Beyonce and Bootylicious
A lot of my friends were perturbed at the halftime performance of Beyonce during the Super Bowl this year, as well as a few of the commercials. I know some people who boycotted the Super Bowl because of the exploitation of women. I respect all of their opinions.
I watched the Super Bowl (instead of Downton Abbey) last night because my oldest son has become a Raven’s fan and it was something we could share (though long distance since he is in college). I usually watch the Super Bowl for a couple of reasons. The commercials (duh!) and just in case there’s a last minute exciting ending.
This year the commercials just didn’t cut it for me. While I like CBS, it seemed like fully half of the commercials were promo spots for their shows. Most of the commercials felt old and tired. Some were disturbing (GoDaddy was just plain disgusting) and others were nonsensical. A friend of mine described the halftime show as a “Vegas” performance, and I would agree. Though I personally like some of Beyonce’s music – I didn’t enjoy her show since it seemed so focused on showing off her post baby body that I missed her singing (my opinion).
I understand my friends who are unhappy, but I am not surprised at what happened. Our society has been steadily lowering the division between adult and child appropriateness for years.
Last week I went to see Skyfall, a James Bond movie (rated PG-13) and was surprised to see the number of 8 and 9 year olds there. But then again the youngest victim of the Batman massacre in Boulder last year was only six years old.
The after school television rerun time used to be guaranteed family friendly, safe. Now that time is filled with anything that is in syndication (Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Friends, Seinfield) or a cartoon (The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad). While funny shows, not really “kid” shows.
It’s not just about television or music entertainment. Just check out your local high school cheer routine – many of these moves used to be reserved for show girls. Prom dresses now readily available at Macy’s were reserved for starlets in Hollywood, not 15 and 16 year olds. Nine and ten year olds wear sweatsuits with “bootylicious” written across their backside. Boys wear their pants so loose they have to hold them on with one hand at all times and Justin Bieber gives all the 9 year old girls in his audience a thrill with his crotch grabbing routine (okay – that one is back to music entertainment).
So, was Beyonce inappropriate for a family friendly event? In my opinion yes, but society’s opinion seems to be different.
Sex sells and they went for it. I only watched a minute. Enough to realize she really didn't sing much during the show.
The Go Daddy commercial was the most disgusting thing ever. I may be scarred for life.
The Hardees one was actually tame compared to the one with two girls BBQing who end up feeding each other. They might as well just make their commercials porn at this point.
I'm not a Beyonce fan, so I wasn't impressed. I agree with Alex, she didn't seem to sing, by herself anyway, very much.
As far as the commercials are concerned, it's strange to me that people are so interested in commercials. We're inundated with commercials, and the Super Bowl ads aren't any better than the typical ads you can see any time. I would think more people would be sick of the same companies trying to sell us their crap year after year. My kids have watched the past few SBs and they already know the roster of companies that will have commercials for the game.
My twelve year old and I liked the gangnam style pistachios. You can't tell me you didn't laugh at that.
I generally watch for the half-time show and the gathering of my children – who don't really care about the game either. I found myself watching Beyoncรฉ's mouth to see if she was really singing (I don't think so). I started to wonder if she was actually there – maybe it was just a hologram.
(OMG – this text box just self-corrected the spelling of her name to add the accent. WTH?)
I took the opportunity to explain to my son why dressing like that and shaking your behind in your underwear is inappropriate and degrading especially if you're a mommy. Paul McCartney would never do a half-time show in his underwear. No other men would – except the Chili Peppers, but whatever. She's definitely ready for Vegas.
Tonja – yes I did laugh at the gangnam style pistachio commercial ๐
I actually did think Beyonce was singing, I figured that's why I couldn't hear her that well because so much effort was going into the dancing ๐
I wonder what it's like to grow up with a super sexy mom? My kids will never know ๐
I admit, my husband and I liked the Taco Bell commercial best with the old people going out to wreak havoc.
I think I was looking forward to seeing fun commercials. We don't watch very much live television anymore so I thought it would be a chance to see what's out there. I see I'm not missing much.
I agree with you. That Go Daddy commercial was gross. And that underwear one with the guy all ripped was disturbing. Although it did make me want to do a million sit-ups.
While I'm not a fan of either team, I'm glad that the Ravens won. If only so the coach of the 49ers could have a frikkin' heart attack.
As far as Beyonce? Makes me glad I was born a boy. I swear I don't know why heterosexual women are into guys. If I was a woman, I'd for sure be a lesbian. I'd also be one butt-ugly broad.
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Thank you Jerry- very kind!
WE were happy the Ravens won too – mainly because of our son. Beyonce? She doesn't do it for me – I think Jennifer Garner is much prettier. Especially when she was kicking butt in Alias.