Janet Jackson's Tit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed
HaHa!
Nipple pierced!

jj, Monday, 2 February 2004 01:38 (twenty years ago) link

I missed this.

Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 2 February 2004 01:41 (twenty years ago) link

Your punctuation is dreadful. Let me do it for you
Janet Jackson, Tito!!!!

omg, Monday, 2 February 2004 01:43 (twenty years ago) link

WOW!
Straight tit. Justin ripped something more than he should have off her chest and it was all
right tit with silver stud.

jj, Monday, 2 February 2004 01:44 (twenty years ago) link

Was she not sporting a pastie? It was so fast, I couldn't tell.

Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 2 February 2004 01:48 (twenty years ago) link

picturage:

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~noikz/superbowl/33.jpg

minolta (minolta), Monday, 2 February 2004 01:49 (twenty years ago) link

I don't see a pastie there...

Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 2 February 2004 01:50 (twenty years ago) link

ha, what did it take, five minutes to get posted?

keith m (keithmcl), Monday, 2 February 2004 01:51 (twenty years ago) link

I wish I had Tivo.

Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 2 February 2004 01:52 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=janet+jackson+breast+half+time

Ha good work Focus Group!

Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Monday, 2 February 2004 01:53 (twenty years ago) link

It was pierced.

jj, Monday, 2 February 2004 01:54 (twenty years ago) link

phil simms has a candidate for next years all iron team

keith m (keithmcl), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:00 (twenty years ago) link

Would someone care to explain what exactly happened?

David Allen (David Allen), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:07 (twenty years ago) link

Judging by that picture, Janet's vomiting her midlife crisis into the superbowl

Øystein H-O (Øystein H-O), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:09 (twenty years ago) link

"have you nekkid by the end of this song" -> JT gets most of Jackson's breast nekkid

dleone (dleone), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:10 (twenty years ago) link

Janet and Justin were dueting on "Rock Your Body" and just before the end of the song he reached across her chest and flat out pulled off the material holding her breast in. POP! And out it came...

Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:11 (twenty years ago) link

another picture. just after.

keith m (keithmcl), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:12 (twenty years ago) link

it was intentional i think?

cutty (mcutt), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:15 (twenty years ago) link

now the drudge report has a photo that makes it look like some sort of a clamp is on her nipple.

keith m (keithmcl), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:17 (twenty years ago) link

Well this kinda beats Britney/Madonna, I guess

Silly Sailor (Andrew Thames), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:18 (twenty years ago) link

THE MOTIVE REVEALED!

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:25 (twenty years ago) link

Check Google news. Already one Christian columnist/blogger/something whining.

miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:33 (twenty years ago) link

Christ. This stunt is fucking embarrassing.

Oystein OTM.

maria b (maria b), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:59 (twenty years ago) link

Reactions:

Britney/Madonna redone by two people with rivalry issues towards other pair of attention seekers.

Janet duetting with her brother again only not really.

That wasn't a bum standing in for Justin?

Barima (Barima), Monday, 2 February 2004 02:59 (twenty years ago) link

It would have been better if Justin Timberlake had suckled her teet.

christhamrin (christhamrin), Monday, 2 February 2004 03:15 (twenty years ago) link

this is the worst Black History Month EVER

Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Monday, 2 February 2004 03:41 (twenty years ago) link

Okay,... this just in. Justin's saying that it wasn't intentional.

Time for another glass of wine.

maria b (maria b), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:11 (twenty years ago) link

Maybe he's hoping to avoid indecent assault charges then

Silly Sailor (Andrew Thames), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:14 (twenty years ago) link

NEW YORK (AP) -- CBS apologized on Sunday for an unexpectedly R-rated end to its Super Bowl halftime show, when singer Justin Timberlake tore off part of Janet Jackson's top, exposing her breast.

"CBS deeply regrets the incident," spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade said after the network received several calls about the show.

The two singers were performing a flirtatious duet to end the halftime show, and at the song's finish, Timberlake reached across Jackson's leather gladiator outfit and pulled off the covering to her right breast.

The network quickly cut away from the shot, and did not mention the incident on the air.

Timberlake said he did not intend to expose Jackson's breast.

"I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl," Timberlake said in a statement. "It was not intentional and is regrettable."

Wade said CBS officials attended rehearsals of the halftime show all week, "and there was no indication any such thing would happen. The moment did not conform to CBS' broadcast standards and we would like to apologize to anyone who was offended."

The Super Bowl halftime show, which also featured P. Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock, was produced by MTV, CBS' corporate cousin in Viacom.

"We were extremely disappointed by elements of the MTV-produced halftime show," Joe Browne, NFL executive vice president, said. "They were totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given about the content of the show.

"It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime."

MTV issued a contrite statement, saying the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional."

maria b (maria b), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:18 (twenty years ago) link

This begs the question... what exactly was "supposed" to happen?

maria b (maria b), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:20 (twenty years ago) link

"wardrobe malfunction" hahahahaha

Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:20 (twenty years ago) link

Nelly also said naughty words. I imagine the FCC is not going to take kindly to this whole thing. Lame.

Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:21 (twenty years ago) link

WHERE
ARE
THE
SCREEN
CAPTURES????

Ian Johnson (orion), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:22 (twenty years ago) link

New York Daily News: The halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII hit new levels of raunch: Rapper Nelly grabbed his crotch and Kid Rock came out wearing an American flag cut into a poncho.

Ha-ha. Oh those raunchy flag displays. Does this mean that the whole audience was partaking in a 70,000 person orgy during Beyonce's national anthem?

Eric H. (Eric H.), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:26 (twenty years ago) link

gotta love the drudge headline:

OUTRAGE AT CBS AFTER JANET BARES BREAST DURING DINNER HOUR; SUPER BOWL SHOW PUSHES LIMITS

Kingfish Funyun (Kingfish), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:28 (twenty years ago) link

http://drudgereport.com/

yo, Monday, 2 February 2004 04:31 (twenty years ago) link

From Janet-Xone, obviously after the network cut away:

http://members.cox.net/jxgal2/2004/superbowl020104c.jpg

She looks a bit confused/pissed, imo.

Eric H. (Eric H.), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:31 (twenty years ago) link

Oh that is beautiful -- you couldn't have photoshopped that one any better.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:32 (twenty years ago) link

Great pic.

Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:38 (twenty years ago) link

I'm assuming it was an accident (or sabotage on the part of wardrobe) -- like maybe the leather was supposed to come off and the lace was supposed to stay?

But anyway I can't help thinking "poor Janet" and the intensity of my feeling sorry for her ... well, it suprises me.

Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:41 (twenty years ago) link

i.e. my reaction surprises me

Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:42 (twenty years ago) link

"It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime."

Translation: Viacom owns VH-1 as well.

Eric H. (Eric H.), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:42 (twenty years ago) link

"Wardrobe malfunction". That's as believable as Justin's England-hate. And God Damn, does he look like a wasted-ass tramp in that pic. Miss Jackson looks like she almost wants to slap him. Great photo.

Barima (Barima), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:43 (twenty years ago) link

So it was unintentional, and she always has that big gold spiky thing attached to her nipple?

miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:43 (twenty years ago) link

Don't you?

Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:45 (twenty years ago) link

All part of the newest plastic surgery techniques.

Barima (Barima), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:45 (twenty years ago) link

Hmm... for a very short period of time puberty was doing Justin so many favors, but now and like the proverbial potion that keeps working its magic to the detriment of the magician it looks like it's starting to destroy him.

Eric H. (Eric H.), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:46 (twenty years ago) link

Good point about the spiky thing. Hmm.

Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:47 (twenty years ago) link

That's a pretty common thing if you've got your nipples pierced.
janet's nipple

Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:49 (twenty years ago) link

Michael would kill for this little incident to be the "black mark" nadir of his recent PR career.

Eric H. (Eric H.), Monday, 2 February 2004 04:50 (twenty years ago) link

most people outside the US are just shaking their heads at yet another apparent example of bizarro-world American Puritanism. I mean, it was just a breast, ferchrissakes, and an attractive one at that...

Quite a few people are shacking their heads INSIDE the US as well, mind you.

Debito (Debito), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 12:01 (twenty years ago) link

Here, here! Really wondering what the hell some Americans are making such a fuss about

Oh, if only this were the most outrageous example of "bizarro-world American Puritanism". must.. resist... getting caught in an infinite loop tirade about American social values, school funding, television and an intrusive government party that claims to be laissez-faire.
NNNNOOOOO!

dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 13:07 (twenty years ago) link

Constipated Killjoy Cal Thomas lets his joyless opinion be known.
http://www.townhall.com/graphics1/columnists/thomas.gif
(I defy anyone to tell me this man doesn't need more fiber in his diet.)

The Caligula Broadcasting System does the sleaze bowl
Cal Thomas (archive)

February 2, 2004 | Print | Send

Maybe it's appropriate that Super Bowls are numbered with Roman numerals. Sunday's, Super Bowl XXXVIII, featured a halftime show that could have served as backdrop for one of Caligula's orgies.

Remember Super Bowl XXXIV? The halftime entertainment was produced by Walt Disney Productions. This year's was put on by MTV, and the difference was as stark as that between heaven and hell, between good taste and garbage. The commercials also reflected what the networks apparently think about our remaining "community standards."

Janet Jackson, a member of America's most dysfunctional family, bared a breast during her onstage gyrations. There were the usual network apologies to "anyone who was offended." Jackson's singing partner, Justin Timberlake, should get the award for the ultimate in disingenuousness: "I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction. ... It was not intentional." Sure. Why, then, was Jackson wearing a pasty, instead of underwear that might have limited her exposure during the "malfunction"?

Other singers, including P. Diddy, grabbed their crotches (a la Michael Jackson) and promised through their lyrics to have sex with gyrating women, who signaled their interest by removing some of their skimpy outfits.

There were so many commercials for erectile dysfunction medications, one might have thought it has become an epidemic, on a par with AIDS or cancer. Other commercials featured a flatulant horse igniting a candle that blows up in a woman's face; a dog that bites a man in the crotch until he surrenders his beer; and a chimpanzee that puts the moves on a woman and then asks if she has a problem with back hair.

CBS, once known as the Tiffany network, has been gobbled up by its MTV division and morphed into the trash network. Sunday's halftime show was soft porn, and those apologies and assurances - that the excess was a surprise to management and won't happen again - are insufficient. A father, his children and grandchildren (and women who like football) should be able to experience rare family time in front of the television set in their own home without being surprised by such sleaze.

CBS should have expected trash. Anyone who watches even a little MTV knows that raunch and roll is standard programming fare. If you hire people like these, you're not going to get gospel music.

The FCC - which recently warned it might start issuing heavier fines for indecency and obscenity, and revoking broadcast licenses - announced a "thorough and swift" investigation into Sunday's halftime show. But it's a little late for the FCC and Chairman Michael Powell to be expressing outrage. Where was the commission during CBS's Victoria's Secret fashion show? Why didn't the agency take action after singer Bono uttered the F-word during NBC's airing of Golden Globe Awards last month?

It's easy for free-speech advocates to argue that if you don't like something, you shouldn't watch. But Sunday's halftime show came as a complete surprise to viewers and, I suspect, was unwelcome by many, to judge from the calls that flooded CBS.

Freedom of speech should also allow for viewers to be free from speech they don't want to hear, and images they don't wish to see, on broadcast television, especially with young children in the room. A TV ratings system is supposed to warn audiences what to expect so they can decide whether to watch or not, and shield their children or not. One doesn't expect this sort of thing from the Super Bowl.

The National Football League says it won't hire MTV to produce another halftime show. As for CBS, it has trolled too deep and gone too far in its unending quest for younger viewers. Just after the Jackson-Timberlake fiasco, a naked man streaked onto the field. If his "act" had been moved up just a few minutes, he would have fit seamlessly into their show. CBS cameramen focused elsewhere. Was the network suddenly gripped by pangs of puritanical morality?

One commentator made a joking reference to "naked football." I was ready for some football. I was not ready for this.

Unlike Thomas, I am pro-tit all the way and say that if Thomas doesn't like our media, he should try living somewhere where it is more strictly controlled. Such as China or Iran.

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:20 (twenty years ago) link

I had someone ask me why the feminists weren't more outraged about this.

teeny (teeny), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:24 (twenty years ago) link

That article is GREBT!!!

"Maybe it's appropriate that Super Bowls are numbered with Roman numerals. Sunday's, Super Bowl XXXVIII, featured a halftime show that could have served as backdrop for one of Caligula's orgies."

is gold! (OMG what if it had been Super Bowl XXX??? The do you see contingent would have gone mental!)

AND at the end he accuses CBS of TROLLING!

Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:32 (twenty years ago) link

He seems to forget that Caligula did stuff 1000x sicker than that superbowl halftime show...and the Roman Empire still lasted another 800 (or so) years. So it's not naked bodies that "destroy" a civilization.

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:37 (twenty years ago) link

The Caligula Broadcasting System does the sleaze bowl

The Onion really should hire him for the headlines.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:39 (twenty years ago) link

Yes in Rome's case it was imperial over-reach, a grotesquely expensive military and a refusal to extend the benefits of citizenship to states whose goods and labour it depended on. Hmmm.

Tico Tico (Tico Tico), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:40 (twenty years ago) link

Oh wait, I do see.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:43 (twenty years ago) link

Samedruggereportpictureas

Interesting. A nipple bracelet.

Stupid (Stupid), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:43 (twenty years ago) link

there *was* a response to Bono's use of the F-bomb. It's okay! 'cause Bono was just using it as an adverb and not a verb ('cause that's what's happening).

Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:46 (twenty years ago) link

I actually think it's totally valid to criticize their act. A man ripping open a woman's shirt is maybe something I wouldn't want my little kid to see (if I had a little kid), not because of the tit, but because of the ripping. I'm all for subverting american institutions and shocking people, but what did this act do that did anything to shake things up in any kind of interesting way? all it did was reinforce americans fear of sex, fear of their own bodies.

if somebody ripped open a woman's top in the middle of a shopping mall, people wouldn't think it's cool. and the superbowl is the tv equivalent of a shopping mall.

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:48 (twenty years ago) link

I mean obviously the whole thing is being ridiculously blown out of proportion, and it is nothing to get worked up about.

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 15:51 (twenty years ago) link

Good point though.

dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 16:07 (twenty years ago) link

.. I mean Fritz's - not Janet's.

dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 16:10 (twenty years ago) link

Interesting thing about it...

In Canada, I hear that like 3 people called in to their networks to complain, compared with the thousands of americans.

djdee2005, Wednesday, 4 February 2004 17:16 (twenty years ago) link

because there were 5 Canadians watching the super bowl.

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 17:27 (twenty years ago) link

I mean that's obv not true but the Super Bowl certainly doesn't have the same meaning it does down there (i'm in Canada too), but you're right i don't think people would have flipped their lids if anne murray mooned at the grey cup. well, actually, that's not true either.

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 17:29 (twenty years ago) link

Freedom of speech should also allow for viewers to be free from speech they don't want to hear, and images they don't wish to see, on broadcast television, especially with young children in the room.

That article is serious? It's fucking brilliant! Young children -- must be kept away from breasts at all costs... erm...

Enrique (Enrique), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 17:35 (twenty years ago) link

Two problems with that quote:
Freedom of speech = freedom not to be offended.
Boobs = offensive.

dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 17:40 (twenty years ago) link

uh, I meant to point out that those two equasions are total bullshit, by the way.

dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 17:41 (twenty years ago) link

if somebody ripped open a woman's top in the middle of a shopping mall, people wouldn't think it's cool.

My ill-used conscience is preventing me from making all kinds of mildly funny riffs on this line.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 4 February 2004 18:23 (twenty years ago) link

I mean, it was just a breast, ferchrissakes, and an attractive one at that..
No, it was a floppy, unattractive, aging Jackson-boob.

Hort Wessen, Thursday, 5 February 2004 00:59 (twenty years ago) link

silicone enhanced my friend

*, Thursday, 5 February 2004 01:00 (twenty years ago) link

Yes in Rome's case it was imperial over-reach, a grotesquely expensive military and a refusal to extend the benefits of citizenship to states whose goods and labour it depended on. Hmmm.

-- Tico Tico (ticoticoil...), February 4th, 2004.

Nice stab at a parallel but I don't think failure to extend citizenship had much to do with Rome's fall.

Eric Parter, Thursday, 5 February 2004 01:12 (twenty years ago) link

er wasnt it the opposite - too many ppl 'became' roman citizens thus the original republican then imperial ideas of the roman state became diluted ( + christianity + the move east)

err, Thursday, 5 February 2004 01:18 (twenty years ago) link

too many romans went native in the lands that they occupied.

teeny (teeny), Thursday, 5 February 2004 01:26 (twenty years ago) link

(I just knew that first roman comment would derail the thread and here I go helping it along.)

teeny (teeny), Thursday, 5 February 2004 01:27 (twenty years ago) link

once again ilx turns every academic discussion dirty and every dirty conversation academic.

teeny (teeny), Thursday, 5 February 2004 01:28 (twenty years ago) link

Sigh. Can't let my kids watch anything anymore.

Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Thursday, 5 February 2004 02:49 (twenty years ago) link

Well, it could have been worse. Justin was looking to have her naked by the end of the song...

mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 5 February 2004 10:24 (twenty years ago) link

It could've been ever worse than that. Janet could've had Justin naked by the end of the song.

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Thursday, 5 February 2004 15:00 (twenty years ago) link

Let's amp up the horror one more notch.
It could've been ever worse than that. Janet's partner could've been Jack Black of Tenacious D...and she could've had Jack naked by the end of the song.

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Thursday, 5 February 2004 15:01 (twenty years ago) link

Crikey, they must be really uptight over tha Pond!!!!!! I mean, over here we have these things called "streakers", where some middle aged men or woman decides to take all their clothes off and run across the pitch during some innopportune moment in a major sporting event- often on live TeeVee!!!!!!!!!! And then they usually end in the newspapers with a pictures of the person being lead away by the police (With their helmets strategically placed!!!!) waving at the crowd, and the coverage is generally of the "Ha ha what a silly person!!!!" rather than "IT'S LIKE CALIGULA ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!!"!!!!!!!!!

Old Fart!!! (oldfart_sd), Thursday, 5 February 2004 15:07 (twenty years ago) link

that happened as well. bad day to pick (as I said earlier, btbf I havent read this whole thread either)

mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 5 February 2004 15:09 (twenty years ago) link

She should have written "moveon.org" in magic marker on her breast.

morris pavilion (samjeff), Thursday, 5 February 2004 19:03 (twenty years ago) link

or MAKE TRADE FAIR

teeny (teeny), Thursday, 5 February 2004 19:28 (twenty years ago) link

FREE MUMIA

may pang (maypang), Thursday, 5 February 2004 19:53 (twenty years ago) link

HI JEANNE

Jeanne Fury (Jeanne Fury), Thursday, 5 February 2004 19:59 (twenty years ago) link

hahahaha!

teeny (teeny), Thursday, 5 February 2004 20:04 (twenty years ago) link

SUPER BOWL VIEWER SUES JANET

A Tennessee woman has filed a class action lawsuit against JANET
JACKSON, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, MTV, CBS and Viacom over last Sunday's
infamous breast-baring incident during the Super Bowl. Knoxville
native Terri Carlin says she was "caused to suffer outrage, anger,
embarrassment and serious injury," due to the event. The suit seeks
billions of dollars in compensatory and punitive damages.


Okay, seriously, she's suing because she was "caused to suffer outrage, anger, embarrassment and serious injury." Has this Terri beeyoch never experienced LIFE. Or at the very least HIGH SCHOOL?!?

FUCK FUCK FOOOOOOCK EVERYONE! #*($@*#*&#^$*&#)@

Jeanne Fury (Jeanne Fury), Friday, 6 February 2004 17:02 (twenty years ago) link

The "outrage" over this event (rather than the event itself) has caused me to "suffer outrage, anger, embarrassment and serious injury" so can I sue all the conservative columnists and media outlets in the country?

If people think its so abhorrent, why do i keep seeing the replay all over TV?

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 6 February 2004 18:55 (twenty years ago) link

Y'know what offends me? PEOPLE THAT GET OFFENDED EASILY!
Terri Carlin...if you're Googling out there...I have something for you:
[Flashes man tit in her direction]
There! How ya like them apples?

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Friday, 6 February 2004 19:00 (twenty years ago) link

why do i keep seeing the replay all over TV?

THE LIBERAL MEDIA!!!!1111oneoneone

James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Friday, 6 February 2004 19:01 (twenty years ago) link

*rimshot*

Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Friday, 6 February 2004 19:04 (twenty years ago) link

why do i keep seeing the replay all over TV?
Capitalism.
Janet Jackson's boob == $$$

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Friday, 6 February 2004 19:10 (twenty years ago) link

or so sez my focus group of drooling frat boyz.

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Friday, 6 February 2004 19:10 (twenty years ago) link



Greg Jerrett: Simple fix for fear of the flesh


02/07/2004


Move over 9/11, the day America lost its innocence is now 2/1, Feb. 1, 2004. The day - or in some cases, the day before - all of America saw Janet Jackson's right breast exposed by Mr. Justin Timberlake. For shame, America, for shame.

My only real complaint about the whole "Janet Jackson showing her breast during the Super Bowl half-time show" scandal is that she and Justin Timberlake don't have the guts to stick to their guns. You know? You've got Justin running around trying to back pedal, lying like a little child who knows he's busted, but thinks he might be able to squirm his way free of the FCC's wrath by telling the most outrageous of lies, "It was a wardrobe malfunction, only her bustier was supposed to be exposed." Then why the sunburst nipple ring, Justin? Come on!

Then you've got Janet trying to prove that Michael isn't the only reclusive freak in the family by tape recording a kind of apology/explanation for the masses. What a sister, huh? Nary a mention of Michael since last weekend, now that is love.

I'd like to see J-n-J stand up together and proud and say, "Yeah, we planned it, you gotta problem with that? Why you gotta be so uptight any way?" Or at least tell a GOOD lie like "We did it to show racial unity for Black History Month, you gotta problem with that?"

And then there are the children. Oh my God, the children! Who will safeguard their precious naivete and sweet, sweet ignorance from Janet Jackson's hoo-hah?

Even boxer Mike Tyson had a comment. "Everybody slips on the banana peel of life sometimes. You know what I'm saying?" Yes, yes. It's so true. And who would know more about slipping on that banana peel of life than a convicted rapist and suspected cannibal?

Are we to believe that one poor excuse for nudity in the middle of all the orchestrated violence of the Super Bowl that features steroid-shootin', cocaine-snortin', girlfriend smackin' genetic freaks between commercials with flame-fartin' horses, erection pill-poppin' coaches and bikini-waxin' comedians is going to mess up this nation's children? I hate to say so, but 90 percent of the little darlings will one day have breasts themselves. How is that supposed to make the girls and fat boys feel? Let's be concerned about how our children are supposed to grow up normal when we clearly don't know what normal is. I'm more concerned that our kids never move, frankly.

The only reason nudity is "dirty" to begin with is because we make it "dirty." Take our uptight friends the Brits. They are known world-wide for being easily embarrassed. Sex is a bit of a taboo subject for them as a nation as well, at least it is in the bedroom. But they are also pragmatic, fairly rational and appreciate a good artistic aesthetic. Nudity has been a staple of British television for decades. Not as some kind of way to shock viewers - though that may have been the case on a couple of "Benny Hill Show" episodes - but for the same reason they show people driving cars, eating breakfast and talking: it's a natural part of life. At some point, hopefully on a weekly if not daily basis, everyone gets naked for legitimate, natural reasons.

But let's be realistic as well. Organic nudity can be a great educational incentive to an American kid raised to think the human body is dirty. Why do you think I started watching PBS? Sometimes - rarely even - they showed naked women in foreign films or in documentaries. Before long, I was watching PBS because the shows were just good. In college, I advocated that nudity should be allowed on television, but only on PBS so our kids would watch hours and hours of educational TV while waiting for even a few seconds of all-natural nudity. I stand by that suggestion.

Breasts, in spite of our national obsession, aren't any more dirty than any other body part. In fact, instead of symbolizing something kinky, they should be symbols of life and sustenance. Why? Because that's what they are for suckling children and why should we live in a country where most kids know that men like women's breasts before they are aware of them as the milk-producing organs they are?

Fully half the country is shocked and horrified at the sight of bare skin while the other half are on the edge of their seats going, "Ooh yeah, that's so hot." And it's for the same reason. We're raised to think of sex and everything about the human body as naughty. Well, it was once considered the height of forbidden pleasure to see a respectable woman's ankle in this country. When was the last time you knew anyone who couldn't control themselves after seeing a bony ankle? Well, that's changed and good for it. I think the same benefit could come from defusing the nudity bombshell.

My solution is simple. Right after the nightly news on Sunday (the most boring night of the week), everybody should go outside and get naked. Show the world what you're made of. Front and back. Top to bottom. Nothing salacious, just an informative peak under the hood at the outer inner workings of the human body for the very legitimate scientific and social purpose of putting an end to the great mystery of what we all look like naked.

Because you know what? While some of us may be in better condition that others, we all got pretty much the same stuff.

- Greg Jerrett is a Nonpareil staff writer. His column runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays. He may be reached at 325-5746, or at gjerrett@nonpareilonline.com.


Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Sunday, 8 February 2004 03:01 (twenty years ago) link

one year passes...
Janet Jackson Nude Paparazzi Video

http://www.egotastic.com/

erm

svend (svend), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 21:27 (nineteen years ago) link

http://www.richardthompson-music.com/audio/dear_janet.mp3

Brakhage (brakhage), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 21:34 (nineteen years ago) link


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.