BY BRADEN HOLECEK
This year’s Super Bowl halftime show created much controversy for those who watched. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez were both strong choices for the Miami, Florida area. Elsewhere, the early reaction to the halftime show included excitement. However, over the past week more and more complaints have erupted from this year’s halftime show.
Local students at Fort Hays State University gave their thoughts on the polarizing show from Super Bowl Sunday. For the most part, they generally believed that the complaints were out of control. However, there is a feeling that the halftime shows could be presented in a different light.
“It was very good. It was a lot better than last year’s. I thought it was a step up,” one student said.
This was along the same lines of what another student felt.
“I liked how lively of a performance it was.”
As far as what kind of performance both singers brought to the table, one student believed it hit close to home for the performers.
“It represented their style and the culture pretty well.”
With the ties to the Miami area, most people had anticipated something along the same lines of what we ended up seeing.
On the other hand, there was a lawsuit brought on by a Christian activist, Dave Daubenmire (according to Sports Illustrated). He apparently turned off the halftime show, because he didn’t want to “let that spirit in my house.” The lawsuit describes the performance as “pandering to pornography.”
Here is what the local students had to say about this lawsuit.
“I don’t think there should have been a lawsuit. I don’t think there was anything wrong with the show. The performers have the opportunity to say if they do not want to wear those clothes,” one student said.
Another FHSU student says the lawsuit could be blown out of proportion. Finally, the general idea of this lawsuit is mostly shock. These students happened to enjoy the show and did not have a problem with it.
Additional national outrage was seen almost immediately on social media. For example, one Twitter user tweeted out “not appropriate for kids at a Super Bowl halftime show. Just J Lo’s outfits in general.” This is according to the New York Post. Another twitter user went into more detail. Tweeting, “absolutely the worst, most vulgar halftime show ever.”
However, Robin Lundberg of Sports Illustrated went on to say that the halftime show outrage “is outrageous.” In the article written by Lundberg, it is mentioned that it “led to a family dance party in my household.” It sounds like those kids were having fun and enjoying themselves while watching the halftime show.