CLEVELAND - I have always been frustrated at the double-standard that the American media and the general public at large places on censorship.Janet Jackson probably feels the same way.
Today marks the 5th anniversary of Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" which took place during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXVIII. I remember the incident vividly as myself and my best friend were the only folks in a room of several to be paying attention to the stunning "mishap."
Jackson, 37 at the time, was performing a music set with singer/actor Justin Timberlake, complete with suggestive dance routines while Timberlake crooned his hit single, "Rock Your Body." Once the song wound down to its conclusion, Timberlake sang its final, prophetic line; "I bet I'll have you naked by the end of this song."
And just like that, Jackson's right breast was naked.
Timberlake yanked off a piece of her costume near her breast area, briefly revealing her bodacious "boob" which was adorned with a nipple shield. CBS, the network that broadcast the 2004 Super Bowl, immediately cut to an aerial shot of the stadium. According to both performers, the incident was a stunt that went awry. Apparently, Jackson's bra was supposed to be revealed, not any skin.
Um, okay.
At the time, the incident as well as Jackson and Timberlake's intent seemed very suspect. MTV, which produced the halftime show had featured a story in the days leading up to it that promised "shocking moments" during their performances. They both remarked in the aftermath that it was a "wardrobe malfunction," a term that has since taken on an iconic status. Record fines were levied against CBS and MTV by the venerable FCC and the story dominated the media for weeks.
Jackson was virtually crucified in the media as well as the court of public opinion. She received a disproportionate amount of blame and her record sales and overall career trajectory plummeted in the months and years since. Ironically, Timberlake has flourished and he's appeared in more than a half dozen films since the debacle and enjoyed excellent record sales.
Interesting.
Of course, I take exception to the FCC and their censorship policies. Obviously driven by public outrage, it bothers me that things such as sexually suggestive images or content and obscene rap and hip-hop lyrics take center stage when it's time to censor. But pervasive violence and disturbing imagery (such as certain scenes on CSI) are almost never repudiated or subject to heavy scrutiny or censorship. And let's not forget harsh and misogynistic lyrics in rock, heavy metal and country songs.
Pure hypocrisy.
Television has gotten very timid since the '04 incident. Tape delays are now the norm. Everyone is so concerned about offending anyone and incurring heavy fines and controversy. Since I am a supporter of controversy, this bothers me a bit more than others. My envelope pushing series, a Date with Deante is loaded with FCC infractions. In my mind though, I'm not being controversial just for the heck of it. I am doing a public service by bringing harsh reality to the world's attention. It's no different than the news, except it has an entertainment twist.
Though Jackson didn't have a moral basis for her unfortunate moment, it was still far too overblown. Yes, children were watching ... but believe me, nine sixteenths of a second of seeing a partially covered breast will never ruin a child. If that were the case, why did so many in the news media choose to show topless photos of transgendered male Thomas Beattie on national television? Beattie may be a guy now, but we were still looking at the nipples of a person born a female.
But the world is filled with hypocrites, so that was expected.
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