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“I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl. It was not intentional and is regrettable.”
——Justin Timberlake

KEEPING ABREAST OF
SUPER BOWL CONTROVERSY

Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson Performance Overshadows Game
Who needs Levitra, Viagra or Cialis when you’ve got Justin Timberlake?

Timberlake, the surprise performer at the Super Bowl halftime show last night, really put on a show. He tore off part of Janet Jackson’s top at the end of their duet on “Rock Your Body,” showing her sun-shaped nipple jewelry to a live TV audience. The apology statements and explanations are still flying, with the NFL stating that MTV, which produced the halftime show for CBS, will most likely not produce another Super Bowl halftime show.

Federal Communcations Commission chief Michael Powell played Monday morning quaterback, stepping into the Nipplegate controversy by saying he was going to launch an investigation. This uproar comes on the heels of new Congressional legislation to up the amount the FCC can fine broadcasters and the recent fine against Clear Channel because of Bubba the Love Sponge. Said Powell: "I am outraged at what I saw during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. Like millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration. Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt. Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better. Just ask my dad."

In addition, FCC spokespeople are saying that each of CBS' 200 stations may be fined for airing the nipple. Timberlake and Jackson could also be fined.

Monday afternoon Jackson offered an explanation and apology. Through a spokesperson, she said that Timberlake was supposed to rip off part of her leather bustier, exposing her red bra, but instead he ripped them both off. Her statment said: "The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime show performance was made after final rehearsals. MTV was completely unaware of it. It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologize to anyone offended—including the audience, MTV, CBS and the NFL. And the makers of red bras."

CBS issued a statement saying they had received complaint calls and that they “deeply regretted the incident. The moment did not conform to CBS' broadcast standards and we would like to apologize to anyone who was offended. For those that weren't, make sure your TiVo saves it.” On-air, the network quickly cut away from the shot of both Jackson and Timberlake looking down at the exposed breast, and the incident was not mentioned.

The NFL’s executive VP Joe Browne said: “We were extremely disappointed by elements of the MTV-produced halftime show. 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. Or that the words 'nipple jewelry' will be used by the NFL again.”

Timberlake issued his own apology: “I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl. It was not intentional and is regrettable.”

MTV released its statement: “The tearing of Janet Jackson's costume was unrehearsed, unplanned, and completely unintentional and was inconsistent with assurances we had about the content of the performance. MTV regrets this incident occurred and we apologize to anyone who was offended by it.”

The halftime show also featured P. Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock. None of their performances included any nude breasts.

Just before the start of the second half, Jackson’s nudity seemed to inspire a fan to get naked, as a streaker ran on to the middle of the field. He was tackled by New England Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham and then arrested.

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