Black Eyed Peas & Co.: The Worst Halftime Shows of the Superbowl

Today one of the most anticipated and discussed musical events of the year is taking place: it is thehalftime show of the Super Bowl, the mini-concert at halftime of the NFL final, the American football championship. Originally a show by of marching bands colleges, has become one of the most spectacular musical productions of the year. But not everything always works: controversies, epic failtrash that couldn’t be trashier, artists who simply weren’t suited for that stage.
While waiting for tonight’s show with Bad Bunny, we have chosen the 5 worst halftime shows: every year we update this list, but in terms of ugliness, these remain unbeatable.

The Black Eyed Peas (2011)

After a sequence of rock shows (Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Who) we return to pop: but this is one of the ugliest and trashiest things you can ever see. I wouldn’t know where to start: the voices that each go their own way, Fergie starting with the microphone off, the illuminated costumes of the group and the extras… Actually no: the award goes to the reinterpretation of “Sweet child o’ mine” with Slash: Fergie going out of tune and imitating Axl Rose’s way of dancing is one of the worst covers of all time.

Coldplay (2016)

Some artists just aren’t suited to that kind of situation. Let’s be clear, I have a great love for Coldplay: they have a crazy repertoire, when “Viva la vida” starts, how can you not start keeping time? But Chris Martin, without the mega special effects that the band has live, struggles to hold that stage. The difference is evident when Bruno Mars and Beyoncé arrive – called because at the time it was thought that the band alone would not be enough. The two devour the scene, while when Martin is alone again and sits at the piano, he needs help again: a montage starts with Springsteen’s voice and archive images of past Superbowls. Of course: the version of “Fix you” (what a song…) is thrilling, with quotes from U2 and Prince. But the whole thing is a big boh.

Janet Jackson (2004)

Probably the most famous, for the “wardrobe malfunction”. During the performance with Justin Timberlake – already very explicit – Janet Jackson’s breasts are revealed, framed live worldwide and seen by hundreds of thousands of people. Heavens open: endless controversies, Jackson risking her career. From the following year, for some time, the show was slightly postponed and only rock bands were chosen.
The show itself isn’t much, and will be remembered only for this. Pop will return with the Black Eyed Peas, and controversy in 2012 with Madonna – when her guest MIA shows the middle finger: the NFL will apologize and the singer will have to negotiate compensation.

Maroon 5 and Travis Scott (2019)

In 2019 it is difficult to find an important name: we are in the middle of the controversy between players and the league, accused of racism. Colin Kaepernick started kneeling during the American anthem to protest against police violence against African Americans and was in fact boycotted and expelled from the NFL: he would no longer find a job.
So we turn to Maroon 5, aided by the cartoon Sponge Bob (really) and Travis Scott: the insult within the insult, a black artist called to support a white band, in the midst of a controversy over racism. The artists were criticized both for having accepted the NFL’s contract at this stage and for the decidedly subdued show.

The Blues Brothers, ZZ Top, James Brown (1997)

Halftime shows have often had a theme: in 1997 it was a celebration of the Blues Brothers. It’s basically an advert for the sequel “Blues Brothers 2000”, which will be released the following year.
The show opens with a mock report of Elwood Blues’ escape from prison. Then they arrive: Dan Akroyd is clearly in playback, while Belushi is replaced by Jim Belushi and John Goodman. James Brown sings on a kind of freight elevator that rises and falls. Then arrive ZZ Top, who have little or nothing to do with the Blues Brothers, while a procession of motorcyclists takes place on the field, revving to the beat of “Gimme some lovin'”, and the level of embarrassment increases even further. During rehearsals a stuntwoman died during a bungee jumping step which was later removed.