Madonna, 2012-02-06 - OUT, What We Thought About Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show

http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/02/06/what-we-thought-about-madonnas-super-bowl-halftime-show?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OutComFeatures+%28Out.com+Features+|+Fashion%2C+Style%2C+Celebrity%2C+Opinion+for+the+Modern+Gay+Man%29

What We Thought About Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show

2.6.2012

By Alex Taylor Williams

She came, she saw, she conquered

As Madonna entered the field of last night night’s Super Bowl halftime show on an Egyptian throne, carried by tons of hot gladiators, dripping in a gold lame Givenchy cape and headpiece, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Would this be another live performance let down? All I imagined following was something way over styled and way overdone. After all, this year so far has been a bit inconsistent with pop performances and Superbowl concerts aren't always winners. I soon realized that Madonna would be taking no prisoners and actually delivered a solid performance.

As soon as she hit the stage, Madonna gave us exactly what we wanted. She still has spunk and obviously still goes to the gym—or, more likely, has the gym come to her. Despite the dubious choice in cohorts, we oohed and aahed as the dudes from LMFAO helped her through a series of cartwheels. Though we did notice her almost take a few spills—still, she moved around like it was 1986 again.

However, her new single, which she performed alongside Nicki Minaj and a middle-finger-wielding M.I.A., seemed to get lost amongst her older songs. Yes, it was great to see such a trio of women rocking out together, but we eagerly awaited what she had in store for us next.

It wouldn't have been a true Madonna performance without some kind of lesson to be learned. Which made for a great rendition of "Like a Prayer" featuring Cee Lo Green. She brought out hundreds of choir members and projected the words “World Peace” across the field. But, following the gospel remix, Madonna abruptly exited the stage through a major trap door of course with lots of smoke and pyrotechnics, as if she fell into a giant trap that cryogenically freezes pop stars.

And that was it. The Giants went on to win the big game and the rest of America went to sleep. All in all a very well done performance for the Material Girl. The stage and effects were beautiful and really put us all on edge for her new album MDNA to drop.

Madonna, 2012-02-06 - MTV, Madonna Halftime Show: The Reviews Are In!

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678574/madonna-super-bowl-halftime-show.jhtml

Feb 6 2012 10:44 AM EST

Madonna Halftime Show: The Reviews Are In!

Super Bowl performance reinstates Madge as 'the biggest pop vixen on the planet.'

By Jocelyn Vena (@jocelyn1212)

Madonna performs at Super Bowl XLVI
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

Madonna did it all on Sunday night when she performed during the Super Bowl halftime show in Indianapolis.

She was an Egyptian Queen "Vogue"-ing it up for her biggest devotees. She was a cheerleader, cheering on L-U-V alongside a middle-finger flinging M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for "Give Me All Your Luvin'." She got her "Music" on with LMFAO and she sang the gospel of "Like a Prayer" with Cee Lo Green.

In a sea of costume changes (with looks by Givenchy and Adidas Originals Jeremy Scott), dancers, acrobats, A-list collaborators and a killer set list, Madonna seemed to leave very little to chance. Sure, there were a few slip-ups, but, in the end, Madonna ensured that all anyone would be talking about around the water cooler come Monday morning was her, whether or not you completely loved what she did during the show.

"It's Madonna Louise Ciccone's world, we're just living in it," Billboard.com wrote about her 12-minute-plus performance. "The pop icon took to the world's biggest stage to rock three-and-a-half older tracks and a playful new song during the Super Bowl halftime show."

While the Super Bowl audience is usually dominated by people who most likely aren't Madge fans, the singer, according to one review, seemed indifferent to that fact. "Madonna was defiantly unconcerned with the more conservative red state wing of the football fanbase who'd never be caught dead singing along to one of her songs," the Los Angeles Times noted about her performance. "And her halftime show was pure spectacle by the Cleopatra of the game."

The show, according to the Chicago Tribune, wasn't just about her, but also about reminding fans that she's about to drop her next album, MDNA, in March. "This was Madonna's party, and besides breaking off bits of her greatest hits to remind people of a time when she was the biggest pop vixen on the planet, she had important career-advancing work to do," the review noted. "Madonna, after all, never does anything unless she's got something to sell, and with a new studio album due out in March and a tour to follow, she had plenty on her to-do list."

Madonna, 2012-02-06 - NJ.com, Madonna Super Bowl halftime show blog

http://www.nj.com/super-bowl/index.ssf/2012/02/madonna_super_bowl_halftime_show_blog.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeedMadonna%20Super%20Bowl%20halftime%20show%20blog

Madonna Super Bowl halftime show blog

Published: Sunday, February 05, 2012, 9:12 PM - Updated: Monday, February 06, 2012, 2:52 PM
By Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger



If you've followed Madonna throughout her career, you're well aware of one thing regarding her Super Bowl performance: She's going to go all out to make it dazzling and unforgettable. If she's not the topic of conversation at water coolers around the world tomorrow, she's going to feel like she hasn't done her job.

But she's got only 12 or 13 minutes to make her mark: It's a challenge that some Super Bowl performers (like the Black Eyed Peas, last year) have failed to rise to.

In this space, I'll will be blogging about the halftime show, as it happens:

7:10 p.m.: The halftime show is still quite a long way away but announcer Al Michaels can already feel the excitement. He says he saw the rehearsal and it is "over the moon, off the charts."

7:25 p.m.: SPOLER ALERT -- Skip to next item if you want to be surprised but in case anyone hasn't seen it yet, here is the rumored set list:

• "Vogue"
• "Music" (with LMFAO)
• "Give Me All Your Luvin' " (with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.)
• "Like a Prayer" ( Cee Lo Green)

Since Minaj and M.I.A. are in the "Luvin' " video that makes total sense.

7:54 p.m.: First half is over but Bob Costas says it's going to take a while for them to get stage ready so don't expect Madonna immediately. People have been saying halftime is going to be 30 minutes overall so she's got to be out there 10 minutes from now at most, I think.

8:00 p.m.: Okay, we're starting now. Trojan gladiators and Madonna in some kind of grandiose gold getup. Lady Gaga would be envious. She's singing "Vogue."

8:03 p.m.: She's clearly lip-synching on the "Vogue" rap. I like the clashing-sword sound effects.

8:04 p.m.: "Music." Not much question she's lip-synching here too. Lots of really athletic dance moves though, by her and supporting cast as well.



8:05 p.m.: LMFAO out now. She jumps on one of the guys' shoulders and sits there, singing.

8:07 p.m.: Pom poms and cheerleaders for "Gimme All Your Luvin'" There's Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., as promised.

8:10 p.m.: Cee Lo comes out as Trojan warrior, with marching band. Just a bit of "Express Yourself" before "Like a Prayer."

8:11 p.m.: She and Cee Lo in black glittering robes singing "Like a Prayer" with gospel choir.

8:13 p.m.: Madonna disappears in a cloud of smoke as the words "World Peace" appear. It's over. On to commercials.

8:14 p.m.: Okay, here's my take. I wasn't thrilled about all the lip-synching, but visually, this was probably the most impressive Super Bowl halftime performance ever, and Madonna just emanated star power. She said she was nervous beforehand, but she looked comfortable onstage, and like she was enjoying herself. That she belonged there. In comparison, the Black Eyed Peas last year looked like awkward amateurs. The gospel "Like a Prayer" was a great choice to close -- an effective heart-to-heart moment after all the glitz.

8:29 p.m.: I have a feeling discussion over M.I.A. giving the middle finger and saying "don't give a s---" is going to dominate post-performance analysis, which is a shame. Is it another wardrobe-malfunction moment?

Madonna, 2012-12-05 - The Washington Post, Madonna and the Super Bowl halftime show: A play-by-play

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/madonna-and-the-super-bowl-halftime-show-a-play-by-play/2012/02/05/gIQAlJuisQ_blog.html?wprss=celebritology

Posted at 09:02 PM ET, 02/05/2012

Madonna and the Super Bowl halftime show: A play-by-play

By Jen Chaney

Madonna, onstage at the Super Bowl. (Lucy Nicholson - Reuters)

Madonna promised there would be no wardrobe malfunction during her Super Bowl halftime performance. And she actually actually kept her word.

She also kept our attention, for worse as well as better, by wearing elaborate Egyptian garb, doing weird cartwheels, making us cringe via her collaboration with LMFAO and closing with a grand finale that involved Cee-Lo, “Like a Prayer” and an apparent alien abduction.

Here’s a play-by-play of the Madonna Super Bowl show, in words and images. Check it out, then post your take on her performance in the comments.

8 p.m.: The Bridgestone halftime show (official name) is beginning ... with the cast of “300” carrying in what appears to be a member of Roman royalty. I have this feeling Madonna is hidden under all those gilded leaves.

(Jim Young - Reuters)

8:01 p.m.: She is! And she’s wearing a headdress that makes it looks like fancy horns are coming out of her head, just like all those conservatives always claimed!

(Christopher Polk - Getty Images)

8:02 p.m.: For the record, she’s opening with “Vogue.” And she and her back-up dancers are apparently doing the choreography from the “Just Dance 2” version of “Walk Like an Egyptian.”

8:03 p.m.: The stage floor looks as though it is covered with Vogue magazines. Conde Nast must be psyched.

8:04 p.m.: Madonna has officially removed the horny headdress and is now segueing into “Music.” She is not even trying to lip-sync accurately at this point. Points for faux-singing candor?

8:04 p.m.: Madonna is currently doing awkward cartwheels with four dudes in track suit who dance like Chris Brown but aren’t actually Chris Brown. She looks tentative, as she should. It’s wrong to try to do gymnastics in thigh-high boots with heels like that (which, by the way everyone wore in ancient Egypt. Or Rome. Or wherever.)

8:05 p.m.: A guy who looks like a young Richard Simmons is now walking on a tightrope and alternately bouncing on a trampoline, while wearing a toga. Look, I’m just relaying information, okay?

(Paul Sancya - AP)

8:05 p.m.: Oh no, those LMFAO guys are onstage. I already miss the Chris Brown dudes.

8:06 p.m.: Madonna is on top of one half of LMFAO and singing “Party Rock Anthem.” Remember how “Shanghai Surprise” once seemed like her greatest embarrassment? Um, well...

(Mike Segar - Reuters)

8:06 p.m: Now Madonna, LMFAO, the Chris Brown dudes and others are doing the dance from “She’s All That.” Kind of. Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what’s happening right now, because the combination of glittery polka dots and leopard prints on LMFAO has rendered me legally blind.

8:06 p.m.: Now Madonna is flexing her muscles and mouthing the words, “I work out.” She is attempting an awkward handstand. Oy. Can we cut to a clip of “Like a Virgin” from the first VMAs and pretend this isn’t happening right now?

(Timothy A. Clary - AFP/Getty Images)

8:07 p.m.: Now Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and a herd of ladies in fringe skirts are doing what appears to be a pom routine my high school squad did in 1988. Also, did M.I.A. give us the finger? (Uh, yes. Yes she did.)

8:08 p.m.: P.S. this new song, “Give Me All Your Luvin” is beyond weak. Even the “Hey Mickey” antics can’t help it.

(Lucy Nicholson - Reuters)

8:10 p.m.: A marching band is now onstage, drumming while Madonna sings “Open Your Heart.” This is sweet relief after “Give Me All Your Luvin.”

8:10 p.m.: In case you forgot for a half-second that “The Voice” is on after the Super Bowl, Cee Lo Green is leading the band. And, also, outsinging Madonna by leaps and octaves.

8:10 p.m.: Woah, the football field has disappeared and it now appears we’re in outer space. “Like a Prayer” is starting.

8:11 p.m.: Madonna, Cee Lo and a massive gospel choice in black and white robes are all singing. This doesn’t quite redeem that LMFAO episode, but this is pretty strong and looks stunning in HD.

(Charlie Riedel - AP)

8:12 p.m.: Cee Lo is really upstaging Madonna. Adding insult to injury, he is wearing glasses that Elton John would totally wear. Fortunately, Madonna doesn’t seem to mind.

(Christopher Polk - Getty Images)

8:13 p.m.: Oh my God! Madonna just sang “it feels like home” and got sucked into the bowels of the stage. That was an alien abduction we just witnessed, on live television! Someone, get Mulder and Scully on the case!

8:13 p.m.: That was a strong ending. I almost feel positively on the whole because of it but ... oh. The lights in front of the stage are currently spelling World Peace. Madonna, why did you have to go and try to be U2 like that?

By Jen Chaney | 09:02 PM ET, 02/05/2012

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - Billboard, Madonna Rocks Super Bowl Halftime Show With Old Hits, New Friends

http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/super-bowl/506774/madonna-rocks-super-bowl-halftime-show-with-old-hits-new-friends#/column/super-bowl/madonna-rocks-super-bowl-halftime-show-1006099552.story

Madonna Rocks Super Bowl Halftime Show With Old Hits, New Friends

By Marc Schneider | February 05, 2012 9:30 PM EST

Singer Madonna performs during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

'Like a Prayer,' 'Vogue, 'Music' ... M.I.A. Flips Out During 'Give Me All Your Luvin''

It's Madonna Louise Ciccone's world, we're just living in it. The pop icon took to the world's biggest stage to rock three-and-a-half older tracks and a playful new song during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Entering on a golden throne pushed by an army of dancing Roman gladiators, the 53-year-old singer started things off with her 1990 classic "Vogue." Around ten backup dancers kept the pace as she sauntered the scene in a head piece and black thigh-high boots.

Across the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis flashed an impressive digital collage of Vogue magazines, in a nice touch of corporate scenery.

By the time "Music" revved up, she was down to four very acrobatic backup dancers on a bandstand. To the side of the stage -- playing the parts of "Hey Mr. DJ" -- were those party rocking dudes of LMFAO at which point "Music" began getting an infusion of the SoCal duo's biggest hits, "Party Rock Anthem" and "Sexy And I Know It."

Those with sharp eyes may have noticed Madonna slipping a bit while she was atop the bandstand, but she quickly recovered with a smile.

Then came the new song "Give Me All Your Luvin.'" The track's two guest stars -- Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. -- made the trip to Indy and got wrapped up in the Rome/Cleopatra-esque concept. The cheerleader-themed track was a perfect pick for halftime show, no doubt.

M.I.A. caused a bit of controversy when at the end of her rapping bit, she flipped the bird at the camera while saying the lyrics, "I'mma say this once, yeah, I don't give a s--t."

NBC quickly apologized after the game, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers."

The NFL also chimed in. "The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing and we apologize to our fans," said Brian McCarthy, spokesman for the league.

As her new single wound down, a marching band made its way to center stage for a quick interlude of "Open Your Heart" with the big-voiced Cee-Lo adding soul. Backing tracks seemed to be dispatched of at this point and the two sang live until the end of the show, it appeared.

For the finale, Madonna pulled out all the stops with the perfectly picked "Like a Prayer." Her voice, strong and clear, was aided by Cee-Lo and a massive choir of backup singers in robes for the 1989 gem.

When the spectacle was over, the singer was released down an escape hatch of sorts and the words "World Peace" were blazoned across the field.

According to the AP, around 110 million people were expected to watch the Super Bowl this year.

It was Madonna's first time in the halftime spotlight for the Super Bowl and comes right as she debuts her single, "Give Me All Your Luvin.'" The track is off "M.D.N.A.," Madonna's 12th studio album and first for Interscope, which will be released March 26.

Before kickoff, country couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert sang a rousing version of "America the Beautiful" and Kelly Clarkson took on national anthem duties. It was a performance clear of mistakes, unlike last year when Christina Aguilera flubbed her lines.

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - The Hollywood Reporter, Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Hollywood Is Saying

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/super-bowl-madonna-halftime-show-287186?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Hollywood Is Saying

6:16 PM PST 2/5/2012 by THR Staff

"Two quarters of Super Bowl and the strongest performer is Madonna," said Alec Baldwin of the show.

Madonna took to the stage for her highly anticipated halftime show during Super bowl XLVI. Beside her were Roman soldiers, the duo of LMFAO and Nicki Minaj.

The performance featured a stunning electronic stage and plenty or pyrotechinics. Her performance featured some oldies-but-goodies such as “Vogue,” and also her latest single "Give Me All Your Luvin'.” What did the entertainment industry think of her performance? Overall, reactions have been positive.

Project Runway judge Nina Garcia wrote on Twitter: “Madonna rocked it !! Loved her and the outfit was HOT. LOVED. My girl Nicki Minaj adorable.”

30 Rock star Alec Baldwin also heaped on the praise, writing, “Two quarters of SuperBowl and the strongest performer is Madonna...”

“You gotta hand it to Madonna. No apologies,” he added.

Paula Abdul wrote, "so happy for #Madonna 's triumphant #HalfTime show! :) @NICKIMINAJ & M.I.A. crushed it! @CeeLoGreen & @LMFAO added so much fun!"

Steve Martin wrote, “Congrats to Madonna for great spot, especially considering game has resumed during last three minutes.”

Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria wrote, “Madonna is amazing!!! Love her always! What a performer! All my fav songs!”

Rosie O'Donnell kept it simple, writing: “Madonna = perfection”

Rapper Snoop Dogg added: "Madonna killen the superbowl her show is soo fresh. Wowoowowowowowoowowowowowow!"

However, there seemed to be a disagreement between Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan. Osbourne wrote, "Madonna is back! She's the queen. Just sensational!"

To that, Morgan responded: "Queen of what? Lip-synching?"

The performance featured plenty of dancing and stunts by Madonna, despite her very high heels. Rainn Wilson wrote, “I wonder how much Madonna can bench?”

Seth MacFarlane commented on LMFAO’s contribution to the performance, writing, “The way they rhymed "Madonna" with "you wanna" was terrific. Just tremendous. And a bunch of times! Which was also great. Music is great.”

Ryan Seacrest also praised the halftime show, writing, “Loved the madonna performance, i think she nailed it. Great job by @LMFAO, @NickiMinaj, @CeeloGreen too.”

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - Radar Online, Madonna Scores With Super Bowl Halftime Show

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/02/Madonna-Super-Bowl-Halftime-Show-Video/

Madonna Scores With Super Bowl Halftime Show

Posted on Feb 5, 2012 @ 2:15AM

By Radar Staff

She’s said she’d never been so anxious about a performance in her entire career, but Madonna put her nerves aside and performed a slick and polished Super Bowl Halftime show.

The pop star was brought to the stage, a la Cleopatra, and opened her 12 minute show with Vogue.

It was all about seamless production values as Madonna was joined by LMFAO for Party Rock Anthem and then Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for Give Me. Madonna closed the show with Like A Prayer with Cee Lo Green.

U2 or Springsteen it was not — Madonna’s show had no surprises and little emotion. For that, you needed to catch Clint Eastwood‘s surprise commercial for Chrysler that immediately followed.

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - Ken Tucker's TV, Madonna at the Super Bowl review: A shockingly sincere, joyous performance

http://watching-tv.ew.com/2012/02/05/madonna-super-bowl-cee-lo-green-nicki-minaj-m-i-a-lmfao/

Madonna at the Super Bowl review: A shockingly sincere, joyous performance

by Ken Tucker

Madonna was careful, in interviews before the Super Bowl, to say how nervous she was, how no one had to worry about her plotting to incite controversy. But instead of resulting in a cautious, tedious performance, Madonna gave a joyous, unironic, openhearted one. She deployed guest stars including Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, and M.I.A., but they never stole her glowing spotlight. From her entrance hoisted aloft by Roman-soldier dancers to the massed choir that sent her off, she was both in full command and full of generosity toward her massive audience.

Commencing with a rendition of “Vogue” that used the magazine’s logo as part of the stage set, Madonna offered full-throated vocals coupled with tight choreography. If the visual transitions didn’t have any flow (Roman togas to pulsating stadium-seating steps to space for a tightrope walker), the songs did. After the cool warm-up of “Vogue,” Madonna moved smoothly into “Music.” There was certain mashing-up of music with LMFAO that didn’t add much to the proceedings. She led into her current single, “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” as a sweet piece of Katy Perry-style pop. It’s not among her best songs, but Madonna rendered the tune with a playful vigor, shaking gold pom-poms with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Toward the end of the song, a marching band trooped on stage, led by Cee Lo Green as drum major.

Aiming to end on a note of uplift, Madonna and Green donned choir robes and brought forth a large choir for “Like a Prayer.” Singing from a raised platform, Madonna and Green’s voices soared, and just when I thought she was going to ascend to the heavens, she instead descended into…well, not hell — that would have been out of keeping with the mood of this show — but she dropped away in a puff of smoke.

Now the carping will begin in living rooms and throughout the internet: Was she lip-synching? Did she make a few wobbly moves? Was M.I.A. being a naughty girl?

Me, I don’t care. I was happy to see Madonna smiling so much, giving it her all, plugging her product with such gleeful abandon. (Oh, and, right, I almost forgot: WORLD PEACE, people!!) It wasn’t a thrillingly innovative performance, but that’s not what the Super Bowl halftime show is about anyway: It’s a time to hear some hits well played, with more imagination and energy than, say, the Black-Eyed Peas provided last year. By this measure, Madonna’s Super Bowl performance was a bright delight.

Twitter: @kentucker