The 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show Sucks

[Midnighter]

It was enjoyable for many of us because it brought us back to growing up or being in our 20’s in the 1990’s. It was a great time for many of us. That’s what music should do…connect you with a time or feeling that is enjoyable. By that measure, it succeeded for many of us.

With that being said, it seems like many of you would only be happy if the halftime show was Lawrence Welk or Buck Owens. By the way, I don’t think it has been called country western for several decades. That comment reminded me of the scene in The Blues Brothers when they go in to play at the honky tonk bar and ask the girl at the bar what kind of music the bands there usually play. She replies, “We have two kinds of music, country and western.”

And before anyone slams me for not liking country music, that isn’t the case. I’ve been to Garth, Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, and Zac Brown concerts. They too take me back to certain times in life and good times. I like all kinds of music. It just depends on my mood that day.

I will say this though and it won’t be popular. I never understood the hype with the Beatles. Just isn’t my taste, I guess? Give me The Rolling Stones any day.

Wait, what is it called if not 'country'? Or are you saying just not 'country/western'?

 

[Midnighter]

They haven’t done a country music theme since 1994. Let’s keep it that way.

It's a tough gig. If I'm Pepsi and can pick anyone to do the next halftime show, I go for:

1. Pink
2. Taylor Swift
3. Adele
4. Foo Fighters (rock doesn't sound as good live as pop)
5. Ariana Grande
6. Boy Band/90s Girl Reunions (N'SYNC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera)
7. Lin-Manuel Miranda Hamilton/Encanto/Moana mash up
8. Depeche Mode/Pet Shop Boys/New Order

 

[LB99]

Wait, what is it called if not 'country'? Or are you saying just not 'country/western'?

Just country. Drop the western.

 

[LB99]

It's a tough gig. If I'm Pepsi and can pick anyone to do the next halftime show, I go for:

1. Pink
2. Taylor Swift
3. Adele
4. Foo Fighters (rock doesn't sound as good live as pop)
5. Ariana Grande
6. Boy Band/90s Girl Reunions (N'SYNC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera)
7. Lin-Manuel Miranda Hamilton/Encanto/Moana mash up
8. Depeche Mode/Pet Shop Boys/New Order

Holy moly NO to Depeche Mode/Pet Shop Boys. Hard pass. There are so many other options for 80’s music.

Give me some Hair Bands instead.

 

[Thorndike2021]

I'm an 'old white guy' and the show didn't make me cranky at all. I have a ton of respect for Dre, Snoop is a die hard Steelers fan (like me)...I was a bit disturbed by 50 cent's head band. Did he borrow that ugly thing from John McEnroe? Mary J still looks decent at 51, although she's pretty thick these days. Some (not all) very nice choreography and the set was well thought out. Overall, I thought it was a good show.

My favorite all time show was Prince. He did it all LIVE in a rainstorm. An incredible performance.

These things said, I also wouldn't mind if they went back to college marching bands and circus performers for the halftime show. The whole thing is supposed to be about football! What would a Penn State home game be without the Blue Band? It would suck!

 

[razpsu]

I think it was AWESOME that Eminem threw some respect Tim Tebow's way by recognizing his greatness by kneeling and bowing his head in solemn prayer. Really nice of him to do that.

I was thinking he had a head rush and had to take a knee since there were no chairs after smoking with snoop.

 

[LB99]

I was thinking he had a head rush and had to take a knee since there were no chairs after smoking with snoop.

I thought it was a tribute to DJ Dozier’s TD in the 87 Fiesta Bowl win over Miami.

 

[Keyser Soze 16802]

I thought Silk Sonic would have been the best choice

They actually sing as opposed to just speaking rhymes

 

[Nittany1865Farmer]

With the technology we have today, why not pass out VR headsets to all the fans attending the Super Bowl and then when its half-time, you pick from virtual reality what you what to see. No one can complain about what's on because YOU choose what you want to see yourself. For the fans at home, smart t.v.'s will be able to do the same thing. Viola! no more bitching and moaning over how good or bad the show was. Bob and others could watch a Victoria Secret's all-star review show if they want. The country fans can watch some good, real country music and those who prefer hip hop can watch hip hop. We will all be one happy nation of football fans again....

 

[Connorpozlee]

I want football too and halftime is too long but the show was good. Maybe not prince worthy, but very good

I love a good documentary. I don’t want to see it in the middle of a football game though. There’s a time and place for everything.

 

[Connorpozlee]

It was enjoyable for many of us because it brought us back to growing up or being in our 20’s in the 1990’s. It was a great time for many of us. That’s what music should do…connect you with a time or feeling that is enjoyable. By that measure, it succeeded for many of us.

With that being said, it seems like many of you would only be happy if the halftime show was Lawrence Welk or Buck Owens. By the way, I don’t think it has been called country western for several decades. That comment reminded me of the scene in The Blues Brothers when they go in to play at the honky tonk bar and ask the girl at the bar what kind of music the bands there usually play. She replies, “We have two kinds of music, country and western.”

And before anyone slams me for not liking country music, that isn’t the case. I’ve been to Garth, Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, and Zac Brown concerts. They too take me back to certain times in life and good times. I like all kinds of music. It just depends on my mood that day.

I will say this though and it won’t be popular. I never understood the hype with the Beatles. Just isn’t my taste, I guess? Give me The Rolling Stones any day.

I think many would be happy if there wasn’t any halftime production. I didn’t really care about the musical acts any more than any others. I’m a huge Springsteen and didn’t want to see him at halftime years ago either.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Do people think that all 110+ million that watched the game were solely interested in football? Or that throwing a marching band out there gets the same number of eyeballs on it?

 

[LB99]

I think many would be happy if there wasn’t any halftime production. I didn’t really care about the musical acts any more than any others. I’m a huge Springsteen and didn’t want to see him at halftime years ago either.

As EL noted, not everyone watching is a football traditionalist. People have SB parties with guests of diverse interests. The SB isn’t just about the game. It’s an entertainment opportunity on multiple levels and the bottom line is that it is about the money and TV ratings.

 

[Connorpozlee]

As EL noted, not everyone watching is a football traditionalist. People have SB parties with guests of diverse interests. The SB isn’t just about the game. It’s an entertainment opportunity on multiple levels and the bottom line is that it is about the money and TV ratings.

I get the reason for it. I still don’t like it. I’m also not having heart palpitations about it.

 

[Midnighter]

Do people think that all 110+ million that watched the game were solely interested in football? Or that throwing a marching band out there gets the same number of eyeballs on it?

Fun fact to know: Katy Perry's half-time show is the most watched ever.

 

[Woodpecker]

Holy moly NO to Depeche Mode/Pet Shop Boys. Hard pass. There are so many other options for 80’s music.

Give me some Hair Bands instead.

So you don't think this will go over well?

 

[LB99]

So you don't think this will go over well?

That’s freakin weird.

 

[psu]

I get the reason for it. I still don’t like it. I’m also not having heart palpitations about it.

This sums it up. If you are a football fan there is no reason for it. The fact that they do it is completely stupid, but it's not the end of the world. I would like to reiterate it is completely stupid though. I just change the channel at halftime, nothing lost. I just wish I could switch over to the Beavis & Butthead halftime show, but even that would be permeated by today's social media ******** I fear.

 

[bbrown]

That’s freakin weird.

I know I love it.

 

[Midnighter]

This sums it up. If you are a football fan there is no reason for it. The fact that they do it is completely stupid, but it's not the end of the world. I would like to reiterate it is completely stupid though. I just change the channel at halftime, nothing lost. I just wish I could switch over to the Beavis & Butthead halftime show, but even that would be permeated by today's social media ******** I fear.

Right, but what do fans at the stadium do? It's really for their benefit. Not everyone can go to the bathroom, get food, go for a smoke, etc. It's to pass the time. I'd take a concert from anyone, especially a superstar, given the cost of the tickets. At home? Change the channel, do whatever. No biggie.

 

[Lion84]

Do people think that all 110+ million that watched the game were solely interested in football? Or that throwing a marching band out there gets the same number of eyeballs on it?

I am sure some (all) had money on the game in some form - prop bets on the halftime show I bet. I thought the show was boring but they always are every year for the most part.

 

[Nitt1300]

The only thing I liked about it was how upset it made some people.

 

[Connorpozlee]

Right, but what do fans at the stadium do? It's really for their benefit. Not everyone can go to the bathroom, get food, go for a smoke, etc. It's to pass the time. I'd take a concert from anyone, especially a superstar, given the cost of the tickets. At home? Change the channel, do whatever. No biggie.

Talk to each other? I don’t know, I don’t need to be force fed amusement of my time at a sporting event.

 

[psu]

Right, but what do fans at the stadium do? It's really for their benefit. Not everyone can go to the bathroom, get food, go for a smoke, etc. It's to pass the time. I'd take a concert from anyone, especially a superstar, given the cost of the tickets. At home? Change the channel, do whatever. No biggie.

Oh, whatever did they do back before they had these stupid halftime shows? How did the fans survive that brutal halftime?

 

[Midnighter]

Oh, whatever did they do back before they had these stupid halftime shows? How did the fans survive that brutal halftime?

LOL. What did we ever do before we had stupid professional football games????

 

[Grant Green]

It’s an entertainment opportunity on multiple levels and the bottom line is that it is about the money and TV ratings.

^^Gets it^^

 

[s1uggo72]

Oh, whatever did they do back before they had these stupid halftime shows? How did the fans survive that brutal halftime?

 

[CvilleElksCoach]

I’m a young 60 year old guy and I really liked the halftime. The set was really cool too. I did feel bad for those that spent $2500 for their ticket and got to stare at the back of the set.

 

[LionJim]

View attachment 183371

Another Hall of Fame post, right here.

 

[Woodpecker]

I’m a young 60 year old guy and I really liked the halftime. The set was really cool too. I did feel bad for those that spent $2500 for their ticket and got to stare at the back of the set.

I wondered about that as well. Kinda pricey to watch it on the big screen.

 

[Grant Green]

Another Hall of Fame post, right here.

He looks like he's getting every bit of that drag too.

 

[anon1712773474]

I kinda like some rap and hiphop, but not so much in a concert venue. I feel it’s a genre where the beats and vocals are more lucid recorded rather than performed live. That said, if they had Janelle Monae at the venue, then the visuals and vocals would be a hell of lot more appealing.

 

[psu31trap]

I know I’m older and I realize that I’m no longer the target audience. I didn’t enjoy the show because I just didn’t get it!! I couldn’t understand the lyrics, there was no melody, absolutely no chords and honestly all the grabbing stuff is just not necessary. This is just an opinion as I do not have any facts, but this particular halftime show was purely political and nothing more.

 

[Schoolie]

Thought the halftime show was great. The wife and kids liked it, too. Well produced and good tunes.

Tunes? There were tunes sung during that show?

 

[BrucePa]

I'll never watch another Super Bowl Halftime Show unless the Amish Outlaws are there.

The Amish Outlaws | Straight Outta Lancaster...

amishoutlaws.com

 

[LB99]

I know I’m older and I realize that I’m no longer the target audience. I didn’t enjoy the show because I just didn’t get it!! I couldn’t understand the lyrics, there was no melody, absolutely no chords and honestly all the grabbing stuff is just not necessary. This is just an opinion as I do not have any facts, but this particular halftime show was purely political and nothing more.

NOW GET OFF MY LAWN!!

 

[Connorpozlee]

View attachment 183371

Is he drinking a Fresca?

 

[s1uggo72]

Is he drinking a Fresca?

Bryan Armen Graham@BryanAGrahamHere's Len Dawson smoking a cigarette and drinking a Fresca *during halftime* of Super Bowl I.

 

[Moogy]

Tunes? There were tunes sung during that show?

You have to use words like "dagnabbit," "tomfoolery," "shenanigans," and "ruckus" when making an old, out of touch white guy statement like this.

Here you go ... don't worry, be happy ...

 

[Schoolie]

You have to use words like "dagnabbit," "tomfoolery," "shenanigans," and "ruckus" when making an old, out of touch white guy statement like this.

Here you go ... don't worry, be happy ...

There ya go!