Janet Jackson Infamous Wardrobe Malfunction

Evolving Super Bowl: From Game to Spectacle

In order to compensate for the inconsistent competitiveness of the championship game, the NFL shifted its focus towards creating a captivating spectacle, featuring elaborate and occasionally controversial halftime shows and pregame showcases that diverted attention from the football itself.

Early Super Bowl halftime performances were modest, featuring university marching bands and fading pop stars. However, the league began to establish a new production standard as early as Super Bowl XI in 1977, when they collaborated with the Walt Disney Company for a halftime show titled “It’s a Small World.”

The turning point came in 1993 with Super Bowl XXVII, where pop icon Michael Jackson delivered a high-energy performance, marking the beginning of a trend for top musical artists headlining these halftime extravaganzas. Soon, mega-stars from various genres coveted the opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl, using the platform to shift viewers’ attention away from football and onto themselves. Janet Jackson’s notorious wardrobe malfunction during Super Bowl XXXVIII and Beyoncé’s politically charged statement at Super Bowl 50 are prime examples. This year, the NFL will spend $10 million to produce Lady Gaga’s halftime show.

The NFL’s strategy to amplify off-field excitement extended beyond halftime shows. The national anthem became a highly produced and sought-after performance, joining pregame fireworks and military flyovers as integral parts of the event. Whitney Houston’s powerful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Super Bowl XXV, performed shortly after the Gulf War began, set a new standard.

However, not all performers could meet Houston’s example. At Super Bowl XLV, Christina Aguilera faltered under the spotlight, forgetting the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” diverting some of the postgame discussion from what turned out to be a closely contested game, with the Green Bay Packers defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25.