It’s the most exhilarating ten minutes you’ll ever experience. The biggest sporting event of the year stops for a break, and then ensue the carnage.
A compendium of lights, sounds and sights to excite the senses like nothing you’ve ever seen before; and Janet Jackson’s boob.
The Super Bowl half-time show is one of my favourite events of the year. I love it so much I’ll be live-tweeting this year’s half-time show on the Read American Football Twitter account (which you can follow here!). It could get defamatory.
There have been some astonishing editions of the exhibition of stardom over the years. Here’s the top five.
5) Super Bowl XXXVIII
This Super Bowl half-time has actually been over-shadowed, in my expert opinion. The show featured stars like P Diddy, Kid Rock, Nelly and Jessica Simpson. Unfortunately, all anybody remembers is the wardrobe malfunction of poor Janet Jackson. Serial slack wearer Justin Timberlake was ever so slightly too aggressive in one of his dance moves and revealed to the entire world the right breast of Ms Jackson. That’s the stuff of dreams.
4) Super Bowl XXXVI
A half-time show that managed to touch everyone’s hearts. Just a few months removed from the September 11th terror attacks on the United States, America was in the midst of suffering from a nauseating concoction of paranoia and fear. U2 stepped up to volley home a half-time performance for the ages. As “Where the Streets Have No Name” belted out around the Super Bowl, the names of the victims from that day were shown around the Superdome for the world to see.
3) Super Bowl XXVII
Michael Jackson couldn’t not be on this list. Perhaps the greatest stage performer ever to grace the earth, MJ put on an exemplary half-time show at Super Bowl XXVII. Playing such renowned tracks as “Billie Jean” and “Black or White” the entertainment went next level with a rendition of “Heal the World”, featuring a placard display from the whole stadium and a 3,500-strong children’s choir.
2) Super Bowl XLVII
International symbol of sassy-ness Beyoncé took Super Bowl XLVII by the scruff of its shirt and left it crying out for more. The reuniting of Destiny’s Child briefly made the whole world come to a standstill, and “Bootylicious” affected teenage boys from all corners of the globe. I was 15 when this went down. I think we’ll leave it there.
1) Super Bowl XXXV
You thought it was going to be Springsteen, didn’t you? No Bruce here, I’m afraid. Instead, taking the number one spot are the fantastical mix of *NYSNC, Aerosmith, Britney, Nelly and Mary J Blige. The collaborative effort of “Walk this Way” might be one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t get better than this. But prove me wrong Coldplay! (sigh)