Partway through Sunday’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, families and friends across America turned to each other and said “was that her boob?” The split second flash of skin and metal was, in fact, Janet Jackson’s right breast, revealed when fellow pop-star Justin Timberlake clawed boldly at her bustier. The pair was performing a duet of “Rock Your Body,” Timberlake’s hit single in which he vows to “have you naked by the end of this song.” (Hey, you can’t blame a guy for being honest).
Both performers maintain that the incident was a “wardrobe malfunction”; while they admit to planning it, they claim that Jackson’s chest was supposed to be covered by a red lace undergarment. Now, call me a cynic, but I find it hard to believe that Janet’s boob was an unexpected guest. Her nipple was framed by an elaborate, sun-shaped “shield” that seemed far too showy to hide under a lacy bra. Furthermore, her partner wasn’t just anyone – it was Justin, a former flame with an all-too-appropriate song. Jackson is also due to release her eighth album on March 30, which has undoubtedly been a promotional challenge for record execs. The three-year lapse since her last single, coupled with her brother’s recent arrest for child molestation, calls for a jump-start in the publicity department. Enter Janet’s nipple.
Accident or not, it can be argued that the stunt simply wasn’t a big deal. After all, it was just a nipple; most of us see two in the mirror every day (hey, some people see three). Nudity is commonplace on network television in Europe, and is increasingly present on cable channels in the United States. Cinemax runs soft-core pornography into the wee hours of the morning, and HBO airs plenty of skin in the hit series “Sex and the City.” Even American networks have allowed the occasional nude shot in the name of art and history; “Schindler’s List”, which contains many scenes with non-sexual nudity, was shown in its entirety on NBC.
The buzz surrounding the incident, however, shows that it was a big deal. Jackson’s chest is the talk of every town, and family values groups are up in arms. According to CNN.com, representatives from TiVo reported that the flash was the most replayed moment in company history, exceeding even the recent Madonna/Britney lip lock on MTV. Americans were clearly intrigued – and some were offended – by Jackson’s sudden exposure of skin. Nudity is so shocking because it simply isn’t a part of our television culture. Shows like “Sex and the City” are few and far between, notorious for their content, and are usually preceded by an on-screen warning for parents. We expect to see Samantha’s boobs at least once per episode, so we don’t watch the show with, say, our eight-year-old nephew.
Everyone’s eight-year-old nephew, however, was watching the Super Bowl on Sunday. Many parents were probably unfazed by the breast shot; in my house, we would have giggled a little and moved on. Other parents, who work hard to keep their children from seeing R-rated movies and racy HBO shows, were likely appalled. Still others, particularly those with daughters, may have been offended for a different reason. What message is sent to young girls when a famous female has her clothes ripped off publicly by a man, all in the name of entertainment? In this vein, the stunt could be considered demeaning to women.
All of the parental reactions listed above are reasonable. Do I think a split second shot of a nipple is harmful to children? No. Do I think the move was degrading? No more so than other prime-time antics (think of the constant hot-tub soaking on “The Bachelor”). Yet many parents would answer yes to one or both of these questions. While I do think that Americans are far too uptight about nudity, not everyone feels this way – and the Super Bowl is an event that is truly meant for everyone.
Essentially, Jackson’s breast rattled millions of viewers, and to what end? No one else with ties to the halftime show had anything to gain through such a stunt; few people knew that MTV was producing the segment, and CBS hardly needed a ratings boost during the Big Game. Thus, while the Federal Communications Commission is threatening to fine both stations, it’s highly unlikely that they were involved. Jackson’s label, however, has already begun to ride her bra straps. The “New York Times” reported on Wednesday that her newest single “Just a Little While” is being rushed to radio stations. Her repeated apologies have brought extra face time that a ho-hum performance would not have provided. The success of Paris Hilton’s “The Simple Life” in the wake of her sex tape scandal proves that a little nudity can go a long way – Janet’s boobs may finally be earning their keep.
Yet while a vapid heiress like Hilton might need a little public humiliation to up her stock, Janet Jackson does not. She brought us “If” and “Rhythm Nation,” and her most recent album “All For You” sold three million copies. She has always been a symbol of female independence and butt-kicking attitude. While her career may be reaching its end, there is much to be said for fading with dignity. We know you’re good, Janet, so – nice as they are – you can put your boobs away.
Leave a Reply