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Eight years after Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction,” the Super Bowl half-time show has produced another controversy. During tonight’s show, headlined by Madonna, one of the guest singers, British rapper M.I.A., gave viewers the finger directly into the camera and NBC’s censors weren’t fast enough to obscure it. The network, which carries the Super Bowl this year, attempted to blur the gesture but was late by almost a second. “We apologize for the inappropriate gesture that aired during halftime,” the network’s spokesperson said. “It was a spontaneous gesture that our delay system caught late.” NBC also noted that it is the NFL and not the network that hires and produces the halftime show. The NFL used srronger language in its statement, putting the blame for the accident squarely on its broadcast partner. “There was a failure in NBC’s delay system,” the league said. “The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans.” M.I.A., who according to accounts was PG during rehearsals, also seemed to drop an expletive (“I don’t give a s**t”) during the performance, but it wasn’t clearly audible. The incident is bound to bring back into the spotlight the “fleeting expletive” debate, which reached all the way to the Supreme Court. It may trigger a prolonged legal battle for the NBC stations — the Janet Jackson case was finally put to rest a couple of months ago after multiple rounds through the court system.
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I love how NBC is blaming the NFL, and the NFL is blaming NBC, when it’s really that smartass performer’s fault.
You know what this means…. back to old-fartsy bands like RStones and McCartney next year!
Good. I’ll take a 70 year old Van Halen over Madonna lip synching…
Me too!
Trashy piece of work, that one. Too bad it only takes one battery to run some people’s brains.
I think she just realized how ridiculous she looked and was like, “Yeah, f**k you, NBC, for making me wear this s**t.”
epitome of illiteracy:
u thinking anyone MADE her do anything
i kill me man
I didn’t notice the gesture but with that said, don’t take it out on the network, fine the singer, she knew what she was doing.
Who freaking cares. It’s just a finger people, not nipples. People just need to relax and quit trying to give this nobodies any free pub.
Who’s M.I.A and why should I care that she give someone the finger?
Yes, thank the Lord it wasn’t nipples. We all surely would have died.
What an idiot and what a shame b/c Madonna ROCKED it -
Rocked it? Oh, you mean she moved around a lot and lip synced the songs? I have a sock puppet that does the same thing. Perhaps you’d like to take in a concert by my sock puppet since that is what entertainment is for you.
OH MY GOD, the FINGER! Quick, let’s show murders and corpses and blood and guns instead.
Bigots.
How is that bigotry?
Exactly!! Hypocritical is more the word your looking for and not bigotry.
I do love the american double standard though. If she were in Aerosmith, or AC/DC or Motley Crue this wouldn’t be an issue.
A show like Bones shows graphically decomposed corpses, others highlight irresponsible gun violence, and wrestling promotes sexism, violence and stunts without consequences. And even worse yet… Potential Presidential candidates speaking loosely about forming new conflicts abroad.
MIA’s middle finger is a point of outrage?
Priorities people… Priorities.
The problem is, one expects to see decomposing bodies on “Bones,” but no one expects to see some idiotic “singer” giving the finger during a halftime show at the Super Bowl. It is NOT alright and a little thing, it’s a big deal. This is the problem with Hollywood and its “so-called” writers. You see things in your world and think everyone does or should see the world like you. There are millions of people who prefer NOT to have the finger flashed at them, and prefer wholesome entertainment devoid of vulgarity and violence. Understand now? We’re not all like you.
I actually expect controversy from entertainers. It is a means to publicity. I am always fascinated when others are surprised by it.
This is a controversy? Amazing.
Who cares? Oh no. A middle finger. How ever will we explain that to the children? What about the children?
People like you don’t get it. The Super Bowl is a family event and no one wants to see any performer giving the finger like this completely classless assclown MIA or whatever dumb shit name this tool has. Just because you either: A) Don’t have kids or B) Are a fucked up parent doesn’t mean the finger is OKAY to give on TV just because it “only the finger.”
And clearly YOU, HenryO, are the expert on what is appropriate or good for the children. MIA is a total fucking badass and actually a great role model for girls, using her fame and art to bring attention to real, global issues with merit. Sorry she doesn’t fit into your mold of how a female singer should act, I’m assuming that it resembles something like Taylor Swift, writing incredibly vapid songs with squeaky-clean about boys and heartache? I shudder at the thought…
And BY THE WAY – If any of these impressionable youth were to search “Nicki Minaj” or “LMFAO” or “Cee Lo Green” on Google or Youtube, they would see wayyyy more graphic content. So, you may as well take away your child’s access to the internet right now. You are wrong – it is JUST a finger, get over it and just explain to your kids that its simply an impolite gesture. Honestly, I wouldn’t be casting doubts on OTHER PEOPLE’S parenting skills, because if you were my dad I’d have been sneaking out and getting drunk far earlier than I did…
So since children can look up filth on the Internet, let’s make it easy for them! Put the filth on TV! You’re an idiot.
Give Me a Break – You can’t POSSIBLY be that narrow-minded, can you? Really? You do realize MILLIONS of people think the middle finger is crass – especially on a family show. The people were watching the Super Bowl, not late night TV. I guess you think it’s find to have cartoon characters giving each other the finger on Saturday mornings.
Hey, brava to MIA if she does all the things you write. She should be commended for all of it.
That said, she should also be condemned for giving the finger. Yes, it’s only a finger. It’s also an extremely rude, ungracious, ungrateful, and offensive thing to do during a family telecast.
It’s not like only one or the other is true.
Really? Speaking of tools and fucked up parenting….
You’ve obviously never been on a school bus or in your child’s school, or really have any clue about your child, because I guarantee they know what “the finger” is. So let’s be honest here, you really didn’t have to explain anything to your child- probably didn’t even notice it, that is, until you pointed it out in a self-righteous shitfit.
Tell me, does your child wear blinders when he/she walks down the street?
Okay, so by that standard, since this is a website that families have access to, you should be condemned for: 1) using the word “shit” in a place where kids can see it, and 2) using the word “fucked.” I’m not saying that giving the finger is entirely benign, but if you were truly concerned about family and “the children” you could have found a manner of expressing yourself that was less offensive to some than the act which prompted your use of indecent language.
If you have kids, Henry O, I feel sorry for them. You sound like a Puritan.
Nope. I’m a writer with kids. They are a joy, and I don’t let them watch your filth.
Family Event? Really, U mean those super bowl parties at countless houses and clubs across the country were everybody is drinking beer and swearing at the TV when the “family” is watching. Id like to see what ‘kids’ under 13 that sit thru the 4 hour ‘family game’. Last but not least. “Family Parents” have U seen or heard your little “angles” at the local playground. LMFAO. Of course lets not forget Ur Go-Daddy Commercials, Your commercials for Beer.
Dude, you were so close. But angles? Really? Angles?
“The Super Bowl is a family event”
Good one. You should share that piece of absurdity with the Super Bowl commercials, which routinely showcased submissive half-naked women and alcohol products.
#1 Its a crying shame because the half-time show was the most entertaining in years (lip-syncing be darned).
#2 NOBODY noticed this happened (though I noticed there was something they were trying to cover at one point)
#3 you see WAY worse stuff than “the finger” during prime time. I have seen things on CSI and L&O SVU that made me cringe!
This is may be the first time M.I.A. has had such a public platform and been subtle and maybe even was self-aware about who she was attacking. Regardless she rules.
She rules Assholeland.
just when I was thinking she was losin’ her touch
Didn’t see it. Too busy being bored by Madonna’s over costumed under performed halftime show. Since when does Madge rip off Toni Basil for a hit song? That crap w/ the pom pom’s sounded just like “Hey Mickey”. M.I.A.’s entire career has been about pushing the envelope/people’s buttons. Not surprising she used the biggest venue she’ll ever play ever to push her schtick.
She doesn’t give a damn about any fine, she’ll just use Seagram’s $ (She’s married to a Bronfman)to pay it.
Doesn’t America have more important things to handle? People who feel bad about this should get their heads out of the crap they’re in and consider the world we live in for a second…
I’m always astonished how you Americans can make a huge story out of nothing (i.e. a finger or a nipple). Don’t you have any serious problems like e.g. huge debts or Republicans?
Yes, we have those problems, so does that mean let anything else happen because we have those problems? Where are you from, Utopia?
The finger on a Super Bowl telecast is ridiculously classless and tasteless and that moron who did it should be banned from TV. Too many dumbasses mistake family TV for the regular raunchy, violent piss that passes for TV these days.
“They do worse on CSI!” CSI is a adult drama, the Super Bowl is a family event – understand the difference, or does Hollywood NOT know what family entertainment is?
I don’t think you know what family entertainment is.
We do have big problems- HUGE problems, but we’re too busy with censoring middle fingers and nipples to deal with it- you know, priorities.
I watched the Super Bowl to try and forget about problems like the debt and Republicans. Then some asshole gave me the finger.
Yeah, I agree network should not be blamed and finger for me is not an issue but kinda uncomfortable when kids watching.
Appropriate to fine MIA and drag her into issue. She was hired, she was paid to do a job – be a profes and do your job girl. Leave your anti establishment theatrics for your own concerts or when promoting your own ass on tonight shows.
A bit moronic of you girl. Don’t give a shit? Pay her half.
I want to see the NFL sue the singer for her salary and any FCC fines NBC faces as a result. The Super Bowl is a family event, and many families are not expecting their children to be seeing gestures such as this. These families don’t let their kids watch Californication so as to not expose them to this stuff.
This is one singer taking AWAY parents choice. She should pay the consequences.
Does that apply when you’re with your kid outside the house and someone flips you the bird? Do they pay the consequences as well? Call the police!
What a waste of time and thought. Who cares? She could have said “cunt”, and I wouldn’t have cared.
MIA is annoying – she tries too hard. The above poster has it right: if you’re going to take such an ‘establishment’ gig, who do you think you’re fooling by half-heartedly attempting to subvert that establishment? The irony is so rich. What, she likes the money, but not the job? Then don’t do the job. We’ve emerged at a self-satirizing, unintentionally hilarious cultural moment that makes no sense at all.
Exactly right. Her gesture was ridiculous, given she’s performing on the most mass-consumer, populist stage there is with Madonna, in a sexy cheerleader outfit. LOL. Give up the subversive act, M.I.A., we’re not buying it.
As someone who’s followed MIA’s career since the Piracy Funds Terrorism mix tape first came out…you have absolutely captured her with your comment. She’s a total hypocrite who only cares about money while giving the image of being anti-establishment. Her act is old and she’s upset just about every collaborator she has with her ego.
MIA, a great artist, shock propaganda, yeah but look who’s headlining! Legally my opinion is both network and artist should be fined, whadd ya say FCC? I actually didn’t know they had rooms of attourneys that did instant replays for the half time show but figures, everything seems a bit rigged these days.
I find it absolutely fascinating what people deem OK and NOT OK for their “precious” little sheltered kids to see. 3 hours of commercials showing everybody how beer is awesome and drinking beer is cool is perfectly fine. A girl flipping a bird that hardly anybody noticed and suddenly the end is nigh.
true … i didnt notice it til i read it here … the tv news here didnt even mention it
We have a young boy who had NO CLUE about this. The whole half-time bit was a frenetic spectacle.
The sex-themed commercials caused us more issues. And yes, the “life’s only fun while drinking” sends a challenging message to young kids. Budweiser spent a fortune.
A split second finger?? gimme a break…..
Yes, I had to explain to my 4 and a half year old daughter that only in commercials are the girls undressed and the boys dressed. Sigh.
Fine her, ban her from US television, and move on. Giving this twit free press is exactly what she was hoping for.
Never noticed it until you “pointed” it out.
Thought Madonna did a great job. Very entertaining gig.
I hope Madge beat the living daylights out of her for upstaging her.
But you dropping the f-bomb a few times in a comment a child could see is any better? Deadline is a family friendly website!
Jeepers … fine the singer and lets move on … and yes it was just the finger!
idk who mia is but obvisously she felt she needed more attention. if ur not gettin noticed for ur talent u gotta get noticed for something. y not give the finger while kids watch. yes kids r exposed to more stuff but this but this is y they r exposed cause ppl who r under the spotlight ppl gotta fuck it up.i thinnk the artist should b held responsible for this one. she knew what she was doin n the network tried their best to keep it under control.
I can’t keep silent on this one. I think kids are far more damaged by people who don’t write with real words, correct spelling, and proper capitalization than a middle finger that went by so quickly most people didn’t even notice it.