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WarGamer

(18,341 posts)
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:35 PM Sunday

Sue me... but IMHO it was the worst Half Time Show in History...

I hope BB fans enjoyed it... I didn't hear much music... the dancing and show was pretty cool...

But I can't put it in the same universe as Shakira, Prince, MJ, J-Lo, Madonna, U2, Rihanna, Beyonce, the LA rappers... etc etc...

83 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Sue me... but IMHO it was the worst Half Time Show in History... (Original Post) WarGamer Sunday OP
Everybody's different.I thought it was one of the best ever Tribetime Sunday #1
It sure had me dancing 🙂 MLAA Sunday #2
. WhiskeyGrinder Sunday #3
years and years of it. ret5hd Sunday #32
Dude! FHRRK Sunday #4
lol! Lefta Dissenter Sunday #15
I'm not sure what show you watched, but the one I saw was fantastic. groundloop Sunday #5
I would love to have watched them set that 'stage' up! nt woodsprite Sunday #6
I give much credit for the "show"... WarGamer Sunday #7
I loved it DaBronx Sunday #8
I don't understand Spanish but I couldn't doc03 Sunday #9
Award winning Kendrick Lamar GETTINGTIRED Monday #76
He introduced this American territory that went through a hurricane where 3000 people died tavernier Sunday #10
Ding ding malaise Sunday #19
X 10 👍 Deuxcents Sunday #27
Ah, me too.....didn't think is was THAT good. Good, but just ok...... a kennedy Sunday #11
Game? What game? Srkdqltr Sunday #29
Omgosh, I was just coming on to alsay how much I loved it! 😂 MerryBlooms Sunday #12
Worse than Elvis Presto? nt bbernardini Sunday #13
I said to my wife Endlessmike56 Sunday #14
He did not sing. It was like a bad poetry DenaliDemocrat Sunday #16
Are you totally unaware of the genre that has dominated half time performances past couple years? hlthe2b Sunday #26
That was NOT rap DenaliDemocrat Sunday #30
For gawd's sakes, I NEVER SAID IT WAS!!!!!! Why would you say that? hlthe2b Sunday #31
Tastes are different, and yeah, it wasn't a stadium show. But he represented haele Sunday #17
My husband liked it senseandsensibility Sunday #18
Lol, I listen to a lot of Spotify - average of about 120 min/day FHRRK Sunday #47
In my husband's case, he loves the blues senseandsensibility Monday #83
I liked it. It was cool. In It to Win It Sunday #20
It's not my thing, but hamsterjill Sunday #21
Different strokes, etc. Ocelot II Sunday #22
Hated It DET Sunday #23
I think there may've been some layering to the posturing that we're missing Alice B. Sunday #39
I Appreciate the Feedback DET Sunday #42
I can't say I'd necessarily add a lot of it to my playlist but the stagecraft was phenomenal!!! (And the nod to Liam) Alice B. Monday #56
In strictly technical/artistic terms, it was... Alephy Sunday #24
It was a vibe show Sympthsical Sunday #25
No matter how bad you thought it was, True Dough Sunday #28
Not found in the Epstein files FakeNoose Sunday #33
Everyone's favorite contrarian sez wut? dpibel Sunday #34
Favorite? Kingofalldems Sunday #43
Did I leave out some quotation marks???? dpibel Sunday #48
It Changed Gears After Gaga Was Added ProfessorGAC Sunday #35
Cause Lady Gaga.....IS ONE OF THE MOST, NO, THE MOST FREAKING BEST SINGERS OF OUR TIME!!!!!!! a kennedy Sunday #37
No...NOT THE WORST...... a kennedy Sunday #36
Content, message didn't bother me purr-rat beauty Sunday #38
Oh, you! W_HAMILTON Sunday #40
Quelle surprise. demmiblue Sunday #41
I liked it because it made Trump whine. Emile Sunday #44
Among others! W_HAMILTON Sunday #52
Trump didn't like it either. Kingofalldems Sunday #45
I will explain why I didn't, much different reasons than T WarGamer Sunday #49
"Musical icon" dpibel Sunday #50
"GRAND" like Madonna dpibel Sunday #53
the scale of the performance was grand. WarGamer Monday #58
Once you've started silly, you do stay silly dpibel Monday #59
It was even more than that FHRRK Monday #60
But was it music? Was it a big cultural show? Sure. WarGamer Monday #62
Weird times, ain't they? dpibel Monday #64
For the love of all things holy FHRRK Monday #67
You're probably right! WarGamer Monday #68
Bad Bunny was in Shakira's halftime show Sympthsical Monday #65
I know that, I pointed it out yesterday... WarGamer Monday #66
It's all subjective, of course Sympthsical Monday #73
Thought it was entertaining mvd Sunday #46
Of course ABC123Easy Sunday #51
Thanks for letting me know. ZZenith Sunday #54
To be honest, Junipercity Sunday #55
My Latin friends will be so proud and fot that i love the site. dem4decades Monday #57
And get off my damn lawn too! n/t luv2fly Monday #61
While I'm fine with wargamer not liking it, you started my day with a laugh, so start yours with a heart. Scrivener7 Monday #81
To me, clearly a 10. Prairie_Seagull Monday #63
I Loved Seeing Ricky Martin! It Was Like A Party! ColoringFool Monday #69
Yes! He and Gaga were a respite! WarGamer Monday #70
I didn't care for it, but I have not liked one since Prince krawhitham Monday #71
Seems like every year after the Super Bowl somebody says basically the same thing. StarryNite Monday #72
20 minutes after Green Day, I had to put the game on mute. flvegan Monday #74
It wasn't the best, but it was pretty far from the worst Boo1 Monday #75
I had higher hopes. Patton French Monday #77
tRump wanted kid rock to sing "like a virgin" for the Epstein island vibes yaesu Monday #78
I thought it was more interesting and had a better vibe than most half time shows. Irish_Dem Monday #79
I know nothing about football or popular culture, but love Spanish music so I enjoyed it. More Scrivener7 Monday #80
I totally get it, even Mara Laredo played the real halftime show usedtobedemgurl Monday #82

Lefta Dissenter

(6,700 posts)
15. lol!
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:45 PM
Sunday

Thanks for reminding me of Up With People! I hadn’t realized that they performed at five Super Bowls!! So very wholesome. No wardrobe malfunctions, for sure!

groundloop

(13,646 posts)
5. I'm not sure what show you watched, but the one I saw was fantastic.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:38 PM
Sunday

Even without speaking Spanish that was a great show.

doc03

(38,949 posts)
9. I don't understand Spanish but I couldn't
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:40 PM
Sunday

understand the English last year. Other than that it far better than last years show.

GETTINGTIRED

(352 posts)
76. Award winning Kendrick Lamar
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:49 AM
Monday

Last edited Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:18 PM - Edit history (3)

Gave more than a performance , it was a history lesson...from slavery to current state America...(we suppose to play the game)
Those of us with an understanding recieved it..

They not like Us..
They not like Us..
Are you my friend?
Are you locked in ?..
Then step this way..step this way ....step this way..

And add
note..
Bad Bunny was fire..
reppin'..
his cultural flow...
If you know.. you know.


tavernier

(14,383 posts)
10. He introduced this American territory that went through a hurricane where 3000 people died
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:41 PM
Sunday

And not one member of the government acknowledged it. I thought it was very powerful and beautiful.

a kennedy

(35,585 posts)
11. Ah, me too.....didn't think is was THAT good. Good, but just ok......
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:41 PM
Sunday
So trash me. and I think this game stinks as well. Ugh……

hlthe2b

(113,257 posts)
26. Are you totally unaware of the genre that has dominated half time performances past couple years?
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:04 PM
Sunday

(i.e., RAP)?!!! 'Kinda thing you would be used to some spoken lyrics by now.

(And no, those were not my favorites)...

hlthe2b

(113,257 posts)
31. For gawd's sakes, I NEVER SAID IT WAS!!!!!! Why would you say that?
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:13 PM
Sunday

Are you THAT unaccustomed to Latin genres of music? Many genres and subgenres of music include SOME spoken lyrics. Including the traditional American genres of music you, your parent, your grandparents (and mine) undoubtedly have listened to for many years/decades/generations. Ever listen to old Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Big Band performances with vocals, Etta James? All included some spoken word--albeit in English (or Italian, or French, or other languages).

Something more contemporary (besides the Rap of today or past decades?) How about Pink Floyd? (LOTS) The Who? Even the Beatles. Some spoken word is their works as well.

senseandsensibility

(24,469 posts)
18. My husband liked it
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:49 PM
Sunday

and he can really be a music purist or snob or whatever you want to call it. Basically, if it's not blues or blue influenced and guitar driven he's not interested. But he said it was good. I was proud of him for showing "growth" in his musical tastes and admitting that something that is not really his thing is still good.

FHRRK

(1,410 posts)
47. Lol, I listen to a lot of Spotify - average of about 120 min/day
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:05 PM
Sunday

Top artists are Tedeschi Trucks, Warren Haynes/Govt Mule, Jason Isbell, Allman Bros. Black Crowes, John Mayer. I was listed in top 1% of listeners for half of the artists.

The AI generated year end review said my #1 genre was….. Acid Rock! WTH!

Another lesson that AI is highly unreliable.

senseandsensibility

(24,469 posts)
83. In my husband's case, he loves the blues
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 03:33 PM
Monday

and rock that has its roots in the blues (which is most of it) and gives credit to black musicians for influencing everyone from the Beatles and Stones to modern rock groups. He plays the guitar and is less demanding about lyrics but it has to rock and it has to be "real". So anyway, that's him. It's all subjective, but he tends to be kind of a stickler. Whatever objections he had to BB wouldn't be racial or involve dislike of the Spanish lyrics. We both live in CA and grew up in majority Hispanic cities so we are immersed in Spanish and it barely registers with us. But he liked it and that was really something to me, anyway.

hamsterjill

(17,206 posts)
21. It's not my thing, but
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:55 PM
Sunday

If it phucked with the MAGA's, I'm all for it.

I'm not into the 'chaos' type of shows. That's me, and everyone is free to disagree. That's what makes the world go around. I didn't see much talent and I don't like to watch men who have to "hang on" to themselves. BB obviously has a very large following, and more power to him. It's just not for me.

I liked it when Gaga did the whole half time show.

Ocelot II

(129,773 posts)
22. Different strokes, etc.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 08:56 PM
Sunday

I am not about to buy any of Bad Bunny's songs, that's not my style. My style is also not Shakira, Prince, MJ, J-Lo, Madonna, U2, Rihanna, Beyonce, or the LA rappers. Well, maybe Prince. However, what we saw wasn't intended as a concert; it was a show, a production, and as a show it was great entertainment. It was exuberant and fun and projected the positive, loving, diverse energy we need right now. I'm not a fan of the music but I'm a huge fan of the vibe.

DET

(2,423 posts)
23. Hated It
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:01 PM
Sunday

I mostly listened to see what all the hype was about with Bad Bunny. I’m still wondering. Whatever that was, it wasn’t singing. And I found the gratuitous crotch grabbing and macho posturing really offensive. I’m glad other people enjoyed it, but that is not my cup of tea. Oh well, so much for the valentines.

Alice B.

(722 posts)
39. I think there may've been some layering to the posturing that we're missing
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:21 PM
Sunday

Someone shared this article with me, from Presbyterian Outlook of all places:

"Why you should listen to Bad Bunny

Alex Evangelista explores the depths of social, political and spiritual significance, along with the joy, in the music of the hit Puerto Rican recording artist."

"

In a genre often critiqued for its toxic masculinity and homophobia, Bad Bunny consistently uses his platform to speak against exaggerated male virility, promote queer inclusivity and fight for racial equality. If you do a quick Google search for pictures of Bad Bunny, you will find an eccentric, unashamedly authentic artist, while also witnessing his audacious resistance to gender norms and machismo culture. While his appearance challenges gender norms, he also explicitly speaks out against violence towards women and trans people.

DET

(2,423 posts)
42. I Appreciate the Feedback
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:32 PM
Sunday

But to me, at least, it looked like he was deliberately going against the values that he espouses - except for the nod to little Liam, which was adorable. And I may be an old fart, but I still like music to sound like music.

Alice B.

(722 posts)
56. I can't say I'd necessarily add a lot of it to my playlist but the stagecraft was phenomenal!!! (And the nod to Liam)
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:02 AM
Monday

Sympthsical

(10,906 posts)
25. It was a vibe show
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:03 PM
Sunday

And the vibes were excellent.

Loved that it was a narrative (Bad Bunny is really a theater kid at heart). From the proposal in the fields through the wedding, then Hurricane Maria, into unity.

And god damn, Ricky Martin. Can I get a list of that man's skincare routine?

ProfessorGAC

(76,188 posts)
35. It Changed Gears After Gaga Was Added
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:20 PM
Sunday

I found the music more interesting from that point on.
I found the first few minutes tedious, and not because of a language barrier.
It was just the formulaic robo-music. Once the Caribbean flavor became pronounced it was far more watchable for me.

a kennedy

(35,585 posts)
37. Cause Lady Gaga.....IS ONE OF THE MOST, NO, THE MOST FREAKING BEST SINGERS OF OUR TIME!!!!!!!
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:08 PM
Sunday

🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰

purr-rat beauty

(1,118 posts)
38. Content, message didn't bother me
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:10 PM
Sunday

The production didn't move me

It was nice to see Liam
Ricky Martin sounded awesome
The commercials though, absolute crap

WarGamer

(18,341 posts)
49. I will explain why I didn't, much different reasons than T
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:13 PM
Sunday

1) It wasn't the language barrier. Shakira performed par of her Super Bowl set in Spanish in 2020... the language didn't matter because the musicality and dancing were on target. She's a dynamo, a powerhouse on stage. The stadium was buzzing.

The stadium was silent during parts of BB show.

2) It wasn't "GRAND" like Madonna.

3) It wasn't 3 generations of LA legends performing, representing West Coast rap in Los Angeles

4) It wasn't a musical icon like Rihanna or Beyonce

If you want to go with the concept that this wasn't meant to be a musical performance but a stage performance or a cultural salute to Puerto Rico, I could agree with that...

dpibel

(3,835 posts)
50. "Musical icon"
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:27 PM
Sunday

Because Bad Bunny has only 45.45 billion views just on YouTube.

Pales in comparison to the real icons:

Rihanna

and

Beyonce

I mean, I am right, am I not, that 28.3 billion and 21.58 billion are numbers that are much more iconic than 45.45 billion?

That is how math works, right?

Fun fact: The fact you don't know an artist may not in fact be a measure of how famous, influential, or iconic an artist is.

Just trying to help.

dpibel

(3,835 posts)
53. "GRAND" like Madonna
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:41 PM
Sunday

I mean, god knows the world needs more totally objective benchmarks.

Who could possibly argue with "GRAND" like Madonna?

You argumentation is compelling. It's "GRAND."

FHRRK

(1,410 posts)
60. It was even more than that
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:27 AM
Monday

I watched it again

The taco stand, a real shoutout to the Villa Tacos stands in Los Angeles, not sure if the guy serving was the owner. I assume the bodega in NYC was a shoutout to a real establishment and if the lady was a person who migrated to NYC.

Hate to admit it, but I miss a lot when multiple activities are going on.

Watching the Pretti murder the first time it was what the fuck did those ICE assholes do? Picked up the murder but watched it easily a dozen times. Then it was like holy shit he is trying to pull two ladies back, then those assholes shoved the lady, the MFers mace him as he is just trying to help the one lady.

This is the opposite, if you keep watching it, you will see how good it was.

WarGamer

(18,341 posts)
62. But was it music? Was it a big cultural show? Sure.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:31 AM
Monday

But was it music?

I already gave credit for the production appeal and set... the dancers etc... but there was precious little music.

dpibel

(3,835 posts)
64. Weird times, ain't they?
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:40 AM
Monday

Just because there are all kinds of serious racial and political and oppressive and fascist things going on,

YOU CAN'T TAKE MY MUSIC!!!!

You really need to have a whole big-ass DU thread on the fact that the Superbowl halftime show wasn't musical enough for you?

I thought you were supposed to be a deep thinker.

FHRRK

(1,410 posts)
67. For the love of all things holy
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:16 AM
Monday

That is exactly what my father, a Jazz drummer would say to my older siblings when they played Beatles and Stones albums in the late 60s.

Answer is the same. It just ain’t your music.

Too soften my critique, when I was in my teens in the mid 70s would laugh at my father for listening to nothing but 30 year old Count Basie and Duke Ellington records, to be fair it was only about 80 percent of his collection. About ten years ago my kids laughed at me for how much I listened to Dave Matthews Band. SON OF A BITCH! Most of DMBs best work was 30 years old.

Just checked the list of SB performers, I had thought the first 10 to 20 SB performers sucked, looked at the list and it was the first 30! Except for the ones in New Orleans which were at least palatable, it was horrible. Up with People, Anita Bryant, what no Pat and Debbie Boone!
Don’t make you force you to listen to 30 minutes of Up with People and Anita Bryant. Guessing you will be begging for some Bad Bunny.


WarGamer

(18,341 posts)
66. I know that, I pointed it out yesterday...
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:04 AM
Monday

And he sang along with Shakira and it was awesome. More singing than he did today in 13 minutes.

Sympthsical

(10,906 posts)
73. It's all subjective, of course
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:45 AM
Monday

I enjoyed it (as a former theater kid myself). My partner was whelmed. A buddy who was over said, and I do quote, "I hate that I'm agreeing with MAGA, but the NFL will deserve the criticism."

And the Internet has decided you either have to effuse wildly to prove you're not MAGA or say you hated it to prove you're not a commie socialist antifa.

It's a little exhausting. Social media really have ruined everything.

In the end, I liked that it told a story and gave Puerto Ricans a platform they never had before. I didn't follow all of it, because his Spanish dialect is crazy difficult to understand. But that's ok. Not everything on earth has to be 100% for me. It was about 80% for me, and that is a perfectly decent time.

mvd

(65,869 posts)
46. Thought it was entertaining
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:49 PM
Sunday

I like Bad Bunny. Is it the type of music I usually listen to? No. But I think he’s good.

ABC123Easy

(148 posts)
51. Of course
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:30 PM
Sunday

Each years halftime show is worse than the previous years show. Modern music is terrible. Every single one of those you listed except fir maybe U2 is just trash. Just my opinion, everyone has one and this is a platform to express it.

ZZenith

(4,459 posts)
54. Thanks for letting me know.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:44 PM
Sunday

I haven’t seen it yet but if you feel that way about it, I know it was good. Will check it out.

Junipercity

(85 posts)
55. To be honest,
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:59 PM
Sunday

I haven't watched one since Prince performed Purple Rain, in the rain.

I imagine anything else would pale by comparison. 😉

StarryNite

(12,038 posts)
72. Seems like every year after the Super Bowl somebody says basically the same thing.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:38 AM
Monday

I guess that's because we are all different and have different tastes. I thought it was a great show!

flvegan

(65,999 posts)
74. 20 minutes after Green Day, I had to put the game on mute.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:48 AM
Monday

Not because I didn't want to hear Bad Bunny. I have no opinion on his music (kinda sad I missed Lady Gaga, though). I lost my tolerance for the audio after the 5th Draft Kings/gambling app ad and the onslaught of AI bullshit.

Boo1

(239 posts)
75. It wasn't the best, but it was pretty far from the worst
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:16 AM
Monday

I don't think it lived up to Lamar or Dre, which I think are among the best ones. It also was well past the worst, even when you cut out the marching bands and stuff before the early 90's.

The Blues Brothers headlined once..... There was an Indiana Jones themed show.

Let's not pretend this isn't much better than those.

yaesu

(9,133 posts)
78. tRump wanted kid rock to sing "like a virgin" for the Epstein island vibes
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 03:19 AM
Monday

so it's a good thing kid rock wasn't the entertainment

Irish_Dem

(80,432 posts)
79. I thought it was more interesting and had a better vibe than most half time shows.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 05:39 AM
Monday

Once the initial sex scenes were over, it settled into a great visual and entertaining vibe,
with a fascinating cultural tableau.

As for singing, yep, he didn't really sing.
The female vocalist did a great job.

But for the most part, none of the young singers I listen to today can sing at all.

Scrivener7

(58,920 posts)
80. I know nothing about football or popular culture, but love Spanish music so I enjoyed it. More
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 07:43 AM
Monday

importantly, I found it a really joyful act of resistance, and I loved that.

Also, Liam is so adorable I want to smoosh him.

usedtobedemgurl

(1,947 posts)
82. I totally get it, even Mara Laredo played the real halftime show
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 09:11 AM
Monday

So you know the fake halftime show with Kid Rock sucked big time.

Meanwhile, the real halftime show was amazing from what I heard.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Sue me... but IMHO it was...