Most Memorable Super Bowl Halftime Shows

We've got another Super Bowl and Super Bowl Halftime Show in the books. This year featured Coldplay, Beyonce & Bruno Mars in what was an okay performance. It wasn't outstanding, it wasn't terrible. The best part was when the three joined together for a "Fix You"/"Up&Up" performance that showed clips of previous Halftime shows (which for some reason left off Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake...hmm). Overall though, it just felt like something you'd watch at the VMA's or Grammy's.

So what are the most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows ever?

U2 (2002) - U2 were tasked with performing just a few months following the 9/11 attacks. And really, no band is better to handle that sort of moment. They were the first band to resume concerts in New York City with some shows at Madison Square Garden just a few weeks after the attacks. They delivered in a big way at the Super Bowl. It started out with an upbeat performance of "Beautiful Day." That led into the more somber "MLK," which is when the giant screen of the names of every victim scrolled upwards to the top of the Superdome. That led into "Where The Streets Have No Name," which picked up the pace again and left viewers feeling hopeful for the future. It culminated in Bono revealing an American flag on the inside of his jacket, a visual that still resonates. U2 were able to take viewers along for a ride through so many different emotions, which might never be possible again.

Prince (2007) - If any word could be used to describe Prince's Halftime show, it would be: electric. It was a rainy night in Miami, but that didn't stop him from putting on an energetic show, utilizing the weather to his advantage, even featuring simulated lightning on top of the stadium. He featured numerous cover songs that surprised and delighted people: "We Will Rock You," "Proud Mary," "All Along The Watchtower," and the more recent Foo Fighters hit "Best of You." He ended the night by playing "Purple Rain" in the rain, which became the signature moment that people remember. Since then the NFL has basically forced Miami to put a canopy over the seats for them to host future Super Bowls in the Dolphins' stadium, in case it were to rain. I guess the rich folks insanely spending hundreds-thousands of dollars on tickets can't handle a little water. Prince, however, went out there and showed that a little rain never hurt anyone.

Diana Ross Leaves in a Helicopter

Diana Ross (1996) - Diana Ross ran through a string of her Motown hits, but the memorable part was at the end when she declared that her ride was there. A helicopter came down onto the field and whisked her out of the stadium, in what is clearly the most memorable exit from the Super Bowl halftime of all time. The show left such an impression that the NFL went for a Motown/1960s theme in the a few of the shows after this one.

Michael Jackson (1993) - This was the first halftime show that truly went for being a major event in itself, something that would become talked about alongside the game in the following days. Jackson memorably walked out and basically just stood there to a roaring crowd for a while. He then performed some of his biggest hits ("Billie Jean," "Black or White") in a large scale spectacle that hadn't been done at any of the previous halftime shows. The set ended a bit cheesy with "Heal the World", but overall it kicked off the Halftime show as we know it today.

Janet Jackson featuring Justin Timberlake (2004) - This one doesn't even need an explanation. Its memorable for Nipplegate, and we've all heard the story. Of course, the whole reaction was overblown and showcased how ridiculous the FCC is.

Paul McCartney (2005) - Let's be real: if the NFL went by without ever having one of the Beatles play the Halftime show, something would be missing from its lore. Paul delivered a stellar set as he always does, and the show featured a healthy amount of crowd participation, ending with "Hey Jude" that featured the whole crowd singing along.

Bruno Mars featuring the Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014) - Bruno Mars was one of the younger performers, as they usually get someone with a large back catalog of hits. Bruno rose to the occasion though, including a memorable drum solo, which probably gave him a number of new fans. The show made for a good mix of slower moments with high energy, while the Red Hot Chili Peppers proved to make a solid pairing with Bruno and his band.

The Rolling Stones (2006) - The Stones did what they did best, rocked the house with a rollicking performance that could probably put people half their age to shame. What was memorable about this is how the NFL & ABC aired it on a five second delay and turned off Mick Jagger's microphone for two songs with lyrics that were too "sexually explicit." The band agreed to that beforehand so it wasn't a surprise, but it just goes to show how worried networks had become about live TV after Nipplegate in 2004.

Aerosmith, Britney Spears, 'N Sync, Mary J. Blige, Nelly (2001) - This one isn't really memorable for the performances aside from when they were all on stage to join together and play "Walk This Way." It perfectly encapsulated the pop culture landscape of 1999-2001, while having something for everyone. It was an odd mashup, but one that actually worked.

And a shout out to Katy Perry, Missy Elliott, and Lenny Kravitz. While the jury is out, it did feature a few possible memorable moments: Left Shark, Missy Elliott returning to the public eye unexpectedly, and Katy Perry on a platform that "flew" around on a wire, which made for quite a stunt.

Super Bowl Aftermath

First, the Halftime show. All in all, Madonna did a good job. Not great, but good. Most songs were lip-synced, though I'm pretty sure "Like A Prayer" was performed live, and clearly the best song of the set. The visuals were outstanding though.

MIA flipped her middle finger during the "Give Me All Your Love" performance. I don't think it's a big deal, but I think people will overreact, just like with Nipplegate. And most probably didn't even notice at first. I don't get the point of giving the middle finger, except for press. Actually, maybe this was a genius move on her part. Watch it below.

The game was solid and the New York Giants pulled it out in the end like I predicted. As a side note, the Patriots won all three of their Super Bowls during the Spygate time, when they were using cameras to spy on opponents. All three were wins by just a Field Goal. You have to wonder if the Patriots would have won all 3 had they not had those trusty and illegal cameras. But they won't talk about that on ESPN.

Oh, and The Voice is better than American Idol. They allow different people an opportunity, and the show is somewhat entertaining even though I don't like singing competition shows very much.

Super Bowl and Madonna

MDNA cover, out in March

Madonna will become the first solo female Super Bowl halftime performer since Janet Jackson in 2004. That was of course the infamous Nipplegate show thanks to Justin Timberlake.

The rumored set-list is: "Vogue", "Give Me All Your Love", "Music" and "Like a Prayer". "Holiday" and "Ray of Light" were previously rumored. Nicki Minaj and M.I.A will join her for her new single, and some other rumored guests are Cee Lo Green, LMFAO and Foo Fighters. I doubt it will be all of them, so hopefully LMFAO will not be there. Cee Lo makes sense since The Voice premieres after the game. Foo Fighters would kick some ass, so if they don't join her, maybe they will get their own halftime show next year? (My money is on Bon Jovi, I assume they will get a performance in the next few years.)

As for the game, I pick the Giants to win. I don't like the Patriots 31st ranked defense. They were lucky that Ravens receiver Lee Evans dropped a touchdown pass and Billy Cundiff missed a chip shot Field Goal, or they wouldn't even be in the Super Bowl.

You can download Madonna's greatest hits album, Celebration, for just 3.99 on Amazon for a limited time only as the daily deal:

Things I Want to Happen at the 2012 Golden Globes

- For Golden Globes host, Ricky Gervais, to be better than ever. Let 'em have it! It hasn't even started yet and he gave us a little taste with the above picture of himself he posted on Twitter. He said, "Some last minute preparation so I don't look out of place at The Golden Globes." After last year's show, some people said he was "mean spirited." I couldn't disagree more, and I'm glad NBC has brought him back! I hope to see plenty of awkward smiles and nervous laughter. 

-I would like to see at least one person drop the F-bomb. Melissa Leo did it at the Oscars last year and it was glorious! They serve alcohol at the Golden Globes, so I'd say there is a fairly good chance we hear a "fuck" blurted out. And then the subsequent overreaction, which is as American as apple pie. (See: Janet Jackson and Nipplegate, which was still in the courts until recently!) 

-Someone to trip on the stairs, and then make a joke about it and acknowledge that it happened. Don't try to hide it or cover, roll with it! 

-Which famous person will be visibly drunk? As mentioned before, the Golden Globes are a bit less stuffy than the Oscars by serving alcohol. There is bound to be someone that gets schwasted at one of those tables. I'm pretty sure Meryl Streep was tipsy last year, she knows how to roll at these long awards shoes by now. 

It airs this Sunday, January 15 on NBC.