Live Blogging: Super Bowl XLVI Half Time with Madonna
Do Madge, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and friends score?
- Critic's Rating A
- Readers' Rating A
Nicki Minaj, Madonna and MIA give you all their lovin' during the Super Bowl half-time show.
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7:54 p.m. It's half time and that means it's almost Madonna time!!! While we're waiting, we've review the performances so far. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert did a very fine, if countrified, sedate version of "America The Beautiful." Kelly Clarkson showed, like Carrie Underwood before her a few years ago, that "American Idol" winners are 2-0 in singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. How do you feel they did?
7:58: A few thoughts before she starts: she's supposed to be joined by Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and LMFAO. I'd like to say, before we see any of the halftime, that Madonna does not need anyone to make her more credible or more current or more hip. I feel a little bad that she--or someone--thought she might.
8:01: VOGUE!
8:02: Madonna comes out pulled by a phalanx of Roman Centurians.. She's playing out some Roman mythology theme, with a very fleet footed Mercury. Amazing stage. Is she lipsyncing? I say yes, but maybe not...What do you think?
8:04 "Music." So much action, but Madge sees strangely lethargic. Is it just me? Incredible stage and field.
8:06: now she's shuffling with the LMFAO, and they've now gone into "I'm Sexy and I Know It." Nice plug for her fellow labelmates at Interscope.
8:07: Now we're off to "Give Me All Your Luvin," and the stage has changed again. Hands down, most amazing stage and production I've ever seen at a Super Bowl.
8:08: Nicki Minaj's energy was 200% higher than Madonna's. Is it possible that Madge is nervous and knows how much is riding on this?
8:10: . LOVE Cee-Lo as drum major. Man, "The Voice" has managed to work two coaches into the Super Bowl. Shortest version of "Open Your Heart" ever.
8:11: Wow. That was am amazingly quick change for Cee-Lo and Madge, but this version of "Like a Prayer" has made up for the slow start. Cee-Lo is taking us to church.
8:13 Madonna disappears into the ground, as World Peace lights up on the field. She's clearly singing live at this point.
So here's my first thought: Amazing production, choreography and effort. Madonna was strong after a lethargic start, but she didn't connect in any meaningful way. However, I've felt the same way the many times I've seen her live: it's almost as if there's a pane of glass between her and the audience and I felt the same way watching her just now. But I think that's her. It was flawless in so many ways. Respect.
Second thought: Not crazy about all the song selections. She should have started more uptempo and "Music" didn't work. And I cannot believe they played Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" right afterward. Someone has a sense of humor.
What did you think of Madonna's half-time show? Give it a grade!
(Talk about bad timing: I was looking down and missed M.I.A.'s flipping the bird, but I write my post-game thoughts on it here)
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About This Blog
Melinda Newman is the former West Coast Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine with more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. She covers music and entertainment for the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Associated Press, MSN, AOL and other outlets. Recent interviews include Taylor Swift, Pink, Brad Paisley, Foo Fighters, Jonas Bros. and Snow Patrol.
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February 5, 2012 at 9:25PM EST Reply to CommentI was disappointed in Madonna's dancing and quality and volume of music.
melinda AK: I agree with you. Nothing great about her dancing, but if you look at the overall show, it was great. And she seemed to, understandably, warm up as she went along. "Like A Prayer" was very strong.
February 5, 2012 at 9:37PM ESTandrew_ayala
February 5, 2012 at 9:26PM EST Reply to CommentI thought it was really good.
fresser28
February 5, 2012 at 9:34PM EST Reply to CommentMadonna was trying to out do Lady Gaga, as if to say "I did this first." Right, she did. But Gaga is 24 and Madge is 55. No contest anymore. When you have to cover your old lady hands all the time, it's time to retire the "I M SO SEXAY!" bit for good or risk looking like 2012's Norma Desmond.
melinda I don't remember anyone complaining about Bruce Springsteen as too old when he did the show three years ago at 59 or 60. And Madonna is 53.
February 5, 2012 at 9:45PM ESTDan
February 5, 2012 at 9:37PM EST Reply to CommentGreat! that's what I wanted from a Superbowl halftime show; crotch shots from a senior. Even people at the retirement home changed the channel. I waited patiently for Gaga but she never came,so disappointing.
Sam
February 5, 2012 at 9:39PM EST Reply to CommentThat was the worst thing I've ever seen in my life. I was completely disgusted. Horrible, I still have no idea why that woman is famous
I like Madonna
February 5, 2012 at 9:43PM EST Reply to CommentHas been. No volume, no excitement. Everything sound like it was stuck in a lower drive. Visual effects with the monitors during Vogue were excellent, same with dancer on the wire. Too bad her caliber of energy in her voice did not match these effects. Her exit reminded me of the witch of the west in Wizard of Oz. any similarities in terms of personal ego to a legendary scene.
Erron Oh man, that was hilarious !
February 6, 2012 at 3:49PM ESTMatt
February 5, 2012 at 9:48PM EST Reply to CommentM.I.A. giving me the middle finger was the only highlight
melinda I was looking down and missed that and need to catch the replay, but I find that very uncool. She's Madonna's invited guest and it seems classless. Plus, lots of little kids watching. But again, I didn't see it.
February 5, 2012 at 9:58PM ESTMatt http://deadspin.com/5882497/yes-mia-just-flipped-off-the-world
February 5, 2012 at 10:00PM ESTDylanS in her defense, she did say that she "didn't give a shit" ;)
February 5, 2012 at 11:34PM ESTgregel
February 5, 2012 at 9:51PM EST Reply to CommentI think she should have done Hung Up or Give It To Me at the end, but I though the production was amazing. Like A Prayer was not exciting enough to end with, but looked gorgeous.
February 5, 2012 at 10:10PM EST Reply to CommentWrite a comment...I missed the whole thing.. guess I didn't miss much
Kendra
February 5, 2012 at 11:21PM EST Reply to CommentI thought it was a great performance and production. What struck me is that she seemed a little uncertain in her heels, like she was afraid to trip.
Demelza Agree - all her other performances she is flawless in heels but a little shaky on this one.
February 6, 2012 at 12:34AM ESTtowatei
February 6, 2012 at 1:04PM EST Reply to CommentReally disappointed. Madonna seemed to be bored. The stage and production were great, but no energy came out of them. And was I the only one to notice that Kylie already did the mythology stuff during her last tour? The intro with the dancers was the same as Kylie's "I believe in you" from her Aphrodite tour.
readywith
February 6, 2012 at 2:47PM EST Reply to CommentI thought the Roman styled props at the start looked extremely tacky. I've seen Madonna a lot of times live and I'm certain she was lip synching everything except Like A Prayer. Her dancing seemed clumsy at times and the mismatch of performers onstage was mind boggling. Why on Earth would someone of her stature in popular culture stoop to such gimmicks? The verbal jab at Gaga a few weeks ago, cramming Minaj and M.I.A. into a song where they don't fit or flow and singing with LMFAO all adds up to pure desperation. There is certainly no artistic vision to any of this. It makes me sad to see someone once considered a driving cultural force reduced to drivel. It was a visually stunning stage but the lack of energy, disconnection between artist and material and the fake/disingenuous nature of the whole thing left me feeling like I might have been served just as well by watching a Britney performance.
Erron Reply to comment...
February 6, 2012 at 3:52PM ESTErron I couldn't have said it better myself. !!!!
February 6, 2012 at 3:53PM ESTBob
February 6, 2012 at 5:55PM EST Reply to CommentNot as animated as her backup dancers. I was disappointed.