Super Bowl Fallout
The fallout from the MTV produced Super Bowl halftime show that is prompting an FCC investigation….“in their own words”
Federal Communications Commission chief Michael Powell
“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,” Powell said in a statement.
He added in interviews Tuesday that other aspects of the racy halftime show, which also featured such performers as Nelly and Kid Rock, also bothered him.
“I think everybody’s focusing on the finale, but a lot of what we’ve heard in terms of complaints and the breadth of the investigation is a little broader than just that incident,” Powell said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”"I personally was offended by the entire production.”
Said the FCC’s Powell on NBC’s “Today”: “I’m glad everybody is sorry. I’m sorry, too; it was a sorry incident. But if the standard were that you could do whatever you wanted to and if you apologized the next day that ends all further inquiry, we’d have a really poor enforcement program.”
Justin Timberlake
Although Timberlake issued a statement shortly after the show apologizing and blaming the debacle on a “wardrobe malfunction,” he didn’t seem too sorry in comments to the syndicated show “Access Hollywood.”
“It was fun. It was quick, slick, to the point,” said Justin about the sexy show.
“Hey, man, we love giving you all something to talk about,” he said, laughing.
Janet Jackson
“It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologize to anyone offended - including the audience, MTV, CBS and the NFL.”
MTV statement…
“MTV was as surprised and shocked as anyone last night. Janet Jackson acknowledged that we had no prior knowledge of her plans. We will continue to investigate the circumstances.
Our goal with the Super Bowl Halftime show was to produce an entertaining stage experience with a positive message about empowerment and voting. We are disappointed that this message has been overshadowed by the unfortunate incident. MTV apologizes again to anyone who was offended.”
MTV Networks Group President Judy McGrath
While she praised Jackson and Timberlake as artists, she said: “I don’t appreciate someone who doesn’t communicate what their plans are. I think it was a misguided move on their parts.”
“I’m mostly horrified as what I think would have been an entertaining, exciting great halftime show that ended so badly in five seconds none of us knew anything about.”
The NFL…
“We were extremely disappointed by the MTV-produced halftime show. It was totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given about the content of the show.
“The show was offensive, inappropriate and embarrassing to us and our fans. We will change our policy, our people and our processes for managing the halftime entertainment in the future in order to deal far more effectively with the quality of this aspect of the Super Bowl.”
sources:
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20040203/D80FSHN80.html
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484766/20040201/jackson_janet.jhtml?headlines=true
http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/7055426
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A5746-2004Feb2?language=printer
http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/2811088/detail.html
Tags: News and Media
