Madonna set high records during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime performance. Sure, many tuned in to watch the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots, but it was the halftime show that stole everyone’s attention.
According to Nielsen estimates, 114 million viewers tuned in to watch her performance, making it the most watched Super Bowl halftime performance in history. This year’s Super Bowl beat last year’s 111 million, gaining more and more viewers as the years continue. The actual game earned 111.3 million viewers, 3 million less than Madonna pulled in. Her performance also blew up twitter with approximately 10,245 tweets per second.
Most celebrities praised Madonna’s performance claiming it was one of the best they had seen in years. Britney Spears wrote to her fans via Facebook, “Madonna – amazing performance last night! LUV you.” While P. Diddy tweeted that she, “had the best Half-time performance of all time !!”
After breaking multiple records, however, there was still a major controversy surrounding the halftime show. Some critics argued that she spent her 12 minutes promoting her “brand” in a tiring dragged out show. Yet, the real controversy came while she performed her new song “Give me all your luvin” featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.
During her performance with Nicki Minaj, M.I.A., Cee Lo Green and LMFAO, M.I.A. angered many viewers with an obscene gesture. M.I.A. “flipped off” the camera during her set, which was obviously unrehearsed, leaving NBC without enough time to block it.
Hundreds of viewers sent in complaints, comparing M.I.A’s antics to the controversy surrounding Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” in 2004. Activist group, the Parents Television Council had many complaints Monday and showed disappointment in both the NFL and NBC. The council said that they “chose a lineup full of performers who have based their careers on shock, profanity and titillation.” The PTC also noted that this type of problem happened 8 years ago, and that both the NFL and NBC should have been prepared in case it was to happen again.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy apologized to all the fans while blaming NBC for not having a proper delay system. NBC responded by apologizing that there delay system was late, but noted that the NFL was the one who hired the talent and produced the halftime show. Both placing blame more of the blame on one another.
At this time, the Federal Communications Commission has yet to comment on the controversy, as well as no response from M.I.A.