We’re all to blame for Janet’s stunt
Thanks to Janet Jackson, almost 90 million people saw, on TV, what our children have been seeing, on MTV, for years. And, guess what? The only people shocked by Justin Timberlake’s “grip-it, and rip-it” stunt were the grown-ups, most of whom, never take the time to monitor MTV so they will know what parades before their youngsters eyes.
One father who watched the game with his 12-year-old son said the Jackson dance passed uncommented upon, but he was caught short when the boy asked, “Dad, what is erectile dysfunction.?”
Did he hear about that on MTV? No! The 12-year-old was introduced to that medical term by none other than, NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, who indicated through his Super Bowl ad, for a certain product, that bad knees aren’t his only problem.
“Give me a break,” former NBA star Charles Barkley said. “There are a lot more trashier things on television than Janet Jackson.” You are right Sir Charles. Nelly grabbing his “crotch!” I thought I was going to puke!
Perhaps the saddest fact of the whole sordid event is Jackson’s unscripted moment of trash during the halftime show of Super Bowl 38 proved to be the most searched event in the history of the Internet. Surfers scrambled for pictures of Jackson’s right breast in greater numbers than searchers for Sept. 11 or Madonna’s kiss with Britney Spears.
And there was NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on Monday, the day after, explaining to the mass media how extremely disappointed the league was. “It’s embarrassing to us and our fans. It was totally inappropriate,” he said. Well, Mr. Commissioner, I applaud your statement, and the strong stand you have taken since.
But I gotta ask you sir, what were you thinking? I mean, what did you expect from MTV? Norah Jones? Janet Jackson even warned earlier that she was going to do something shocking. You can certainly say she is a woman of her word.
You want to know what really gets me mad? That Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake think we Americans are gullible idiots. That we believe their lies when they say it was not intentional, and they regret it. Give me a break! I have to use a Robert Deniro line here. “Are you talking to me?” A wardrobe malfunction! Yeah, America will certainly believe that! Won’t we?
Over the years this country has been asked by some pretty slick people to swallow some tall tales all the way from the White House to corporate board rooms. But I’m afraid this one is just a little too obvious even, for Americans. Yes, in this country you are innocent until proven guilty. But the video tape doesn’t lie. We saw what we saw. And, guess what? That was no magic act. David Copperfield was nowhere in sight.
The majority of the American people find you, Janet Jackson, guilty! They find you, Justin Timberlake, guilty! But you’re not going down by yourself. Also guilty, MTV, CBS, the NFL, and we the public. Yes, we are guilty too. Why?
Because we all have participated in the decline and fall of a culture that allowed commercial pornography to enter our living rooms on a Sunday evening, during the family dinner hour and, here’s the greater sin. Our children were blindsided, and think because it was on TV, it must be cool!
Now hear this! The moment has arrived for a hostile takeover of MTV by the PARENTS of the world!
(Hope Hines is a television sports reporter and a Nashville personality.)