Justin Timberlake exposing Janet Jackson's breast at Super Bowl Half-Time

Justin Timberlake exposing Janet Jackson's breast during the Super Bowl Half-Time Show

September 22, 2004... CBS Fined $550,000 for Jackson Stunt

By Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Federal regulators on Wednesday fined CBS a record $550,000 for Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," which exposed the singer's breast during this year's Super Bowl halftime show.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to slap each of the 20 CBS-owned television stations with the maximum indecency penalty of $27,500. The total penalty of $550,000 is the largest fine levied against a television broadcaster. Most of the FCC's bigger fines have been against radio stations.

"As countless families gathered around the television to watch one of our nation's most celebrated events, they were rudely greeted with a halftime show stunt more fitting of a burlesque show," said FCC Chairman Michael Powell. "The show, clearly intended to push the limits of prime time television."

The commission decided not to fine CBS' more than 200 affiliate stations, which also aired the show but are not owned by the network's parent company, Viacom.

The two Democrats on the 5-member commission said the fine should have been higher. Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said the fine amounted to a "slap on the wrist" and suggested that the agency could have sent a stronger message about indecency by reprimanding CBS' affiliates as well.

MTV, a Viacom subsidiary, produced the Feb. 1 halftime show, which featured Jackson and singer Justin Timberlake performing a racy duet. At the end, Timberlake ripped off a piece of Jackson's black leather top, exposing her right breast to a TV audience of about 90 million.

Timberlake blamed a "wardrobe malfunction," and CBS was quick to apologize to viewers. The breast-baring song generated a record number of complaints to the FCC — more than 500,000.

CBS said it was extremely disappointed with the decision.

"While we regret that the incident occurred and have apologized to our viewers, we continue to believe that nothing in the Super Bowl broadcast violated indecency laws," the network said in a statement. "Furthermore, our investigation proved that no one in our company had any advance knowledge about the incident."

Viacom has said it will fight any fines leveled against its stations for the Jackson performance. Over the summer, Viacom co-president Leslie Moonves said a fine would be "grossly unfair" and promised a court challenge.

Federal law bars radio and non-cable television stations from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children may be tuning in. Once a complaint is made to the FCC, the agency determines whether the broadcast was indecent.

Within days of the Jackson incident, lawmakers on Capitol Hill began grumbling about smut on TV, and both houses passed legislation — still pending in Congress — that would raise indecency fines. The House has voted to raise the maximum indecency fine to $500,000. The Senate voted to increase the top fine to $275,000 per indecent incident, with a cap of $3 million per day.

The FCC launched a crackdown on indecency soon after the Super Bowl, resulting in several high-profile fines. Among them: a $755,000 fine against Clear Channel for graphic drug and sex talk on a "Bubba the Love Sponge" radio program and a record $1.75 million fine, also against Clear Channel, for indecency complaints against Howard Stern and other radio personalities.

Television networks also began taking pre-emptive action by implementing broadcast delays so censors could scrub anything deemed too racy. CBS, for example, aired the Grammy awards ceremony a week after the Super Bowl with a five-minute delay. More recently, the NFL kicked off its season with a live, pregame show on ABC that was aired with a 10-second delay.

My two cents -- Half a million for one boob is expensive. And I thought Al's Diamond Cabaret was expensive at $20.00 cover charge.

Seriously, I have two positions.

First, I think a fine at all is ridiculous. Not because the FCC shouldn't enforce obscenity codes, but they should enforce them as originally intended.

CBS was fined nationwide, but Janet Jackson's little stunt wasn't indecent nationwide. In New York City, they show nudity on cable television after midnight. In New Orleans, quick flashes of breasts are commonplace. In some communities, the breast exposure certainly is indecent, and legitimate complaints should be enforced. CBS affiliates in these markets should have been fined.

The report said 500,000 complaints were filed, but I find that hard to digest. Millions watched the Super Bowl, and most of them were grabbing a snack or taking a long beer-induced pee. My estimate is maybe a couple million were even watching halftime, a couple million may have caught a glimpse of Janet's breast. Most of them probably said "was that... nah... couldn't have been". A few people with big screen televisions saw it and said "holy cow" or some equally brilliant expletive. And maybe a couple hundred of those people were even extremely offended. Fact is, history shows, that out of about 10,000 people offended at something on television, one or two will call the Federal Communications Commission and actually complain.

I was in college when Axl Rose used the flying F-word during a live Grammy award acceptance speech. It was plain as day, and it was the late '80s and we were far more conservative on television at that time. Millions watched, millions heard, and many, many were offended. Approximately a few dozen formal complaints were filed. (I'm searching for the actual number currently.)

However, while few complaints were filed, decency on television became a hot topic on the talk shows and news shows and religious shows. Our almost-a-first-lady, Tipper Gore started the Parents Music Resource Center which tried to require record ratings and lyric inserts.

Since then, these groups have grown and organized, and were able to turn in 500,000 complaints about an elegantly shielded nipple.

This whole event was simply an opportunistic chance for ultra-conservatives to push their value system on all of America. I'm not saying I want breasts being exposed during football games, although I'm not against it, I simply would prefer football stays football. I'm just not willing to condone using Janet's boobs to meet political agendas.

Fine the CBS affiliates in markets where the behavior is considered offensive by the general population, as the obscenity acts originally were written an intended.

Here's my second position... thankfully a shorter one. The fines ($27,500 per station) weren't enough. If the FCC is going to take a position, then take one. Hit them hard. Don't put them out of business, but make it not worth their while to continue the behavior. Fine them enough to wipe out advertising revenue for the event. The Super Bowl, and CBS, earned millions for every 30 second commercial. If you, the FCC, insist on this ridiculous fine, please make an appropriate decision. Maybe $50,000,000 would suffice. That would insure no more boobies on television for several years to come.

Indecently,

SunFyre

February 5th, 2004... Janet Jackson's Super Bowl Video Clip

Ok, I'm getting a little bored with Janet. I'm going to publish this little animated video clip, then rant a little, then I'm done with Janet. The only reason I've not changed the subject earlier this week was that my hits keep going up. If I dilute the conversation much, the search engines will stop finding me.

As you've probably heard by now, she's admitting it was a publicity stunt. (Go figure.) Honestly, I think it's great. It succeeded amazingly well. Some people may bash her, and others will buy her album, which by the way is due out soon.

We are living in a new capitalist society where we vote with our dollars every day. If you hate what Janet did, don't buy her records. If you admire her, pick up the latest CD. You are a voter. If you vote against her, she'll be out of business and never bare herself again, or at least not make news doing it.

There are six billion people. If 99% hate Janet and 1% love her and buy her album, that's about 60 million albums sold. She doesn't need to please everyone. Even if only 1% of that 1% by the album, that's still 600,000 sales, plenty to insure Miss Jackson is around for a long time.

The bad news is, if you don't buy Janet's album because you were offended at her actions, she only needs to sell albums to a fraction of people who love her to make millions.

The good news is, if you use your dollars to vote for crap no one else likes, you stand a pretty good chance that the crap artist will still be around next year to make more crap for you. You voted with your dollars to keep more crap coming.

If you aren't sure about the crap to which I'm referring, let's get specific: Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, anything produced between 1982 and 1986, and disco.

Is that specific enough? (Yes, the list was in order.)

SunFyre

February 4th, 2004... Janet Jackson's breast shot is an Internet boon.

I've finally discovered the secret to Internet success. First you spend hundreds of hours writing about issues important to you, or just fun. Then you post one grainy image of Janet Jackson's right breast. One little screen shot of one nip slip and you're famous.

Here's a chart of my web traffic over the past 32 days. The image doesn't even reflect all of today's hits.

Janet Jackson Breast Shot searches cause SunFyre to jump 1300%

My hits are up 1300% and my visitors are up over 1100%. I didn't even have the new photos of Janet and Justin until today. Thanks to Dunlap!

Let's analyze the phenomenon that is the Janet Jackson Super Bowl Half Time Show, with "show" being the key word.

People are appalled, yet more Internet searches were done for "Janet Jackson Breast Shot" than any other topic in the past two days. In fact, yesterday 394 of you found SunFyre using that exact search. Another 285 of you arrived after typing "Janet Jackson's Exposed Breast" and several dozen of you used simply "Super Bowl Nip Slip".

Janet Jackson's Nipple Shield Sunday millions of people had never heard of a "Nipple Shield". Now, not only are most of you aware of this new apparel, several white haired old guys with multi-million dollar manufacturing companies are seriously considering manufacturing these because of the predicted spike in sales. Within weeks some of you factory workers are going to re-tool to make nipple shields.

Later on this year, someone will win the Pulitzer Prize for photo journalism. Whoever that is won't make as much money as the Associated Press photographer who got the first Janet Jackson Breast Shot. In fairness, I at least researched the photographer before I stole her image, and I cited her.

I'm getting more hits now than I did with Hurricane Isabel. Although, I still get a few dozen hits each day from people searching for Isabel. I don't think Janet Jackson will produce hits for long. I'll just ride the wave.

To all of you first time visitors, please read last month's archive or the month before. My site is actually interesting to some. Sign up for our email newsletter. And, back after Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake are gone.

The Hit Master,

SunFyre

February 2nd, 2004... Janet Jackson Super Bowl Exposed Breast Screen Shot

My good buddy, Bart, sent me an incredible screen shot. Thank goodness for HDTV! It shows Janet, breast exposed, wearing a nipple shield. The shot makes me even more suspicious about it being "unintentional".

If you are morally against exposed breasts, don't click this link! If you enjoy breasts, go ahead and click it.

If you have other shots, send them to me, I'll give you credit or credit to the originator.

Clicking,

SunFyre

February 2nd, 2004... Super Bowl Nip Slip

I should have stayed for half-time. I checked my email, and got some chips and dip. Instead of dip I could have had nip!

Here's the Associated Press version...

CBS Apologizes for Jackson's Exposure

Feb 2, 7:24 AM (ET)

NEW YORK (AP) - CBS apologized for an unexpectedly R-rated end to its Super Bowl halftime show, when singer Justin Timberlake tore off part of Janet Jackson's top, exposing her breast.

"CBS deeply regrets the incident," spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade said after the network received several calls about the show on Sunday.

The two singers were performing a flirtatious duet to end the halftime show, and at the song's finish, Timberlake reached across Jackson's leather gladiator outfit and pulled off the covering to her right breast.

The network quickly cut away from the shot, and did not mention the incident on the air.

Timberlake said he did not intend to expose Jackson's breast.

"I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl," Timberlake said in a statement. "It was not intentional and is regrettable."

Wade said CBS officials attended rehearsals of the halftime show all week, "and there was no indication any such thing would happen. The moment did not conform to CBS' broadcast standards and we would like to apologize to anyone who was offended."

The Super Bowl halftime show, which also featured P. Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock, was produced by MTV, CBS' corporate cousin in Viacom.

"We were extremely disappointed by elements of the MTV-produced halftime show," Joe Browne, NFL executive vice president, said. "They were totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given about the content of the show.

"It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime."

MTV issued a contrite statement, saying the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional."

My Two Cents - I question how "unintentional" it was. I see three possibilities.

Possibility #1: CBS blames MTV and look like the wholesome network. MTV can accept responsibility, like terrorists to a bombing, and get credit for being the anarchy network. By the way, both are owned by Viacom and no one will get fired over this one. Viacom, CBS and MTV all get a boost.

Possibility #2: Janet Jackson saw how Madonna and Britney got a publicity boost from one tiny little "impromptu" kiss on MTV in front of 3 million teenagers. Imagine what you get from a Super Bowl audience of half a billion people. "Maybe I'll just loosen this bustier a little."

Possibility #3: Justin Timberlake is thinking "Janet Jackson, I used to masturbate about her when I was 12! Holy shiit, she's right here, I could just touch... ooops!... I hope nobody noticed."

Anyhow, I added this great picture of Justin Timberlake exposing Janet Jackson's breast during the Super Bowl Half-Time Show. It was taken a few seconds after the exposure. The looks on their faces are priceless. I'll add more photos as they become available.

SunFyre

February 1st, 2004... Super Bowl Sunday

You go away for one day and miss a lot. The Patriots are NFL champions and SunFyre has a new look and feel.

First, let's talk football. Both Carolina and New England had a history of playing strong defense throughout the game and then scoring just enough in the fourth quarter to win.

What an unbelievable fourth quarter! Fifteen minutes left and the score was 14-10 Patriots. Then the flood gates opened. If anyone told me the fourth quarter would have 37 points scored I would have called them crazy. I usually hate games that end with a field goal, but after Vinatieri missed two earlier, even that was exciting.

Tom Brady and Jake Delhomme both played masterfully in the fourth quarter after barely holding on throughout the game. Either of them could have won MVP. Tom better drive Adam around in that new Cadillac any time he needs a ride. If Adam had missed that field goal, Jake could've been in that convertible.

Patriots 32 - Panthers 29 -- Recap - Stats - Photos

Ok, now you are the executive of ABC, NBC or Fox. Your job for the night is to schedule something opposite the Super Bowl on CBS.

"Ok, let's think together. Who isn't watching the Super Bowl? Well, single women looking for love. Yes! And well, gay guys and sensitive women who love them! Yes! And well, geeks and trekkies! Great, that's everyone. Ok, let's divide them up."

For those of you watching the big game, here's what was on the other channels:

ABC: Notting Hill (Hugh Grant chic flick)
NBC: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Fox: Independence Day (Will Smith saves the world.)

Last on the agenda for tonight is the "old school" look of SunFyre. I'm not sure it's really old school, considering the world wide web has only been around a decade or so. I'm just falling back to older fonts with more words and less graphics. No dancing hamsters here. (If you don't know about dancing hamsters, you haven't been online long enough to know what old school is anyhow.)

There's a wide bar over there ----------->>>>>>

I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to utilize it, but I knew eventually I'd need a wide blank bar so it's there. I'll fill it with some stuff tomorrow.

Also, the top header links aren't working yet, and January hasn't been archived yet. I'll do those tomorrow. It's time for bed.

SunFyre

Photos

Justin Timberlake exposing Janet Jackson's breast during the Super Bowl Half-Time Show

Singer Janet Jackson, left, covers her breast after her outfit came undone during a number with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Success! Thanks to my good buddy Bart! He got this incredible screen shot from his digital TV. Now I finally understand the benefits of High Definition!

Janet Jackson Breast Shot