FCC's Powell 'Outraged' by 'Deplorable' Halftime Stunt

Newsmax ^ | 2/1/04

[truthandlife]

The Federal Communications Commission will investigate CBS's sleazy halftime show, Chairman Michael Powell said today.

"I am outraged at what I saw during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. Like millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration. Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt. Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better," Powell stated.

"I have instructed the commission to open an immediate investigation into last night's broadcast," he said.

A spokesman had earlier merely said the agency was launching a routine investigation because it had received complaints.

"CBS deeply regrets the incident," a mouthpiece claimed.

'Wardrobe Malfunction'

Pop star Justin Timberlake insisted he had not intended to expose Janet Jackson's breast.

"I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl," he said in a statement. "It was not intentional and is regrettable."

MTV, which like CBS is a subsidiary of Viacom, the same corporate behemoth that aired "The Reagans" on Showtime, claimed the stunt was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance."

[dfwgator]

Pop star Justin Timberlake insisted he had not intended to expose Janet Jackson's breast.

...and Britney's still a virgin.

[hgro]

How long do civilized citizens have to be subjected to the scum of the world on prime time when we tuned in to see a football game.

[ClintonBeGone]

"I have instructed the commission to open an immediate investigation into last night's broadcast," he said.

Oh please. Lighten up Mike. America would be better off without you and the office you're so overpaid to represent.

[MizSterious]

Unfortunately, it appears it was no accident. People who recorded the incident report that Jackson was wearing a "pasty", indicating this was most likely a part of the "act." I see the Jacksons continue to be "class acts"--LOW class, of course.

[visualops]

If they didn't mean to expose her breast, then why did she have a tear-away costume?
Why sing about her being naked?
Why even reach over and grab her garment?
Lying liars and the lies they tell.

[GeronL]

it was an adjective and not a verb

/sarcasm

[ladtx]

...CBS's sleazy halftime show...

They should have held Toby and Willie over for half-time, their short pregame show was about 1000% better. Just plain pickin' and singin' with no stunts or fancy stage props.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

Pop star Justin Timberlake insisted he had not intended to expose Janet Jackson's breast.

Yeah, right. Who's he kidding? Justin's just being a boob.

[RebelBanker]

I thought the whole halftime show was garbage. The Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake "wardrobe mishap" was just the icing on the cake.

Somebody on another thread already quoted Bart Simpson to describe the show, "It was craptacular."

[uncbuck]

"MTV, which like CBS is a subsidiary of Viacom, the same corporate behemoth that aired "The Reagans" on Showtime, claimed the stunt was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance."

This was all you really needed to post.

[dfwgator]

Just plain pickin' and singin' with no stunts or fancy stage props.

Besides, they lip-synched better.

[GeronL]

of course it was part of the act. CBS and Mtv knew it for days before it happened... Thursday Mtv said Jeckson's part would have surprises.

[I_Publius]

Between this half-time stunt and all the crude commercials last night, you can really tell who they are marketing to. It looks like the Bevis & Butthead generation is in charge now.

[Lost Highway]

I've always hated halftime shows. If I wanted to see a concert I would go to a concert. Don't make half-time 30 minutes long so some half-wit can cut a hole in the flag and run around like an idiot. This is the straw that broke this camel's back. No more half-time "shows" in my house.

[dfwgator]

I wonder how Justin's "beard", I mean girlfriend, Cameron Diaz is going to take this?

[GeronL]

I turned the TV off at half-time and read a couple of chapters of a book

I am so happy to join Michelle Malkin in knowing it would nt be good for me to see what new low they would come up with

[dfwgator]

I say bring back "Up With People."

[Sicon]

People who recorded the incident report that Jackson was wearing a "pasty",...

Check out Drudge's website - that was no "pasty", it was a sunburst ring around Janet's right nipple. A pasty would have been far less revealing, and far more classy (which gives you an idea of just how classless and tasteless the whole thing was).

[onedoug]

"...an immediate investigation...."

How about prison all around: performers, producers, network execs.... Otherwise, just another gevernment waste of time and money.

[hoosiermama]

It's only about SEX....move along...sarc/

[TheGeezer]

Drop a comment to CBS Sports.

http://www.sportsline.com/help/contactus/usersspeak

[LibFreeUSA]

"-People who recorded the incident report that Jackson was wearing a "pasty",

There was no 'pasty'. There was a 'circular spider' with a hole big enough to put your finger through. Check out the Drudge site and see for yourself.

[I_Publius]

And, by the way, it was not a "pasty." It was a nipple ring in the shape of a starburst. The JPEG file has already made the rounds this morning.

[Lost Highway]

I say bring back "Up With People."

Ha! I actually knew someone that was in that. He fit every stereotype.

[goodform]

I just have one word for any parents who sat their kids down in front of the TV for a halftime show put on by MTV: "CLUELESS".

The fact that the show was put on by MTV should have been all the information you needed to know.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

The only positive thing to came out of this debacle was that it made me hungry for Milk Duds (for some odd reason...)

[ladtx]

Besides, they lip-synched better.

As far as I'm concerned they could have let Toby and Willie just stand there and played a CD, it would have been better. Actually I'm all for having some high school marching bands play at half-time, it would be more interesting.

[Still Thinking]

I (fortuitously) skipped the halftime show anyway. Now I'm glad I did.

[B.O. Plenty]

I opined in another post that Sumner Redstone was the culpret here. Redstone is a major league peverted scumbag IMHO who brags about the success of MTV. He even looks like the sleazy scumbag that he is. We can hope that this time he will be found out and fired....never again allowed to spread his perversion to the World..

[smiley]

.....by their fruits....we shall know them.......

[Hoof Hearted]

"I say bring back "Up With People."

Now that would REALLY be offensive!

[MizSterious]

Even worse. I hadn't seen those pics until now.

Well, what can I say? It's a Jackson. That whole family is whacked.

[Seruzawa]

The only SB Halftime show that was ever entertaining to me was the year that they simply had ZZTop play for the whole show. Aside from that it's been the most laughable load of decadent degraded spectacle... each year worse than the last. Aerosmith and N'Sync..... barf bag please!! This year we've get that filthy rap culture thrown in our faces along with mindless pop stars and some degrado wearing an American Flag. I'm surprised they didn't give us Bono. Maybe that's next year.

I only watched a couple minutes of it and switched to Independence Day until the game re-started. At least it was a great game for a change.

[kellynla]

"Investigate?" what's to investigate? Slap CBS with a hefty fine(preferably whatever they made on commercials)! Next case...And pullezzzz don't insult our intelligence by saying that the exposure of Jackson's breast was unintentional...if so why was she wearing a pasty. And I wish someone would inform people that wearing the American flag as clothing is D I S R E S P E C T F U L ! morons...

[Ordinary_American]

If you support the FCC's decision to investigate the half-time show, then write to Mike Powell and say so:

mpowell@fcc.gov

[HELLRAISER II]

You're absolutely right, while it wasn't something that particular harmed or disturbed me. I must admit that it was in poor taste to have it during a family like show, period!

[phil1750]

I thought the whole halftime show was garbage. Who do they think their audience is? 13 year olds? Worst superbowl halftime show yet......

[new cruelty]

ROTFLOL

[tbpiper]

The FCC just fined Clear Channel Network $750k for the vulgar words of Bubba the Love Sponge. It's a start. Mz CondomTestPilot Jackson will probably earn a similar look for MTV, I sincerely hope.

[gcruse]

They should have held Toby and Willie over for half-time, their short pregame show was about 1000% better. Just plain pickin' and singin' with no stunts or fancy stage props.

With Aerosmith, a band that peaked 35 years ago.  Grampa wasn't in charge of half time, I think.

[dfwgator]

Seeing that Houston is ZZ Top's hometown, I'm surprised they weren't included in this year's festivities. I guess since Billy G is a big supporter of Rush Limbaugh, they are considered too conservative now.

[FReepaholic]

>>...I've always hated halftime shows. If I wanted to see a concert I would go to a concert...<<

I wish they'd do away with the fireworks. In a domed stadium the smoke hangs around ruining the view of the game.

[GigaDittos]

I posted a pic showing the pastie on another thread, but the moderator removed it. Just go to Fox Sports and you can find photos from the Half-time show there.

[JFC]

Velcro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was intentional! It was a Britney/Madonna Moment
all done to create buzz that all offices across America are talking about. Taliban is right... we have left wackos who are taking the world down in their lack of respect.
Publicity STUNT!

[gcruse]

See #43.

[Fresh Wind]

Pop star Justin Timberlake insisted he had not intended to expose Janet Jackson's breast.

This is probably a true statement. He really meant to expose both of them. The "costume malfunction" he cited was the failure of the costume to completely disintegrate.

[new cruelty]

I agree, there is no big deal about your wife feeding her infant son in front of her other children. justin and janet's portrayal of breast feeding preparation is not one I would perform in front of my children. I don't think they would be amused.

You don't have sex in front of your children, do you?