Entertainment
The 9 Most Ridiculous Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ever
Bruno Mars and the recently announced Red Hot Chili Peppers are set to headline the 2014 Super Bowl halftime show. The combination sounds ridiculous, but, let's face it, Mars and the '90s band are far more conventional than some choices in the Super Bowl's past.
After all, we're still talking about Madonna, M.I.A., and LMFAO's performance from 2012, and no one's every going to forget Janet Jackson's "Nipplegate" in 2004. And let's not forget these nine insane halftime shows, which ranged from crazy good to just plain crazy.
Prince (2007)
He’s Prince — so of course his performance was going to be off the charts. But no one was prepared to watch the singer turn into a gigantic shadow-devil with a guitar penis. Well done, Prince: You took Janet Jackson’s nipple three years earlier, and raised the halftime show a demonic phallus.
Aerosmith/'NSYNC/Britney Spears (2001)
Bridge the generational gap and have ‘NSYNC rap Run DMC’s part of “Walk This Way.” Ultimately, the pop performance fizzled (while Spears’ Pepsi ads sizzled).
Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake/P. Diddy/Nelly (2004)
‘Twas nipple that changed everything. Ms. Jackson and a newly solo Timberlake caused the biggest controversy in Super Bowl history when he ripped off part of her costume… to reveal a strategically place, pasty and the singer’s entire breast. And children were forever damaged.
Madonna/M.I.A./LMFAO (2012)
Madonna began as a Greek warrior, and ended her set as a cheerleader. But, for once, the Material Girl wasn’t stirring controversy. Guest M.I.A. instead flipped the bird, turning the tightrope-filled halftime show into a real circus.
Phil Collins/Christina Aguilera/Enrique Iglesias/Toni Braxton (2000)
Oh, don’t forget the 80-person chorus. This full-on Lion King reenactment was only made more ridiculous when it added in a sexy Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias in a dorky sweater. Who approved those costumes?
Black Eyed Peas (2011)
The Black Eyed Peas went back to the future for their halftime show, which came complete with light-up costumes and that a hair-helmet on will.i.am. Oh, and Slash showed up too. The only thing missing from the show? The band’s pitch.
Beyoncé (2013)
Remember when Beyoncé caused a black-out at the Super Bowl? Well, that was ridiculous. She also banned press photographers from her tour after “ugly” Beyoncé photos from the performance surfaced on the Internet — double ridiculous. But she’s the queen, so #bowdown. As ridiculous as she is, she also is ridiculously awesome.
Gloria Estefan/Brian Boitano & Dorothy Hamill/1980 Olympic Hockey Team (1992)
What? In an attempt to honor the Olympics, the Super Bowl halftime show was transformed into a winter wonderland in which Boitano and Hamill figure skated on snowflakes and the Olympic team came running through the field with guys on snowmobiles. And there was a bearded Statue of Liberty. Once again… what?
New Kids On The Block/Disney Characters/Children (1991)
NKOTB performed “It’s A Small World” (after some of their swoon-worthy love songs) to a bunch of screaming 5-year-olds in a psychedelic wonderland. As creepy as it was ridiculous.
