have said it better myself!!LMFAO!!
Posted by: vince delio | 02/08/2012 at 07:47 AM
ZZZZZZZZ! Oh sorry ---I thought something interesting happened---oh well!!--ZZZZZZZZZZ
Posted by: danny weston | 02/08/2012 at 07:46 AM
I forgot to mention that after that despicable display by MIA on Sunday, my 83 year old father has been calling everyone at his Seniors' Residence the "N" word, flipping off the staff, and wearing his pants low so that his boxers are clearly visible. These outrages affect not only our young, but our old!
Posted by: MM | 02/08/2012 at 06:39 AM
The horror, the horror. My children saw Janet's nipple in 2004 and they are still in therapy. Just when I thought it was safe to turn on the TV, didn't MIA flip the crowd the bird! We will be doubling up on therapy, I guess. This world needs to stop concentrating on Iran getting the bomb, and terrorism, famine, cures for disease etc. and start concentrating on the things that really matter! Things like a bare nipple and some rapper (that 80% of the population has never heard of) flipping the bird.
Posted by: MM | 02/08/2012 at 06:33 AM
Madonna,MIA, Menaj...it's all a bunch of crap anyway that only a teenager could like. Put on groups and performers that actually make music...U2, Rolling Stones, Elton John
Posted by: Joe | 02/08/2012 at 04:57 AM
Why should Madonna get fined? She didn't raise her finger or swear.
Posted by: leni | 02/08/2012 at 01:55 AM
I doubt North America is going to be interested in this old wannabee import.
May she stay MIA!
Posted by: mia | 02/08/2012 at 01:54 AM
Another ugly rapper .. isn't she a bit OLD at 36 for that nonsensical angst!Madonna's older .. but at least she can sing.
Posted by: WishSheWasM.I.A! | 02/08/2012 at 01:53 AM