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WarGamer

(18,616 posts)
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:35 PM Feb 8

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

Lefta Dissenter

(6,703 posts)
15. lol!
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:45 PM
Feb 8

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

(13,861 posts)
5. I'm not sure what show you watched, but the one I saw was fantastic.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:38 PM
Feb 8

Even without speaking Spanish that was a great show.

doc03

(39,089 posts)
9. I don't understand Spanish but I couldn't
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:40 PM
Feb 8

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

GETTINGTIRED

(356 posts)
76. Award winning Kendrick Lamar
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 03:49 AM
Feb 9

Last edited Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:18 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

(14,444 posts)
10. He introduced this American territory that went through a hurricane where 3000 people died
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:41 PM
Feb 8

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

a kennedy

(36,006 posts)
11. Ah, me too.....didn't think is was THAT good. Good, but just ok......
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:41 PM
Feb 8
So trash me. and I think this game stinks as well. Ugh……

DenaliDemocrat

(1,778 posts)
16. He did not sing. It was like a bad poetry
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:48 PM
Feb 8

Reading. I speak enough Spanish and Italian to understand 95% of it.

hlthe2b

(114,004 posts)
26. Are you totally unaware of the genre that has dominated half time performances past couple years?
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:04 PM
Feb 8

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

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

hlthe2b

(114,004 posts)
31. For gawd's sakes, I NEVER SAID IT WAS!!!!!! Why would you say that?
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:13 PM
Feb 8

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.

haele

(15,412 posts)
17. Tastes are different, and yeah, it wasn't a stadium show. But he represented
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:48 PM
Feb 8

And it was beautiful.

senseandsensibility

(25,001 posts)
18. My husband liked it
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:49 PM
Feb 8

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
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:05 AM
Feb 9

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

(25,001 posts)
83. In my husband's case, he loves the blues
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 04:33 PM
Feb 9

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

(17,582 posts)
21. It's not my thing, but
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:55 PM
Feb 8

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

(130,570 posts)
22. Different strokes, etc.
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 09:56 PM
Feb 8

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

(2,503 posts)
23. Hated It
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:01 PM
Feb 8

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.

(735 posts)
39. I think there may've been some layering to the posturing that we're missing
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:21 PM
Feb 8

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

(2,503 posts)
42. I Appreciate the Feedback
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:32 PM
Feb 8

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.

(735 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, 01:02 AM
Feb 9

Sympthsical

(10,972 posts)
25. It was a vibe show
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:03 PM
Feb 8

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

(76,742 posts)
35. It Changed Gears After Gaga Was Added
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:20 PM
Feb 8

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

(36,006 posts)
37. Cause Lady Gaga.....IS ONE OF THE MOST, NO, THE MOST FREAKING BEST SINGERS OF OUR TIME!!!!!!!
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:08 PM
Feb 8

🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰 ♥️ 🥰

purr-rat beauty

(1,259 posts)
38. Content, message didn't bother me
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:10 PM
Feb 8

The production didn't move me

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

WarGamer

(18,616 posts)
49. I will explain why I didn't, much different reasons than T
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:13 AM
Feb 9

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

(3,948 posts)
50. "Musical icon"
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:27 AM
Feb 9

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

(3,948 posts)
53. "GRAND" like Madonna
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:41 AM
Feb 9

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."

dpibel

(3,948 posts)
59. Once you've started silly, you do stay silly
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:15 AM
Feb 9

But this thread was never about anything real, was it?

FHRRK

(1,410 posts)
60. It was even more than that
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:27 AM
Feb 9

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

(18,616 posts)
62. But was it music? Was it a big cultural show? Sure.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:31 AM
Feb 9

But was it music?

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

dpibel

(3,948 posts)
64. Weird times, ain't they?
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 01:40 AM
Feb 9

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, 02:16 AM
Feb 9

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

(18,616 posts)
66. I know that, I pointed it out yesterday...
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:04 AM
Feb 9

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

Sympthsical

(10,972 posts)
73. It's all subjective, of course
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:45 AM
Feb 9

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

(65,915 posts)
46. Thought it was entertaining
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 11:49 PM
Feb 8

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

ABC123Easy

(286 posts)
51. Of course
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:30 AM
Feb 9

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

(4,469 posts)
54. Thanks for letting me know.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:44 AM
Feb 9

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

Junipercity

(114 posts)
55. To be honest,
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 12:59 AM
Feb 9

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

I imagine anything else would pale by comparison. 😉

Scrivener7

(59,532 posts)
81. While I'm fine with wargamer not liking it, you started my day with a laugh, so start yours with a heart.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 08:46 AM
Feb 9

StarryNite

(12,120 posts)
72. Seems like every year after the Super Bowl somebody says basically the same thing.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:38 AM
Feb 9

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

flvegan

(66,287 posts)
74. 20 minutes after Green Day, I had to put the game on mute.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:48 AM
Feb 9

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

(356 posts)
75. It wasn't the best, but it was pretty far from the worst
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 03:16 AM
Feb 9

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.

Patton French

(1,824 posts)
77. I had higher hopes.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 03:55 AM
Feb 9

At least it was a good opportunity to get up, stretch, use the bathroom, and refresh my snacks.

yaesu

(9,332 posts)
78. tRump wanted kid rock to sing "like a virgin" for the Epstein island vibes
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 04:19 AM
Feb 9

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

Irish_Dem

(81,356 posts)
79. I thought it was more interesting and had a better vibe than most half time shows.
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 06:39 AM
Feb 9

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

(59,532 posts)
80. I know nothing about football or popular culture, but love Spanish music so I enjoyed it. More
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 08:43 AM
Feb 9

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

(2,052 posts)
82. I totally get it, even Mara Laredo played the real halftime show
Mon Feb 9, 2026, 10:11 AM
Feb 9

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...