What's Wrong With This Picture?
By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Tuesday, February 3 2004, 10:02AM
I watched the halftime show with 30 or 40 people at a Super Bowl party, and nearly everyone howled when Justin ripped off Janet's right breast patch to reveal a breast covered by a big sunburst nipple ring. It happened so quickly that several people at the party missed it when they blinked or turned away. CBS quickly cut away, and later apologized, and now the FCC is launching an investigation into the incident. Okay, it was a little tacky, but I don't get it. We can investigate Janet and Justin but we can't investigate Bush?
What's wrong with this picture? FCC chairman Michael Powell quickly condemned the Super Bowl performance as a "classless, crass and deplorable stunt" and threatened an official inquiry into what CBS knew and when they knew it. Sounds a lot like the Watergate language of the 1970s, but there's one problem: this ain't Watergate folks. This is entertainment TV.
Janet practically revealed her intentions the days before the game when she showed up for publicity shots with her boobs nearly hanging out of her outfit. Even a Kinsey 6 couldn't have missed that. To drive home the point before the show, MTV promised something "shocking" at the performance.
And Justin's claim that the incident was unplanned or unintentional rightly fell on deaf ears when viewers remembered that the well-timed words he sang were "gonna have you nekked by the end of this song." Of course, he knew just where to pull to rip off that removable breast patch from Janet's dominatrix outfit. CBS euphemistically called it "wardrobe malfunction."
Janet, to her credit (I guess), apologized. "The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime show performance was made after final rehearsals. MTV was completely unaware of it. It was not my intention that it go as far as it did." So she planned it but she didn't plan it. She just happened to be wearing a removable breast patch that day.
Personally, I thought the performance was tacky but memorable. Some people wrote to tell me that Janet outdid Diana, but I beg to differ. Diana sang her butt off for 13 minutes and then climbed into a helicopter. MTV, which produced this year's Super Bowl show, had to cram in Nelly, P. Diddy, Kid Rock, Justin and Janet into miniature-sized performances that didn't make as much of an impact.
Janet, ever the smart businesswoman and aging diva, knew she had to stand out. Taking a cue from Madonna's playbook last August when the material girl kissed Britney and Christina on stage, Janet had to generate even more scandal. What could she do? Endorse Al Sharpton for president? Nope. Madonna had already endorsed a presidential candidate a few weeks before. So she stuck with what she knew: her body. And no matter what the FCC and CBS try to tell you, sex always sells. (Did the FCC ever investigate Baywatch?)
Within minutes of Janet's "shocking" performance, her record label revealed that she had a new CD coming out. "Damita Jo" will be released March 30. What a coincidence! Virgin Records was so upset about the incident that they pushed up the release of her new single, "Just A Little While," and rushed it into radio stations this week.
So it's all about money, but who cares? Janet did her thing. Her most famous brother is on trial. Her other brothers are still wearing Jheri curls. Give the girl a break. She may need the money to bail out her family.
Okay, now here's the irony. Tom Brokaw led with the story as one of the teasers on Monday's NBC Nightly News. Nightline did a show on "the show" last night as well. And get this, even the White House chimed in. "I think our view is that it's important for families to be able to expect a high standard when it comes to programming," a White House spokesman said. Ha!
Is it also important for families to expect the president not to lie to them about a war in Iraq or a half trillion dollar deficit? Maybe the president should thank Janet and Justin, along with Britney and Madonna, and every other celebrity who does something scandalous that takes our minds off the failure of the White House to lead the country. If Janet hadn't revealed herself, what else would we talk about?
Comments conceal
Roger Pollard
February 3 2004, 10:40AM
Preplanned or not, it got everyone's attention. And as far as the White House comment, shouldn't our families be able to expect a high standard from the leadership of our country?
Damon
February 3 2004, 10:49AM
I have to agree that the year Diana Ross did her half-time show was un-topable!! The execs need to get over the J&J show, which was well after 8:00pm and produced my MTV, and over in the blink of an eye, and be more concerned with daytime soaps where everyone is always in the bed! Land of the Free?????? You tell me! That's entertainment!
Damon
February 3 2004, 10:50AM
I have to agree that the year Diana Ross did her half-time show was un-topable!! The execs need to get over the J&J show, which was well after 8:00pm and produced my MTV, and over in the blink of an eye, and be more concerned with daytime soaps where everyone is always in the bed! Land of the Free?????? You tell me! That's entertainment!
ronn
February 3 2004, 11:01AM
Come on, it was a few seconds of titty! I totally believe Janet that it was a mistake to reveal her entire breast.
And f*ck CBS! They wouldn't show MoveOn.org's pro-Dem ad, yet they're acting all prissy about a li'l bit of titty?!? What about all the provocative stuff before the titty? Humping, grinding, nasty lyrics and crotch-grabbing was OK, but no, don't let Janet Damitra Jo Jackson show no titty! Might ruin the "family atmosphere" of the Super Bowl. I ain't Nell Carer (RIP Pork Chop), but Gimme a Break!
Quinton
February 3 2004, 11:20AM
I'm outraged that it's becoming such a big issue.
Jaymillionaire
February 3 2004, 1:02PM
Keith you got me on this one. Diana Ross' performance was amazing, and I was amazed by Janet. Overall her perfomance wasn't what wowed us, it was her shocking boob---er stunt.
Isn't it ironic how middle (white-hypocritical) America jumps to their feet to canonize Janet, but where was the FCC when Colin Powell (Michael's Dad) was firing missles into Iraqi children on network primetime television.
White America will not stop until every black celebrity is tarred and feathered and relegated to "mamie" of the white stars.
Doug
February 3 2004, 2:02PM
I am shocked by all the attention this has received. I mean we can invade another country without a shred of fact behind it, and we continue to see US service men/women killed and the whole country goes ballistic over a tit!?! What the hell is wrong with people. Everyone needs to get over the Superbowl, and take a look at who is leading our Country!
Larry
February 3 2004, 2:09PM
on point Keith.
Makes you wanna go hmmmmmm.........
mr
February 3 2004, 2:27PM
I'm shocked and also bewildered. You go through the trouble of flashing the free world but you don't even bother to sing any material from your new album?That's not good marketing. She is claiming only the front part of her outfit was supposed to come off, revealing her bra under it.
I must say though, that is one of the nicest nipple rings I have ever seen. And the breast attached to it.
legaleagle2003
February 3 2004, 2:33PM
Let us not forget, that Colin Powell and Janet teamed up years ago. She donated a percentage of the gross from her concerts to his charity, American's Promise. Now, son Powell is condeming the Diva of Dirty? Well, if I were Janet, I would tell Pappa Powell to give me back my DAMN money!!
Eva Young
February 3 2004, 2:55PM
I didn't watch the Superbowl or the Halftime - but I understand they had an ad for beer with a chimpanzee propositioning a woman - but they wouldn't air the Moveon ad.
Government - and media have better things to do.
Troy
February 3 2004, 2:56PM
THIS JUST IN: Fubu will be coming out with nipple rings of various shapes, sizes and price points for those wanting that Jackson Superbowl Look. skinny white-boy not included but do get yours today!
(source: DNR, Overkill Digest and Vomit on the Spot Magazine)
Fred
February 3 2004, 4:22PM
I laughed it off when I saw it but I do understand that this wasn't the proper venue to display her breast. Who is her publicist? What was she thinking? If it was an accident then we need to move on. Having Michael already in hot water with his allegations is bad enough but now Janet made an error in judegement and is paying the price. It's a damn shame.................
Dee
February 3 2004, 7:51PM
I think she and Justin did exactly what they intended to do and I'm not mad about it. I love me some Janet and Toni Braxton. Remember no publicity is bad publicity!
cmoney
February 4 2004, 12:28AM
Bootylicious Beyonce' to Booby-licious Janet--what a great Superbowl. Now if I could only get that four hour erection that the Cialis commercial promised! Why does everyone in the media pretend that all of America is a 70 year old nursing home resident in Peoria? I don't want Superbowl halftime shows to return to the days of "Up With People". and the Osmonds. We love titties. Show us more. Show us some scenes from the locker room after the game for a real postgame interview. Now that would be entertainment.
aquafemme2003
February 4 2004, 9:34AM
I think we are all pretty much agreed that this entire thing is silly. It's a breast. Now if she had revealed a weapon of mass destruction...
I was discussing with my g/f last night how annoyed I am that adult zones and children's zones are being blurred into one big family zone. Not to say that Superbowl isn't a family zone, however it seems to me that all viewing/music etc. nowadays is expected to be "family friendly". What ever happened to adults-only affairs? I mean, sometimes folks need to just send their damned children to bed! And I agree that it was quite a spectacular sight. And quite a slap in the face to white conservative America. Kudos.
Troy
February 4 2004, 9:40AM
It's kind of like running into the countless righteous faces you see everywhere telling us what we should and should not do but they themselves are the same faces seen in parks, sex partys and everywhere else in between.
Why can't I see Janets' breast when I am given Sex in the City and Queer As Folks doing it all day and night long and on top of that I better not be late with that oh-so-not-worth-anything cable bill payment.
What is wrong with that picture? Hmmm, we may never ever really know...
cmoney
February 4 2004, 11:29AM
Heard in living rooms across America after the relentless ads for Levitra and Cialis during the Booby-bowl:
"Mommy, what's an erection?"
I wonder if any kid got his mouth washed out with soap for that question.
legaleagle2003
February 4 2004, 1:02PM
Those Jackson kids....they are going to give "mamma Katherine" a stroke. Who would have thought that LaToya would turn out to be the less controversial one...
alicia
February 4 2004, 1:41PM
janet is my religion...
i adore and worship her!
but it was just a really bad move on a family day in global prime time
there is a time and place for all...
this was simply not the time or place
peace
ab
chris
February 4 2004, 5:33PM
what about that silly ass white man who ran around the field naked,come on white america you love porn,soft core hard core, XXX.i would tell janet don't apologize,don't grovel in front of white america for being a cutting edge personality
Regan DuCasse
February 4 2004, 7:11PM
After the beautiful vocals of Josh Groban in tribute to the Columbia crew and the sincere and classy rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Beyonce-
the halftime show brought EVERYTHING to a new low.
C'mon!
The newest rap/r and b culture is anathema to women who have succeeded in say, the space program, or business or letters-who have brains and don't have to strut around shaking ass because they can't sing or dance, but fake it anyway.
Janet allowing her top to be torn off, all fun and games for HER (who rolls around with bodyguards)
But I won't forget a recent summer at the NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade, when young women were accosted by a mob of black and brown men and had THEIR tops and shorts torn off!
I work as a performer and it's damn hard to keep strange men's hands off of me.
Janet making it look like it's all harmless and okay makes me want to kick her for not having a clue.
truth
February 4 2004, 8:14PM
In truth we haven't progressed as a society much further than the days of the Roman Empire. We are still a gladiator culture and this country's obsession with sports,war, and these Survivor -type reality shows prove it. "Family day"? Since when has the fucking Super Bowl, for God's sake, become a holy sacrament?
lenn
February 5 2004, 12:08AM
they're spending billions to send a rover to mars to find whatever,meanwhile bush is spending billions on a war overseas, and the press is spending millions to find out whether or not justin & janet did this as a prank...go figure! talk about distracting the country from what's really at stake...real scary.
jay
February 5 2004, 12:20AM
When i first saw the very brief flash, yes i thought it was intentional, because it seemed that janet was wearing a pasty. But after seeing the many many blown-up web pics I saw that it was actually her piercing, this led me to believe that
in actuality that it was a mistake and seeing the sincere looks of shock on both janet's and justin's face further cemented my belief that it was a mistake. I'm sick of hearing all these media personalities(you included) give their 2 cents and say that just because janet is 'aging'(37), that she needed this to compete with the younger pop stars and to give attention to her album.(BULL!)If that's the case and this was just some well-thought plot then her album would of been released tuesday not 2 months from now. If janet is such the 'forgot about' star then why is she now the most searched figure on the web now, 60x's more than paris hilton after her sex-tape scandal and 80 x's more than Britney Spears, the young pop star, who so many say she has to compete against( even though Britney's latest album has only sold 2 million)
The FCC, namely Colin Powell's son, Michael claims that was the most deploarable and shocking thing that he has saw on television, I guess he and many others forgot about 9-11 and seeing people drop to their deaths or the many photos we saw over the summer of Sadaam's son's 'murdered' bodies. The funny thing is that the Janet incident wasn't the only thing they had a problem with, they had problems with Nelly grabbing his crotch, Kid Rock and his American flag poncho.
CBS claims to hold such a high standard in their shows, but this the same network who just last december and the year before showed the Victoria's Secret Show. I couldn't tell you how many tits i saw through the see through bras and the asses in the g-strings. If they are soo concerned about keeping the Super Bowl family oriented then why all the viagra and similar pills comercials. I know i don't want to hear about some old man's erectile dysfunction.
Finally, Keith, I know you must like Diana the way I like Janet, but that is the same woman who jiggled Lil' Kim's breast and made news that same week for fondling a female airport security personnel in Europe. Believe me when I say this Janet may have wanted a shocking moment by showing her lace bra or bodice(i'm not familiar with those terms), but she wouldn't go as far to show her breast. Give the woman some credit!
~Thank you
Kymberlyn
February 5 2004, 12:46AM
I'm frankly sick of people calling the very talented Janet Jackson an 'aging has-been' as if 37 years old makes one over the hill. I've seen 20-somethings who don't look as good as Janet does at 37--and most of them are injecting Botox nearly every month!
Everyone needs to keep in mind that if it weren't for Janet's signature dance moves and singing style, there would be no Britney, Christina or Justin. Also, get over the breasts, why don't you? It's pretty hypocritical for a lot of these men, who are inordinately fascinated by huge knockers to get all bent out of shape over a split-second shot of a nipple-piercing. I really wish people here would get more outraged about the fact that Bush lied to us about Saddam's WMD's, or the fact that the education system in this country has pretty much reverted back to pre-Brown vs. The Board of Education for poor and urban children. Oh, and this IS an election year.
I've been reading commentary from European newspapers, including Le Monde and the BBC, and they find our reaction indicative of this country's rampant puritanical streak.
Dee
February 5 2004, 12:53AM
Jay and Kimberlyn very good posts!
Pakeenon
February 5 2004, 1:02AM
I agree with most of the comments here. Yes, indeed it was over the top, and in the wrong place, at the wrong time. But the hypocritical, righteous indignation demonstrated by the icons of popular society (CBS, NFL, FCC) is nauseating. Protecting the children?? What about cable TV titties only three clicks away on the remote? What about the porn-ridden Internet to which every white kid in America has access? Give it a break! Every woman has a breast! Deal with it!
WorthTheWait
February 5 2004, 11:23AM
U know, good for janet for getting them all worked up about her tatas....LOL...It was not the proper place and she did it for that reason. She is flipping off the media for the way they have been treating her family (michael in particular). They (her family) must be laughing their asses off....and I am laughing with them.
WorthTheWait
James
February 5 2004, 11:50AM
You know the one thing I have noticed was Janet in other show venues where she could have exposed herself as there was one where she allowed the cameras back stage to see her change into a costume would not allow then to show her nude at all.. So why now?
and yes Keith we should investigate Bush and especially his feeling to ammend the constitution to discriminate against all of us.. that is an impeachable offence as he is trying to say with the host of the other people that we are NOT entitled to the same fair rights as anyone else in this country.. in fact if the founding father wanted to say that glbt people were not equal i'm sure they knew of homosexuality too.. it would have been slated in the draft they came up with.. UN enlightened.. yep that sums Bush up and I say we take it too the streets what ever way we can.. not to include violence .. I just know that some aren't comfortable picketing, some are more comfortable writing letters etc.. we stand up and be counted for is all I am saying..
Another note the mass destruction weapons... hmmm we made a mistake.... Letting that man in office has been our biggest mistake.. Do NOT let that happen again I say..
R.L
February 5 2004, 2:15PM
Hey...she messup...ok that's like when you get pulled over in your car by a cop, people there on the road seen you do wrong "speeding". you pay your fine and go on, But when someone like her does something like that puts her name on the news thats money in the bank. I reather see her name then her brother and news about her..it could be to help get people off her brothers back to help him... who knows and who cares. some people need a life..if Bill can have sex then janet can show off, Why one..Thats the question.
Shaun Brown
February 5 2004, 2:46PM
I believe that it wasn't Janet's fault for what had happened on stage. Mistakes happen, it is apart of performing in public. Things don't go as planned and people are ready to point fingers. I think the reason why they pointed the finger at Janet is because of the fact that she is a beautiful, talent black woman who happens to be a sibling to the famous Jackson brothers. I wonder if she wasn't a member of that family would she get the same kind of critism. Of course yes, because she is a woman of color.
The public didn't hold an investigation on Brittney Spears when she revealed her skin tight and revealing jumpsuit at the MTV award shows. Or any other perform who was showing some skin on stage. They didn't make it a big deal as they are with Janet. The truth of the matter is Janet wouldn't go to that extreme intentionally. At her concerts she performs dance moves that are tasteful enough to be enjoyed by everyone young and old. If the song is expressing sexuality she performs it in a manner where it isn't degrading or obscene.
Come on now! It happened, we were shocked, it is getting old, and move on. We can't stay in the past forever, things won't happen if we drag it on.
Diana Ross's performance was the bomb! That is a great performer who still has it and never lost her edge.
alicia
February 5 2004, 3:28PM
i think jj is 40
mike is 45
she is flawless always and eternally
peace
ab
Larry Bryant
February 5 2004, 6:16PM
All this over one breast......and a right one at that.
Laura
February 5 2004, 7:26PM
I really dont see what the big deal is. its a tity get over it! everyone has seen one. even children that have been breast feed, "whatever" children see worst stuff on tv and Music Videos every day. take some of that sh*t off the air, Anyway America, grow up if u can show people having sex on regular tv at 7:00pm then Janet can show her titty!!!! and the show(s) that showS all these people havin sex is called VEGAS and it plays on CBS and if Will off "Will and Grace" can lay up in bed with another man then come on why cant janet show a tit? change the stuff that comes on tv and we wouldn't have this problem. im pretty sure Janet didn't see it as a big deal b/c of the fact that all this regular sexually stuff airs daily round the clock anyway
.
laura
February 5 2004, 7:28PM
LET JANET BREATH ITS JUST A TIT
don't understand
February 5 2004, 10:42PM
Keith, I don't understand you. Janet Jackson was involved in an incident that you don't know was intentional or not, but you quickly jump to the conclusion that it was just a publicity stunt for the 'aging' star. But yet when Britney Spears locked tongues with the 40'ish Madonna(which by the way aired on television much earlier in the night than the Janet incident) at the MTV awards. Then a few months later, her seeing that her album wasn't doing that well all of a sudden decided to get married for a night. Those 2 acts were both obviously well planned out, yet you labeled Britney an undercover gay-rights activist and you sung her praise.
This leaves me with this:
Why the double standard Keith? --I actually thought you were better than that Keith.
chedrick
February 6 2004, 1:13PM
has anyone noticed that the only peaople PRETENDING to be up set about this are middle aged white men, who are in my opinion, whats wrong with this country, its the essense of hypocracy when u can show sex driven ads all through the super bowl but when a blk entertainer has a wardrobe malfunction its considered offensive, take a look at the jerry springer show, which the fcc has absolutely no problem with, which is far more offensive. I think this is an white americas attack on one of the most treasured familys in history, THE JACKSON, and dont even get me start on that bs investigation on michael thats a whole nother issue .!!!!!
Mark
February 6 2004, 9:37PM
The best shot of her breast is the one you posted. What's funny to me is How Sir Justin keep changing his story.
Darrell
February 7 2004, 1:34AM
I urge you all to BOYCOTT (not watch) the Grammy telecast this coming Sunday, February 8th in protest against the hypocrisy and double standard that is being hurled at Janet. For more information, check out the following Web sites: "boycottthegrammys.com" and "darrelldiggins.com"
joe
February 7 2004, 6:13PM
funny how everone forgets about diana ross playing with lil kim tit and modonna & brittney.... move on, there are more things happening in our life that we should be worried about....
http://www.petitiononline.com/janet04/petition.html
whatever... janet i love you and keep doing what your doing.
Larry
February 9 2004, 9:39AM
Its strange how they were so outrage when Janet showed the tiddy for 1 second........but they've been showin the same tiddy aaaaaaalllllllllll week ----------IN SLOW MOTION.
What's up with that?
Sounds like hypocrisy to me.
Speaking of which, one time for Patti Labelle at the grammies who asked the poignant question why was Justin Timberlake not asked to not attend the awards since he was just as directly involved with the incident as Janet?
debro
February 10 2004, 9:18PM
This is old news!! Not the story but the action. The FCC and the news media has again, made a mockery out of something so innocent. YES INNOCENT. Americans should open their eyes to sex and sexuality. We are no longer in the dark ages of time. Breast has been revealed on public transits during breast-feeding of newborn babes. Before cable television was on the market..
Peace...