If the United States of America know how to anything, they know how to put on a blockbuster half-time show. Every year, without fail, millions of people worldwide look forward to the announcement of who will be taking to the field at half-time just as much as they do to finding out which two teams will compete in the final itself. In fact, it is so popular that there have been occasions when the half-time show has had more viewers than the actual game. There have been a host of musical legends who have had the honour of performing at the Superbowl half-time show including Paul McCartney, Prince, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Madonna.
The Superbowl has embraced the modern age in a way that many sporting events has not, whether it is through the evolution of the half-time show, the availability of bitcoin football betting, or the possibility of fan engagement via the internet, it is always open to expanding it horizons. As an ode to this approach, this article has been put together in honour of the Superbowl half-time show, which we firmly believe is the perfect example of what American entertainment is all about…
It may be hard to imagine due to its position within American pop culture today, but the Superbowl half-time shows were not always as extravagant as they are today. In fact, up until the 1990s, the half-time show was more of a low-key affair with the organisers enlisting the help of local marching bands and drill teams to entertain the crowds during the break. In this way, the Superbowl half-time show used to be no different to what you would normally find at your standard college football encounter. Over the years, smaller pop, rock and/or folk groups were introduced to the half-time entertainment before it all changed in 1993.
It could only be one man who turned the feel-good event into the stunning spectacle it has become today. Welcome, the ‘King of Pop’! When Michael Jackson performed a number of his hit songs during the 1993 Superbowl final, America reacted in such a way that it was impossible to ever go back. The standard was set, and the pressure was now on to deliver an adrenaline filled show every time the Superbowl final came to town.
But look, no one should have ever doubted America to put on a party, and ever since, the Superbowl half-time show has provided the United States with some of its most iconic pop culture moments of all time. Diana Ross was picked up in a helicopter in 1996, 2001 saw Justin Timberlake, Steven Tyler, Britney Spears and Nelly all share the stage, Janet Jackson’s infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ happened in 2004, and The Beatles legend Paul McCartney wowed the crowd in 2005. Since then, acts such as The Rolling Stones, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga have all helped cement the Superbowl as the pinnacle of American Entertainment.
Some may say it is too much, others that it distracts from the game, but even the most cynical of those amongst us will find it difficult not to crack a smile when the show is in full swing. From here, it is impossible to predict what is next for the half-time show, however, if you ask us, based on its progression since the early 1990s, it will only continue to get better and better and better!