Madonna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Draws Mixed Reviews

February 5, 2012 11:59 PM

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NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) – Madonna positioned herself as the queen of a new generation of pop stars at the Super Bowl halftime show — complete with throne — but didn’t have complete control of her show.

Guest singer M.I.A. flipped the middle finger to the audience after uttering a barely disguised expletive during a performance of Madonna’s new single. M.I.A. was one of two guests who contributed vocals to the bubblegum pop song, “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” along with Nicki Minaj. Dance rockers LMFAO and singer Cee Lo also joined the halftime show.

“Madonna rocking … well received here in the stadium,” WFAN’s Boomer Esiason posted to his Twitter account.

“When did Madonna forget how to dance?” tweeted Craig Carton, Boomer’s morning show co-host. “Oh thats right last time she had a hit.”

PHOTOS: Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show

Madonna seemed like Roman royalty when muscle-bound men carried her extravagant throne across the football field to the stage for her opening song, “Vogue.”

The singing and dancing on that song was smartly choreographed, as Madonna moved more deliberately but still adroitly in moves that took into account that she’s now in her 50s. She briefly appeared to stumble at one point while trying to make a step on the stage set, but recovered in time.

She let a tightrope walker make the more acrobatic moves during a performance of “Music.”

That song was augmented by dance rockers LMFAO, who performed a snippet of “Party Rock” as Madonna joined them in a brief routine.

Madonna carried gold pompons for a performance of her new single. Twitter was alight with questions about the vocals being lip synched or augmented by tapes, particularly during this song.

At the end of her lines, M.I.A. appeared to sing “I don’t give a (expletive),” although it was hard to hear clearly. Her extension of a middle finger to the audience was clearly visible, though. The camera shot briefly blurred after that, but too late.

The best guest was clearly Cee Lo, who joined Madonna for the final song, “Like a Prayer.” They were joined by a robed chorus in the show’s most soaring performance.

With a puff of white smoke, Madonna disappeared down a trap door in the stage, and lights on the field spelled out “World Peace.”

The veteran star’s vocals were not strong throughout, lending to the sense of distance during the spectacle.

Earlier, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert offered some pregame patriotism. Shelton and Lambert did a twangy duet on “America the Beautiful” and Clarkson, in a simple black dress, sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”

What did you think of the halftime show? Sound off below…

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Madonnas Super Bowl Halftime Show Draws Mixed Reviews

Michael

Bet none of you could have done even a glit of what she did. Tho not a huge madonna fan, I still find her entertaining, and quite the draw for an audience. Could have been worse. Mariah carey could have pretended to be someone important or they could have given the stage to the already worn out, predictible, and uttlerly boring Lady Gaga.

I enjoyed the show. Obviously too many people have way too much time on their hands to come on a board only to complain, harass, critisize, and bully other people. God speed to you all, as trying to do his job will only land you in trouble later.
Mya

MDNA gave us everything we needed! L.U.V Madonna!

RLennyPincus

I was in a roomful of Madonna fans who thought she was ridiculously bad. Obviously lip sync’ed btw.

Dan

How did you manage to fill a room with Madonna fans?
Max

What, you have friends? Like, real friends? Living, breathing people, because you do know that imaginery friends don’t count!

Kevin

Age is Kinder to men than women. Haven’t you noticed?

Seriously, Madonna looked positively wizened.
Deborah Jeffries

Mick Jagger is OLD and should hang it up. What are you gonna keep doing this until you’re 90? At some point like Cher showing it all at 70 is sickening and The Rolling Stones shouldn’t be called boys when one of them is 75 that’s elderly. Know when to fold them and call it a day. Nothing worse than seeing an elderly rock star trying to be 20 again.

jeff

She looked and moved better than the football players. Guess you are just jealous. Why don’t you share a picture of yourself?

Giovanni

What is it with ageism? Prince is the same age as Madonna, and nobody brought that up when he performed. Since when life stops at 50 ????
Big Fan

Best half-time show ever! Go MDNA!
Kevin

Didn’t Madonna say “I’m 50 and I know it” at one point in the show? Frankly, I thought she showed her age quite a bit and I was less than impressed. Of course, I’ve never been a fan, so consider the source y’all.
Monica

Half Time is to be entertaining, but you you all clearly seen Madonna could not dance. She look crippled and horrible as if she couldn’t move her body. The worst half time performance ever.

Jeff

Go to bed, grandma. Thanks for sharing
Marie

@ Jeff – ROFL buddy! So say you (and I agree)!

Greta

Absolutely amazing!
Trina Singleton

I can’t knock Madonna since she’s in her 50′s still singing, dancing, and making music but it wasn’t the best Half Time show.
Brad

She was awesome as usual! Looks fantastic! She is absolutely the Queen!
Georgette George

Best half time show ever! Madonna was amazing! Better than the Black Eyed peas who can’t sing or dance anymore! This was a show a full blown production!
Elisa

It was an amazing performance and incredible 12 minutes of entertainment. Madonna should not be held accountable for the actions of M.I.A who is an absolute idiot and always in the media for trying to be rebellious. Madonna is an amazing performer and entertainer, and no one could ever compare! Go Madonna!
George

This was a great show, I am so proud that the Super Bowl Halftime Show was a musical showcase of talent that was family friendly without vulgar and obscene lyrics. I did realize that something was not kosher when the screen got fuzzy, and I believe what that guest lyricist said and did does not mar the overall performance that Madonna put on. This was the BEST!
Judy Harrison

Madoona is used to criticism. She did a great job and even though he age has to be mentioned, I don’t know many women at 53 that can move like her. I agree the vocals were not loud enough. She had nothing to do with that. She had a lovely voice. I did not like the pom pom dance of Madonna, I have seen her do many other exciting songs. She behaved herself, she acted like a lady and was of course as beautiful as ever. I would love to look so beautiful at 53.
Lala Land

I thought everyone was horrible and egoistic.
Ugly, and so yesterday for all the performers.
So bad it almost made the Giant’s lose ,but we won.

jeff

??????You are obviously not born with a taste gene.
John

Get a life!

Dylan

I tought she did a great job, better than watching The Who being pushed out onto the stage in wheelchairs. Big pressure, and I was not expecting much from Madonna, but she really did a great job.

Tyler

I feel like it doesn’t matter who is on that stage…. some people will just never be happy………….. ;( its tragic…. where is our sense of community.. show a little pride and just be kind.
barbara

Oh, please.
P.Doyle

I liked the music. The staging was a monument to excess.
I suppose, though, that that was not the only example of excess on Super Bowl Sunday.
Glad that the Giants won.
P
Alex

I completely agree. People are hating because she is considered old to be doing these things, but if someone can tell me that Madonna can’t put on a show has to be crazy. I don’t care if your not a fan, but you can’t say Madonna is not a performer. The stage was amazing, the guest stars did amazing, and by far one of the best performance I seen in the super bowl in a while. The who, black eyed pea and others did not put nearly as good of a show as her.
benton

i agree. i thought it was the best haldtime preforance ever
steve

THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOWS EVER! WHEN THE GAUDY SPECTACLE STARTED, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF: “THERE’S LESS HERE THAN MEETS THE EYE.” THE SHOW THEN DEGENERATED INTO A SHAMELESS WORSHIP SERVICE FOR THE “QUEEN OF SKANK.” HOW DOES THE N\FL PICK THESE THINGS?
X-Factor

Madonna’s time has come and gone. She should be a retired judge for Simon Cowell. Her performance was like watching slow motion. I don’t know what she was trying to do with LMFAO, but a choreographer she is not!!!!

Alexa

Madonna owned it. I don’t care how old she is, she still rocks, and this was one of the most glittering and inspired performances she’s ever done.

liz

she does not rock, she did not own it, it was a complete embarrassment! I was just waiting for her to fall off the stage!
she “used to rock” > NO MORE!

Kat

I agree, I was actually embarrassed for her!

Claudia

Well said Jeff!!
Margaret

with you 100% – it’s got nothing to do with being her age and still performing – she did not perform to her capacity during the opening number and she was lip syncing – it is too bad she does not respect her fans more

Jim

Half time sucked. Weak and boring performance. Madonna hang it up.

Michael

Obviously someone with no talent and who is much more comfortable being a couch potatoe with a beer in one hand, and bag of greasy food in the other!
Sarah

Jim doesnt have to have a talent to criticize that Madonna was bad! She cant dance, it looked like she was lip synching, and its not the 80′s. She definitely does not have any good new music out. They could have put a new, better performer out. For instance, Lady Gaga, a true to date, entertainer!

Michael

Lady Gaga ripped off Madonna’s “Express Yourself” so how can you say she is an entertainer? She’s a copy cat, and bad one too!

kate

I thought the staging was not very original and her performance lacked the kind of energy that comes with really going all out (regardless of age–it was a lack of emotional energy, not fancy dance steps)…energy…

Rose

And all the previous performer’s stages were original? They had 8 minutes to put the stage together, and it was amazing what they accomplished in that short time. As for the dance steps, let’s see you try to do better

Margaret

The show I would love to see is the part where they put the show onto the field – think about this – take away the stage, the lighting, the special effects – that was so much more part of the show – not just the performer.

liz

I thought she was horrible. Seems like a “has been”! There was nothing exciting about that performance. Everyting about it was “dated” and “old”
Michelle

LOVED the halftime show!!!
miami was better

they should just get prince every year! x
Andy

I think whoever wrote this article above was just out there to get every and all flaws and mistakes about the performance! Are you so bitter Sr. / Mm. that you could not find anything positive to say about it? The saying “if don´t have anything positive to say, don´t say anything” higly applies to you.
Jeff

brilliant performance. Why are people so mean having to mention Madonna’s age? Would they do the same with Mick Jagger?

Andy

Agreed Jeff! These are the same people that wish they could do half as much as she can!

Jeff

Thanks! I just saw a lot of heart and soul in Madonna’s performance, AND visually, it was amazing.

liz

At least Mick Jagger is “exciting” to watch – Madonna was a complete bore, nothing but a YAWN!

Andy

Oh Liz, you are entitled to make your comments and judgements but bitterness does not suit anyone…
Dean

If she was a complete bore LIz, why did you watch her performance? You obviously have a boring life if you have to leave stupid and immature feedback! Go make yourself a cup of tea and go to bed!